swtcandi

Q: How to reset a mac book to its default settings

Bought a mac book from a friend and it still has his info on it. How do I reset it to default so I can start using my info on it and erase his? Also my ipod classic was stolen and I would like to know how to locate it using that app.

MacBook

Posted on Aug 11, 2013 6:11 AM

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Q: How to reset a mac book to its default settings

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  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Aug 11, 2013 6:12 AM in response to swtcandi
    Level 9 (54,010 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 11, 2013 6:12 AM in response to swtcandi

    What version of OS X is it running?

     

    Allan

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    Mac OS X

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 7:36 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 7:36 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    No sure where to find the specs

  • by frederic1943,

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Aug 11, 2013 9:15 AM in response to swtcandi
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:15 AM in response to swtcandi

    To see what version of the Mac OS that you have on your MacBook go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac.

    About This Mac.jpg

     

    It would help to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info (and then System Report if you’re running 10.7 Lion or 10.8 Mountain Lion). When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

    Model Identifier.jpg

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 9:22 AM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:22 AM in response to frederic1943

    Mac OS X

    Version 10.6.8

     

     

    Model Identifier  MacBook 2.1

    We have the same except the memory is larger on this one.

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 9:24 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:24 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    See the info below. Thanks to Frederic. I think I managed to reset it but now I cant get my itunes to work. I have authorised this computer but am not able to make any changes or add apps to my iphone from here.

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 9:28 AM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:28 AM in response to frederic1943

    Frederic, how do I make this computer show it's mine instead of his? It is still saying His Macbook.

  • by frederic1943,

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Aug 11, 2013 9:40 AM in response to swtcandi
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:40 AM in response to swtcandi

    Hopefully you got a 10.6 install DVD with the MacBook. If not the 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD is in the Apple online store. You can get it for $19.99. You will need to be running 10.6.8 to access the App Store to order Lion. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

     

    With 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.


    If you want to erase everything on your hard drive and start off with a reset to factory settings you will lose everything on the hard drive.

     

    When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. You should see your hard drive in the left hand column along with your other drives. Click on the drive and select the Erase tab. Set the format value to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click the Erase button. After that has finished select the Partition tab. Type in a Name for your hard drive and select how many partitions you want from the Volume Scheme. The usual setting is one partition. Click on the Options button after you've selected a partition to make sure it's set for GUID. Then click the Apply button and after the Partitioning is done quit Disk Utility.

     

    You can now follow the instructions on the install screen

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 9:43 AM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 9:43 AM in response to frederic1943

    No disc. :-(

  • by frederic1943,

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Aug 11, 2013 10:04 AM in response to swtcandi
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 10:04 AM in response to swtcandi

    Here are the instructions from Apple on changing user short name or home directory name. I've used this on a couple of used MacBooks I've bought on eBay. And remember to go into System Preferences>Sharing and change the Computer Name in there.


    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

  • by swtcandi,

    swtcandi swtcandi Aug 11, 2013 10:06 AM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 10:06 AM in response to frederic1943

    wanna sell mine?