Wipe out hard drive and clean install

I may have a bad sector on hard drive with Mac pro laptop; OS snow leopard would "hang" & apple logo would appear but laptop would not boot to finder. Genius bar technician instructed me to backup files, clean hard drive to zeros, and reinstall OS software. Could not locate the steps to accomplish this in my manual or apple support site. Could someone point me to the guidance for this?

Launch Disk Utility and read its Help files.

Similar Messages

  • How can I wipe my hard drive and clean install Mountain Lion?

    Hi I have a 21.5 inch mid 2011 iMac running Mountain Lion, I want to wipe my hard drive and clean install Mountain Lion. I dont want all my stuff back, just photos and music, the rest I'll reinstall my self. I also dont have a exteranl harddrive. only two USB's one 2 GB and the other 8 GB. How do I do this? And I dont want to pay for mountain lion again. Thanks!

    I made my partition and am currently reinstalling mountain lion to put on my flash drive. I'm using Lion disk maker 2 thats compatible with mountain lion. I'm doing it right, correct?

  • HT4848 Hello- My laptop needs the OS X recovery run. Can I download the software directly to a thumb drive without affecting my desktop unit? The Geek Squad said they need to wipe my hard drive and re-install the operating system. Thanks.

    Hello- My laptop needs the OS X recovery run. Can I download the software directly to a thumb drive without affecting my desktop unit? The Geek Squad said they need to wipe my hard drive and re-install the operating system. Thanks.

    They already damaged you Mac by fooling with the BootCamp partition without knowing what they were doing. I wouldn't suggest haveing them help you do anything.
    Here is the article that describes the Recovery HD: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
    First, see if you can boot into the Recovery HD. Restart and hold down cmd-r until you see the gray screen. It should boot into Recovery. If your Mac shipped with Lion or Mountain Lion, it will boot into Internet Recovery if it cannot boot into the Recovery HD on the hard drive.
    They should have tried this at the store.

  • New Internal Hard Drive and Clean Install: Errors, Frustration and Hopelessness

    First Off:
    Macbook 13" (late 2009) ... It was running Mountain Lion 10.8.5 with 2 gigs of memory and 160gig stock hard drive.
    I started this process almost a week ago and despite numerous attempts every night I have had no luck. I appologize if the details here are fuzzy, my head is spinning after reading dozens of threads and attempting multiple solutions to each error I've received and i cant remember everything I've tried so far...
    I got my new memory in the mail first, upgraded to 4 gigs and everything works fine with that..
    Next came my new Seagate Momentus 750 gb 7200 rpm SATA 3gb/s 16Mb Internal Hard Drive.
    Using this guide: http://osxdaily.com/2012/02/17/make-bootable-os-x-10-8-mountain-lion-usb-install -drive/ (and cross checking other guides) I ended up creating a bootable external drive using my 160gb External Firewire drive for my clean install to my new hard drive. So far so good.
    I then shut down the computer, removed the old internal hard drive, installed the new, restarted the computer holding option key and booted up using the External Hard Drive, and the install software started fine. Note: I have attempted to re-erase the drive so many times without luck that I cant remember if I actually successfully erased the drive originally to begin with the installation, but either way I started the OSX reinstall and it got almost all the way finished before it gave me the error message:
    "Install failed. Mac OS X Lion couldn’t be installed, because the disk (volume name) is damaged and can’t be repaired. Click restart to restart your computer and try installing again."
    restarting of course did nothing, it repeatedly gave me error messages and made me quit installation...
    Disk Utility isnt getting me anywhere, im either getting errors like:
    "POSIX reports: the operation couldnt be completed. device no configured"
    it wont allow me to erase the drive or partition the drive
    "Disk Erase failed with the error: File System Formatter Failed"
    and everytime the drive fails to erase or partition, it disappears from the list of drives on the left of the disk utility screen and i have to restart the computer for it to reappear for a second try. Typically the volume under the drive is greyed out and says that it is unmounted.
    Ive zapped the PRAM.... and Ive done other things that I cant quite remember right now because my brain is boiling from reading too many **** threads on multiple devices....
    halp.
    halp me plase.

