Reinstalling OS X on 13" MacBook Pro

How do you do a "clean install" on a 13" MacBook Pro? (Purchased July 2009)
We did a "System Update" to the latest version of Snow Leopard and the computer is not working properly. I thought that doing a "clean install" of the system and re-doing the updates would correct the issues... no luck...
I have tried to reinstall from the Snow Leopard disk... nothing happens.
We bought the computer just before Snow Leopard came out. I tried re-installing from that disk... the disk is ejected when the computer restarts. When you re-insert it, the computer won't start up from the disk. It just starts up from the system on the computer.
I tried restarting and holding down the "C" key. The disk is ejected starts up from the system on the computer... or it stays on the gray screen (no spinning wheel) - you never see the start up screen...
Is there a different procedure for the 13"MacBook Pro. Holding down the "C" key always worked before. Why does the computer automatically eject an inserted disk at start up?

Have you tried inserting the disc and then going to System Preferences>Startup Disk and selecting the Snow Leopard disc as the start up disk and then hitting "Restart"?
If this doesn't work, you might have a problem with the disc or the optical drive. It might be worth trying a cleaning disc in the optical drive and then trying again.
If you do manage to boot from the disc, then you can navigate to Disk Utility (on the install disc) and select your boot disk and then go to the partition tab to reformat and erase it. Once that's done, you should be able to do a fresh installation of the OS from the install disc. You would then go to the Apple site and install the combo update to bring the OS up to date.
I assume you do have a good backup? Erasing and reformatting will destroy all the data on your startup disk.
Also, be sure the SMART status of your hard drive is verified before installing the OS. You can do a more comprehensive check of the physical health of your hard drive using SMART Utility:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32454
You can download the demo and run it several times for free. You want to be sure your hard drive is in good shape before installing the OS.
Something else to try would be to repair permissions and then see if you could boot from the install disc. If you can, you could then navigate to Disk Utility and select your boot disk and repair it. I don't know if that would solve the issues you are having, but it's a less drastic procedure than an erase and install.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

  • I have reinstalled mountain lion on my MacBook Pro and can't get the games back App Store says they'll already installed how can i download them can anyone help

    I have reinstalled mountain lion on my MacBook Pro and can't get the games back App Store says they'll already installed how can i download them can anyone help

    I have eactly the same problem - it seems that the downloaded version on MBA is version 6.0 and on iPad is is version 2.0 -
    Issue is when i tried to save the presentation on MBA Keynote 09 - Keynote crashed.
    I tried to save is as Powerpoint in MBA and it crashed as well!
    Message was edited by: Innovaxin

  • I want to reinstall OS on my 2012 MacBook Pro. It shipped iwth 10.8, but now runs 10.9. Can I reinstall to 10.9, I do I have to reinstall 10.8 and upgrade again to 10.9?

    I want to reinstall OS on my 2012 MacBook Pro. It shipped with 10.8, but now runs 10.9. Can I reinstall straight to 10.9, or do I have to reinstall 10.8 and upgrade again to 10.9?

    Best to install 10.9 straight up. If you still have your OS 10.9 downloaded file you can use that, or you can go to the app store and download it again. It will be in your previous purchase history. Or you could even upgrade to 10.10. If you want to start from scratch you will need to boot from USB or DVD and initialise (erase) your internal HD. To do create a bootable USB thumb drive with OS 10.9 or 10.10 follow this guide
    Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support
    And heres a how to on installing a fresh copy of Yosemite (OS X 10.10)
    http://osxdaily.com/2014/10/18/clean-install-os-x-yosemite/

  • 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

  • I uninstalled and reinstalled iwork 09 on my MacBook Pro.  Now I cannot open the documents I had created.

    I uninstalled and reinstalled iwork 09 on my macBook Pro.  Now it won't open the software or any of the documents I have created.  I uninstalled it because I got Microsoft Office - I was tired of not being compatible with the rest of the world.  I realized after I had uninstalled the iworks that I needed it to open the files.  So I reinstalled it using the CD that I had originally purchased.  It installed with no problem, but will not open.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

    Thank you - I love a simple fix! 

  • I wanna reinstall Mac OSx lion on MacBook pro, my problem is I dint purchase OSx lion with my apple Id before.so anybody can tell me how to purchase OSx with my apple Id on MacBook

    I wanna reinstall Mac OSx lion on MacBook pro, my problem is I dint purchase OSx lion with my apple Id before.so anybody can tell me how to purchase OSx with my apple Id on MacBook

    Nope. You can purchase a Snow Leopard DVD for $29.00 through an Apple retailer or ordering from AppleCare:
    Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
    To contact product and tech support visit online support site.

