I want to restore my MacBook with Lion, but only keep data

My MacBook is slow and buggy, I already have Lion installed. All I want is to keep all my Data (Songs, videos, pics, etc) but want everything else with Factory settings, is there an easy way to go about this?

yes, by making sure your data is backed up, erasing the hard drive via disk utility and booting into Lion recovery and only restoring the desired data after Lion is installed.

Similar Messages

  • Hi, i want to restore my macbook pro.. help

    i want to restore my macbook without losing my important data. how it can be done ?

    It can't be done. If you want to restore that means you must erase everything then reinstall OS X cleanly. You must have a current backup to prevent loss of important files.
    You can do a reinstall of OS X without erasing the drive, but this is not a factory restore as it is normally called:
    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.
    Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
         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.
         Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
    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.
         Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks: Select ReinstallLion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks 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.
    If you are running Snow Leopard or earlier, then you cannot do the above. You will need the original OS X installer disc that came with your computer:
    Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. 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 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 installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
    If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • On my MacBook with Lion Safari does start, does not react immediately after trying to open it. Installing a new Safari does not help. Removing parts of Safari in the Library did not help. Where can I find and remove all components (LastSession ...)?

    How can I reset Safari with all components? On my MacBook with Lion, Safari does not start, does not react immediately after trying to open it. Installing a new Safari does not help. Removing parts of Safari in the Library does not help. Where can I find and remove all components as LastSession and TopSites?

    The only way to reinstall Safari on a Mac running v10.7 Lion is to restore OS X using OS X Recovery
    Instead of restoring OS X in order to reinstall Safari, try troubleshooting extensions.
    From the Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Extensions tab. Turn that OFF, quit and relaunch Safari to test.
    If that helped, turn one extension on then quit and relaunch Safari to test until you find the incompatible extension then click uninstall.
    If it's not an extensions issue, try troubleshooting third party plug-ins.
    Back to Safari > Preferences. This time select the Security tab. Deselect:  Allow plug-ins. Quit and relaunch Safari to test.
    If that made a difference, instructions for troubleshooting plugins here.
    If it's not an extension or plug-in issue, delete the cache.
    Open a Finder window. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder
    Type or copy paste the following
    ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db
    Click Go then move the Cache.db file to the Trash.
    Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

  • I want to update the OS of the Macbook Pro I bought today to Lion, but at "purchase date" I can only choose 2011. Now what?

    I want to update the OS of the Macbook Pro I bought today to Lion, but at "purchase date" I can only choose 2011. Now what?

    Sorry but I don't completely understand your question or what you are trying to do.
    If you purchase a new MBP Today, Jan 3 2012, it should already have OS X Lion 10.7.x installed on it.
    Only some left over early 2011 model that stores may have had sitting around would of come with Snow Leopard 10.6.8. Or even if you bought a Reburbished model from Apple it would of still came from them with Lion.
    So my questions are.
    1) Did you buy this new from a authorized Apple store or reseller?
    2) If not new was it purchased from an authorized Apple store or reseller?
    3) To my knowledge when trying to do updates to the OS there is no check of purchase date. So what exactly are you doing that asks for a purchase date?
    If new then just use the Software Updates in the Apple Logo menu item.
    If not new and it originally came with Snow Leopard or Leopard you will have to buy OS X Lion at the Online Apple Store. If that is the case then nyou need to put in the original date the unit was purchased NEW and or manufactured. That way the Online Apple Store can tell if Lion will function on that model properly.

  • Is there any way to darken the gridlines in iCal?  I'm using it on a Macbook with Lion and find it difficult to see the gridlines on the iCal display.

    Is there any way to darken the gridlines in iCal?  I'm using it on a Macbook with Lion and find it difficult to see the gridlines on the iCal display.

    ''Problem:'' For whatever reason, NoScript is stopping Runescape Community Toolbar from working properly which freezes your first Firefox window.
    ''Fix:'' Uninstall the toolbar. Disable NoScript. Install the toolbar. Add your RS account to it and make sure it works, then Enable NoScript again.
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  • What is the BEST way to get my macbook with lion on it, to communicate with my Canon 40D camera?

    What is the BEST way to get my macbook with lion on it, to communicate with my Canon 40D camera? It says the utility disk is a PowerPC app and that is no longer supported. What do I do now? I can't upload photos from my camera.

    Also, I had the same problem happen when I tried to install an older version of Corel Painter. Are Macbook Pro users just NOT supposed to be able to use their laptops for the purposes they are best designed for?
    -Frustrated new Mac user

  • I wanted to restore my ipod touch 4G, but everytime it is restoring with the apple logo, the screen goes partially white and my itunes says "error 9"... what should i do?

    I wanted to restore my ipod touch 4G, but everytime it is restoring with the apple logo, the screen goes partially white and my itunes says "error 9"... what should i do?
    plz answer me~

    Error 9
    This error occurs when the device unexpectedly loses its USB connection with iTunes. This can occur if the device is manually disconnected during the restore process. This issue can be resolved by performing USB troubleshooting, using a different USB dock-connector cable, trying another USB port, restoring on another computer, or by eliminating conflicts from third-party security software.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#error9

  • HT201364 I upgraded my MacBook Pro with Lion (but with iphoto 9.2.1) to Maverick and now I can't open iphoto and I can't update either

    I upgraded my MacBook Pro with Lion (but with iphoto 9.2.1) to Maverick and now I can't open iphoto and I can't update either - can anyone help please?