    So funny story...
    While writing this discussion I had to come to the computer and try to erase the drive so I could see the error code for reference. The erase didnt work as usual but I wrote the error code down here.
    I also could not remember the error code for partitioning the drive so I attempted that as well so I could write down the code, and this time it magically partitioned successfully! The only thing I did differently was that I didn't rename the partition because i figured it wouldn't matter anyway. Since the partition was successful, I attempted the Reinstall of ML and it magically worked!!
    I dont know what the **** happened but ive been attempting this install every night for like 3 hours since Monday and this is the first time it went through... for no apparent reason?
    Ghosts? Magic? Full Moon?
    we may never know...
    Thanks anyways guys!

  • I cant erase my hard drive and clean install OS X 10.6

    When I try and do a clean install from the OS X disk I do not get the option to use disk utilities to erase the disk. Does anyone know why this is missing, could I have some sort of virus blocking it?

    1 Why do you want to 'clean install' the OS? This isn't Windows, there's almost no reason to have to do a 'clean install' on a Mac.
    2 Apple doesn't seem to think that anyone needs to do this; they have deleted the 'clean install' option.
    3 if you really, really, REALLY must 'clean install', then reformat the volume using Disk Utility.

  • HT1349 I had to wipe my hard drive and re-install iTunes on my computer. I don't want to lose all of my old songs by syncing, many of which aren't available for purchase on iTunes, but it says i have to to manually manage music. How can I bypass this?

    I really don't want to lose the songs on my phone. Why does Apple have to be so difficult?

    That's like saying 'my house caught fire and burned to the ground, so I didn't have the opportunity to purchase a fire extinguisher'.
    The iPhone is not a backup device. You can purchase 3rd party software that 'may' be able to extract the music from your phone, but there is no supported method to get music that was not purchased from iTunes off of your phone and onto your computer.

  • How do I wipe my hard drive and start again iMac ?

    My hard drive is now full of junk and I want to wipe my hard drive and re-instal from time machine.
    Not quite sure how to start.

    Safari Bookmarks are in ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

  • I recently received a  WD My Book Studio external Hard drive and am installing it but can't figure out what the difference between wd turbo installer  64 and wd   turbo installer is.  Can someone tell me.  Thanks in advance for all your help.

    I recently received a  WD My Book Studio external Hard drive and am installing it but can't figure out what the difference between wd turbo installer  64 and wd   turbo installer is.  Can someone tell me.  Thanks in advance for all your help.

    Oh ok, well that was what the test said prior to reformatting the hard drive. Now, it doesn't find any trouble no matter how many times I run it. That's what has me so confused, everything seems to check out and yet...I can't do anything, not even install the software!

  • How can I wipe my hard drive and restore to factory settings without the use of the original OS CD?

    I have a 2010 MacBook and I need to wipe the hard drive and restore to factory settings.
    The problem is that even though I have the original disc, the CD drive has stopped functioning and will reject any disc put into it.
    Therefore, is there another method to do this without the CD?

    Not very easily.  To restore to factory software you need the original installation DVD (CDs).
    If you have another Mac which is the same make and model so that those installation DVD (CDs) would work, you can use a Firewire cable between the 2 Macs and then put your Mac to be reset into Target mode and use the other Mac to install the software.  However I suspect that is unlikely.

  • I'm getting the grey screen during start up and can't boot the computer. I did a cmnd R but worried it would automatically wipe my hard drive and reinstall OS.  Is there a risk at cmnd R will result in wiped HD without me actively making that choice?

    I'm getting the grey screen during start up and can't boot the computer - MacBook Pro with lion.
    I did a command r after doing some research but got nervous that it would automatically wipe my hard drive and reinstall OS.
    I was nervous because it asked me for language for software use before any options were presented (such as repair via disk utility). It looked similar to an OS install.So I powered off....Is there a risk at command r will result in wiped HD without me actively making that choice?

    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions - Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the 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
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. 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 then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
    Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
    OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
    OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
         Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is
                    three times faster than wireless.

  • I need to wipe my hard drive and I am worried about losing all of my emails once my computer is set up again. What do I need to do to prevent this?

    I have Windows XP on my computer and I need to wipe my hard drive and install Windows 7. I have a lot of very sensitive emails that I cannot lose ( I use Thunderbird for my email). What do I need to do to back up the emails so that I do not lose them? Do you store the data online or is it on my computer? Thanks so much!

    Backup your profile.
    http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_FAQs_:_Backing_Up_and_Restoring

  • Upgrading Hard Drive with clean install, MS Office media problem.

