saj@Paul

Q: How do I reset my Macbook Pro without recovery disc?

I bought a used Macbook Pro, however the seller did not provide the recovery disc. How do I reset my system? Can I just change the apple id and continue working?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 8:03 PM

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Q: How do I reset my Macbook Pro without recovery disc?

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  • by macjack,Apple recommended

    macjack macjack Aug 11, 2016 11:12 PM in response to saj@Paul
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 11, 2016 11:12 PM in response to saj@Paul

    Hi Paul, you can't change the Apple ID and keep working, because the Mac is still registered to the old owner's Apple ID. Which means, you won't be able to download updates or do anything which requires an Apple ID.

    The original owner should have erased the hard drive and re-installed OS X.

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support


    You need to erase the disk or you will forever be stuck with his Apple ID and will be unable to upgrade, register your Mac or use other functions. Backup all your data first. then follow the steps in this Apple Support Topic under "Erase your hard drive and re-install OS X. It will re-install the original OS and you will upgrade to latest OS.

    How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support


    You will need install discs or another bootable drive to install from. What OS did your Mac originally ship with? You may be able to download 10.6.8 If you don't know give us the specs on the Mac, model and year.

    Download Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update v.1.1

    If you don't know give us the specs on the Mac, model and year.

  • by samyaza,Helpful

    samyaza samyaza Aug 11, 2016 11:12 PM in response to saj@Paul
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 11, 2016 11:12 PM in response to saj@Paul

    My suggestion is to format your drive and start anew.

    First I recommend you to download El Capitan the last OS and make a bootable flash drive using this command in terminal:

     

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app

     

    If you don't have access to your AppStore then just restart your MacBook in recovery mode. Press Command + R before Chime sound when computers starts, and make an install from the internet. It will install you the OS that came with your computer. After that you can download the last version of the OS (El Capitan).

    I don't recommend doing the upgrade but a clean install of the El Capitan, so after you create a new apple id, log in, download the El Capitan from AppStore and then run the command above in the terminal and make a new Flash Drive bootable with your new OS on it.

     

    I recommend you using high speed flash drives. If you have USB 3.0 then better, get a 16Gb memory stick.

  • by saj@Paul,

    saj@Paul saj@Paul Aug 11, 2016 10:56 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 11, 2016 10:56 PM in response to macjack

    Mac Book Pro 13 inch (Mid 2012)

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Aug 12, 2016 6:21 AM in response to saj@Paul
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 12, 2016 6:21 AM in response to saj@Paul

    You can call Apple, give them your serial number, and they will send you the discs that shipped with your Mac for a nominal fee.