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
Similar Messages
-
i have asked this question a few times now, but i have not got the answer i was looking for:
my macbook is currently on v10.6.8 (a snow leopard version)
the factory settings of my macbook is v10.5.6 (a leopard version; i know that using the grey install disk that came with my macbook will restore my macbook back to this version)
i know that by restoring my macbook to the factory settings, some apps will go (e.g. flash player 12, app store) and other apps will be downgraded (like itunes)
but i am talking about BOOTCAMP. it isn't an app, it's a partition of my hard drive.
my question is, will i still have the BOOTCAMP partition after i restore my macbook back to its factory settings? if so, will all the folders and files in BOOTCAMP still be there?Hello there, Timmayy24.
The following Knowledge Base article provides the information you're looking for:
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard: How to Erase and Install
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910
Important: This procedure will completely erase your hard drive. If you have installed Microsoft Windows using Boot Camp, or have multiple partitions, this procedure will erase the partition you select.
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro. -
Hi how do i restore my iphone 4s back to factory settings if i dont know the restriction code as the code to unlock my phone isn't accepted?? Please help I have upgraded and want to erase all my things off this phone to sell it
Forgotten Passcode or device disabled after entering wrong passcode
-
How do I restore my mac to it's Factory settings w/o Disk Utility?
Hello Everybody. I had some trouble with not being able to start my Macbook Pro.
So I decided to just restore it to its default settings. I then erased the disk using the Utility Panel, and then pressed reinstall OS X Lion on the Macintosh HD.
It then dowloaded the needed files and started downloading.
When it was done, it started installing, but is stuck at the very beginning, then it gave me an error message saying it cant complete the installation beacause it can't create the recovery.
Then i started looking for a solution for this, and found that I had to remove my Bootcamp. Now, when I restart the mac and CMD+R, it says fail..
If I start it and hold the Option key down, it only shows my bootcamp and the installer for OS X Lion...
So how do I now restore my Mac to its Factory Settings.
Am quite francly clueless right now.
Hope you can help!!Well, I don't know if your model supports full Internet Recovery. You can try the following, but if you get an error it means your computer isn't able to use full Internet Recovery in which case you need to buy Snow Leopard or replacement discs for the computer:
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
To contact product and tech support: Apple - Support - Contact Apple Support.
Install Mavericks, Lion, or 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:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your external 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.
3. 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.
Download and install an updated EFI Firmware ROM for these computers to use the OS X Internet Recovery feature:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)
Mac mini (Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Air (11-inch and 13-inch, Late 2010)
If your computer is older than these, then you cannot do an Internet Recovery. -
How do i reset a macbook pro to the factory settings
How do I reset a Macbook to the original factory settings?
Restore to original:
Boot from your grey installer DVD disc 1, or SL retail installer disc (hold down the C key on startup or hold down Alt/option on start and choose the installer disc).
OK the language page (if present).
From the installer screen, do not click 'continue' - go to the menu bar and choose Disk Utility; depending on the OS version it may be in the Utilities menu or Tools menu.
In DU, select your internal drive in the sidebar (the top item with the makers name and serial no.).
Run Repair Disk (not permissions). If that comes up as disk OK;
Click the partition tab. Select the partiton from the drop-down above the graphic; 1 partiton is all you need. Go to the options button and ensure that the partition scheme is GUID and the file system to Mac OS Extended (Journalled).
Name the partiton (usually Macintosh HD), click Apply.
When that's finished, select the new volume in the sidebar (indented to the right below the drive) and go to the Erase tab.
Select Security options and select zero data (one pass is more than sufficient). Click erase. That will take quite some time; probably measured in hours and dependant on the size of the drive.
(The purpose of this step is to ensure there is no recoverable data left on the drive).
When that's completed, close DU and continue with the installation.
When installation is complete, after the restart ignore the setup assistant and shut down the Mac (you may have to do this by holding down the power button).
The Mac is now ready for the new owner to personalise it as if new.
Be sure to pass on the original grey discs with the Mac, and the SL retail disc if you loaded SL. -
How do i restore my MBP (late 2011) to factory settings?
