How do I wipe my computer?

[aidanpie]

So, I recently got a newer macbook pro handed down to me. It came with gigabytes upon gigabytes of pictures on it as the last owner was a photographer. I've tried deleting all them, but it is taking FOREVER to empty the trash as I have about 200,000 items in it. Also, there are some that I can't seem to delete because they are locked or something.
I've tried to wipe the drive a couple times, but nothing I've done has worked...

First I read somewhere that I needed to boot off the cd and select a 'delete all and install' option. So I booted from the cd but there was no such option. I've done a system restore twice now trying to figure this out.

After that failed, I found this website that said I needed to go the disk utility and select the 'erase' tab then change the format to "mac os extended(journaled)" then click erase and I would be done.
But herein lies my problem. While the format is already mac os extended, i cannot change the format (it is light gray). Also, I can't click the erase button (it is light gray also).

So my question is, how do I make the erase button clickable so that I can erase my hard drive?

Thank you!

 

[Cheryl]

It sounds like you didn't start up the computer with the disk.

First, plug in the AC adaptor and make sure you have it plugged into a working outlet.

Now insert the OS X disk, wait for it to show on the desktop, then go to the Apple Menu and select restart. Now immediately hold down the C key. Continue to hold down the key until the computer starts up with the disk. You will hear the disk drive working and the desktop will be different from what was set and Welcome in different languages will appear. Release the C key and allow the computer to finish booting up.

Now select your language. Go to the utilities menu and select Disk Utility.
Now at the left in the side bar, select the very first drive listed. Now click on the erase tab. You should be able to wipe the drive clean and do a fresh install when done.