Macbook Pro unable to reinstall factory settings

Question

My macbook pro started running slow so I decided to restart it.  When restarted it I could get it to go past the apple screen and the load bar.  I didnt have my files backed up so I decided that I would just try to restore it back to the factory settings.  Everytime that I try to do this I am getting an error message.  I have verified the drives and apparently theres an issue with my hard drives.  Please advise as to how I can reset the hard drive back to the factory settings and avoid the error messages that I have been getting.  My mac book has always performed well.  The only thing that I can think of that may be causing this issue is the fact that I installed a game from the app store called Capitalism 2.  Please advise.

Answer 1

We cannot help you without knowing what the error message was and what version of OS X is installed. If it said the drive cannot be repaired or that you must backup all your files and reinstall, then here's what you would usually do:
Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion 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.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
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 using Snow Leopard then do this instead:
Clean Install of Snow Leopard
Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
the drive and everything on it.
     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.