I have a Macbook Pro (late 2011) and want to totaly erase everything on it and restore it to factory settings. I am new to mac so I would epriciate a detailed answer on how to do it.
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 will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless. -
HT1212 How do I restore my iphone 4s back to factory settings?
I forgot my passcode and it locked me out. How do I restore my Iphone 4s back to it's original factory settings?
Locked Out, Forgot Lock or Restrictions Passcode, or Need to Restore Your Device: Several Alternative Solutions
1. iOS- Forgotten passcode or device disabled after entering wrong passcode
2. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
3. Restoring iPod touch after forgotten passcode
4. What to Do If You've Forgotten Your iPhone's Passcode
5. iOS- Understanding passcodes
6. iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad
Forgotten Restrictions Passcode Help
You will need to restore your device as New to remove a Restrictions passcode. Go through the normal process to restore your device, but when you see the options to restore as New or from a backup, be sure to choose New.
Also, see iTunes- Restoring iOS software. -
How do I restore Mac Mini late 2009 to factory settings. Error occurs.
I have a late 2009 Mac Mini with 2.26 ghz core and 2 GB memory running Lion 10.7.4. I wish to restore my computer to factory settings but when I put in my Snow Leopard disc I continue to get an error message that reads "You can't use this version of the application Install Mac OS X with this version of Mac OS X. You have Install Mac OS X 23.1.1."
I wish to restore my Mac to Snow Leopard and then redownload Lion from the App Store and start fresh with 10.7.4 on my restored Mac but I am finding it incredibly difficult.You might have to erase the Drive first, but did you try reinstalling Lion from the Restore Partition?
Hold CMD+r keys at bootup?
Otherwise...
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the Erase tab. -
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 -
How do i restore an iphone 3gs back to factory settings as a new phone
help, ive got an iphone 3gs off my boss at work, ive got an orange paymonthly sim and i thought id unlocked to factory settings but this morning tis reverted back to an iphones sign with a usb cable picture, can anyone please help me at all
Go to settings>>>general>>>reset>>>erase all contents and settings
The iPhone will only work with Orange if the previous owner
1. Was also using Orange ...or
2. has had the iPhone unlocked by Orange for use on any network -
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?? -
How can I restore my Macbook Air?
Hi! I forot the ID that I purchased for Mac OX. How can I restore my Macbook Air?
iForgot iCloud Password
Your Apple ID: Manage My Apple ID.
Apple ID- All about Apple ID security questions. -
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. -
How do i restore my macbook pro to sell it
how do i restore my macbook pro to sell it
Back up the entire system onto an external drive for the last time.
Locate the original install media that came with the Mac.
Boot off the media, start up Disk Utility.
If needed, repartitiion the internal drive to a single partition (i.e., get rid of BootCamp)
Format the internal drive.
If paranoid, do a Security Erase of the drive.
Quit Disk Utility, start the OS X installer
Install the full OS X with all the trimmings onto the internal drive
When the install finishes, shut it down. Do not restart, to allow new owner to customize via Setup Assistant.
Sell computer
Maybe you are looking for
-
We are using the Samsung Note and have uploaded a PDF form for fieldwork crews to enter vegetation data. When we have filled in the form there is no option to save the form under a different name but rather the form simply saves itself with the most
-
Safari 5.1 Mac 10.6.8 -- URL, Unicode problem
The site, which i use everyday, uses links containing symbols { }. After installing update 5.1, the links which i visited but opened in another tab of Safari are no longer marked grey, as visited links. I've found out why. If you open a link in the s
-
Where do I go now since Soundtrack keeps crashing on my Mac Mini?
SoundTrack Prol 2.0.2 and Mac Mini..... 2
-
Hi, I'm having a problem with a large group (about 2500 members). I first thougt this is a Directory Server Problem, but the Server Log is identical for small and large groups and does not show any problems. Additionally even if i put the group (with
-
Hi, is possible to do a windows cluster with Oracle Database 11g Standard Edition One? thanks...