Wiping my computer hard drive and reinstalling it??

I have a iMac G5 (first generation) with OSX 10.4.6 Tiger I have backed up my entire hard drive on an external hard drive. I did this because my computer did only had 9 gigs left. When I was finished backing up my hard drive, I was left with only 1.9 gig left. Anyone know why? So, now that I have backed up my computer hard drive, I would like to wipe it clean and reinstall. How do I do this?

Before you do either an archive and install or erase and install, is there something other than decreased HD space that is making you want to do this? There really are few system problems that would require such a drastic step to resolve.
If there is nothing else, why not just use the external drive to store your data? Let the iMac access it. You can put your iTunes library on it and all your photos and other files that typically eat up HD space. My 90GB iTunes library and a few thousand digital photos ate up my 160GB drive in short order.
Also, SATA drives can be had at very good prices. I bought a 320GB drive for my first gen iMac at Best Buy for only $99. It was a breeze to install and now I have twice the storage I had before.

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Can i recover photo files lost when i wiped out my hard-drive and reinstalled mac os x?

Can i recover photo files lost when i wiped out my hard-drive and reinstalled mac os x? I know that when a computer is wiped cleaned that the info is still on the hard drive, how do I access it? Can I pay someone to access it? Long story short, everything was saved to my external hard drive except my photos, by mistake of course.

You have to stop using the drive immediately. Completely stop. Do not boot the computer from the drive.
File recovery software: Try using an application such as Data Rescue 3 - http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php or FileSalvage - http://subrosasoft.com, or one of the ones listed in the (old) link below. Some have free trial versions that let you see if the software will help before you decide to buy. You will also need a second hard drive equal to or larger in size than your first drive as a destination drive for recovered files.
http://data-recovery-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-recovery-software
It is critical that you do not use the computer or even turn it on until you have rescued your files. Files only have the directory reference to them removed when you empty the trash or otherwise delete them from a computer (unless you use secure erase, in which case they are gone forever or can only be potentially be recovered by very expensive means) and are still present on the computer. However, their space is marked as available to any other file creation done on the computer (even done by you booting the computer) and there is risk that your files will be overwritten by the computer.
Even if the above works, do not expect the results to be pretty or even 100% successful. Files will often lose their names and you will have to re-name them one by one.

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.

My 2009 MacBook Pro keeps restarting even after I wiped the hard drive and reinstalled OSX.

About a month ago, my laptop started to randomly turn off: I would be using either Chrome, Photoshop (the free CS2 version available from Adobe's website) or Powerpoint, and the screen would go blank. I would then have to hold the power button for a while until the little light at the front of the computer would flicker and it would restart. I brought it to the Mac Store where they tested it and said it looked fine. They suggested I erase my hard drive and reinstall OSX as a precaution.
Fast forward a month, I have been very busy with work and hadn't been able to fix this problem. It wasn't that bad, only once every couple of days, sometimes more, sometimes less, I could work despite this problem.
Then, I installed OSX Mavericks. The installation started in the morning, but, like an idiot, I paused it to go to work. Later on, I completed the installation, it looked fine, but then all day long my laptop would suddenly restart and go to a grey screen that said in multiple languages "Your laptop restarted because of a problem, press any button to continue the restart." A computer technician friend of mine checked it out and said it was probably due to the badly installed OSX and suggested that I erase my hard drive and reinstall OSX.
I backed up all my files, erased the hard drive and reinstalled OSX. Everything looked fine.
Then it happened again.
Any ideas of why this is happening?

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

My HP computer's hard drive crashed. I have replaced the hard drive and reinstalled all of the software. I have copied my I tunes library from my backup hard drive to the new one. How do I restore the permissions? This is the 3 rd time I have had to d

My HP computer's hard drive crashed. I have replaced the hard drive and reinstalled all of the software. I have copied my I tunes library from my backup hard drive to the new one. How do I restore the permissions? This is the 3 rd time I have had to do this. THe share screen says you are limited to 5 ??

