Macbook pro recovery disks

i purchased a mid 2009 macbook pro model a1278 from an individual without the original factory recovery disks. i see the gray disks on ebay but do not know how to choose the correct ones. question is, how do i determine the right disks? how do the identifying numbers on the disks reveal which macbook they will work with?

Call AppleCare Support and purchase replacement discs from Apple:
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.
For Mac App Store: Apple - Support - Mac App Store.
For iTunes: Apple - Support - iTunes.

Similar Messages

Problems reformatting MacBook Pro recovery disk missing

Hacing problems reformatting MacBook pro. Tried startup with option key but recovery disk option missing. Then tried the Mac os x disc that came with the MacBook Pro however when I get to the selection of where I want to install no HD option appears. Start up disk also appears to be missing. Can only start Mac in safe mode.

Remind them at this time you don't desire a service account, just desire a disc. The only reason you would want an account is if you wanted them to help you with actual troubleshooting.

By mistake i erase my macbook pro hard disk how to reinstall the yosemite on my macbook because it donsnt read the bootable drive?

by mistake i erase my macbook pro hard disk how to reinstall the yosemite on my macbook because it donsnt read the bootable drive?

usamafrombeverly hills wrote:
when i start the macbook & press cmd+R it goes to the internet recovery
Well then when you erased your hard drive, your erased the Recovery partition, also.
Use Internet Recovery to either restore from your Time Machine backup or reinstall the OS if you don't have a TM Backup.
It will install the OS that shipped on that Mac. You can then upgrade via the App Store.

Installed apps from Macbook Pro Tiger disk to a Powerbook G4

I bought a used powerbook G4 that came with Tiger installed, but no tiger disk included in the sale (so i'll have to buy my own copy of it if i want to reinstall anything). Everything on the machine worked perfect... until one day.... okay here's the dumb thing i did: My friend has a new Macbook Pro (with Intel) and i hoped i could install programs from his Tiger disk that i didn't have on my computer (like Garage Band). So i put in his Tiger disk that came with his Macbook Pro (even though someone had advised me that it wouldn't work on a G4!) and in it i found a package of optional applications. I couldn't find and select Garage Band separately on the disk so i decided to just install all optional apps from that package. I figured my computer wouldn't let me even start all this if the Tiger disk was incompatible with my G4. Well, it did proceed along and I watched as it installed a bunch of standard programs i already had on my computer. But oh well i figured it wouldn't hurt anything to reinstall apps like that. Then, I just couldn't find a way to list and select individual programs to install, so i just gave up on the whole idea of getting my friend's Garage Band.
The next day some of my apps were acting funny. Had problems with Mail, Safari and Itunes. Fortunately, doing an update online fixed mail and safari. But itunes continues to not act right and it's always crashing and i have to force quit. Also my netzero software has become corrupted 2 times since the messing with the Macbook Pro tiger disk, and i've had to reinstall the ISP software. If i buy my own Tiger disk for G4 then i can reinstall itunes completely and hopefully that would solve it's problems. But i'm worried that when i messed with the Intel tiger disk i may have put some code on my hard disk that's harmful and useless to a G4 and could cause further problems down the road.
So my question is: Has anyone heard of this happening before and what would be the best thing for me to do? And i hope that if i must reinstall the whole OSX tiger, that i can use the "archive and install" mode so i won't lose any 3rd party software on my powerbook.
Thankyou for reading.
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 10.4.6 installed then updated to 10.4.7

I would not advise an Archive and Install because it will preserve components of the old system such as your users folder (unless you opt not to do that) which may contain items that are now not compatible. Archive and Install also keeps applications that now are incompatible.
I would recommend the following:
1. Boot from your Tiger DVD. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button, then select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your 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. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled, if supported.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume(s) mount on the Desktop.
4. 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.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled, if supported.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process will take 30 minutes to an hour or more depending upon the drive size.
After formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Now proceed with OS X installation.

Complete novice! how do i install ms office on macbook pro - have disks and USB superdrive

Hi, I'm a complete novice. How do i install MS Office on MacBook Pro - have disks and USB Superdrive?

Attach the drive via USB. Insert the disk into the drive. It'll show up on the desktop. Double click the disk icon and then run the installer.
Matt

I need to repair a Macbook Pro with disk utility using target mode to another my iMac. Can I use ethernet cable or must it be firewire?

I need to repair a Macbook Pro with Disk Utility using target mode connected to my iMac. Can I use ethernet cable to connect them or must it be firewire?

Firewire

Can I use macbook pro install Disk with macbook?

