[mikochu]

Hey folks,

I'm sellingmy iBook to my aunt. I was wondering if adding another administrator user and deleting my user will suffice. That should delete all of my passwords/info, right? I really don't want to format/reinstall OSX...

Thanks

[OreoCookie]

If you want to be sure, there is nothing better than zeroing your drive and reinstalling OS X. You have to do only half of the install, when the computer restarts, you may switch it off and send it to the buyer.

[cms]

Your solution will achieve your desired result but will not ensure that your data is beyond recovery. While I have no doubt you can trust your Aunt, your data would still be recoverable by anyone who knows how if the iBook is lost or stolen any time in the future.

Best advice is what OreoCookie said: reformat and reinstall. Doesn't take long and guarantees peace of mind.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by mikochu

I really don't want to format/reinstall OSX...

Yes, you want to.

[OreoCookie]

It also doesn't take long, because, you don't have to do anything. Just pop in the CD, zero the drive (which takes time, but you don't have to be at the computer) and the continue with the installation (which also doesn't require any user interaction).

[Kar98]

Originally Posted by mikochu

I really don't want to format/reinstall OSX...

Yes, you do.


A _full_ archive and install, complete with downloading all the updates only takes about an hour (well, I've got a 6MB DSL connection). A wipe and basic pre-install shouldn't take more than half an hour, resets the computer to factory conditions (data-wise) and let the buyer deal with downloading all the updates, registration and such.

[Mithras]

Found this somewhere a long while ago, still find it useful:

Before you do anything:

1) Deauthorize the computer in iTunes! Deauthorize both iTunes and Audible.
2) Remove Open Firmware passwords
3) 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.

[Tsilou B.]

Originally Posted by mikochu

Hey folks,
I'm sellingmy iBook to my aunt. I was wondering if adding another administrator user and deleting my user will suffice.

After doing this, you should log in as the new administrator, open Disk Utility and "erase free space" on the volume. That's certainly more secure than to reinstall everything without using the "Zero out all data" option. If you want to be 100% sure that it's really impossible to recover any passwords or personal information, then you'll have to reformat using the "Zero out all data 7 times" option and reinstall everything.