Reformatting Macbook without system restore CD

Hi,
I have an old(ish) MacBook lying around that I want to let my friend in desperate need borrow, however, it's in need of reformatting/restoring as it takes ages to boot up. Needs a spring clean.
However, I can't find the pack of CDs that came with it and to be honest have no idea what to do?
The MacBook was bought in about 2006 and is running Tiger 10.4, I have a Snow Leopard OS which I am using on my current iMac but as the ram on my old MacBook is only 512mb I don't think it will cope with this?
Has anyone got any suggestions for how I can clean my MacBook up to make it useable for my friend in need?
Thanks (LOTS)
Suze

You need the discs.

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Restoring MacBook Pro WITHOUT System Restore CD?

Hello, I'm wondering how to restore my MacBook Pro to it's factory settings without the Restore CD/DVD. I have moved many times since I brought my laptop and subsequently have misplaced the CDs, I only have the OS X Leopard Install CD which I got some time ago.
How can I do this? Can Apple provide me with these restore CDs??
Thanks!
Will

Can Apple provide me with these restore CDs??
Unless it is too old, calling AppleCare can usually get those CDs. There will usually be a fee for them.
Your Leopard installer disc will only work on MacBook Pros older than the disc, and that's assuming it looks like * and does not say DropIn, OEM, or Upgrade.
iLife prebundled with Leopard is limited:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1490798&tstart=0
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

MacBook Air Thunderbolt shipped without System Restore USB key

I just received my new 13" MBA 2011 Thunderbolt and it doesn't come with a System Restore USB key. Anyone else?
I know Lion has a System Restore partition, but that doesn't help if I'm planning on upgrading the SSD with one of these:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_Express

You can always make your own, by following instructions like these:
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I recently encountered a problem with pre-installed win7 in HP Pavilion Dv6 6121se laptop after replacing the old battery. The hard disk had three partitions: C, D & E. By default the windows was installed on C drive. The following operations were performed in sequence:
1-      Using Partition Wizard 7, I decided to format C drive with the idea to re-install the OS from recovery partition. I accidently changed the recovery partition from "Primary" to "Logical" during this process. Soon I learnt that the system recovery (F11) wasn’t functioning followed by this message: No bootable device - - insert boot disk and press any key
2-      I made a system repair disk from another laptop to overcome the above issue. It didn’t work, so I then decided to merge the C, D and E partitions using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional Edition. The status of the hard is asunder after merger:
Partition            File System Capacity Used Space Free Space Flag Status
C: SYSTEM           NTFS                   199 MB       13.8MB 185.2 Primary                  None
D: Data               NTFS 451 GB           99.8 MB 450.9 GB Primary                 None
E: Recovery NTFS                    14.45 GB      12.87GB 1.58GB Primary               System
F: HP_Tools FAT32                  103MB          15.5MB 87.5MB Primary              System
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Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
B)       When E: Recovery is set as active partition (or tapping F11), I get this message on startup
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Status: 0xc0000098
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Please bear in mind that I didn’t make any system restore DVDs in advance which could have been used at this stage but I do have the default recovery partitions intact in hard drive as shown above. After all this, is there any way to retrieve my system to factory settings without losing recovery partition and HP tools?
Thank you all!

Try download a PE system and get in there and run an WIM tool to install windows to C
(Look for base.wim in the recovery partition and install it)
Sorry because of different timezone I might not be able to help/reply you right away.IF that happens I deeply apologize!
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Powerbook g4 12" failure to load with or without system restore disc

I searched around a bit and couldn't find anyone with exactly this problem. My hard drive failed a while ago, which I had kind of been expecting for a while. so i bought a new hitachi 120GB HD that is compatible with my machine.
i scrounged up my 10.2.3 system restore/install disc that came with my computer some 5 years ago, and tried to run it with my new hard drive. But my computer will not boot the disc. I ran the hardware checker disc, and everything turned out OK, but my computer will not boot the System Restore disc (I am holding C during startup to no avail). It gets to the gray apple and then the screen gets a thick horizontal line of static across it. if i try to boot without the sysrestore disc, i get a ? sign as if I was trying to run classic mode with a bad extension.
is my system restore disc busted or what? Is there another problem that the hardware checker disc couldn't find?
I don't really want to drop more money on a new OS, especially if it's not going to fix my problem.
oh and there are zero scratches on the disc- this is maybe the 2nd time ive taken it out of its sleeve/the bag that the sleeve came in. i don't understand why this isn't working and I really like this computer- this is the only serious problem it has ever had.

