MacBook – Incorrect hostname in terminal after factory reset

hostsmacbook promojave

I wiped out Mac and reinstalled (Mojave) (logout from Cloud, Messages, deauthorized iTunes, erase disk, reinstall). Now my terminal is showing a name that I set up through Preferences -> Sharing on previous instance of system (before reinstall).

I checked Preferences -> Sharing computer Name is:
Kathy’s MacBook Pro

When I check in bash:

red-panda:~ kathy$ scutil --get ComputerName
Kathy’s MacBook Pro
red-panda:~ kathy$ scutil --get LocalHostName
Kathys-MacBook-Pro
red-panda:~ kathy$ scutil --get HostName
HostName: not set

My questions:
1. Why red-panda is still there after reinstallation? Where that information is stored? If I want to sell the Mac, how can I be sure to wipe all out?
2. Can HostName: not set make any troubles?

Best Answer

1.) red-panda is your current computer name.

  1. Click Apple Menu on Top Left
  2. Open the System Preferences... App
  3. Type Computer Name in Search
  4. Change the red-panda to whatever you like, I would suggest something short, like KM, if you plan to use Terminal a lot
  5. Close System Preferences... App

To securely wipe your hard drive, do an after-restart system reinstall and pick the proper option.

For more info and useful tips on how not to lose your own data before doing it, read some articles like this:

2. No, no trouble for no hostname. The hostname is not set by default upon install.

However, if you wish to set it, execute: scutil --set HostName desired-hostname-here-again-I-suggest-a-short-name-like-kmp in Terminal.

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