Knsanta
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Not able to restore used iMac

Hi everyone:

 

Recently, my uncle gave me his iMac but with all his information still on it (the computer is from 2009 if that should make any difference). I would like to restore the iMac to factory settings but i am not able to do so. I originally thought the wireless keyboard wasn't connecting upon the restart process so i went out and bought a wired keyboard. I tried the same steps such as (1) restart the computer, (2) after hearing the chime, press and hold Command + R....but it always just takes me to the sign in screen. My uncle doesn't have any of the original CD's that came with the computer that have Lion, etc. (I'll be honest, i don't know or understand much of that anyway). What can you recommend that i do before i haul this machine through the mall to the Apple Store?

 

P.S. Today is 08/14/2016 and there is no Genius Bar appts until 08/21/2016 and i would rather have this issue fixed before then.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 14, 2016 4:04 PM

by Carolyn Samit,Apple recommended
Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit
Level 10 (120,143 points)
Apple Watch
A:

Before you can restore the Mac to factory settings there's a matter of ownership (Apple ID).

 

Read here > Changing ownership of a used Mac

Posted on Aug 14, 2016 4:08 PM

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Knsanta

Q: Not able to restore used iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,Apple recommended

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Aug 14, 2016 4:08 PM in response to Knsanta
    Level 10 (120,143 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 14, 2016 4:08 PM in response to Knsanta

    Before you can restore the Mac to factory settings there's a matter of ownership (Apple ID).

     

    Read here > Changing ownership of a used Mac

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Aug 14, 2016 4:09 PM in response to Knsanta
    Level 10 (311,818 points)
    Aug 14, 2016 4:09 PM in response to Knsanta

    Buy a Snow Leopard DVD from the online Apple Store or phone Apple and order replacement original disks, insert the DVD, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.

     

    (144035)

  • by theratter,Apple recommended

    theratter theratter Aug 14, 2016 4:10 PM in response to Knsanta
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 14, 2016 4:10 PM in response to Knsanta

    You will need a retail Snow Leopard DVD to start. You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order. After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.


    Snow Leopard Erase and Install

     

    1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
    2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
    3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears and wait for the loading to finish.
    4. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue  button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.  After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.)  Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window.  Set the number of  partitions to (1) from the drop down menu. Click on Options button and select GUID, click on OK, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
    5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility.  Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
    6. When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
    7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
    8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.

     

    [Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]

    After you complete the above open the App Store in your Applications folder. Log in with your Apple ID and password. You can then download the current version of OS X, El Capitan, should you wish to upgrade.