Factory Settings without Reformatting

I have a brand spacing new MB Air that I will be giving to my daughter in about 5 months. I would like to use it fully, but would also like to be able to hand it to her without any "footprints" of my usage. I would strongly prefer not to have to go through the hassle of reformatting and losing applications and other data that's a pain to restore (I'm assuming it's a pain, been years since I did it), but don't know a way to easily "leave no trace" otherwise. Thoughts? Is there way to get an image of the disk and restore from that later? In an ideal world I will download all of our (legal) software and some apps she uses regularly and then preserve that in some way so that I can just copy it all back onto the drive later. Should I just do a backup on a separate disk for this purpose alone? I'm not sure that's quite what I'm after (will programs also be restored?). TIA.

There is no way to accomplish this without erasing the drive and reinstalling everything using her Apple ID, not yours.
Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
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 Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.

Similar Messages

How do I reset an IPad 2 to factory settings without access to itunes account?

I bought a used IPad 2 from a rent to own store. When the Ipad was returned to store, the customer service rep did not check to see if Ipad was functioning properly and that customer info had been deleted off Ipad to protect that persons info that may be on it. We found out after I purchased, that it wasn't done. After checking their records, they had a hard time getting in contact with customer for either payment or returning item. After 6 months of no contact, he returned ipad. The customer left the passcode on it. From what I can tell, their info/apps/programs are still on it. The store has made numerous attempts to contact customer to get passcode so it can be reset to factory. But no luck. Part of the reason I haven't returned to store is I bought the Ipad while living in Canada. I am now in US. I would like to use it. Returning it is an option. and getting a full refund. Just a little more hassle to deal with.
Is there a way to reset Ipad to Factory settings without passcode on lock screen, or without itunes that it may or may not have been synced to? I do NOT want to have access to any information that the previous owner had on it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

If you are trying to activate an iPad or iPhone and it is asking for a previous owners Apple ID and password, you have encountered the Activation Lock. This is a security feature that prevents thieves from setting up and using a stolen or lost iPad or iPhone. You have no alternative. You must contact the previous owner to get permission to use the device. If you cannot contact the previous owner return the device to where you bought it and get a refund. You will never be able to activate the device and no one can help you do it. Your best bet is to return the iPad, get a refund and purchase a new iPad from a reputable source.

Resetting a Mac mini to original factory settings without a disc.

I have a Mac mini that the previous owner did not erase all content. I was hoping to reset to factory settings without a disc. The on-line restore to factory settings seems to suggest that I need to enter an Apple ID. I have one, but I'm not the original owner. Will this still work even though I'm not the original owner?

I'm going to hijack this thread a little. I also have a 2012 Mac Mini that I wanted to wipe clean, I'm very confused because i keep getting different answers to these questions, especially at Apple Store
a) Purchased in Dec 2012, it did not come with disks, people keep saying "use the disks that came with it", what am I missing here ?
b) When I wipe it, does it go back to the original operating system (10.6 I think), or the latest I upgraded to (10.9.1) ?
c) Eventually, after it is wiped, it will have a new Apple ID, is this a problem (resale) ?
d) After it is wiped, it will not have any previous personal stuff (web, banking, settings, etc) ?
e) What is this process called, or how is it performed, so I can search intelligently online
Thanks

How do I reset MacBook pro with lion back to factory settings without disk?

Good evening everyone,
I recently purchased a MacBook pro with lion installed and I need to reset it to factory settings without a disk. anyone know how to do this?

Restart it... and hold down command+R
then choose disk utility and format your disk
then choose reinstall lion
and it's back to default.
source of info: http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_boot_lion%E2%80%99s_recovery_mode
apple way is most slam.
how u like me now?
i just did this right now and my system so so fresh and pure.

TS1717 restoring default factory settings without itunes as both may have malware

How can I restoring default factory settings without itunes on my ipod 1 and ipod 3rd generation, as both may have malware aswell as 3 laptops, 2 mobile, TV snd BluRay Browser.
any advice will be greatly appreciated.
have tried to disinfect with Kaspersky products but the malware just overwrites everything that is put into the p.c. so I need to use just the pad itself, that is, of course, if it allows me access.
theres nothing like a ipad scorned, ask my weary eyes. cheers

yep, unfortunately can't reset without the passcode either.
With regards to doing a restore, do you mean:
open itunes on my computer
click on my device on the left
go to the device summary
click restore
it then asks if i want to back up before i restore (to which i say no)
then it asks me if i'm sure I want to restore to factory settings and that all of me media and data will be erased and replaced with the newest version ( to which I say yes)
then it takes about 90 mins to do this but when I look at my phone, everything is exactly the same.
Am I missing something? Obviously I'm technologically challenged, but I HAVE to get to the bottom of this!

Hi, I have an iPhone 5, 6 and an iPad... I want to give my brother my iPhone 5 and restore it back to factory settings without it affecting my iphone 6 and iPad... How do I do this?

Hi, I have an iPhone 5, 6 and an iPad... I want to give my brother my iPhone 5 and restore it back to factory settings without it affecting my iphone 6 and iPad... How do I do this?

Howdy Katie
see > What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
ÇÇÇ

How to restore an early 2009 iMac running Mavericks back to factory settings without discs

Today I got an early 2009 iMac from a family member, I would like to restore it back to its factory settings as if I was setting up a brand new computer. He does not have the discs that were originally with the iMac when he first purchased it. It is currently running on Mavericks OSX. Is it possible for me to restore this computer back to factory settings without the discs?

