larry d.fromdurham

Q: I have a iMac OS X, I would like to replace my Hard Drive.  How do I go about doing this?  The reason I want to do this, is because this computer was given to me.  But the original Administrator name is still attached to the iMac OS X operating CPU.

The individual who gave me the iMac OS X forgot the PASSWORD.

iMac, iOS 6.1.3

Posted on Sep 19, 2016 1:03 PM

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Q: I have a iMac OS X, I would like to replace my Hard Drive.  How do I go about doing this?  The reason I want to do this, ... more

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 19, 2016 1:04 PM in response to larry d.fromdurham
    Level 10 (124,341 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 19, 2016 1:04 PM in response to larry d.fromdurham

    A new hard drive won't help ...

     

    Changing ownership of a used Mac | Communities

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 19, 2016 1:10 PM in response to larry d.fromdurham
    Level 10 (271,789 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 19, 2016 1:10 PM in response to larry d.fromdurham

    Not necessary unless it is malfunctioning. You need to first reformat the drive then install your own copy of OS X. If your iMac is post-2011 then do this:

     

    Network Restore of OS X

     

    1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command-Option-R keys until a globe appears.
    2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
    3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
    4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
    5. Click on the Partition tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
    6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
    7. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
    8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
    9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
    10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

     

    This should install the version of OS X that was pre-installed when the computer was new.