Can't restore MacBook Pro to factory - won't recognize Wi-Fi

Hello all,
I am selling my MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard, and need to restore the computer to factory settings.  I have de-authorized my computer in iTunes and backed it up.  I do not have any factory disks.  I am pretty good at saving everything that came with my computers and peripherals, and I don't recall getting any disks with this computer.  They are not in the original box (but the receipt is).  The computer is running perfectly with no issues.
Anyway, my problem arises when I try to boot while holding Command + Option + R. It brings up a screen with a small spinning Earth icon and a bar that says "Choose Network".  Clicking this bar produces a drop down menu of two local wifi networks - neither of which are mine (my MacBook automatically recognizes my network when it's running regularly).  If I choose the three dots below these listed networks, it brings up a screen with two blank spaces.  The first has the wifi symbol next to it, and the other has a padlock.  I assume this is to manually enter the SSID and password for my network.  I tried entering these very carefully, and it acts as if it's looking for the network.  But 5 minutes later, it's still thinking. 
I'm stuck at this screen.  Is there any way to get the MacBook to recognize my wifi?  Thanks for your help.

Thanks for the suggestion, Shootist007, but that's not accurate.  There were no disks of any kind included with the MacBook Pro I bought.  I am very anal about keeping everything that comes with a computer.  I don't misplace or lose them.  I've been buying computers since '88, and I am very careful to maintain original items.  I searched the original MacBook Pro box several times, and there's nothing in there but the original purchase receipt from the Apple Store and the form fitting black plastic tray and cushion.
I did try wiring the system, and that's when it tried to restore Lion (and wouldn't let me do a restore of anything else).
Are you saying that if I do upgrade to Lion, and then do a system restore, then the buyer will not be able to use Lion?

Similar Messages

  • Can't restore MacBook Pro to factory settings/boot from usb or dvd

    So I recently got a MacBook Pro, currently running OS X 10.7.4 Lion. I am well-versed in the world of Windows, however am quite new when it comes to macs (whole reason why I got it).
    I'm trying to restore it to its factory settings without owning a restore disc. The HDD only has one partition (no recovery partition).
    I have located and downloaded a torrent for an OS X installer, specifically a .dmg image file containing OS X 10.7.
    I tried burning that image to a DVD, but when I go to boot from the DVD (to my understanding, this is done by holding "C" during boot) it doesn't work, and just continues to proceed to the logon screen as it normally would.
    I have tried converting the image from a .dmg to a .iso (something I am far more familiar with) using one of my Windows machines, and then burning that to a DVD, however, it yields the same result as above.
    I have tried using the Disc Utility to format a flash drive (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)) and then using the same Disc Utility to "restore" the image file to the USB drive. When I go to boot from this (holding alt/option at boot) it shows the internal HDD as the only bootable drive.
    Is it possible that since I am technically running a newer version of Mac OS X (10.7.4 and using an installer of 10.7) that it will not allow me to do so? I know Apple has made it difficult to downgrade iPhones and the like, and I suppose it wouldn't surprise me a great deal to find out that the same applies to their computers.. But if I am attempting to boot from a different source, and use that to format and repartition my HDD, then I don't see why that would matter...
    Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks for the suggestion, Shootist007, but that's not accurate.  There were no disks of any kind included with the MacBook Pro I bought.  I am very anal about keeping everything that comes with a computer.  I don't misplace or lose them.  I've been buying computers since '88, and I am very careful to maintain original items.  I searched the original MacBook Pro box several times, and there's nothing in there but the original purchase receipt from the Apple Store and the form fitting black plastic tray and cushion.
    I did try wiring the system, and that's when it tried to restore Lion (and wouldn't let me do a restore of anything else).
    Are you saying that if I do upgrade to Lion, and then do a system restore, then the buyer will not be able to use Lion?

  • Macbook Pro (late) 2008 won't recognize HD and MAC OS X installed, but recognizes SAME HDD with Windows installed ... where is the problem !???D a

    Macbook Pro (late) 2008 won't recognize HDD and MAC OS X installed, but recognizes SAME HDD with Windows installed ... where is the problem !???
    And HDD is APPLE certified ( 250 GB )

    Hello JashaCOLD,
    Thank you for the details of the issue you are experiencing with your external hard drive.  I found an article with steps you can take when an external device is not being recognized.
    I recommend following the steps in the section titled "Top troubleshooting tips" in the following article:
    USB and FireWire Quick Assist
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151
    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
    Best,
    Sheila M.