    Download the iPhoto upgrade from the App Store. It should be free.
    iWork and iLife for Mac come free with every new Mac purchase. Existing users running Mavericks can update their apps for free from the Mac App Store℠. iWork and iLife for iOS are available for free from the App Store℠ for any new device running iOS 7, and are also available as free updates for existing users. GarageBand for Mac and iOS are free for all OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 users. Additional GarageBand instruments and sounds are available for a one-time in-app purchase of $4.99 for each platform.

  • I updated my macbook with lion and airdrop does not show up in the finder, how could this be?

    I updated my macbook with lion and airdrop does not show up in the finder, how could this be?

    shldr2thewheel wrote:
    If this is the case: How to enable AirDrop over ethernet and AirDrop on unsupported macs running Lion  .
    http://osxdaily.com/2011/09/16/enable-airdrop-ethernet-and-unsupported-macs/
    Interesting.  Googling, I see that someone posted that on these discussions as well:
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3331216?start=0&tstart=0
    which mentions what I recall: that Airdrop (as implemented by Apple) would create an on-demand ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection, even if you were already connected to an access point.  Normally, you can't connect to multiple Wi-Fi networks, thus the reason for Airdrop only supported on newer Wi-Fi chips.
    And Apple's KB:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4783

  • I want to buy a macbook pro.. but now I have a Packerd Bell with the programs: Word, Powerpoint,... I want those programs on my macbook pro too  is this possible? and is it expensive?

    I want to buy a macbook pro.. but now I have a Packerd Bell with the programs: Word, Powerpoint,... I want those programs on my macbook pro too  is this possible? and is it expensive?

    Hello:
    Expensive is relative...
    Microsoft makes a version (written native for the Mac) of Office:
    http://store.apple.com/us/search/microsoft-office-for-mac
    Some of us use iLife - an Apple product that almost seamlessly translates Microsoft programs (for example Word to Pages) back and forth.  You can always export in a Microsoft format...
    Barry

  • HT3258 help!....i have macbook with lion 10.5.8 op because protools does not work with snow leopard, now i bought "traktor" which does not work with old op sys, can´t find a suitable update anywhere, what to do ? pete

    help!....i have macbook with lion 10.5.8 op because protools does not work with snow leopard, now i bought "traktor" which does not work with old op sys, can´t find a suitable update anywhere, what to do ? pete

    According to Roaring Apps, there is a version of Protools compatible with Lion.  But you may need Snow Leopard 10.6.8 to buy either Lion or ML on MAS.   It looks like you need to get up-to-date with your OS and the apps too.
    http://roaringapps.com/apps:table/tags/_t/index_tags/_t/p/2
    http://roaringapps.com/apps:table/tags/_p/index_tags/_p/p/3

  • I want to upgrade to OS X lion but i want to check if its compatible with Microsoft office 2011

    i want to upgrade to OS X lion but i want to check if its compatible with Microsoft office 2011. i don't want to upgrade and then run into problems espacially MS Office is verey improtant for me.

    Yes it is.

  • HT201115 I want to upgrade my macbook to lion

    I would likw to upgrade my macbook to lion but i need to buy som Rame, Halp?

    You can use this Link to check which RAM is suitable for your Mac...
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/
    It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM
    For best performance, fill all memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.
    That site also has videos on how to Install RAM should you need it...

  • My computer came with Lion but no install disks, how can I do a reinstaller DVD ??

    This is only part of my problem.
    My computer came with Lion but no install disks, I would love to have a disaster recovery DVD just in case, The is the LionDiskMaker script that says it would do it for Lion and Mountain Lion but when I tried, It did not find what it needed to create such a DVD.
    On the other hand, when I replace my MacBookPro last october, the lady at the Apple Store online used my gmail adress instead of my videotron.ca adress... So now, I have a dual identity, one that owns a MacBookPro and the other that has done business with Apple for ages.
    So :
         1. Can I unify my 2 Apple ID ??
         2. Can I get a kind of installer of Lion without paying the price ??
    Yours truly,
    Binaire101

    You need to download and save the Lion and/or Mountain Lion installer app.
    Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
    1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing.
    2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
    Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    After DU loads select your flash 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.
    Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) 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 Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash drive size.
    3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
    4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
    Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
    Open Disk Utility.
    Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
    Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
    Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
    Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
    Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
    Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
    Unfortunately, the link for getting specific hardware versions has disappeared. So basically:
    Get yourself a spare hard drive freshly erased or with a freshly erased partition of around 8 GBs or more.
    Boot to your Recovery HD. Select Reinstall Lion from the main menu.
    From the beginning screen select your spare partition/drive as the target destination then begin the download.
    At the end of the download you will observe an Install button for you to click. Now this is important - as soon as that gadget appears you must abort the installation process. There are only two reliable ways to do this quickly: a. yank the cable for the drive from the computer; b. pull the power on the computer - shut it down quickly.
    This will result in your finding a folder on the drive that contains InstallESD.dmg that you can now use to create a bootable USB flash drive installer based on the special build for your model. Use it until the next public release of Lion appears or you move on to Mountain Lion.
    If you do not stop the download process immediately upon its completion you will end up with an installer that always boots to a non-functioning installation progress window instead of the normal main menu.

  • I currently have OS X Snow Leopard and want to Update to OS X Lion, but it says that it is no longer available for purchase. Do I have to go straight to Mountain Lion?

    I currently have OS X Snow Leopard and want to Update to OS X Lion, but it says that it is no longer available for purchase. Do I have to go straight to Mountain Lion?

    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.
    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.
    For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Apple - Upgrade your Mac to OS X Mountain Lion.

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