Unable to restore 2010 MacBook back to factory settings

I have an old MacBook (2010) and I am trying to restore it back to factory settings but have been unable to so far.


I’ve tried:

Command & R

Command, Alt, R&P

Holding the power button down after turn on


None of the above have worked, surely there is a way to get it restored?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 7, 2022 2:51 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 9, 2022 8:07 PM

..silkington1..

An installer for macOS X on DVD media may include Snow Leopard 10.6.x.


Your example may have already had newer than DVD version installed. If

so, that might be able to use downloadable installers from Apple support.


Other ideas are better presented in order, here by HWTech:

•Something is wrong with my 2009 MacBook. - Apple Community (reply)

//discussions.apple.com/thread/254326854?answerId=258145577022#258145577022


• How to download macOS - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


[Earliest DVDs could include those 'Grey Label' machine specific

versions; later ones would be retail-labeled Snow Leopard 10.6.x

Avoid download of Lion 10.7.5; there are issues; it goes nowhere.]


Totally new HDD or SSD presents need to use bootable installer.

Or other pre-installed Mac system on that new drive; bare drive

wire kits can be found at OWC site, to prepare external drives.

..An SSD may balk due to lack of proper updates to hardware..


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6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 9, 2022 8:07 PM in response to TheLittles

..silkington1..

An installer for macOS X on DVD media may include Snow Leopard 10.6.x.


Your example may have already had newer than DVD version installed. If

so, that might be able to use downloadable installers from Apple support.


Other ideas are better presented in order, here by HWTech:

•Something is wrong with my 2009 MacBook. - Apple Community (reply)

//discussions.apple.com/thread/254326854?answerId=258145577022#258145577022


• How to download macOS - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


[Earliest DVDs could include those 'Grey Label' machine specific

versions; later ones would be retail-labeled Snow Leopard 10.6.x

Avoid download of Lion 10.7.5; there are issues; it goes nowhere.]


Totally new HDD or SSD presents need to use bootable installer.

Or other pre-installed Mac system on that new drive; bare drive

wire kits can be found at OWC site, to prepare external drives.

..An SSD may balk due to lack of proper updates to hardware..


Nov 7, 2022 3:15 PM in response to Silkington1

Silkington1 Said:

"2010 MacBook: I have an old MacBook (2010) and I am trying to restore it back to factory settings but have been unable to so far."

-------


Using Boot Keys:


Try the Following:

I. Reset the SMC and your NVRAM:

Sometimes when changes are made to the system(i.e. updates), system configurations (i.e. for Keyboard) become manipulated, technically. So, reset the SMC and NVRAM. Your hard drive may not be being read promptly, so resetting these, all of the ports would be configured to how they should be.


II. If need be...

Use an External Keyboard to reset the above.

Nov 9, 2022 8:37 PM in response to K Shaffer

..silkington1..

PS: the Universal Drive Adapter from Newertech, is cable kit to utilize 'bare drives'

without installing them into a mac or pc. ~It's "Sold Out!" There may be something

like this in nearby retail.https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NVSPATA/


.You'd find use for this; to help repair, restore, repurpose older or newer computers.

[Took time to search through hundreds of disorganized bookmarks & find this item.]


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Unable to restore 2010 MacBook back to factory settings

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