How do I erase my computer without an install disk?

I just got a new macbook, and am looking to give my old one away. I am running OSX 10.5.8, and I want to erase all of my personal data, programs and settings without losing the OS. Is that possible? All of the instructions I've found for wiping the memory start with the install disc, but I don't have one of those (OS came pre-installed). How do I set about wiping the computer without an install disc?

Is it any wonder that I called this thread unhelpful when from begining to end it has been bristling with comments like yours: "It would not be bad for you to read how to behave in society" and people assuring me that I must be lieing or crazy about the discs?
I asked a very simple question, met with rude remarks on my character, and solved the question myself in the end. The macbook is still being given away, but to someone I trust not to try to recover my deleted files. I wanted a clean memory for her to use.
My husband works in IT (Windows, usually), so I am familiar with the frustrations computer gurus face when the uninformed like me ask (apparently) the wrong question. I am also, however, familiar with good customer service and the way good companies take care of the poor shmucks who don't know how to phrase what they want. "How to behave in society"-- maybe try it yourself. I sincerely hope the people represented here, with the exception of Mr. Walter Milano who was actually polite *and* helpful, aren't Apple service representatives. The rudeness is not what I had come to expect from this company.

Similar Messages

How do I resinstall mountain lion without an install disk?

I have an older macbook that doesn't support Lion or Mountain Lion. The person who owned it previously said they "deleted" the system preferences application. I didn't believe them, but sure enough, nothing will allow you into system preferences. I want to reinstall the operating system and clean it out, but I don't have any install disks, not even an old OS X disk.
Any suggestions? Is there a way to make a bootable OS X 10.6 disc? Is there a legitimate ISO available? I've seen a bunch on torrents that look like they're bloated.
Thanks

Call apple care at 1 800 692 7753 - give them the computers serial number. You can purchase replacement discs for that computer. They charge $16 for each disc. You need two of them.

How can I reformat my MBP's hard drive without the Install Disk?

My MacBook Pro got a virus, and I need to reformat my computer without the Install Disk (I don't have it anymore).
Is it possible to fix it?

you don't have a virus.
your best antivirus is already installed in your Macbook. It's called OS X Lion. (fully updated).
do not install any memory resident antivirus in your computer. Especially anything made by Norton or Mackeeper.
download and install ClamX AV a non memory resident anti virus and scan your macbook once a week.
since you're running Lion, you can create a Lion Recovery Disk Assitant in a USB Thumb Drive. Click here. for more info.

How do I reactivate and install Adobe Acrobat on a new computer without the original disk?

I am moving to a new computer and the Acrobat disk I used to have got lost somewhere in the office environment... so, how do I deactivate Acrobat on my old computer and activate/install it ion my new computer without the original disk?

If you were using the same serial number then, yes. You are only allowed two installs and they should be on computers used by the licensee (you).
You would need to deactivate on any additional computers if this is the case.
Just an FYI, you are in the Adobe Reader forum. If this doesn't work, you'll want to head to the Acrobat forum where you'll find more experienced users.
Acrobat
Good luck.

How do I erase my computer to factory settings?

How do I erase my computer to factory settings? I bought a new Macbook Pro and I'm selling my old Macbook and need to get everything off of it. The operating system is 10.6.8, and I don't have the system discs.

Youcan order a Snow Leopard 10.6 install disk for $29. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY
Put your install DVD into the optical drive and reboot. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option key until the Install Disk shows up). That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Just press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. You should see your hard drive in the left hand column along with your other drives. Click on the drive and select the Erase tab. Set the format value to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click the Erase button. After that has finished select the Partition tab. Type in a Name for your hard drive and select how many partitions you want from the Volume Scheme. The usual setting is one partition. Click on the Options button after you've selected apartition to make sure it's set for GUID. Then click the Apply button and after the Partitioning is done quit Disk Utility. You can now follow the instructions on the install screen

How do I erase things from my start up disk? My computer says its almost full.

How do I erase things from my start up disk? My computer says its almost full.

See Here...
what-to-do-when-your-hard-drive-is-full.html

How can I authorize my computer without losing my old iPod songs if I no longer have any of the previous five authorized computers?

How can I authorize a new computer without losing my old iPod songs if I no longer have any of the previous five authorized computers?

Use the Deauthorize All command documented in this article, or if it isn't an option, the 'contact iTunes Store support' link at the bottom of it.
(119883)

My friend borrowed my old iPhone 4. I wanted to erase all the data but I dont have a password and my friend doesnt know his password. How can I erase the data without using a password?

My friend borrowed my iPhone. I want to sell the iPhone, but first I have to erase all the data that belong too my friend. I don't know his password and he doesn't know either. Is it possible to erase the data without using a password?
thanks!

You need the password if it is iCloud locked you won't be able to activate the phone for use.
As long as he remembers his email, you can reset the password
If you forgot your Apple ID password
or Forgot Apple ID
https://iforgot.apple.com/appleid
If it is a lock screen password, you can do a restore.
Hold down power and home for 10 seconds and release power but keep holding down home. iTunes will say your phone is in recovery mode so you can restore it.

How do I erase my computer?

How do I erase my 2009 MacBook Pro? I am selling it this morning and want everything deleted. Thanks!