  • Reinstall using Retail leopard discs, MacBook Pro will not detect speakers

    Hi, I just purchased a MacBook pro used, and the owner lost the original discs. He sold it to me with a formated (no OS) on the HDD, because I have upgraded my older mac with leopard I decided I would reinstall with that. The MacBook Pro is the very last model before the unibody (penryn 2.4/256mb video). Upon installation the greeting video played with no sound, and pressing the volume up key (shared with F12) did nothing, and once to the desktop, hitting that button resulted in dashboard launching (like the old style keyboards would).
    Now I cannot seem to raise the volume, or use ANY of the function keys, I also cannot set the trackpad to use gestures. It would pretty much seem my MacBook Pro is missing its drivers for its internal speakers (they're not listed in the sound prefpane), trackpad, and keyboard. HELP!
    Message was edited by: Kardon
    Well this is mildly embarrassing but it IS valuble to others in my situation!
    *OKAY SOLVED* (must be a record I posted the question a minute ago).
    I forgot to mention I also couldn't adjust brightness, but after running the software update, it seems all of the proper drivers have been download and installed because I now have full proper function of the MacBook Pro. Thanks for the wasted space, but again, this could be useful for others. If this is happening to you, just run the Software Update tool (under the apple logo in the top left) and let it finish its 800mb update, all will be solved.
    Message was edited by: Kardon
    Message was edited by: Kardon

    I had the same problem, except mine happened after restoring from a Time Machine backup onto my new unibody MacBook. Thanks to the OP.

  • Reinstalling FCP7 in my new Macbook Pro Retina Display. I have my serial numbers back to FCP1. But it tells me that I have an invalid serial number.  Why?

    Reinstalling FCP in new Macbook Pro Retina from time machine backup.  Have all serial numbers back to FCP1 but I am warned I have an invalid serial number.  How can that be!  I need to install and use this weekend.
    Thank you in advance for the help.

    How, exactly are you doing this?
    When I restored  my new computer from the time machine, the software was transfer to the new machine, in the past when double clicking the icon it would come up and ask for the serial numbers.  This time was the same with the exception of:
    I did not enter an invalid serial number, I tried all the numbers I have.  But none of them worked.
    I will try to install from discs.
    Thanks for your help.

  • Need help on reinstaling OS X on my Macbook Pro after formating it!

    Hey! I hope someone can finaly help me with my mac problem. I have a macbook pro that I think might be from 2011. Well the thing is that I have formated my macbok and when I got to the os x utilities screen I went for the option to reinstall OS X, everything was going fine until it asked me to introduce my apple id and password. I did it and what happened next was that I got this message: "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again later". So now i´m stuck at this point, i can´t reinstall any os x. I´m guessing the problem with mountain lion is that it´s an old version of os x that isn´t available anymore for free downloads. So what shoud I do?
    I´ve been reserching on internet for any possible solutions and nothing. I just came upon that many mac users have had this problem and some found the solution but doesn´t share it with the rest. Right now im living in peru therefor I cant go to an apple store to get my problem fixed.
    Can some please help me? I´m really despreate!!

    "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again later"
    That message can also be read as "Mac OS X in not available to the Apple-ID you provided".
    You need to provide the original Apple-ID that was used to register that Mac, or an Apple-ID that was used to purchase (even for $0) some later version of Mac OS X.

  • Error message " The serial number you entered is valid, but a qualifying product annoy be found on this computer" appears. Unable to reinstall CS5.5 on my macbook pro after Hard disk crashed & was replaced.

    Error msg " The serial no you entered is valid,but a qualifying product cannot be found on this computer" appears. Can't reinstall CS5.5 onto Macbook pro after Hard disc crashed & was changed.

    It is not clear if you understand what that message is indicating.  It is telling you that you need to identify the older version of whatever CS5.5 upgrade you are installing to prove that you qualify for the upgrade.  This could be CS5, CS4, etc.
    Error "This serial number is not for a qualifying product" | CS6, CS5.5, CS5
    http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-qualifying-product.html

  • Reinstalling photoshop cs5 on new MacBook pro OS 10.10.1

    Hello,
    I recently updated my photo editing computer to a new MacBook Pro running OS X 10.10.1. Reinstalled photoshop CS5 and submitted product code. Photoshop will open and run, but certain commands, specifically print commands or print parameter changes causes the program to quit. I have looked on several forums and followed advice re: reloading photoshop among others, but cannot get anything to change.
    Question 1: is there anything in the que for updates to CS5 to make it compatible with the latest OS X update?
    Question 2: why isnt there an option on adobes site to submit a question to tech support? Every other software manufacturer I deal with leaves you with the ability to submit a question to their support staff.
    Any help would be appreciated in getting my software to run correctly again.
    thanks,
    Justin

    It is not likely that older versions of software will be updated as technology advances.  That is part of the reason why they develop new versions of software.
    Adobe tech support is focused on their new products and generally do not support issues with older software versions - it's unfortunate, but that is how they manage their support.  These forums are their second line of support, where they send people with older version issues, and a number of Adobe employees do support this and other forums.  If you have a question and ask it here you might get a helpful reply... or you might get a useless one like this might seem to be.

