I purchased a used MacBook and I am trying to reset it back to original manufacture settings.

How do I reset a MacBook pro back to its original setting?

Hi Brenda,
1. Boot from install disc (press power button, immediately insert install disc and hold down c key).
2. Select your language.
3. Open Disk Utility from Utilities menu.
4. Select the HD in the left pane (the manufacturer’s name and the HD model number).
5. Click on the Erase tab.
6. Choose the Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
NOTE: if you want to zero the HD (whichI always think is a good idea, but does take time), click on Security Options, click the button for Zero Out Data, click OK. The larger the HD, the longer this will take, in some cases several hours.
7. Click on Erase and wait for the entire process to finish.
8. Click the Partition tab.
9. Click on Volume Scheme and choose the number of partitions and choose one.
10. Click on the Options button (located underneath the Volume Scheme pane) and select GUID.
11. Click Apply.
12. Quit Disk Utility and continue with the installation process to install OS X; when finished, the next startup should get you the initial setup screen.

Similar Messages

  • I purchased an used macbook and I don't know the old owners password, how can I reset it?

    I purchased an used macbook and I don't know the old owners password, how can I reset it?

    Well, it is part of the Mac. So you were shortchanged.
    Call AppleCare and ask them to send you a replacement set. They will ask for the serial number and model number to sure they are give you the correct set. They will charge you a nomibnal fee for shipping and handling.
    Allan

  • I have just purchased a used 3gs and the previous owner hadnt reset it.

    I have just purchased a used 3gs and the previous owner hadnt reset it.
    So i did the reset and left it over night as this can take a few hours.
    This morning 10 hours later there is stillthe cirlcle going round in the centre of the screen.
    There is no sim card in the phone.
    What do i do now? please help?

    To make this phone truly yours, do a Restore as New...
    See this Support Article on Restoring your phone...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

  • I purchased a used macbook and the other persons apple id information is still on this for example apple updates it wont allow me to update apps unless i am logged in with his email. how do i change that

    i got a used macbook and the other persons apple id is still connected to the macbook. for example i cant update apps unless i have his passwod but i dont wanna pay for apps such as iphoto and more. is there anything i can do? this is a macbook 13 inch late 2008 model

    You're going to have to purchase those apps for yourself. The seller shouldn't have left anything he had purchased on the computer when he sold it to you.

  • I just bought a used macbook and I'm trying to get iMessage on it. Help!

    How do I get imessage on my mac book? What do I need to do?

    Back up your data, check your applications for compatibility, and try downloading Mavericks from the Mac App Store. If you're told that it's incompatible, you can't.
    (106759)

  • HT1338 Purchased a used macbook pro with Mountain Lion. My old Mac runs Snow Leopard is backed up to Time machine. How do I register the operating system to me and how do I use Time Machine to move my files to the new used computer?

    Purchased a used macbook pro with Mountain Lion. My old Mac runs Snow Leopard is backed up to Time machine. How do I register the operating system to me and how do I use Time Machine to move my files to the new used computer?

