Stuck clearing a broken MacBook for Sale (any help appreciated)

[Jameshastewood]

Hi,

I have a MacBook Pro with a broken screen that I'd like to sell on eBay.

The issue is I can't get the laptop into reboot mode by holding command + R as it boots up to wipe it clean. I have to use an external screen and when I put the laptop into clam mode (external mouse, keyboard and screen plugged in), it just takes me to the password screen to log in and keeps bypassing the fact that I'm holding command + R.

I have taken everything off the laptop, all my files, pictures, music etc, and also I have logged out of every bit of software and uninstalled.

I'm looking for opinions on whether it would be safe to sell in its current state, where I have deleted everything of mine possible off it, but I have not put it back to its factory settings.

I'd also like to know if there is a way I can put it back to factory settings, while also taking into account that the screen is broken so the command + R approach is not working.

The Mac Book is 2014 and is currently running the latest operating software.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Let me know any questions.

(Sorry if the prefix for this post is wrong I wasn't too sure what to put)

 

[rpmurray]

Some of the online instructions I've read say that you may need to enter your password to enter Recovery. When you say "password screen" does it have a lock? If so, does logging in take you to the MacOS Utilities?

If not, have you tried reseting the SMC?

How to reset SMC in a MacBook​

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Connect your power adapter to your Mac and to a power source.
3. With the Mac still powered off, press Shift-Control-Option and press the power button at the same time.
4. Release all keys and power up your Mac.

Maybe an issue with your Recovery partition. Try reinstalling the OS to recreate it.

• Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.
• Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

 

[Jameshastewood]

Some of the online instructions I've read say that you may need to enter your password to enter Recovery. When you say "password screen" does it have a lock? If so, does logging in take you to the MacOS Utilities?

If not, have you tried reseting the SMC?

How to reset SMC in a MacBook​

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Connect your power adapter to your Mac and to a power source.
3. With the Mac still powered off, press Shift-Control-Option and press the power button at the same time.
4. Release all keys and power up your Mac.

Maybe an issue with your Recovery partition. Try reinstalling the OS to recreate it.

• Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.
• Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

Hi and thanks for getting back to me.

I've tried again with your feedback and unfortunately still having the same problem. Putting in the password is just logging me in normally, not taking the Mac to utilities mode, and holding down the keys above as the laptop boots up isn't taking me to utilities mode either.

I think the issue lies with the laptop not wanting to go into utilities mode while using an external screen.

I'll keep trying, thanks again

 

[tonmischa]

Try holding "T" during boot. This will put your Mac into "Target Disk Mode".
Your mac will act as an external hard drive and you will be able to connect to it with a USB-C / Thunderbolt Cable.
You will then be able to wipe the hard drive.

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

(PS In the unlikely event that a Firmware Password has been set, this procedure will NOT work.)


EDIT: Even if you copied your files off of the mac, your account data, login credentials, keychains, saved passwords are still there. I strongly advise against selling it without wiping the hard drive first.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You're not getting much for a 2014 MBP with a broken display.

If you still insist on selling it, and can't get it to boot, I suggest you open the case, remove the internal SSD, and sell it that way (without the SSD).

You can physically DESTROY the SSD if you wish.

 

[Jameshastewood]

OP:

You're not getting much for a 2014 MBP with a broken display.

If you still insist on selling it, and can't get it to boot, I suggest you open the case, remove the internal SSD, and sell it that way (without the SSD).

You can physically DESTROY the SSD if you wish.

Thanks for the honesty.

I'll probably take this onboard and just keep it as some sort of back up