I would like to delete only data, not programs, (apps) on my 1999 iMac. Is there a way to do that with out reinstalling the old operating system. There are many programs that I don't wish to delete. My iMac has 1t. hard drive and a 600mhz G3 processor.
Earlier Mac models
You would have to manually move every data file of interest to the Trash/Wastebasket and then empty the Trash (via Empty Trash in the Special menu). You will have to look for personal files in various folders. Preferences files can usually be deleted as well.
With a Mac OS 9.x iMac, files emptied from the Trash will not be securely erased. That is, the files could be recovered unless overwritten. So, once all affected data files have been moved to the Trash, and the Trash has been emptied, you would have to use a third-party utility in order to overwrite (securely erase) free space.
The commercial Norton Utilities contained a utility called Wipe Info, at least for earlier Macintosh system versions. There was a free utility called Burn 2.5, too (https://www.nic.funet.fi/index/info-mac/_Disk_&_File/). Check compatibility with your exact operating system version and its file system before using any utility.
The usual way to do that is to drag them to the Trash.
My iMac has 1t. hard drive and a 600mhz G3 processor.
It must be a more recent model than 1999. 2001 probably. The answer stays the same.
You didn't indicate what OS version that you're running, but since you mentioned not wanting to reinstall the old operating system, I'm assuming that your iMac is running a version of OS X, possibly Panther or Tiger. If you're concerned about making deleted files unrecoverable, select the "secure empty trash" option in the Finder.
Are you trying to download something (a BinHex = .hqx or MacBinary = .bin Macintosh file) directly to the Mac OS 9 iMac? If so, please note that a web browser compatible with Mac OS 9 cannot handle modern (secure, https) web sites. Unless the web page is plain http (rare today), you would have to use a modern Mac or PC for the download, and then transfer the file to the old iMac on a (PC/FAT-formatted) USB flash drive. Do not try to decode/decompress/alter the file in any way until on the Mac OS 9 machine. Once there, use StuffIt Expander (should be installed already) for the decoding. Drag the .hqx or .bin file (may have a truncated name) onto the StuffIt Expander program icon.
Yes, it is a 1999. I upgraded the memory and processor. It is running 9.2.2
Sorry, I didn't mention it, but it is running 9.2.2
Received this notice: No common encryption algorithm.
thanks for trying.
Deleting data on an old iMac (1999)