You get the original system install DVD that came with the Mac (probably carrying Snow Leopard), put it in the drive and boot from it by holding down the C key prior to the startup chime.
When running, search menus for Disk Utility, use that to Erase the Macintosh HD volume. Quit Disk Utility. Then run the OS installer to place a fresh and blank copy of the OS that Mac was entitled to before selling it. Turn it off, rather than restarting, when the install finishes.
That way, the new owner will be able to do a First Start and set it up to their liking. Hand over the Install DVD with the Mac.

HOW DO YOU ERASE YOUR COMPUTER COMPLETELY

hi,
im wondering if anyone has answers to erase my computer completely. I am currently using Mac OSX Panther and want to erase everything in order to install the updated Tiger.

There is no need to erase the hard drive just to install Tiger.
However, if that is what you want to do... First back up all of your important files. Then boot off the Tiger disc, start the installer, and select the option to 'erase and install'.

How do i install using bootcamp without lion install disk ?, how do i install using bootcamp without lion install disk ?

i want to download windows to play windowx games but when i bought my i mac it came with lion on it already so ho do i download windows without the lion disk?

You need to watch more updated videos. Do as I suggested earlier and read the documentation. All is explained including how you download the drivers. The video you were watching must be a few years old and well out of date.
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=answerlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmanuals.info. apple.com%2Fen_US%2Fboot_camp_install-setup_10.7.pdf&answerid=16777218&src=suppo rt_site.manuals.search
Boot Camp - Installation & Setup Guide (OS X Lion)
Boot Camp 4.0, OS X Lion: Frequently asked questions
Boot Camp Support
Boot Camp: Windows 7 installation frequently asked questions

I forgott my Admin Password, how can I recover it without the instalation disk? Thank you!

Hi guys!
I changed my Admin password one of this days, and stupidly I didn´t wrote it down. I cannot install anything on my laptop, I cannot do anything that involves the password.
How can I recover, in a safe way, without instalation disk?
Thanks for your time!

Resetting or changing a password:
For Snow Leopard or earlier: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274
For Lion or later: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6022
This is also useful:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3463233&olo=email
If it's running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and use the Reset Password utility.
If it's running Mac OS X 10.7 or newer, restart with the Command and R keys held down, open the Terminal, and use the resetpassword command:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4101

How do I reinstall mail.app on OS 10.6.8 without an install disk

Software update recently updated my software automatically to 10.6.8 on my MacBook 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo. Apparently because i organize my applications into folders inside the root Applications folder, the mail app was not updated properly. I put the mail.app back in the root application folder and downloaded MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8. After running the update I still have the same problem I get the notice "You can't use this version of Mail with this version of Mac OS X. You have Mail version 4.5 (1084/1085). It can’t be used on Mac OS X Version 10.6.8 (Build 10K549). For more information, click the Help button." I don't have original install disk available to me. I don't know what I can do to get my Mail.app to work it is very important because it sorts out all the junk mail. Is there any way to reinstall mail without the original system disk?
Please Allen Eckhart, don't want your help. Can someone else help me?

Seems Apple is making things more difficult with every OS update. Back in the day you used to be able to organize your applications instead of having them all in one folder. You used to have a lot more freedom. More and more it is just easier to use a third party app. So I'm gonna install Thunderbird until Apple comes up with an easy way to fix the mail app. it seems that eveything in help says you just gotta reinstall the system from scratch. I would rather just use an open source product that I can put into any forlder I want without having to worry about it screwing itself up. Had similar experience with Safari now it seems like it is time to get rid of Mail.

How do I reformat my ibook without a boot disk?, How do I reformat my ibook without a boot disk?

I have an older -- 2005ish -- G4 ibook. I would like to pass it on to my young niece, but it is in need of a complete reformatting of the hard drive. While the hard drive is 30 GB, after manually deleting all but the essential programs, it only allows me to store on about 3.5 GB of hard drive. It also is too slow. Is there any way to completely restart without the boot disk? I lost it somewhere along the way.
Thanks.

You could go to System Preferences > Accounts and create a new account, using your niece's name for the account and being sure to give that account administrative privileges. Sign out and sign in with the new account. Once you see that the account is working all right, you can delete your old account.
Unfortunately, you could have done this without dumping all the applications, some of which she may have wanted. If they were original applications that came with the iBook, there's no way to get them back without the system Restore discs that came with the iBook.

Is it possible for me to download LR5 to my computer without purchasing a disk from Best Buy, Amazon, etc.?

Sorry if this had been discussed. I was using machinery 2 for the blending and PS Elements 12 for the tweeks. I would like to try LR 5 and LR Enfuse but am having a hard time finding somewhere I could download LR without having a disk. Any help would be appreciated.

Downloads available:
Suites and Programs: CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4 | CS3
Acrobat: XI, X | 9,8 | 9 standard
Premiere Elements: 13 | 12 | 11, 10 | 9, 8, 7
Photoshop Elements: 13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9,8,7
Lightroom: 5.7.1| 5 | 4 | 3
Captivate: 8 | 7 | 6 | 5
Contribute: CS5 | CS4, CS3
Download and installation help for Adobe links
Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages. They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3. If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

How do I erase my computer without an install disk?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for