Jack:
Thanks for the clarification. So even before the new HDD, the computer will not boot from the internal HDD or the install disk. However, it does start up, so that is good.
Try Resetting the PRAM.
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination immediately after the chime and before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down for three chimes.
6. Release the keys and allow to boot.
If still no joy, see if you can boot from the Apple Hardware Test disk that came with the computer. If you are able to boot, run all tests in a loop by holding down Command + L during the tests.
Let me know how it goes.
Cheers
cornelius

Any way to reformat Macbook without discs?

Hello!
I've had this macbook pro (currently running osx version 10.5.8) for some time now (early 2008 i think).. and it's starting to give me a ton of problems, some of my buttons have stopped functioning (letter buttons) i've heard 3 beeps a few times, but nothing as of late.. but it's just running super slow no matter what i've done (removed/deleted all pictures/files off and placed it on external hard drive, gotten rid of unneeded/extra software) but still slow and makes me want to rip out my hair.
One of my friends said to try to reformat it, but the problem is, I have misplaced the box and the
Mac OS X Install DVD and all the other stuff it came with (as we have moved in 2010).. is there anyway to reformat my computer without the install DVD? or am I just stuck with my macbook like this now?
help anyone!

10.6 Snow Leopard would be excellent choice for your 2008 MBP, what it does is strips out the PPC code your not using in 10.5 Leopard and offer faster video drivers and some nice bells and whistles.
10.6 is faster than 10.5 (video driver improvements) and 10.6 is slightly faster than 10.7.1 (tested on the same hardware)
(It might be that 10.7.3+ is possibly a hair bit faster than 10.6, I haven't seen any recent speed comparisons lately.)
A advantage with 10.6 is you get to keep running most of your present 10.5 software, some will require a update to work in 10.6 under Rosetta which is a compatability layer.
Most all software and hardware drivers for older third party devices work for 10.6, so your good to go.
Do backup your files off the computer to a storage drive (not TimeMachine) and disconnect before making any major changes.
You can buy the $29 10.6.3 Snow Leopard upgrade/install disk from Apple online.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
(to boot off the 10.6.3. disk, hold c upon boot. You then have two choices, upgrade 10.5 to 10.6 only, or use Disk Utility first to erase everything on the drive then install 10.6)
Now about 10.7, it's a new OS that came out in July, it's all 64bit and thus it doesn't run Rosetta (of 10.6) and thus your 10.5 software will not work with it.
Some third party software is not ready for 10.7 yet, and a lot of hardware drivers for printers and scanners may not function for it. You will have to do your homework check this table.
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table
10.7 Lion represents a rather drastic change to OS X in some aspects that need getting used to, no boot disks, internet recovery and the MacAppStore etc.
10.8 is going to be released THIS SUMMER and nearly no software is ready for it obviously and won't run on older hardware (to be determined)
I think 10.7 should run fine on your machine, you may have to upgrade the RAM to 4GB to get better performance.
So you have to make a decision, if it's wise for you to have to buy all new versions of software for your older Mac and run 10.7 or stay with 10.6.8 and run the software you have (minor updates) until perhaps a year from now when 10.8 is out on brand new hardware and the bugs are worked out of it, buy all new software then.
IMO option #2 with 10.6.8 now, 10.8 later on new hardware is a better choice than option #1 going with 10.7 and paying more money for software for little reason, or going without as some software isn't ready yet for 10.7.
I don't know what or how much investment in software you have; if little, then 10.7 is nothing, if a lot then you perhaps may want to hold off 10.7 for now.
If you do decide to go to 10.7, I advise buying the $69 Lion USB thumb drive and option key booting from that, erasing the entire drive and installing 10.7 directly. Skipping right over 10.6.
With the Lion USB you can install 10.7 anytime you want, no internet connection required, however if you upgrade 10.5 to 10.6 ($29) then to 10.7 ($29), then you have to use Internet Recovery from your boot drive, I don't know how reliable your Internet is, but a $69 USB is certainly more reliable for only a few dollars more.
Good luck.

Every week I have to restore the macbook pro system

Hi,
Lately my macbook pro is having some problems that are bothering me a lot.
After some use it simply will not boot and I have to restore the system by time machine. But before that happens, the boot is extremely slow, it does not leave the apple gray screen, then rebooting the computer by the recovery disk, several problems are presented during the disk check.
The last time I had the problem, the computer just was not mount the disk in any way, I had to erase the disk and restore the system from time machine. I've replaced the HD, reset PRAM, SMC, repair disk permissions, but nothing solved the problem.
Another problem that is occurring is that the system reports different values for the free disk space, on the table it reports a value, in the disk utility is informed another value, always lower, as if the table it reports the value of 502.33 GB of free space, in disk utility value reported is 498.20 GB. After performing the system restore, the computer works fine for about a week, and then presents the problems again.
The computer only has these problems with the Lion, the snow leopard operation is perfect, but as I paid $ 30.00 by the system, I wish to use it, but if the problems continue I think I will downgrade to the snow leopard.
Has anyone had the same problems with the Lion and the macbook pro?
Any suggestions to solve these problems without having to go back to the snow leopard?
My computer's configuration:
Mid-2009 Macbook Pro, 15.4 ", 8GB Ram, 750GB 7.200 rpm Hard Drive, Intel core 2 duo 2.53 GHz.
Thank´s