    If you look at the User Tips tab, you will find a write up on just this subject:
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4053
    The subject of buying/selling a Mac is quite complicated.  Here is a guide to the steps involved. It is from the Seller's point of view, but easily read the other way too:
    SELLING A MAC A
    Internet Recovery, and Transferability of OS & iLife Apps
    Selling an Old Mac:
    • When selling an old Mac, the only OS that is legally transferable is the one that came preinstalled when the Mac was new. Selling a Mac with an upgraded OS isn't doing the new owner any favors. Attempting to do so will only result in headaches since the upgraded OS can't be registered by the new owner. If a clean install becomes necessary, they won't be able to do so and will be forced to install the original OS via Internet Recovery. Best to simply erase the drive and revert back to the original OS prior to selling any Mac.
    • Additionally, upgrading the OS on a Mac you intend to sell means that you are leaving personally identifiable information on the Mac since the only way to upgrade the OS involves using your own AppleID to download the upgrade from the App Store. So there will be traces of your info and user account left behind. Again, best to erase the drive and revert to the original OS via Internet Recovery.
    Internet Recovery:
    • In the event that the OS has been upgraded to a newer version (i.e. Lion to Mountain Lion), Internet Recovery will offer the version of the OS that originally came with the Mac. So while booting to the Recovery Disk will show Mountain Lion as available for reinstall since that is the current version running, Internet Recovery, on the other hand, will only show Lion available since that was the OS shipped with that particular Mac.
    • Though the Mac came with a particular version of Mac OS X, it appears that, when Internet Recovery is invoked, the most recent update of that version may be applied. (i.e. if the Mac originally came with 10.7.3, Internet Recovery may install a more recent update like 10.7.5)
    iLife Apps:
    • When the App Store is launched for the first time it will report that the iLife apps are available for the user to Accept under the Purchases section. The user will be required to enter their AppleID during the Acceptance process. From that point on the iLife apps will be tied to the AppleID used to Accept them. The user will be allowed to download the apps to other Macs they own if they wish using the same AppleID used to Accept them.
    • Once Accepted on the new Mac, the iLife apps can not be transferred to any future owner when the Mac is sold. Attempting to use an AppleID after the apps have already been accepted using a different AppleID will result in the App Store reporting "These apps were already assigned to another Apple ID".
    • It appears, however, that the iLife Apps do not automatically go to the first owner of the Mac. It's quite possible that the original owner, either by choice or neglect, never Accepted the iLife apps in the App Store. As a result, a future owner of the Mac may be able to successfully Accept the apps and retain them for themselves using their own AppleID. Bottom Line: Whoever Accepts the iLife apps first gets to keep them.
    SELLING A MAC B
    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.

  • I purchased a used macbook pro and want to set it back to original factory settings

    I purchased a used macbook pro and want to set it back to original setting

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac
    Clean Install of Snow Leopard
         1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
             with your computer.  Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
             After the chime press and hold down the  "C" key.  Release the key when you see
             a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
         2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
             button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
             After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
             size.)  Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.  Set the number of
             partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
             and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
             (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
         3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed
             with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
         4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
             Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same
             username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup
             Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh
             install of OS X.  You can now begin the update process by opening Software
             Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • About a year ago we purchased a used macbook pro and can not get music to transfer from iPhones to mac

    about a year ago we purchased a used macbook pro and can not get music to transfer from iPhones to mac

    how can i get All music transferred? even non purchased

  • I have just purchased a used MacBook Pro. Should I use a virus protection program on this computer? I can get Norton for free through my cable provider. Thanks, funkro

    I have just purchased a used MacBook Pro. Should I use a virus protection program on this computer? I can get Norton for free through my cable provider. Thanks, funkro

    See my Mac Malware Guide.
    This issue is more complex than some of the responses you have gotten are indicating. You definitely should avoid Norton, but there actually IS malware out there, and all anti-virus software is NOT "snake oil." Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise, as they don't know what they're talking about.
    Although you should be able to do without anti-virus software just fine, there are some perfectly good reasons to install it and some good anti-virus apps to use if you decide to do so. Further, even if you do avoid anti-virus software, you need to understand what the threats are so you don't end up thinking you're totally safe and do something you shouldn't.

  • I Just purchased a used MacBook Air but it has no OS, how can I re-load the OS?

    I Just purchased a used MacBook Air but it has no OS, how can I re-load the OS?

