I have a 2009 Macbook with OSX 10.5.8 on it, that I need to erase ASAP. I don't have any of the discs that it came with.

How do I erase my old Macbook as soon as possible?
I'm trying everything but I can't seem to get it right.
Thanks!!

You'd need a bootable OS X retail installer if the MacBook
shipped with an earlier version and you lost those discs...
Or a correct replacement series of grey-label install-restore
DVDs as shipped with that specific hardware model Mac.
So, if it shipped with a 10.4 system (tiger) a retail Leopard
10.5, or retail Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD can boot the Mac
and you could use the Disk Utility on the Installer, from its
menu options, to erase (secure erase writes zeros over)
and install a partition map, plus reformat.
You can usually still buy a retail Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD
from Apple Store, or maybe some authorized specialists.
With discs that would accompany the MacBook into the
future, the installation would be complete since the license
to use the OS X is the install DVD of the system inside it.
Also tools to manage & repair the OS X + HDD are, too.
For the most part, the most likely successful method of
performing disk related chores, is to use a bootable OS X
retail DVD of the system later than the one missing; or
find & get a copy (contact AppleCare main number, and
ask about availability of replacement original disc set;
this may cost a fee. They'd need to know serial number.)
There may be some way to leave the computer with a
partially crippled OS X with issues, needing repair or
totally erased, by using some methods suggested online
if you do not follow through. Dragging to Trash is badnews.
In a later OS X version, where the system was downloaded
in total from Apple Servers, you'd have a Recovery mode
where either a partition on the Mac HDD would be able to
start up the computer for repair/reinstall, or it could go to
back to Apple Servers to get a system download. But not
with these earlier systems. No legal or bug-free download
can be found online for the complete earlier OS X system.
And in supported older Intel-macs, the computer needs to
be running OS X 10.6.8 to access the Mac App Store and
look online for upgrades, if any, for the hardware vintage.
Good luck & happy computing!

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Today I brought my MacBook and when it starts up it tells me I need a password and I don't have it because he made it up don't know what to and I can't go in my computer

I just brought it today and the guy decided to put a password on it without telling me so when I turned it off, I turned it on back again then I can't go in my computer because I don't know the password is there anything I can do so I can reset it?

Resetting User Password in Lion, Mountain Lion & Mavericks
Boot into your Recovery Partition by hold down the Command and R keys whilst booting.
When the Recovery screen appears, go to the Utilities menu and open Terminal.
In Terminal, type:
resetpassword
...a small app will open and allow you to choose the user for whom you want to change the password. If you are the admin, be certain that you choose your admin user. Type in your new password twice and give yourself a good hint. Click OK (or Done or whatever) and reboot, enjoying the use of your new, hopefully memorable, password.
Good luck,
Clinton

Need to reinstall windows but don't have any CD - Satellite Pro L20

Hi, I wanted to reinstall Windows XP home onto my Satellite Pro L20, but don't have any of the software my laptop came with (read lost the disks). I have a valid XP home key (as its stuck on the bottom of my laptop) but no disc so I tired using a copy of a Windows XP home cd, which didn't work, but did let me get as far as formatting the hard drive.
So right now I'm using Ubuntu, but want to reinstall Windows. Have valid product key but no software to reinstall.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Christopher

Are you kidding now?
Do you understand English or what?
I will try to be clear enough and constructive too in hope you will understand your situation.
Some facts for you:
- Recovery image *CANNOT* be downloaded
- Following link http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com >Support & Downloads you can find all drivers, tools and utilities for your notebook model
So back to your situation:
For clean OS installation you have *_two_* options only:
- if possible order new copy by Toshiba authorized service provider in your country *do you have more questions about that?*
- you can install operating system using Microsoft installations CD *if you don't have it, it is your problem*
Can you please tell me if all this is clear now?
If you have more questions please ask.

I have a 2009 macbook pro with os x10.9.2 and can't find drivers for windows

i have a 2009 macbook pro with os x10.9.2 and can't find drivers for windows. i trying to install windows using bootcamp but does not allows me to download the drivers..