Hi djousma,
I just use the Mac OS, I've done a scan with virusbarrier (all updated virus definitions) and no virus was found. My software is all original, and most were purchased from the App Store.
I bought this macbook new, sealed box, and always had the feeling that something was wrong with it. After 8 months of purchase, the original HD had problems. I took the computer to an Apple authorized service center, they said the HD was damaged and replaced under warranty. This happened exactly two years ago. After replacing the HD the computer works normally until the installation of the Lion, I can't say if it was coincidence or not, but it's really weird problems start after installing the Lion. Another strange problem on my computer since I bought it, is that the battery reduces the percentage of load even with the connected MagSafe power.
I don't understand what's happening with my computer.
Thank You!

I reformatted iBook G4 - now I cannot reinstall from system restore CDs

I am trying to repair my husband's iBook G4. It would not start up at all, so I mounted it as a Target Disk from my MacBook (2.2 Intel Core Duo, 10.5.6), and saved his important data to an external drive. Then I reformatted the iBook (from my MacBook) and ran Disk Utility on it. It got a clean bill of health. Then I tried to reinstall the OS from the original restore CDs (the 3 gray CDs which came with it.)
It gets as far as the gray Apple screen, then hangs and freezes (the little 'gear' stops spinning). I thought I might be able to install the OS from my MacBook via Target Disk, but whether the disk is in the iBook or the MacBook, it says that 'it cannot install this OS on this computer' - meaning the MacBook. But I don't want to install it on the MacBook! I thought I could install the OS via Firewire, but - apparently not!
Anything I'm missing here? These ARE the original iBook G4 10.3 install disks, and the disk itself seems fine - no weird noises or other indications that it's getting ready to take a dive.
I told him he really needs a newer laptop anyway, and am resigned to replacing it, but I'd like to be able to at least get it going while I look around for another laptop.
Can this iBook be saved? TIA, Alicia

Thanks so much for your quick response, Limnos.
I see what you're saying about TDM - I didn't know it couldn't see the other computer at that stage.
+You should try starting the G4 itself from the CDs so you can install. Insert the CD in the G4 and start up while holding down the C key so it boots from the CD.+
I did that:
+Then I tried to reinstall the OS from the original restore CDs (the 3 gray CDs which came with it.)+
+It gets as far as the gray Apple screen, then hangs and freezes (the little 'gear' stops spinning).+
That is why I tried to get it going another way. The CD drive is not broken, but G4 will not install the OS when I use the original system restore CDs which came with the G4 (or Disk Warrior, for that matter.) I've tried formatting it and partitioning it with Disk Utility, using both GUID and Apple Partition Map. But it still only gets to the gray Apple screen, and the little gear stops spinning and there it freezes.
But it doesn't seem like a complete brick, as it works well enough to start up, chime, recognize the System Folder in the installation disk or Disk Warrior, and be accessed as a Target Disk, so I didn't think I should give up on it entirely before chucking it.
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My Macbook Pro was stolen, and I have replaced it with a Macbook Air. New hard drive is too small for a Time Machine restore. How do I restore my more-expensive apps (ie iWorks) on my new Macbook without repurchasing them?

My Macbook Pro was recently stolen, and I have replaced it with a Macbook Air. I attempted to simply do a restore from the Macbook Pro's Time Machine backup, but since the new Macbook Air's hard drive is significantly smaller, a Time Machine restore was not possible. I even tried to choose only settings or only my User Profile (option) when restoring, but the backup was still too large to do a restore onto the new machine. How do I restore my more-expensive apps (ie iWorks) onto my new Macbook without repurchasing them? Also, I reaad somewhere that if you went to the Mac App Store and attempted to repurchase the app and clicked BUY, it would simply alert you that you have already purchased the app (and trigger a re-download)... NOT THE CASE... So I just dropped another $19.99 for a second copy of Pages... Not my intention....
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
LM

you should get a usb backup drive as well. time machine has limited use in my eyes. it saves things. but older things can be errased ad space drops without telling you
nothing beats data redundancy. 2 saves is. 1. and 1 is none
im personally not fond of time machne though i use it only for a recovery parameter for a mac
id never ever myself consider time machine a genuine data backup tool. though most do consider it as such
drive clones such as superduper and carbon copy cloner can clone your entire drive for emergency recovery. and you can boot from them as well o. another mac

How can one do a full system restore from Time Machine to a Macbook Air

I recently had a major crash on my two internal disc DualG5. The system internal disk failed completely and I used Time Machine to do a full system restore to the second internal disc. It worked PERFECTLY!! I followed the instructions in support
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/15638.html
This involved inserting the Leopard DVD into the optical drive and backing up from my external LaCie time machine backup.
I also have a MacBook Air. I use an external USB HD drive as Time Machine backup. The Air only has one USB port. I have an external DVD drive for the Air. Clearly, I will not be able to mount the DVD and External disk at the same time unless I use a small hub. I guess this will work but is there any other work around. Could I do a full reinstall and then connect the external HD?