    It depends on which operating system was on it when it was released.  Older MBAs need disks or a special thumb drive to boot for OS recovery.
    Let’s assume it is new enough that it has a recovery partition built in.  You can try this and see if it works and if it doesn’t work then it is old enough to need he aforementioned recovery media.
    It is simple.  First you format the system disk and then you install OS X.
    You will need to be in an area with a good wireless Internet signal.
    Boot in Recovery Mode:
    Power it on and when you hear the bong hold down the Command and R keys simultaneously.
    Format the system disk:
    > Disk Utility
    > Select your system drive.
    > Partition
    > Partition Layout: 1 Partiton
    > Options...
    > GUID Partition Table
    > OK
    > Name: Macintosh HD
    > Format: Mac OS Extended (journaled)
    > Apply
    > Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility
    Install OS X:
    > Click on Install OS X and follow the instructions.

  • I recently bought a used macbook and if it doesn't have iMovie already installed on it does that mean I am going to have to buy it from the app store?

    I just bought a used macbook and its been completely updated, but I cant find imovie on it. Some of the other iLife appliations are already installed onto the computer though, am I going to have to buy imovie from the app store?

    iMovie is not part of iLife anymore. If you want iMovie you will have to purchase a boxed set iLife '09 or '11 that comes on DVD. It's not available in the App Store. You will find boxed sets of iLife via Google and Amazon.

  • I have just purchased a new macbook and need to sync my iphone with itunes, i understand that you can only sync your phone with one itunes account. I do not want to wipe my iphone when syncing with this new itunes account. Any advice welcome

    I have just purchased a new macbook and need to sync my iphone with itunes, i understand that you can only sync your phone with one itunes account. I do not want to wipe my iphone when syncing with this new itunes account. Any advice welcome

    1) authorize iTunes on the new machine for your iTunes store account(s)
    2) connect your device and right-click or control-click it in the iTunes Source list, then choose transfer purchases from the shortcut menu that appears.
    3) sync the device
    iTunes will wipe the iPhone but, since you transferred your purchases in the previous step, your content will be in your library and you can re-populate the iPhone with it.

  • I have a mac computer 3.2 Ghz intel core i3   with memory 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3,  I have recently purchased an new macbook and have yosemite software and iCloud .  I can no longer us my mac to open up recent numbers documents from my macbook.  I am unabl

    I have a mac computer 3.2 Ghz intel core i3   with memory 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3,  I have recently purchased an new macbook and have yosemite software and iCloud .  I can no longer us my mac to open up recent numbers documents from my macbook.  I am unable to upgrade to allow me to get the current numbers version on my mac. What do I need to do to get all my machines woking in harmony again

    On each machine turn on iCloud and sync all the available apps. Apple explains how to set up iCloud in http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/
    After doing this run software update on each machine and install all the suggested updates. If you still need help installing the most up-to-date versions of iLife and iWorks open the Mac App Store - click the Purchased tab and update all that need to be updated.

  • HT201269 I have my iTunes library on my Windows 7 machine on an external hard drive.  I purchased a new Macbook and would like to point my new machine at my iTunes library without losing anything and then deactivate iTunes on the Windows machine, help ple

    I have my iTunes library on my Windows 7 machine on an external hard drive.  I purchased a new Macbook and would like to point my new machine at my iTunes library without losing anything and then deactivate iTunes on the Windows machine, help please

    Sorry, but this does not seem to be an iPad question. I'd therefore suggest you ask in the iTunes for Mac forum.
    Regards.

  • HT1338 I just purchased a used MacBook that is running Mac os X 10.6.8. Many of the things I try to download need newer software, but I can't get it to download. Is there anything I can do?

    I just purchase a used MacBook. It is running os 10.6.8. Is there anyway I can upgrade to Lion?

    You can upgrade to ML directly from SL. Why do you want Lion? ML=$19.99, Lion=$29.99 (or something like that if I'm not mistaken) but that was when Lion was on the Mac App Store (MAS). Unless you had purchased Lion previously, you won't find it on the MAS. Now, Lion may be available only at  Retail Stores on USB (which would probably be more than $30) or you might have to talk to someone at their online store (some of the posters in the forum have said they were able to order it at the online store-not sure if they got it though)
    http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/
    Message was edited by: Ravindra Holalkere

Maybe you are looking for