  • How to reinstall OS X Lion on macbook pro late 2011 ?

    Hello all !
    I'm new here and pretty new to Macbook Pro had for just over a month now.
    I baught it expecting it to be fast and good though I seem to be getting hard time doing simple stuff and having connection problems plus it slows down on me.
    My family members have been downloading all kind of stuff and my MBP is pretty slow since then and wierd stuff is occuring.
    I would like to reinstall Lion OS X to make as new agian since I think this solution only might help me here.
    Though when I baught this MBP I didn't recieve any CD's with it as in basic OS X installations.
    My question how am I supposed to reinstall my OS X and my MBP ? Please help me I am so fustrated because of this.
    Relevant information about my MBP:
    Macbook Pro 8,1 - 13" Late 2011
    Version 10.7.4
    2.8 GHz Intel Core i7
    Main issues:
    Wi-Fi keep dropping and Safari is acting way to slow.
    Invisible files appearing and are Visible on desktop such as (.DS_Store & .localized)
    Many other gliches that prevent me copying simple stuff and closing Safari or tabs in Safari.
    Thanks to all in advance.

    What do you suggest then ?
    I suggest troubleshooting the problem instead of just guessing what has to be done. Since you're within 90 days of purchase, you're eligible for phone support from AppleCare.
    Stop the secure erase. Quit Disk Utility and either restore from a Time Machine backup or run the Installer. You don't mention whether you have a backup. I hope you do, because otherwise your data is lost beyond any hope of recovery.

  • Unable to reinstall Mountain Lion after erasing MacBook Pro.

    Hi guys,
    Wondering if there are any smart techies out there willing to help me whilst I wait for Apple's support team to get back to me.
    I recently (a few weeks ago) wiped my Macbook Pro (early 2011) 13" 320GB in order to resell it and now I am trying to reinstall OS in order for it to be a fully working laptop again. It originally came with Snow Leopard but I purchased Moutain Lion through the app store when it came out, I then upgraded to Mavericks and had been running that. Now that its fully erased, it gives me a few options on what to do; get online help, launch the disk utility or reinstall os Lion. The problem I have is I never purchased Lion, I only bought Mountain Lion -  so when I try going through that route it says I have bought it (obviously). Ive been through disk utility and ran all the checks, everything seems to come back fine and dandy so I am not quite sure what to do now. I don't mind reinstallion Snow Leopard or Mountain Lion or whatever, as long as it becomes a fully functioning laptop again...I can always upgrade it later on.
    I would really appreciate any help on this and also I am a complete newbie when it comes to Apple products, so I would be greally grateful for any advice. I should probably add that I can't find any disks that came with the laptop, I never throw anything away but I have read that the older models came with startup disks so I have no idea what to do!
    Thannk you

    Please only reinstall Snow Leopard if that is the original OS that was pre-installed. You must not install any later version of OS X that you acquired because it will not work for the buyer. This also holds true for any App Store software you purchased using your Apple ID. You should not reinstall any of that software because it is useless to another owner. The following procedure will make a fresh installation of Snow Leopard that can be upgraded to 10.6.8. That's all you should provide.
    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.
    Also, see What to do before selling or giving away your Mac.

  • Reinstalling Lion on a Used MacBook Pro

    My buddy just bought a used MacBook Pro, and was trying to reinstall OS X Lion on to it.  He is able to choose the destination for the install, hit continue and gets the error message "This Apple ID has not yet been used with the iTunes store. Please Review your account information.".  When he clicks on the Review button at the bottom of the screen, nothing happens. 
    Any suggestions?

    If Lion was originally purchased at the app store, it is forever tied to that person's Apple ID - which means your buddy will not be able to reinstall. The seller was supposed to erase Lion and reinstall the original OS; both Lion and Mountain Lion licenses are not transferable if purchased at the app store. If he can contact the seller, that would be best; second choice: call Apple and ask for replacement disks (presumably Snow Leopard), boot from that disk, erase drive and reinstall. Then he can buy Lion.

  • Reinstall Mountain Lion on 13" macbook pro retina

    hi! i am trying to reinstall mountain lion on my new 13" macbook pro retina, however, i cannot proceed and i encounter the message "We could not complete your purchase. OS X Mountain Lion is not compatible with this computer." please help!

    I've called Apple Care and they learned me to the following in order to complete a clean install from Mountain Lion on a MacBook Pro Retina (otherwise it won't work): http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11273
    But, like Clinton said, shouldn't your rMBP come with Moutain Lion on it? And if so, why can't you upgrade to 10.8.2 because I could (with software update) - but my problem was to clean reinstall ML on it from the App Store (that you stil can't do with a rMBP btw).
    And a small question off-topic: How long is your (average) shutdown time on your rMBP 13"?

Maybe you are looking for