Richard,
Alternatively, you could use Remote Disc Sharing (via the DualG5) to do the install and reserve the USB port for the Time Machine disk.
[http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1131]
[http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1777]
Let us know if this was helpful.
Cheers!

My app tabs disappeared when opening my browser. How do I get them back, without doing a system restore to yesterday?

When I opened firefox as my browser, I accidentally clicked on it twice, it opened two sessions. I closed one session, but, as it turns out I closed the session that had all of my app tabs, leaving the page that had none of my app tabs.
Now, I cannot get my app tabs back.
I tried doing a session restore to the previous session and that didn't help.
How can I get the correct session, with my app tabs in place, without doing a) a system restore point on the whole computer or b) restarting the computer?

On your iPod Touch, open the iTunes app. There should be tab named "purchased", which shows all your purchase history. Choose the "Not on this iPod" tab and you'll get a list of purchased products that are not on your device. Hope this helped.

I accidentally deleted QuickTime from my computer. Then I did a system restore and retrieved it. Now Itunes can't find QuickTime and will not open. Is there a fix for this without my Ipod?

I accidently deleted QuickTime from my computer. Then I did a system restore and retrieved the program. Now Itunes can't find QuickTime and will not open.Is there a eazy fix for this without using my Ipod? Ihave 6K songs in Itunes that I can't get to.
Thank You
T-BILL

Hmmm. There's a couple of things that might be going on with that one.
Let's try an uninstall and reinstall of QuickTime first.
If you're using XP, head into your Add or Remove Programs control panel. Select "QuickTime", click "Change" and then click "Remove".
If you're using & or Vista, head into your Uninstall a program control panel, select QuickTime, and then click "Uninstall".
You can get QuickTime back either via Apple Software Update (in your Start menu go "All Programs > Apple Software Update" ... QuickTime should appear in the "New Programs" section), or by downloading a QuickTimeInstaller.exe from the following location:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL837
Does your iTunes launch properly now?

How to system restore with cyberlink recovery manager without reformatting whole hard drive?

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Minimized recovery
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Restoring backup files from Time Machine without system preference/Library files

Hi all. I recently ran into some trouble with my MBP and had the Apple store do a erase/install for me. At the time when I got my laptop back, I was told it would be best if I transferred my files including applications the drag and drop way to avoid restoring library/system files that could've been the cause of the problem in the first place. I'm currently still at the setup assistant stage and I'm really unsure of what to do to be honest because I'm under the impression that my application settings would pretty much be gone if I did the drag and drop method.
I read that setup assistant transfers only files that you want but I also read something from user Pondini that the Library files are automatically restored even if I unchecked everything. Which is problematic since that's what I want to avoid in the first place. If possible can anyone recommend a better option for my dilemma? I've read in one of the forum boards that dragging and dropping files can also cause some problems with how applications will work and I really don't want to have to deal with that after the trouble I'm going through with this. Is there a way to just restore Applications and the user folder (desktop, documents, downloads, etc) without including the library system files and folders through setup assistant?
Or do I really have to deal with dragging and dropping files instead? Would you recommend doing the stars wars method of Time Machine and picking only the files I want? Would that be most advisable?
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Well what happened was my laptop ran into 2 kernel panics within 2 days (I posted a question here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/25605663#25605663). Which sent ME into a panic. I couldn't trust myself to go any further so I went to the Apple store who then helped did an erase/install for me because they suspect it could be a software issue (maybe it was missing codes or something) and suggested that it would be best for me to drag/drop restore my stuff manually. I'm not very keen on a full system restore either because I know there are some system files which I'd rather not have sticking around (like com.rims which are super stubborn to get rid of) and which could even have been the source of my trouble right now.
I was reading through every single page of Pondini's articles and I'm couldn't find anything which said I could just restore the apps in my apps folder without transferring anything else (ie. the library folder in the macintosh hd folder) since i'm assuming anything from the library folder of the user would be obsolete if I choose not to restore those files using setup assistant. But I'm more reluctant about not using setup assistant for restoring my apps because I don't know how bad it will turn out. Not to mention I won't know if they would restore system root files that should've been long gone since I uninstalled them.

Reformatting Macbook without system restore CD

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