From the system requirements page: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5634 for your computer
MacBook Pro
(13-inch, Mid 2009)
4
4
DVD
DVD
DVD
MacBook Pro
(15-inch, 2.53 GHz, Mid 2009)
4
4
DVD
DVD
DVD
MacBook Pro
(15-inch, Mid 2009)
4
4
DVD
DVD
DVD
MacBook Pro
(17-inch, Mid 2009)
4
4
DVD
DVD
DVD
MacBook Pro
(17-inch, Early 2009)
4
4
DVD
DVD
DVD
The drivers are located on the OS DVD that came with your computer.

Hi can anyone help me. I have a apple macbook laptop OSX 10.5.8 . When i push print, it shows my printer but says cannot communicate with printer. (epson stylus nx125). Do I need new drivers? Please help . regards Cindy

Hi can anyone help me. I have a apple macbook laptop OSX 10.5.8 . When i push print, it shows my printer but says cannot communicate with printer. (epson stylus nx125). Do I need new drivers? Please help . regards Cindy

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We're users here and do not speak for "Apple Inc."
Some basic printer troubleshooting steps before worrying about a printer driver:
1. Have you tried turning the printer off and back on?
2A. Is the printer attached with a cable?
     If yes, have you tried unplugging and re-plugging both ends of the printer cable?
     If that does not help, can you test the printer with another cable?
2B. If your printer is not connected to the computer with a cable, have you tried restarting your printer (assuming wireless connection)?
     Have you tried restarting your wireless router?
3. Have you tried restarting your MacBook? (Be sure to save your work first.)
4. Does the printer have ink? (Doesn't usually generate a 'communications error' though)
5. Have you updated OS X or the program you're trying to print from recently?

I have a 2009 Macbook Pro with 1T hdd 8GB Ram and ran Maverick without problem...Yosemite installation has me completely frozen, nothing works but the spinning ball...I had to force shutdown last night, and haven't turned it on again...what do you ad

I have a 2009 Macbook Pro with 1T hdd 8GB Ram and ran Maverick without problem...Yosemite installation has me completely frozen, nothing works but the spinning ball...I had to force shutdown last night, and haven't turned it on again...what do you advise? During installation emptied cache, etc. Backed up using time machine, fortunately.

Try these in order testing your system after each to see if it's back to normal:
1. a. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
    b. Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode, then restart again, normally. If this doesn't help, then:
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the Utilities 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.
3. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
4. Reinstall Yosemite: Reboot from the Recovery HD. Select Reinstall OS X from the Utilities menu, and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.
5. Reinstall Yosemite 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.
How to Clean Install OS X Yosemite
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

I have an old MacBook (Mac OSX 10.5.8) with iPhoto '08. Is there any way to back up not only the photos, but the way I have organized them into events and labeled them?

I have an old MacBook (Mac OSX 10.5.8) with iPhoto '08. Is there any way to back up not only the photos, but the way I have organized them into events and labeled them?

Yes. Back up the Library.
Most Simple Back Up:
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
Example of such apps: Chronosync - but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro. Does anyone else have issues with their laptop having problems starting when shut off or restarting when asleep since installing Yosemite?

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro which I have upgraded a few things on. I have updated to Yosemite and am having problems with getting my laptop to come out of sleep mode, and to start when shut off. Any ideas of what this might be or how to correct it? Is this more probably a hardware issue or software?

Try these in order testing your system after each to see if it's back to normal:
1. a. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
    b. Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode, then restart again, normally. If this doesn't help, then:
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the Utilities 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.
3. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
4. Reinstall Yosemite: Reboot from the Recovery HD. Select Reinstall OS X from the Utilities menu, and click on the Continue button.
Download and install the 10.10.1 update.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.
5. Reinstall Yosemite 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.
How to Clean Install OS X Yosemite
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

Hi there, I have a 2009 Macbook - running on OS X V.10.6.8... but I'm looking at upgrading the Operating System to V.10.10. Will your latest version of LIghtroom (the one I can currently get a free one month trial of from your site) work with Apple's late

Hi there, I have a 2009 Macbook - running on OS X V.10.6.8... but I'm looking at upgrading the Operating System to V.10.10. Will your latest version of LIghtroom (the one I can currently get a free one month trial of from your site) work with Apple's latest operating system - Yosemite V.10.10? Or will LR only work with V.10.7, 10.8 or 10.9?
Thanks, Seamus

