This is for the mac users of the forum (if any).

I'm trading my I-Mac for a different computer soon and I figure it would be best to format all my history, files, settings, etc. Just completely clearing everything on the computer to make it easier for the next person to set up. Does anyone here know how to go about doing that?

Hi

I don't know how to do that, but I wanted to ask you - were you happy owning the Mac and just upgrading now or moving away from Mac completely?

I keep hearing how Mac's are virtually virus-proof and that's something that makes me consider getting one.

I'm moving away from macs. I tried it. I didn't like it. They're too expensive for my major and I don't have that kind of money. So I'm trading it in but like I said, I need to format it first.

They are 99% virus proof. There is a trojan for Macs but people say the only way to get it is to download porn from limewire. It's a great computer unless you need to do things like video editing. If that happens, hope you have a lot of money because you'll need it for all the programs and video codecs you'll need.

Thanks for the info. No, I don't do any video editing or download porn. Most of my computer usage is accessing work e-mail from home, storing my personal music, (iTunes, etc.) and photos, and just basic stuff, nothing fancy or complicated.

I hope you find the info and help you need - good luck and thanks again.

I-tunes is probably the only music source that it works with.

If you have the disks for re-installing the operating system then you might want to erase the hard drive and re-install the operating system. If your Mac's OS is version 10.3.x or above it has a built in disk erasing program (learn more about it here). You might be able to use a free program, such as Derik's Boot and Nuke (dban), to erase the hard drive.

If you go the erasing route you probably want to preform it at the DoD standard (dban gives you this option). I believe the current DoD standard requires writing random data over the disk seven times, thereby "destroying" old data.

A simple format of the hard drive won't erase data.

Thanks, KarateEd.

Will erasing the hard drive wipe out all the other stuff on it like "Finder", "I-Cal", "I-Tunes" and things like that?

It should wipe out everything. You'll have to reinstall the OS and all other software that you plan to use. You'll need to back up files you want to keep or else they'll be destroyed, too.

Thanks again for the info. I just wanted to make sure so I know what to expect. I have to format it this weekend.