    My T61 notebook came preinstalled with MS Office software. No MS Office media (CDs/DVDs) was shipped with the T61 notebook. I want to upgrade the hard drive and clean reinstall OS and MS Office. I can create the Recovery Media using the ThinkVantage tool but that will not include MS Office.
    After three calls to Lenovo help & support I am told that I have to directly contact Microsoft to get the Office CDs!
    My current software setup has some corrupted ThinkVantage tools and I do not want to use the Back Up and Recovery option to reinstate Microsoft Office software because it will reinstall everything else with it too.
    If I bought the Microsoft Office software along with the T61 Notebook in a single order from Lenovo, why do I have to contact Microsoft to get the Microsoft Office CDs? Any suggestions?
    Sumit

    Hi sumitk, and welcome to the Lenovo User Community!
    Try here:
    http://www.microsoft.com/office/backup/en-us/defau​lt.mspx
    I don't work for Lenovo. I'm a crazy volunteer!

  • Hard Drive Erase, Clean Install and Time Machine

    I am currently running OS X 10.10.3 and I want to do a clean install. All my content is backed up with Time Machine via external drive.
    First, how do I erase my hard drive and install a fresh version of OS X 10.10.3?
    Second, is it better to use a USB drive for the clean install or just you the Recovery Mode?
    Last, once i finally have a clean installation of OS X 10.10.3, am i able to access my external drive via time machine to bring back some of my old files...i have read that the folder in the external drive is not accessible and not accessible through time machine.
    I appreciate the response and guidance!

    Hello Jacob,
    All of these are good questions to have when erasing and installing OS X Yosemite. To answer your first question you would need to boot to either your Recovery HD or through the Recovery USB and follow the steps in the first article below. Either option will get the task accomplished and will install OS X Yosemite. For your final question about restoring from a Time Machine back up, you will see the option to restore when going through the setup process of your Mac. Let me know if the information below is of help or need further assistance. 
    OS X Yosemite: Erase and reinstall OS X
    https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18869
    OS X: About Recovery Disk Assistant
    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202294
    OS X Yosemite: Recover your entire system
    https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18848
    Take it easy,
    -Norm G. 

  • How do i wipe my hard drive and install Mountain lion

    OK i wanted to install mavrick but i got my macbook pro in june of 2007 so it's to old. The command R does nothing when i reboot, and everything i find online about clearing my hard drive and getting ready to install mountain lion has that step in it. So how do i clear my hard drive so my computer is brand new like the day i bought it and also update my OS from snow leapard. Do i need to buy the disk for mountain lion or can i just download it? if someone has a link to something helpful i would love to have it.. Thanks

    If you can't run Mavericks, you can't run Mountain Lion because they have the same hardware requirements.
    Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks.
    To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.
    MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) model number 3,1 or higher
    Your Mac needs:
    OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed
    2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)
    8 GB or more of available space
    If your computer isn’t compatible, you might be able to upgrade to Lion.      
    Computer Compatibility - Lion                       Lion
    Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.      
    Application Compatibility
    Applications Compatibility (2)

  • Emac Hard Drive and Cleaning Question

    Hello to all,
    Sorry for all the crazy questions about this emac. I have never owned a mac before so this is a learning experience as I go and I hope no one minds the questions.
    Here is my latest question. I needed a new hard drive and it came out really easy. Within in about 20 minutes I had the hard drive out and in my hands. Wasn't as tough as I read. Anyway, my quesition is, I don't have the original software that came with the mac but I can get that from apple.
    If I would put a new hard drive in would I still need the original software for the mac or would I get a new disc with the hard drive that would now be the software for this mac?
    Also, I noticed on the green pc board that there is some slight corrosion around some of the solder points and things. Could I use a electronic contact cleaner on this to clean it up? Or is there anyway to clean it up safely without messing up the board. The mac runs but wanted to clean it up.
    Thanks for any help and sorry for the loooooooooong question.
    Xray

    Apple does not bundle Mac OS X with any replacement hard drives; you must purchase OS X (or contact Apple for a replacement set of the eMac's original discs) separately. You can then boot from the OS X Install disc, launch Disk Utility from the Installer/Utilities menu, and use Disk Utility to format (and if desired, partition) the hard drive as Mac OS X Extended.
    I've not heard of corrosion internal to the eMac. Do you know if the Mac was kept in an unusually humid or wet environment, such as a beach house? While contact cleaner itself should be harmless if it's dried thoroughly before re-powering the computer, I'd be reluctant to do any sorrt of scrubbing, even light pressure with a cotten swab, on the wires on the logic board.

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