Hi everyone,
I have a macbook and macbook pro, I had to reinstall system after harddrive went on the macbook. I can't find my macbook restore disks/installation disks. Would I be able to use the macbook pro install disks with macbook?
Much appreciate your help.
Mo

It might work but it's risky. The MBP installation disks may well not contain the right drivers for the MacBook. It would be better, if at all possible, if you contacted Apple tech support and asked for a new set of disks for your MacBook. They'll send you a set for a reasonable fee. If you can't wait, perhaps there's an Apple Store or other Apple dealer near you that would have a set you could borrow in-store to do the reinstallation.

Cant reinstall cs5 to my new macbook pro. the disk is keep ejecting out.

Can't reinstall cs5 to my new macbook pro. the disk is keep ejecting out.

Hi Hj yo,
Please use the below link to download CS5 software.
http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs5-product-downloads.html
Thanks

MacBook Pro hard disk upgrade shows question mark folder

I recently bought a 1TB hard disk for my teenaged daughter's MacBook Pro.
I formatted it, used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the existing drive. I even made sure to create the recovery partition.
I restarted while holding the option key and chose the new drive. It booted fine so I checked in System Preferences to make sure it was selected as the boot device.
I opened the case and swapped the drives. Put it back together and restarted only to see the question mark folder!
I tried booting while holding the option key and now I get the choose a network prompt.
I am desperate and hate the thought of disappointing my daughter. It used to be that I was her hero who could fix anything now I'm the guy who asks too many questions and doesn't put enough money on her debit card. Granted she busts her butt getting awesome grades and I was upgrading her drive so she could continue her video yearbook for her school. So I shouldn't complain but it would be great to be her hero again.
BTW, I am not a newbie to the tech world but I don't do nearly as much in the Apple arena as I do in the PC world. Then again I've been a senior tech in the industry sine before IBM had a PC. In fact, my first real work was on a 6502 processor that used the same machine code as the Rage of the day, the Apple ][. All that to say I usually can find my way around a problem but this one has me stumped.
I appreciate any assistance offered.
Thanks,
Thom

I tried to reboot with the option, command P. And R keys pressed. I heard the ding several times it still showed the question mark! I also tried the shift option and it only displayed the network selection. Also I tried to press C so I could boot from USB and it didn't work either.
If I cannot get this to work I fear my only other choice is to use a FireWire enclosure. This isn't a good option as my daughter does mostly movie work and iMovie has this terrible "feature" that forces all movies to be stored in one place. It sure would be handy if it allowed movie projects to set the storage location individually. I suppose I could simply move all the movies to the drive and try to find a way to point all iMovie projects to the external drive.
Unfortunately, my daughter is one of those Mac users who isn't savvy enough to use anything but the default settings. Heck I've tried to explain to her that she ought to get rid of the big files once she has done her work. That's why her drive is always full.

MacBook Pro Hard Disk Crashed after Frozen Screen

Hi
Very unpleasant experience with my first MacBook. My MacBook Pro Book 13'' (late 2010 model) screen froze on start up. Realised that the battery was low and plugged the power adapter in, and let the frozen screen continue hoping for it to start in a while, only to realise that the entire laptop heated up significantly. I switchd the laptop off and let it simply recharge.
No luck on restarting after laptop was fully charged despite several attempts and following all instructions on Apple website, including SMC reset. I took the laptop down to the store and the Genius Bar team informed me that the hard disk had corrupted and they could not retrieve any data.
Wondering if this is a common problem, as I have never had a hard disk failure before and specially surprising as it is relatively new laptop (<1 year) old ? Seems like a technical fault with the laptop prima facie. Some data was not backed up recently, and now I need to look for a recovery specialist, with costs to bear despite Apple Care.
Any suggestions on recovery specialists in London who do not charge a fortune ?
Thank a Lot !
Deepa

www.apple.com/support/macbookpro
this is not laptop oriented forum

Restore of MacBook Pro without disk, gets to the install of Mountain Lion and asks for Apple ID log in and then tells me to try again later.

i bought my MacBook Pro off a friend of mine last year, she did not restore it before selling it to me & I do not have the disk to restore it that way so I followed online directions to restore with the he power button option button method. It worked up until where it asks me to reinstall Mountain Lion OS, I select accept and agree to the terms and conditions which then asks for my Apple ID,once I enter the log in it it tells me that I am unable to download the software because it is unavailable   and to try again later so my laptop is essentially useless right now and won't let me reinstall the hardware needed. Is there a way to fix this or do I need to take it into a store for a genius bar appointment. I am really trying to avoid that.