Hey, problem solved. One of the drives was faulty. I erased the 2nd drive (which was showing up as the degraded raid slice), deleted the RAID set and restored the 2nd drive from a back-up disk image. After that, when I booted using 'option' I was presented with two boot disks but only one that worked. And when it did boot up only the reformatted disk was showing in Diskutil so I'm guessing the second one is knackered. With it still in place the server still wouldn't boot up from a full shutdown, but the moment it was removed it booted up no probs. Wakes up from sleep as well so it seems sorted.
So now just need to decide whether I'll bother with replacing the second drive or just use an external back-up. I have just bought a 1TB drive to back up to so will probably just go with that.
Btw, is there anyway I can test the drive I removed to see if can be saved?
Thanks for all your help. Your siamese twin comment was the push I need to erase the drive, I'd be holding off before that.
Warren

HT2801 I have a 2009 MacBook with an optical drive built in. It has "spotty" performance lately, so I got a USB super drive for Christmas. Unfortunately, the MacBook doesn't "see" it. Any solutions?

I have a 2009 MacBook with an optical drive. It is becoming unreliable, and as a result, I got a USB SuperDrive for Christmas. Problem, neither my MacBook, nor my iMac (2008) recognize the drive. What's the issue? I thought I could get a few more years out of my MacBook by using an external USB optical drive.

The USB SuperDrive is only designed to work with a few Mac computers.....specificaly the ones that do not have an internal Optical Drive...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A/apple-usb-superdrive

My hard drive has 70.93 GB available, yet when i have more than one internet tab open, i have to force quit google chrome because 'there is no more available application memory'. How can I solve this? I have a 2009 macbook pro running on 10.6.8.

My hard drive has 70.93 GB available, yet when i have more than one internet tab open, i have to force quit google chrome because 'there is no more available application memory'. How can I solve this? I have a 2009 macbook pro running on 10.6.8. I have tried updating to mavericks through the mac app store but after it downloading for a day i got an error message saying there was a problem with the download. The same thing happens if i try to update itunes or the mac app store. After research, i have also tried repairing disk permissions, but every time they do get repaired the 'repair' button still appears, i'm not sure if it's because it was unable to repair the initial problems or if it just keeps detecting new ones.

2 GBs is a minimum in which you can do many things, but not concurrently. Be very careful to not install third-party add-ons, limit the number of applications you choose to enter in Login Items, run as few applications concurrently as you demand.
I would consider adding more RAM to your computer. Your model supports 8 GBs, so I would install that.

I have a 2009 Macbook and I accidentally deleted safari. How do I reinstal it?

I have a 2009 macbook and I accidentally deleted Safari. How do I reinstal it?

If it's in a backup, restore it from there.
If not and the computer's running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, install it from the Mac OS X install DVD, using Pacifist if needed, and then run the combo updater for that version as well as all applicable Safari and security updates.
If not and the computer's running Mac OS X 10.7 or newer, restart with the Command and R keys held down and reinstall the OS.
(125026)

Has anyone used a Dell 1908FPb with a MacBook Pro OSX 10.6.8? What do I need to get/do? thanks

Has anyone used a Dell 1908FPb with a MacBook Pro OSX 10.6.8? What do I need to get/do? thanks

Hi 4judy,
If you are looking to use an external display with your MacBook Pro, you may find the following articles helpful:
Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3382
OS X: How to use multiple displays with your Mac in Mountain Lion and earlier
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5019
Regards,
- Brenden

HT1338 I have a 2009 MacBook Pro running OS X 10.5.8. How do I upgrade to 10.6 or later??

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro running OS X 10.5.8.
How do I upgrade to 10.6 or later??

Click here and buy it on DVD.
(75849)

Hi - I have an older MacBook Pro (osx 10.4.11. Can I upgrade it so it will run snowleopard?

Hi - I have an older MacBook Pro (osx 10.4.11. Can I upgrade it so it will run snowleopard?

All MBPs up to and including the 2011 models can run Snow Leopard. You will have to purchase a disk from the Apple online store;
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Ciao.

I have a 2009 Macbook with OSX 10.5.8 on it, that I need to erase ASAP. I don't have any of the discs that it came with.

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