No. Phone Apple and order replacements, or if you don't need iLife, buy a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD from the online Apple Store; the retail DVD can be used to create a bootable OS, but not to perform a true factory restore.
(113872)

I'm having a small problem when trying to restore my macbook to the factory settings without the disk

Hey, everyone. Just a quick question. I know that to reset a macbook to it's factory settings without the disk you press the OPTION key during startup; however, when you do so, apparently you see 2 hard drives and one says "recovery." When I do it, I only see one hard drive that does not say recovery. Any one know why this could be? Thanks so much for any help offered.

shldr2thewheel wrote:
that option is only for 10.7 and higher. for 10.6 you need the disk.
I have 10.8 installed on this computer...I know it didn't come with it, it came with Snow Leopard....Anyway I've updated it, and when I boot if I press and hold the Option key, it still just boots off the drive. The only way I can get it to spring to life and do anything else is to press and hold Command + R in which case it then goes to the recovery option with the ability to restore OS X...Am I missing something??

My computer has crashed and I have had to restore the factory settings, without backing up my purchases is there anyway which I can recover purchased downloads?

My computer has crashed and I have had to restore the factory settings, without backing up my purchases is there anyway which I can recover purchased downloads?

check out Dave Sawyer's post in this thread.

How do I restore my MacBook to it's factory settings, without it's original disc?

How do I restore my MacBook to it's factory settings, without it's original disc?

Eustace gave you the correct answer here - you cannot restore your Mac to its factory settings without its original DVDs or a retail copy of another Mac OS, such as Snow Leopard.
You can try calling Apple to request a replacement set of DVDs, but I believe that also comes at a cost.
If your Mac is running Lion (OS X 10.7), then I believe the Recovery HD is available to you and can be used to wipe the computer and start fresh.
However, if you are running 10.5 or 10.6, the Recovery HD is not present and you must use a DVD.
~Lyssa

How can I wipe my hard drive and restore to factory settings without the use of the original OS CD?

I have a 2010 MacBook and I need to wipe the hard drive and restore to factory settings.
The problem is that even though I have the original disc, the CD drive has stopped functioning and will reject any disc put into it.
Therefore, is there another method to do this without the CD?

Not very easily. To restore to factory software you need the original installation DVD (CDs).
If you have another Mac which is the same make and model so that those installation DVD (CDs) would work, you can use a Firewire cable between the 2 Macs and then put your Mac to be reset into Target mode and use the other Mac to install the software. However I suspect that is unlikely.

Can I restore my iMac hard drive to factory settings without the install disc?

I have an older iMac running iOS X 10.5.8. with a 2GHZ processor. 1GB DDR SDRAM with a Power PC G5 chip
We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc. I have been searching online to find a disc, and can purchase one, but I want to know if I can do this without the install disc? We want to do this so I can give this computer to my nephew. I have already backed up all data.
Currently I have gotten as far as clicking on the "ERASE" tab in the disk utility, but the "Security Options" and "Erase" buttons are greyed out (cannot click on them). According to the Disk Utility help, the buttons are greyed out because I must start up using another disc, such as the Mac OS X install disc.
In addition, I DO have the Mac OS X install for my 13" MacBook Pro. Can I use this disc for the iMac?
Bottom line, I want to know if there is a work-around without having to purchase another start-up disk.
Thanks for your help.

We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc.
Why? Erase everything that isn't yours. Create a new id. Delete old id. Secure erase empty space on hd.
Once done, make a backup of the hd since the hd will fail eventually/soon.
Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5 DVDs may be available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0 -- January 20,2013
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24588313#24588313 -- January 22,2014

Reset my iphone 4s to factory settings without passcode

I've forgot my passcode, but I still want to reset my phone to factory settings using my computer, how can I do that, without my passcode?

See Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
You may need to try this More than Once... Be sure to Follow ALL the Steps..

Reset iPhone to factory settings without SIM card

I have a iPhone 3GS with no SIM card. I had attempted to wipe the phone of all my data by going into the phoe's General Settings and erasing all my data. I think it was done but cannot be sure.
Is there any way I can reset the phone to factory settings (wiping it clean) through iTunes without its SIM card?

There should be no problems other than the inconvenience of having to restore your iPhone to factory settings.
Except for one factor - contacts, calendar, notes, photos in the camera roll. You need to copy all of these to your computer or you will lose them. The easiest way is to sync these with apps on your computer such as MS Outlook or iCal and Address Book on a Mac. Photos are copied the same way you would with any digital camera.
The alternative is a 3rd party app that can copy files from an iPhone to your computer. iOS Data Recovery software is probably the best. It is not free, but has gotten positive reviews.
NOTE: I have no connection with the developers, and don't even own it.
Read more here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

Macbook Pro from 2011. Can I restore to factory settings without disk?

Hello I think I downloaded a virus on my mac. I dont have time machine so the only option I think I have is to restore my macbook but I dont think my macbook was baught with Lion. What are my options? P.s. My Model Identifier:
MacBookPro8,1

Hello I think I downloaded a virus on my mac.
Before you waste time restoring your computer to factory settings, what makes you believe you have a virus? Although Macs are not invulnerable, malware on the Mac is quite rare and most of it can't make it past the built-in defenses in Mac OS X. So, it's very unlikely that you have malware. Post a clear, concise description of the problems you're having.
Also, if you don't have backups, that needs to be your absolute top priority. Without backups, it's just a matter of time before all your data is irrevocably destroyed.

Factory Settings without Reformatting

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for