Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How do I prepare my 2007 24" iMac for sale?
- Thread starter dougb256
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Do you have a copy of OS X that you can install in to it? If you have, just wipe the HD with Disk Utility and reinstall OS X and that's it
I just did this this weekend as I sold my MBP.
If you have an OSX install disc or the discs that came with the computer at purchase, put them in the computer and re-boot under these discs by selecting them under "startup volume" in system preferences.
Once they load up, go to "Disc Utility" in the drop down menues at the top. Then, you should be able to initialize the disc which will wipe it clean.
However, if you want to securely erase your data, you will need an app like Drive Genious to shred your data. If you don't, you run the risk that someone who is tech savvy buys your computer, accesses the data and either steals it or sells it to someone else. If you can, I would recommend shredding data if you have sensitive docs that might contain credit card, social security #s, etc.
Once initialized/cleaned, you will have to go through the process of re-installing the OS and all related applications. Then you're ready to sell!
If you have an OSX install disc or the discs that came with the computer at purchase, put them in the computer and re-boot under these discs by selecting them under "startup volume" in system preferences.
Once they load up, go to "Disc Utility" in the drop down menues at the top. Then, you should be able to initialize the disc which will wipe it clean.
However, if you want to securely erase your data, you will need an app like Drive Genious to shred your data. If you don't, you run the risk that someone who is tech savvy buys your computer, accesses the data and either steals it or sells it to someone else. If you can, I would recommend shredding data if you have sensitive docs that might contain credit card, social security #s, etc.
Once initialized/cleaned, you will have to go through the process of re-installing the OS and all related applications. Then you're ready to sell!
When using Disc utility choose 7 pass erase as minimum and 35 pass erase if your prepared to wait and wait 
When using Disc utility choose 7 pass erase as minimum and 35 pass erase if your prepared to wait and wait
I guess I wasn't aware that Disc Utility would securely wipe your data...nevermind my suggestion for a third party app.
I have the original discs, plus the Leopard discs, plus the Snow Leopard Disks. Which should I use, and what should I give to the buyer?
We did talk about this, but we literally have no place to put it. The 27" is in the studio, my wife and I each have MacBooks and iPhones, and my wife also has her work laptop. All available surface space has been taken.
Since I was operating on Snow Leopard, I just used that disc for initializing the hard drive. I guess it depends on what you need at home. Since Snow Leopard was included in my new iMac, I don't need the other SL disc anymore (it's included in the discs that came with the iMac). So, I gave the buyer the original discs my MBP came with, plus Snow Leopard.
When using Disc utility choose 7 pass erase as minimum and 35 pass erase if your prepared to wait and wait
35 pass said 1 day 13 hrs! I'll go for 7 pass
Are the original install disks Leopard ones (so did your Mac come with Leopard pre-installed?)? You could just wipe the HD and give the iMac + install disks to him and let him install the OS X and if he wants 10.6, he can buy it
Give the original disks with it since you only can use theme with that specific model. If he needs another system you could raise the price slightly. If he doesn't need them you could sell them apart.
The originals are Tiger. I installed Snow Leopard on it last night, the buyer will have to update it to 10.6.2.
You need to reinstall it from one of the gray disks. Since it's a 2007 iMac, you might consider selling it with a copy of iLife '11 ($50). If you haven't updated your new Mac to iLife '11 already, well, that would be your chance.
And remember, if you installed Snow Leopard (or iLife '09/'11) on the iMac, you need to ship the DVD with the Mac, as it is the proof that there is a license for it.
And remember, if you installed Snow Leopard (or iLife '09/'11) on the iMac, you need to ship the DVD with the Mac, as it is the proof that there is a license for it.