Before buying a second-hand computer, you should have run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, whichever is applicable.
The first thing to do after buying the computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.
How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.
It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.
1. If you don't own another Mac
a. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received the media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
d. Some 2010-2011 models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you can't reinstall 10.6 even from the original media, and Internet Recovery will not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.
2. If you do own another Mac
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
3. Partition and install OS X
a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.
b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.
c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:
          OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner
          The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault
          You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)
In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.
d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.
4. Other issues
a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.
c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

MacBook Pro Install Disks

I recently purchased a 13.3" MacBook Pro running OS X Lion and it didn't come with an install disk. How can I go about obtaining one in case somethings happens to where I need it?

You can't as new Macs restore from the internet:
OS X Lion- About Lion Recovery
Computers that can be upgraded to use Lion Internet Recovery
It is possible to create your own USB installer. This requires some effort on your part. Start with this article:
Downloading Hardware Specific Lion Installers
Once you have managed to capture the download:
Make Your Own Lion Installer
1. After downloading Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Lion application. After Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the 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 Lion.
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 hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, 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 several hours depending upon the drive size.
3. Locate the saved 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 InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the InstallESD.dmg disc image file 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 Lion installer that you can use without having to re-download Lion.

Macbook Pro Recovery Help please!!!

I have a Macbook pro i am trying to restore. I have been trying since i got up yesterday. I backed up all my stuff on an external drive, restarted, went into disk utilities, erased Macintosh HD, quit disk utilities, went into OS X Mavericks recovery. It downloaded all my stuff and it went to install. Got a huge Yellow triangle with a "!" in it. Said it couldn't install and to contact the software manufacturer. Tried it again many times, but to no avail. Restarted it and got a folder with a question mark in it, blinking over and over. Restarted again and it went into Internet recovery. Got stuck a few times, but finally downloaded. Now it starts up as Mountain Lion Recovery instead of mavericks. (Was shipped with ML) I have tried to download many times but it starts off as the download being 5H 30Min then gets to 2H 13M and then shoots up to 9H 59Min, then up to 12H 56Min. My internet is not that slow. My connection is (as of typing this) 4.91 Down and 0.68 Up. What just happened is i tried it again. Recovery download got until 2H 18Min and went back up to over 6H. I then quit it, and restarted. Reset the PRam and booted up. Now internet Recovery is my only option. I put in my WiFi password and now it has the loading bar that isn't moving, and shows no time limit. I have restored this same mac before on the same network and it restored without a problem. I do not have disks, nor do I have the OS on a flashdrive. I have googled for hours on end trying to find answers to no avail. Help please!

The nearest Apple Store is 6 hours away from me and it ran out of warranty a month ago (of course ) so i don't know what to do. Just checked my computer and i got the 5010F error. Yay..

HT4718 I tried merging the empty space on my Macbook Pro Hard disk but it says that there is a problem with my disk and i need to reformat it. What should i do to keep my applications and software + files?

Hi All,
I was given a macbook pro with parallel windows, and later windows was remove but hard disk space is greyed out and could not be merge and when i run a 'verify disk' it told me to reformat my OS. The nearest service centre is real far away from me and i hope to solve this on my own. I need to keep my applications and files, how do i do so? As some of these applications was given by my company. I need help on keeping my files and reformating.
Thanks in advance.
MelC

Get an external drive and make a clone of your internal, erase the internal, set it for 1 partition (OSX Journaled) and restore the clone.

My macbook pro hard disk showing S.M.A.R.T failure, but the partitions inside are okay

My macbook pro had been facing booting problems intitially. Getting stuck at Apple logo and showing a progress bar. On reaching end of the progress bar, the system shutsdown. I'm able to log in to Recovery HD/Single user login mode. Backed up all data to an external drive. Then cloned the Macintosh HD image to one partition. The cloned image is also showing the same problems - Cannot Verify/Repair. After backing up data, I've erased the Macintosh HD partition, which is blank now and has no errors. But the parent node (disk0) is showing S.M.A.R.T failure.
A week back, I was having problems with Google Chrome and Safari getting stuck and not responding issues repeatedly.
Welcoming expert opinions to get thru this.
Thank you.
Regards
Naveen

It's nothing like that. You have suggested very good steps for all my queries in fact.
But I'm a bit reluctant to accept that the HDD has failed physically. Even if the SMART error shows reallocated sector count problem, this could again be Hard and Soft error i suppose. Since the data is not critical to me, I want to experiment other ways before disposing.
Also, as of now I'm able to use my Laptop as it used to be before. It could very well fail shortly.
99% threads suggest to throw away the HDD at the earliest. And so, there is nothing wrong in believing you.
Hope you get me.
Still I have one question to you. If I erase the whole internal drive using erasedisk command in terminal, would I be able to boot in from the external usb installation which I have. I wanted to know if some data required for boot menu and all will get erased as well.
Thanks
Naveen

Macbook pro recovery disks

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