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by Linc Davis,Nov 9, 2015 12:38 PM in response to kenfrombutterworth
Linc Davis
Nov 9, 2015 12:38 PM
in response to kenfrombutterworth
Level 10 (208,000 points)
ApplicationsPlease don't randomly delete necessary system files.
If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data, then reinstall the OS.* You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.
There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode. All other data will be preserved.
*The linked support article refers to OS X 10.11 ("El Capitan"), but the procedure is the same for OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later.
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by Linc Davis,Nov 9, 2015 2:07 PM in response to kenfrombutterworth
Linc Davis
Nov 9, 2015 2:07 PM
in response to kenfrombutterworth
Level 10 (208,000 points)
ApplicationsWhat backups do you have?
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Nov 10, 2015 1:34 AM in response to Linc Davisby kenfrombutterworth,Sad to say that I don't have any backup. Is it okay for me to erase the. disc and reinstall the mac os x?
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Nov 10, 2015 2:54 AM in response to kenfrombutterworthby OGELTHORPE,By erasing the disk, all user data will be deleted. If you have a second Mac at your disposal, try Target Disk mode in order to make a backup:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201462
Ciao.
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by Linc Davis,Nov 10, 2015 6:28 AM in response to kenfrombutterworth
Linc Davis
Nov 10, 2015 6:28 AM
in response to kenfrombutterworth
Level 10 (208,000 points)
ApplicationsIs it okay for me to erase the. disc and reinstall the mac os x?
If you want to preserve the data on the startup drive, and it's not already backed up, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive or other storage device to hold the data.
1. Start up from the Recovery partition, from Internet Recovery, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
If you use FileVault 2, then you must first unlock the startup volume. Select its icon ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. Enter your login password when prompted.
2. If Method 1 fails because of disk errors, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
3. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. A Retina MacBook (from 2015 or later) with a USB-C port can also be started in target disk mode and connected to another Mac using a USB cable and an adapter.
Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive.
This technique won't work with USB (except on a Retina MacBook), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Note that a Retina MacBook Pro (with Thunderbolt) is different from a Retina MacBook, and it can't be connected to another Mac via USB in target disk mode.
4. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.