[Lancer409]

Hello NN'ers,

I've just sold my Powerbook G4 12incher (rev c) and I need your help. I want to wipe my HD, but I dont know how to go about doing it. I read there are programs that will write, 1's and 0's all over a HD to ensure the info is hard to recover. I just dont want to have "identity theft / security issues"

Can you guys explain how to do this? Thanks a bunch for all of your help. Hopefully I'll be back on NN with a MBP!

[Nai no Kami]

This may help. Especially the last post.
http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lounge/218769/how-to-prepare-powerbook-for-sale/

[Nai no Kami]

I was forgetting this quote:

Here's what I do:

Before you do anything:

1) Deauthorize the computer in iTunes! Deauthorize both iTunes and Audible.
2) Remove Open Firmware passwords
3) Shut down any Virtual PCs you might be running.
4) Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.


To create a clean installation:

1. Install OS X and set it up the way you want it. Install the clean system, create
an admin account, update all applications. You'll see later how to delete
accounts and re-enable setup assistant to run on first boot.

2. Boot from a different volume (e.g. firewire drive, or second volume
on your primary drive). This isn't strictly necessary, but makes
the following easier.

3. Clean up the image (use the GUI or these terminal commands):
rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/BootCache.playlist
rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/volinfo.database
rm -r /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/vm/swap*

4. Optional extra cleanup items while the image is mounted:
o To get rid of the admin account you used to set up the machine, use the terminal:
nicl -raw /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/netinfo/local.nidb -delete /users/<admin>
rm -r /Volumes/<imagevol>/Users/<admin>
o If you want the restore image to start up in setup assistant:
rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/.AppleSetupDone

5. Shut down.

[Lancer409]

Is there something I can run that will totally wipe the HD? I plan to wipe the laptop, and basically re install 10.4, then update it all the way before I send it out. I was hoping To find a program that will write all 1's to the HD, then write all 0's. Basically, to make data recovery impossible or improbable. (I tied my life to that powerbook, i'd hate for my online banking and everything else to bite me in the rear when i transfer the laptop.

I know pc's have such programs, but i am less familiar on the mac front.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. Its making this hard moment a bit easier to bear!

[uicandrew]

to erase everything completey and write 1 and 0's over everything, put in the Mac OS disk, restart the computer, boot from cd, and go under disk utility. then choose erase and then choose options. You can write over the disk once, 3 times, 7 times or 35 times.

keep in mind that it takes at least 1 hour or so to write over everything in terms of 1 and 0's. You might try to calculate it out in terms of write speed and rotational speed of the hard disk, but it doesn't work that way. it takes a long time.

[john h]

Originally Posted by Lancer409

Hello NN'ers,

I've just sold my Powerbook G4 12incher (rev c) and I need your help. I want to wipe my HD, but I dont know how to go about doing it. I read there are programs that will write, 1's and 0's all over a HD to ensure the info is hard to recover. I just dont want to have "identity theft / security issues"

Can you guys explain how to do this? Thanks a bunch for all of your help. Hopefully I'll be back on NN with a MBP!

I am selling mine this weekend (15" G4 Ti Powerbook). I have installed the DVD that came with the PB and did an erase and install. I started the computer and took it to where the new owner can start entering his personal information,passwords,etc. It was a 10.2 version of the Apple OS. I also have included an Apple OS 10.4 Tiger DVD that he can use to upgrade the computer. It is a retail version so I am legally ok. I will also do a complete recharge of the battery the day prior to delivery.

If one wants to be really really safe you can zero out the HD but unless you are with the CIA or FBI it would be a rare person to try and recover anything from you HD>

[b1NARY73]

I have bought and sold many powerbooks on eBay, and here. I always do a clean install. But the writing 1's and 0's is a bit extreme. The first thing I do if I buy a used Powerbook is do a clean install anyways...... but that is just me.

[Lancer409]

GOD YOU ARE AWESOME!!! I didnt know our OS disk came with that write/unwrite dealie. i think 7 times will be sufficient

[Lancer409]

i remember reading something on digg.com (i think it was a cnet article) or pc mag article, that said they recovered data from 4 out of 5 hd's. then they told the previous owners about it. they found credit card info, bank acct info etc...

i'm just trying to stay on the safe side.