  • How to restore MacBook Pro to factory

    How do I restore my MacBook Pro to factory settings

    Just follow these instructions:
    http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-prepare-your-mac-for-sale/
    Ciao.

  • Restoring Macbook Pro to factory setting

    Hi
    I follow the instruction of the Apple website for restoring my system into factory setting everything was fine until I needed to connect my macbook pro to wifi.
    the problem is under no circumstances  the machine could fine the wifi network.
    I have tried several wifi networks and still I cannot connect it to the network (main problem is either finding the network or Authentication - for 100% I am sure that I am using the right password because I have to connect to those networks manually everyday)

    Hi OGELTHORPE!
    Thank you for your advice but I don't know where i can get it and where to get it. Also I don't know also how to use it.
    Could you please keep on helping me?
    Regards!

  • How can i restore macbook pro to its' factory settings?

    i wanna restore my mac to its' factory settings. how can i do this??
    thanks for help

    Use its original disks to erase the drive and install a new OS.
    (60804)

  • Can't restore MacBook Pro

    I booted up my Mac with Command + R when into utilities and erased my Mac since it was acting strangely and it was slow.
    So when I try to reinstall Mountain Lion it doesn't let me it says "An error occured while preparing the installation" I don't know what to do now and help would be great.
    I need my Mac for class tomorrow. I installed Mountain Lion via the app store, I don't have the original discs on my computer and there are no apple stores in my country.
    Thanks.

    Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
      2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
          left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
            the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
                because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • My macbook pro retina 13inch won't recognize my external drive (LaCie 1TB  porsche design)

    Hello,
    I've had this drive for about 8 months and it's always worked fine. But when i connect it now to my macbook it won't show up anywhere, not with disk utility system profiler, nothing. However it does turn, i can hear and feel it spinning. Also when i connect to a windows it does show up. So I checked if it was the usbport of my macbook but when connecting my ipod there was no problem.
    Any ideas?
    Thx!!

    Hello valleke92,
    It sounds like you are unable to see your external HDD when you plug it in via USB. I would use the troubleshooting from the following article named:
    USB and FireWire Quick Assist
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1151
    Check the connections
    If you're using a cable, make sure that both ends of the cable are properly and securely connected to your device and Mac. Try unplugging your device and then plugging it back in. If you're connecting a FireWire device, make sure that the cable is no more than 15 feet (4.5 meters) long. If you're connecting a USB device, make sure that the cable is no more than 16 feet long. If you're making a direct connection, make sure that the device's connector is fully seated in your computer's port. If your device also connects to a power outlet, make sure it has power.
    Check the system requirements
    Check your device's documentation or packaging again, or go to the manufacturer's website, to verify that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements to use the device.
    Check your device's power
    If the device has a power switch, make sure it is on. Try turning your device off and then on again.  Some devices require more power that the bus supplies. If your device came with an external power adapter, always connect it to a power source in for the best performance from your device.
    Restart your Mac
    Sometimes a simple restart can resolve issues. From the Apple menu, choose Restart to restart your computer. Once your Mac is finished starting up, test your device again.
    Check the software
    See if a newer version of software is available for your device if it requires software. Visit the product manufacturer's website.
    Check your device's power
    Make sure that your device is on if it has a power switch; try turning your device off and then on again.
    Try a different port and cable
    Connect your device to a different USB or FireWire port on your Mac. If you connected your device to a USB or FireWire hub or to a port on another USB or FireWire device that's connected to your Mac (known as daisy chaining), connect your device directly to a port on your computer. Some devices need to draw power from a USB or FireWire port to work; if you connect a device to a non-powered hub (one that isn't plugged in to a power source) or to a low-power port (such as the one on your USB keyboard), it may not work. If you have another known-good cable, try swapping the cable to see if that works. If it does, you should replace the problematic cable.
    There is additional troubleshooting in the article if you need it, but it should all work you towards a resolution.
    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
    Regards,
    Sterling

  • My macbook pro (late 2008) won't recognize dvd or cd?

