Wiping a used iMac with missing install discs

Hello all,
I am getting a used iMac from my brother within the next month or so. He has installed alot of 'junk' on it that I would like to remove. Preferably I would like to completely wipe the hard drive and start from scratch.
Currently it is running 10.6.8 but it does not have the original install discs that came with it when purchased new. Am I going to have a problem reinstalling the OS without the cds and what would everyone recommend as the best thing to wipe the drive?
I am very familiar with doing this type of thing on a PC, but I am much less experienced with Macs.
thanks in advance.

Phone AppleCare and order replacement disks; if the computer originally shipped with 10.6.2 or earlier, a retail Mac OS X 10.6 DVD can be used instead(they're available in the online Apple Store), but won't install iLife.
(101231)

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If you don't have your install disks you can get the two gray install disks by callingApple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 They can send them to you for about $16 per disk plus S & H. Just give them your serial number and they'll know which ones you need. With the original disks you also get the iLife that was current when your MacBook was bought included on the #2 disk.
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Margaret,
No you will need to purchase the upgrade. However if you own other Macs you want to upgrade once you have purchased Lion then you can upgrade the additional machines. Of course the additional machines must be using the same Apple ID. As long as the additional machine's meet the minimum system requirements listed below you are all set.
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2GB of memory
OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
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Thats the problem I bought it from a very large thrift store. i went back asked the person where I bought the computer he said we can not give you the password. I thought buying it there was a good idea because not only was it a nice deal but it was like I was maknig a donation. I know that i messed up because i do not have the installation disk. I bought it without thinking. Until recently I was still using an old G4 9.0 os. I guess you can say I have been out of the loop for a while.

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OS X 10.4.11
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
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2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2.5 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
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In the mean time try this: Run Mac Setup Assistant -
Restart the machine with the Command and S keys held down, and type the following commands into the prompt in order:
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mv /var/db/.AppleSetupDone /var/db/.AppleSetupDone.old
usr/libexec/create_nidb
shutdown -h now
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Have a look at these
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-73393-change-mac-admin-password-without-the-d isk
http://www.macyourself.com/2009/08/03/how-to-reset-your-mac-os-x-password-withou t-an-installer-disc/
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HI everyone,
I bought a used iMac (not sure which one, it's Gray and Blue and transparent, slot loading: a G3 I think).
When I bought it, it had OS X (not sure which) installed on it, but I was locked out because of a lost password. So I decided a complete erase/install was in order. I want to install Panther 10.3, I have the retail disc, but it won't intall. It gets almost done and says, "there were errors installing the software".
I also tried to install from a gray disc 10.2 but it won't even recognize that disc.
So now I've erased and can't get my OS to install. Can you help?
Thanks in advance

It may just be a glitch but it could also be a sign of a more serious problem. Making a determination depends on how sure you are the installer discs you have are not defective.
The iMac you apparently have is quite old. The internal PRAM backup battery is most likely dead. There may also be a problem with RAM - it could be failing. The hard drive may need replacing.
If the PRAM battery is dead it can make it impossible to install OS X even if your installer discs are fine. Replacing the battery is a chore because it is located on the motherboard. You would need to do some substantial disassembly to get to the battery. The battery is a 3.6 volt 1/2 AA sized lithium cell. You can buy them at Radio Shack, battery specialty shops, and some photo supply stores. Getting to the battery requires removing the rear cover then an interior shield.
If you can boot the computer from one of your installer discs then you can try this:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
2. 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.
3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
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.) 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 can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
After formatting has completed try the installation. If it still fails then replace the PRAM battery and try installing again. In order to install 10.3 on the machine it must have at least 128 MBs of RAM installed. The hard drive should be at least 10 or 20 GBs.

Missing install disc (Snow Leopard) for OS X upgrade

Hi, I am going to upgrade to Mountain Lion OS X from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 when it releases, however, I DO NOT have the original SL Install Disc.
I read that there are certain steps that one needs to take to prepare a computer for this upgrade so that it goes smoothly. One of the things on the list is to do a hard drive verification for errors. I can do this in Utilities but it prompts me for the Install Disc in order to repair. It shows two minor errors (Invalid Volume File Count, Invalid Volume Directory Count) that need to be addressed and repaired but I can not continue without the Install Disc. Any suggestions?
Also, a friend has the same SL version install disc. Can I use his or do I need the ORIGINAL one that was originally installed with my iMac? I don't know if the MODEL INDENTIFIER, BOOT ROM VERSION and SMC VERSION will be affected since they are two different machines. Please help!
I can always contact Apple but was trying to avoid any additional costs of replacing the disc since I plan on purchasing a disc for the upgrade to Mountain Lion.
FYI, my iMac runs flawlessly right now and is loaded with software. I am so afraid I will have issues with software if I use another disc and I don't want to go through reinstalling all my software programs. It is a lot. I am hoping it will be okay but I wanted to ask anyone on here first.
Can anyone advise?

Firstly, order the Snow Leopard DVD from Apple's Online Store even if you don't currently need it. Download and save the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 updater in your Downloads folder.
Secondly, you can use your friend's Snow Leopard DVD to do disk and permissions repairs, but not to install OS X on your machine.
Thirdly, follow these instructions:
How to Install Mountain Lion Successfully - You must have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or 10.6.8 Installed
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities. 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.3.) if DW cannot fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the backup volume. Source means the internal startup volume.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade to Mountain Lion:
Purchase the Mountain Lion Installer from the Mac App Store. The download will start quickly. Mountain Lion is around 4 GBs so a fast internet connection is essential. Download time could run upwards of 4 hours depending upon network conditions and server demands at the time.
The installer will start automatically after the download is complete. You should save a copy in your Downloads folder because the installer will delete itself automatically after the installation is complete.
Follow instructions for installation.

Reinstalling OS X on an iMac with potentially wrong discs?

Hi,
After having problems with OS X (system freezes when spotlight and other such tools are used) I did a hardware test and found that there were bad blocks on my hard drive. The only way to fix such problem is by reformatting the hard drive, so I need to re-install OS X.
That's all fine. My problem is that I'm working in a big office and have no idea where the iMac G5 installation discs are. I have found a disc marked iMac G5, but I can't find disc 2.
I have also found discs marked iMac. At the bottom is stated "Mac OS version 10.4.4, AHT version 3A100, Disc version 1.1, 2Z691-5736-A. (disc 2 has a different number on it; 2Z691-5607-A).
Will these installation discs work on my iMac PowerPC G5, model "Powermac 12,1"?

This won't work. The iMac 10.4.4 install disc you have shipped with an Intel iMac. No Intel OS X will install on any PPC (G3, G4, or G5) or vice versa.
You'll have to locate the correct install discs for the G5. If you can't find them, contact Apple with your Mac's serial number. They can send you replacement discs for a nominal fee ($30 or so IIRC.) Or if you have a retail OS X 10.4 disc (black with a big X on it) you can use that.

Wiping a used iMac with missing install discs

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