No backup is not good.
You can transfer itunes purchases from an ipod. File>Transfer Purchases

With Lion, How Can I Erase the Hard Drive and Reinstall The System Software?

I plan on buying a used iMac with a Core 2 Duo so that I can run Lion. Since Lion can only be purchased at the Mac App store what if I needed to erase my hard drive and re-install the system software. How can I do this without a DVD with the OS on it like I have for Snow Leapard. I suppose that I could boot from my Snow Leapard DVD and do the erase. Then, I supposed I would be able to download Lion again from the Mac App Store without paying for it again. But, how would you erase a hard drive and reinstall the system software when purchasing a new Mac with Lion already installed and no DVD at all with the OS on it?
-- Kaydell

When someone purchases any Apple computer with a DVD Drive, they should have recieved two DVDs... One contains the Operating System (up to Snow Leopard, Lion no longer ships on DVD) and the other contains the SYSTEM SOFTWARE (i.e. iLife and iWork). To install the software, they just insert the DVD with the SYSTEM SOFTWARE into any compatible Mac and run the installer. There is no need to erase the hard drive to install SYSTEM SOFTWARE. Maybe a friend can let you borrow the SYSTEM SOFTWARE DVD. The other option is to purchase the software via the App Store.
FYI... App Store purchases are linked to the PURCHASER'S APPLE ID. So if you buy a used Mac from a friend and that Mac already has Lion installed on it,that Lion purchase is linked to YOUR FRIEND'S APPLE ID, not yours. So if you want to download Lion again, you will have to enter your FRIEND'S APPLE ID AND PASSWORD. You can always have your friend re-download Lion and make you a DVD copy.

Erasing hard drive and reinstalling

Hi folks! Can anybody tell me how to erase the hard drive and reinstall OSX?

If you are selling it, then you will want to ensure
that all of your personal information is removed.
So... boot from the OS X disc and select Disk Utility
from the Apple menu. Select to reformat the drive and
under the options select to write zeroes. This will
overwrite all the data on your drive.
The usual erase does not overwrite your files.
Don't forget, if you have purchased any tunes from iTMS, deauthorise your computer, or you will lose one of you'r 5

How do i erase the hard drive and reinstall?

How do i erase the hard drive and reinstall everything? My computer is running slow and i thought with having a 2.4ghz processor and 4gb of ram would make speed not a factor but obviously i was wrong in that my comp is running slow. Not as slow as my pentium processor desktop but its too slow for my tastes. Im waiting to get an external hd so i can save my songs and pictures to before i do erase everything.

Go to finder and in Spotlight, type in erase and install. The second choice is "Reinstall OS X. Print that out and follow the directions.
Good Luck.
Adam

Formated hard drive and reinstalled operating system

I recently formated my hard drive and reinstalled my operating system. There was some application and music that I purchased on my ipod touch that I forgot to backup. They are still on my IPOD but not on Itunes on my computer. Is there any way of getting these back?
Thanks,
Marckc

If you only want to copy your purchases to the computer that can be done using iTunes, you'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer
For everything else (including purchases) there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod Touch or iPhone. You'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer data (such as playcounts and ratings), movies, videos, photos, podcasts and games as well.
A selection of iPod/iPhone to iTunes utilities:
Senuti Mac Only (iPod Touch & iPhone compatible)
SharePod Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TuneJack Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPodRip Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
Music Rescue Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Music Liberator Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iGadget Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iRepo Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Access Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TouchCopy Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)

I have a iMac 6,1 that I want to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard version 10.6.3 . I don't know how to reformat

I have a iMac 6,1 that I need to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard version 10.6.3 . How do I reformat ?

Boot the ssystem from the OS DVD. Once it is booted run Disk Utiltiy. Select OS Extrended (Journled)
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

I have to reformat my hard drive and reinstall all of my programs. What do I do about Creative Cloud? I also still need access to CS6 (I have a Marksware converter for InDesign to Quark).

