HT1338 how to format a mini mac ?

how to format a mini mac ?

The blinking question mark means you don't have any OS on that boot drive.
You didn't do it the correct way and have no drive that can start your machine.
Since the HD has been erased you'll need to reinstall an OS. Start with Snow Leopard if your have a DVD drive.
Since you erased the hard drive you've also erased any method of internet recovery in the newer OS's.

Similar Messages

  • HT1338 How to format my mac?!

    I got an used Mac OS X Version 10.5.8. It works very bad and slowly. What's wrong you think? How to format and update software?

    I would suggest the you call Apple and request replacement installation disks.  Have your MBP serial number ready and a credit card.  There is a fee.
    Upon receipt of the disks, delete all of the data on the disk and install the Operating System.  Then you will have a MBP that should operate like a new machine.
    Ciao.

  • HT1338 how do i update my mac mini (2005) edition

    how do i update my mac mini (2005) edition

    What do you want to update?  The OS?  If so, what version OS are you currently running?
    If that's the question all you need to do is click on "software update" ...  Be aware though that if you go past 10.4.x you lose the ability to run OS9 (classic) applications.

  • HT1338 how to format my hard disk

    how to format my hard disk ....my mac book came with no cds

    You do this either with a Mountain Lion install disc or drive, which you have to make yourself, or from the Recovery System. For the Recovery System, you reboot while holding down command-R. This boots from a (hidden) recovery partition that is on your hard drive; then you access Disk Utility and do your formatting that way. The Recovery system can do a new install of Mountain Lion from the internet from apple once you have reformatted your drive. Or you can make a ML installer disk from the installer files that you download for future reference.
    Here's a page about Recovery mode: OS X: About OS X Recovery
    and here's how to make your own ML installer disk: How to Burn OS X Mountain Lion to a DVD or USB Flash Drive..
    BTW, you could have figured out all this yourself with a google search.

  • How to access a min mac

    how do i access my mac mini from my imac or mac book air

    On the Mini, System Preferences>Sharing, enable File Sharing & Options button, & Screen Sharing.

  • HT1338 how do i update a mac os x 10.5.8 to current snow leopard

    how do i update a mac os x 10.5.8 to current snow leopard?

    Upgrade Paths to Snow Leopard, Lion, and/or Mountain Lion
    You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
    Upgrading to Snow Leopard
    You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard — Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.
         Snow Leopard General Requirements
           1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
           2. 1GB of memory
           3. 5GB of available disk space
           4. DVD drive for installation
           5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
               fees may apply.
           6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
               terms apply.
    Upgrading to Lion
    If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
    You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service — this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax.  It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
         Lion System Requirements
           1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
               or Xeon processor
           2. 2GB of memory
           3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
           4. 7GB of available space
           5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
    Upgrading to Mountain Lion
    To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
         OS X Mountain Lion — System Requirements
           Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
             1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) — Model Identifier 7,1 or later
             2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) —
                 Model Identifier 5,1 or later
             3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) — Model Identifier 2,1 or later
             5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             7. Xserve (Early 2009) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
    To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
    Are my applications compatible?
             See App Compatibility Table — RoaringApps.
         For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.

  • HT1338 how to format hard drive

    How do you reformat your hard drive back to original set up?

    Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
    Step One - Back up your data:
           A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
           B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
              1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
              2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
              3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
                  side.
              4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
                  sure to opt for that.
                   Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
                   startup drive.
    Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
              1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
              2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
              3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
              4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
              5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See.What to do with iCloud before selling your computer
    Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
         A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
              1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
              2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
              3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
                  Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              4. Install OS X.
              5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
              6. Shutdown the computer.
         B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
             Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
                       it is three times faster than wireless.
              1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
                  Utilities window appears.
              2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
              3. 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.
              4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
                  and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
              6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
              7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
              8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
    *If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

  • How to associate my mini mac to my AppleId?

    I have an AppleId for AppleStore for my Ipad but I cannot use it for buying something for my Mini Mac.  I got a message that the MiniMac is not associate to the AppleId. How to associate my MiniMac to my AppStore account?
    Thank,
    JGL

    Go to System Preferences/Users & Groups/Password and be sure that this Apple ID is entered in the center of the Paswword pane.

  • How to make a mini mac server work on multiple workstations

    I would like to purchase the mini mac server for my 3 boys and set up 3 different workstations (monitor, keyboard, mouse) for each kids.
    Can you do this?  If so how???

