iMac G4/LCII problems

[Rosie50]

I have two old computers I would like to pass on/sell but I have a problem deleting old information.

The G4 had a previous user, my son, whose name was under the hard drive icon at the top right hand of the screen. I had his password so set up an additional Admin account then completely deleted his user account and data and changed his name under the hard drive icon to 'Admin'.

I thought that was all done until I clicked on the apple at the top left hand of the screen and his name was still under "About this Mac". I don't know how to get rid of this. I thought all association with his name would be deleted with his account???!!!

The other computer, is a LCII which hasn't been used for some fifteen years but started immediately and I have removed all documents. I have all the floppy discs which came with it and it has been suggested that I use them to ?reformat - in order to remove any trace of old documents. I cant find out how to do this and wonder if anyone know of any links please.

I am happy to sort problems with my MacBook Pro but not knowledgeable enough to deal confidently with these older computers and would be grateful for any suggestions please.

 

[Longkeg]

For the G4 I’m guessing you just need to go into the “Sharing” pane in System Preferences and rename the computer. What you’re seeing is the computer’s name as regards networking. You don’t say what version of Mac OS it’s running. That would be helpful.

As regards the LCII... Why? These things were grossly under powered when they were new 27 years ago. I wouldn’t trust that those original floppies would be good after all this time anyway. Open It up (look for the two tabs on the back of the “pizza box”), drill the hard drive and be done with it.

 

[Rosie50]

Thank you Longkeg. Re the G4 your advice worked and I renamed the computer in 'Sharing".

The only strange thing now is that I went to Spotlight and put the name in to check it was finally deleted and it is still there, it says Folder..the icon is the hard drive..and 'Nick' is still showing! I cant find where this is coming from so I can change/delete.

I went to Finder/Go/Computer but cant see the name there.

Version is 10.4.11

Strangely, the G4 has no value here but the LCII does - presumably by collectors of old Macs! I may well end up putting a drill in it though!

 

[Longkeg]

Have you restarted the G4 since doing all the renaming? That Nich/Folder/ HD icon may be legacy data from before the name change. Restarting the computer may force it to look at all the name changes and update the directory.

Interesting about the LCII. It certainly qualifies as an antique in computer years. If you want to keep it intact look among your floppies for a “utilities” disk. If it’s still good you should be able to boot the computer from it and erase the hard drive with it. Before doing that though you may want to make sure that all the installation floppies are still intact and readable. If not you won’t be able to install a fresh OS after erasing the drive.

 

[Rosie50]

Thank you again Longkeg. Your help has been invaluable.

I did restart it and also did the ? 'first aid', verify, repair discs, etc., but not made a difference.

If I click on the Nick/ folder it just goes to the hard drive with no mention of name so I am going to stop fussing with it now as your advice sorted the original problem!

The LCII has all the floppies, they look perfect so I hope they will work.. My weekend project!

Thank you again.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Do you have the original discs for the iMac G4? If you're giving/selling this to someone, especially someone you don't know, you're going to want to completely wipe the drive, installing a fresh OS over it.

 

[Rosie50]

No, unfortunately I do not. It was given to my son who used it briefly, decided not to keep it and it was stored in my home - so I got left with it!!

So I have a choice of giving it to a charity shop or taking it to a landfill site. No data of consequence was put on there by my son..I assume the previous owner wiped his data. That is a good question though, thank you for raising it.