I have to reformat my hard drive and reinstall all of my programs. What do I do about Creative Cloud? I also still need access to CS6 (I have a Marksware converter for InDesign to Quark).
This is a MacBook Pro 15" (Model number A1286) running Mavericks. Hard drive is fine but system software has been corrupted. I cannot simply restore from Time Machine as it will copy the corrupt system.
Will I have to find all of my serial numbers before I can launch any of the programs?
Thanks

For the Cloud, you log in to your paid Cloud account and download & install the same way you did the first time
Cloud Getting Started https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/topics/getting-started.html
If you have the perpetual license version of CS6 you install from your original media and use your serial number
If you have the version of CS6 that is installed via the cloud use this link
http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/download-previous-versions-creative-applications. html
-or http://www.adobe.com/downloads/other-downloads.html

Need to erase hard drive and reinstall system on iMac but have misplaced original install disks. Tried to use a my copy of Snow lepord 10.6 from my Mac pro but will not boot. Can original install disks be replaced. Thanks

Need to erase hard drive and reinstall system on iMac but have misplaced original install disks. Tried to use a my copy of Snow lepord 10.6 from my Mac Pro but will not boot. Can original install disks be replaced. Thanks

Yes the original Install Discs can be replaced for a nominal fee. Call AppleCare, you will need a credit card and the serial number of the machine. You can use the AppleCare Contact Info for the phone number on your part of the planet.

Hi, I want to format my hard drive and reinstall my PC. How can I transfer my Acrobat Standard licence ? Regards.

Hi,
I want to format my hard drive and reinstall my PC. How can I transfer my Acrobat Standard licence ?
Regards.

First you should deactivate any Adobe programs you have installed so that you free up the activation for when you want to reinstall. When you are ready to reinstall, do so using the installation files - transferring generally does not work.
Before you do anything you might want to check to make sure you have access to installation files for reinstalling the program(s).

Erasing hard drive and reinstalling OS

My mid 2011 iMac (OSX Yosemite 10.10.2) has been getting very sluggish despite ensuring sufficient spare space (currently 200Gb) and running the basic Disk Utility verify/repair routines. So having done a full data back-up I am now trying to erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS. Following the recommended steps in the Disk Utility I get as far as the erase disk stage but then an error message pops up saying "couldn't unmount disk". Has anyone encountered this before or have any suggestions please?

Hello kayjayaitch,
I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues with your iMac. If you continue to get this unmount notification, you may find the information regarding related unmount issues in the following article helpful:
Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks - Apple Support
Also, if your iMac originally shipped with an Install disk, you may want to try using the Disk Utility on that Install disk, erase the hard drive from there, then try restoring from Internet Recovery as detailed here:
OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support
Sincerely,
- Brenden

Want to erase hard drive and reinstall Tiger- quick questions

I am giving my G4 to my son in a couple of days and it now has Classic on it. My plan is to erase the whole hard drive and install just Tiger. So my thoughts are:
1.) There are no settings I want/need to preserve. I have 4 Tiger CD's- is that the right number? I think I have them all but just want to make sure.
2.) Do I insert CD holding down the C key and from some point when the CD loads, I chose Disk Utility and wipe the hard drive then? Are there different choices for wiping the hard drive? Like the number of passes?
3.) And then is it just a simple matter of installing all 4 Tiger disks?
Any other tips, tricks, advice you can give me? Tomorrow's the big day (2/1)! Thanks so much, I am a bit nervous about this......... Judy

mrstee:
Here are some directions you may find helpful:
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Installation Process
Open Installer and begin installation.
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger) BSD Subsystems (Panther & earlier).
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo update (PPC)
Computer will restart after installing update.
Repair Disk Permissions as previously.
Go to Apple Menu > Software Update.
Install all updates.
Computer may restart after updates.
Repair Disk Permissions, again, as previously.
Please do post back with further questions, comments or an update.
Cheers
cornelius

Wiping my computer hard drive and reinstalling it??

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