    What you are describing is how mini-computers were setup forty or so years ago, and what users were gleefully glad to get rid of when true micro-computers came on the market in the 1970s. In those days the processor and RAM memory were, by far, the most expensive parts of the system costing literally thousands of times more than the keyboards and monitors.
    Today the cost of the processor/RAM/Storage have fallen to the point the monitor may be the biggest  contributor to total system cost. For example a typical $800 Mac mini coupled to a $1,000 27" Thunderbolt display. The class of system you describe is still around and in use, but generally at a total system cost in the $100,000 range. To make what you are describing work you would need, at a minimum...
    A wired or wireless network
    One dedicated Mac mini server with installed server application (no mouse, keyboard, or monitor needed)
    Three work stations each consisting of an iMac or a Powerbook, or...
    one Mac mini
    one keyboards
    one mouse or trackpad
    one monitor
    arguably substantial understanding and/or knowledge of the Server application
    A recommended alternative would be just the network and three work stations, each operating as a stand alone work station. There isn't room here and I don't have the time to go into all the various combinations and the pros and cons of each, but the recommended alternative would end up costing roughly $1,000 less simply be eliminating the server. It would also be a bit more straightforward to administer.

  • HT1338 how can I update my MAC OS X v10.4 to a newer compatible version of MAC that will allow me to use ITunes latest version as well as Microsoft Office MAC 2011?

    how can I update my MAC OS X v10.4 to a new compatible version of MAC that will allow me to use the latest ITunes and Microsoft Office MAC 2011?

    Click here, or here if it's a G3.
    (74321)

  • HT1338 how do i upgrade my Mac OS X version 10.5.8

    how do i upgrade my Mac OS X version 10.5.8?

    If your Macbook has an Intel processor, you can first upgrade to 10.6 (Snow Leopard).
    You need to purchase that from the Apple retail Store:
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
    If you are not in the US, use the flag button at the bottom of the page to change to your country's store.
    Depending on they type of Intel macbook it is, you may be able to upgrade further to Lion or Mountain Lion.
    Open About this Mac from the Apple menu.
    Then, click on More Info.
    Select the Hardware heading and llok at the Model Identifier.
    I can't remember if it was called that or if that OS had a hardware section, but you are looking for something like macbook5,1
    If that first number is less than a 5, you can't go any further than Lion. Unless there is something in Lion you need, I would stick with Snow Leopard.
    If the first number is a 5 or greater, you can upgrade to Mountain Lion. Once you have installed 10.6 and updated it to 10.6.8, you can purchase and install Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store (which is available in the Apple menu of OS X 10.6.8 or later).
    However, if you want to go beyond Snow Leopard, make sure you purchase enough RAM to have at least 4GB. Any less than that would not be pleasant.
    Additionally, Mavericks, 10.9, is due to be released this fall. You may want to wait until then and just upgrade to that instead of Mountain Lion (10.8).  Either way, you will need to purchase and install 10.6 from DVD. You need to keep that disk if you ever need to reinstall the OS.

  • HT1338 How do I upgrade my Mac OS 10.5.8?

    How do I upgrade my Mac OS 10.5.8?  and what should I upgrade it to?  i am a single user that is very simple, however my new iPhone 5 will not synch because I need iTunes 11, but my OS won't support iTunes 11?
    Thanks
    Chris

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    First, upgrade to Snow Leopard. Check that your iMac is supported > http://support.apple.com/kb/sp575 Then, buy Snow Leopard > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
    Make a backup of your files, insert the DVD and follow the steps to upgrade. After upgrading, open  > Software Update, and install OS X 10.6.8. Finally, open Software Update again and install iTunes 11, or iTunes 10.7 > http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1576

  • HT1338 how to format a macbook pro

    how to format macbook it is working very slow

    Format and reinstall everything is a drastic measure. If you describe the issues in detail perhaps a resolution can be found.

  • HT1338 how to format an external hard drive for MacOSX

    I have a new Fantom hard drive, but ut is formatted with NTFS file system.  How do I format it for my mac mini?  The instructions from Fantom say to use the Disc Utility...but also warn to reformat with HFS.  Will this be done when I chose Disc Utility, or do I need other software?

    55heyjude wrote:
    ok...the Apple store tech says just to format using the Disc Utility...
    And that is exactly what mende1 said as well, he just gave you a little more of the steps than the Tech did, thank him and format your disk.

  • HT1338 How can I upgrade my Mac OS X 10.5.8? I can not perform a software update

    I am trying to update my software to a OS X Mountain lion but can not.

    Upgrading to Mountain Lion
    You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
    If you need to purchase Snow Leopard you can still purchase a copy from Apple's online store's telesales agents.[1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) or Customer Service and Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775.] Ask for a Sales Representative.
    Third-party sources for Snow Leopard are:
    Snow Leopard from Amazon.com
    Snow Leopard from eBay
    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.
    If you need to purchase Lion call 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775. Ask for a Sales Representative. They will check your Apple ID, and email you a code and instructions.  The cost is $29.99 (as it was before) plus tax.  It's a download.
    Be sure your computer meets the minimum requirements:
    Apple - OS X Mountain Lion - Read the technical specifications.
    Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
    iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
    MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
    MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
    MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
    Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
    Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
    Xserve (Early 2009)
    Are my applications compatible?
    See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps - App compatibility and feature support for OS X & iOS.
    Am I eligible for the free upgrade?
    See Apple - Free OS X Mountain Lion upgrade Program.
    For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Apple - Upgrade your Mac to OS X Mountain Lion.

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