joulail

Q: Formating My Imac

Hello

First thing sorry for my bad language

so im buying an used imac without any cd just the imac desktop and i want to upgrade it or format it to avoid the installed app and get new version

and im new and this so plz can u clarify the methode to do this

this is my information of my imac

mac os x 10.5.8

1983-2009

 

Core2duo  2.4ghz

 

thx

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 19, 2014 6:42 PM

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Q: Formating My Imac

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jul 19, 2014 6:48 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (314,222 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2014 6:48 PM in response to joulail

    Insert a compatible Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the C key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.

     

    (109701)

  • by joulail,

    joulail joulail Jul 19, 2014 6:53 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 19, 2014 6:53 PM in response to Niel

    Thx Friend For Ur Fast reply

    so plz can u include th link of suitable and compatible mac os x bcoz idnt have yet experience about that

    and it can be done this via USB not DVD

    thx

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 19, 2014 6:56 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jul 19, 2014 6:56 PM in response to joulail

    The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.

    How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.

    It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.

    1. If you don't own another Mac

    a. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.

    b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received those media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.

    To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.

    c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.

    d. Some models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.

    2. If you do own another Mac

    If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.

    3. Partition and install OS X

    a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.

    b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the  Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.

    c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:

              OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner

              The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault

              You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)

    In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.

    d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.

    e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.

    4. Other issues

    a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.

    b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to  authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.

    c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jul 19, 2014 6:56 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (314,222 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2014 6:56 PM in response to joulail

    1. Click here or phone AppleCare and order replacement original disks.

    2. If you already have an USB or FireWire installer or bootable clone, you can use that.

     

    (109702)

  • by joulail,

    joulail joulail Jul 19, 2014 7:05 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 19, 2014 7:05 PM in response to Niel

    Thx Guys for ur reply

    so i need to wait till i receive original disks ? if yes plz help me just to factory reset my imac till i buy disks from this link bcoz idont prefere to use it now bcoz it is slow

    and ive another qestion : why i cant  buy 10.9 not 10.6 and sorry for inconvinience bcoz im amateur and this

     

    thx friends

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jul 19, 2014 7:13 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (314,222 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2014 7:13 PM in response to joulail

    1. Yes, you need to wait for the original disks. There is no way to perform a factory reset or fresh installation of Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier without them; see #2.

    2. Buying Mac OS X 10.9 requires access to the Mac App Store, and that requires the computer be running 10.6.6 or above; the same is true for getting 10.7 and 10.8. It isn't possible to upgrade to 10.6 without a DVD.

     

    (109705)

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 19, 2014 7:16 PM in response to joulail
    Level 7 (32,244 points)
    iPad
    Jul 19, 2014 7:16 PM in response to joulail

    if yes plz help me just to factory reset my imac till i buy disks from this link bcoz idont prefere to use it now bcoz it is slow

     

    You need to install 10.6 first before you can download anything newer.

     

    And, your machine is from 2007; that is right at the very end of which machines meet the specifications of Mavericks (10.9); unless you have at least 4 GB RAM, an older machine will run slower. My recommendation for this machine would be: install Snow Leopard (10.6) and use that - it is an excellent system and will happily run on your older machine.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 19, 2014 7:19 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jul 19, 2014 7:19 PM in response to joulail
    i need to wait till i receive original disks ?

    You don't need the original discs, unless you have some reason for wanting to install the original OS. You need a retail Snow Leopard disc.

  • by joulail,

    joulail joulail Jul 19, 2014 7:25 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 19, 2014 7:25 PM in response to babowa

    So if i buy 10.6 after that idont need to buy other products ?

    so now till i get the dvd . how can i install apps without app store ?

    im from morocco and it is located in africa so the apple will ship the dvd to me or no ?

    thx friends

  • by joulail,

    joulail joulail Jul 19, 2014 7:30 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 19, 2014 7:30 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Linc Davis , where can i find those retail Snow Leopard disc.

    bcoz now i dont have money in my credit card and i dont want to wait bcoz the imac is very very full+ idont have app store

    and if there is any way to recovery or factory reset my imac can u give me suggestions to speed it

    thx

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 19, 2014 7:31 PM in response to joulail
    Level 7 (32,244 points)
    iPad
    Jul 19, 2014 7:31 PM in response to joulail

    No, you should not install anything until you get the DVD. It'll be all gone when you erase your hard drive.

     

    You will need to check with the Apple store - this link is for the US store:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

     

    I do not know if there is an Apple store in Morocco - tried to find one in the listing, but could not. So I'm not sure; hopefully someone else will know.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 19, 2014 7:56 PM in response to joulail
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jul 19, 2014 7:56 PM in response to joulail

    See the link in section 1a of my first comment.