    A few days ago my computer stopped recognizing that a disc was in the drive.  It has worked fine up until now.  Each time I insert a disc, the computer will spin the disc, then spit it back out.  I have tried opening programs that use the drive such as DVD Player, VLC Media Player, iTunes, Propresenter, and a DVD Ripping software to try to get it to use the drive, but none of these worked. 

    Spray canned air into the drive before you replace it.  Mine gives me fits everytime I use it (which isn't often) until I spray it out with air.

  • MacBook Pro 2.33 won't recognize HItachi 7k200

    Hello,
    My "friend" just received his 7k200 200Gb/7200 RPM Hitachi SATA drive. He used SuperDuper to copy his current drive to to the 7K200 (over USB 2.0) and made sure to format and partition the drive with the "GUID Partition Table" option enabled.
    After carefully following the instructions in DIY to replace the OEM drive, the system would only boot to show the "?" Folder at startup. He could not even put the laptop into Target Firewire mode.
    After checking all the connections very carefully to make sure everything was seated properly (all connections were fine), He tried again - but to no avail. He then put the OEM drive back and and everything worked just fine again - no problems.
    I hope he is just forgetting to do something silly when creating the copy in SuperDuper or something. Next step is to get a FireWire enclosure to try and boot from it externally. The 200Gb 7K200 checks out perfect with disk tools and mounts fine.
    Is there some limitation on the size of this disk? Shouldn't the Hitachi 7K200 be compatible?
    Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
    Any thoughts or suggestions wou

    problem solved! - one of the RAM chips was not fully
    seated. It was tough to figure out because the system
    showed the full 2gb of memory.
    System sees new drive and is working properly now!
    Interesting... a "friend" of mine also did a hard drive replacement (whacked a 250GB Western Digital in there) on a 1st Gen MBP 17". On putting it all together again and firing it up, all that appeared was a blank screen, but the HDD and fans could be heard spinning.
    After much frustration, it turned out that one of the memory modules (the back one) was not seated correctly, no matter how it was fitted. Needed to use the small screw driver with the computer open to lever the module fully into the socket and then put it all together.
    When the next hard drive upgrade takes place I, um I mean he, will leave the memory modules in place!

  • How to restore macbook pro back to factory settings

    how do i restore macbook pro to factory settings

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    If it didn't come with DVDs:
    1. Press Command, Option and R keys when your computer starts and open Disk Utility.
    2. Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar and erase the disk.
    3. Install Mac OS X.
    If it came with discs:
    1. Insert the Mac OS X disc and press C key when your Mac starts.
    2. Go to Utilities > Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD in the sidebar and erase the disk.
    3. Install Mac OS X

  • How can I restore my new Macbook pro to Factory setting?

    How can I restore my new Macbook pro to Factory setting?

    Install or Reinstall Lion from Scratch
    If possible backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive.
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
    Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
    After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
    Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Install button.
    Note: Be sure you have an active internet connection.

  • How do i restore my macbook pro to factory to resell it

    How do I restore my macbook pro to factory to resell it?

    You'll need both gray discs that shipped with your MacBook Pro. If you no longer have them you can (with your serial number handy) order a set from Apple for around $20.
    Then follow the instructions here -> How to prepare your Mac for sale.
    Note that you MUST restore with the original OS that shipped with your Mac!
    Clinton

  • How do I restore my macbook pro to factory setting

    How do I restore my macbook pro to factory setting

    Lion installs both itself and a Recovery HD. Booting the latter is how you reinstall Lion or fix things with Disk Utility. So, what you can do is this:
    Install or Reinstall Lion from Scratch
    If possible backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive.
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
    Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
    After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
    Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Install button.
    Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.
    Now, this will completely erase the volume in which Lion is currently installed. When you then reinstall Lion it will be like coming fresh from the factory ready for a new user. I hope this is a working solution for your problem. If it is not, then I would encourage you to create a new topic more relevant to your needs which will solicit others to offer help. That isn't going to happen in someone else's already old topic. Had I not forgotten to stop email notifications from this topic, then I never would have been aware or your post.

  • HT201262 How to restore an apple macbook pro to factory default?

    How to restore an apple macbook pro to factory default?

    Selling your Mac / Resetting  the computer to the factory condition
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5189
    http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-prepare-your-mac-for-sale/

Maybe you are looking for