Factory Reset iMac OS X 10.6.8

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Level 1

4 points

Factory Reset iMac OS X 10.6.8

Trying to wipe clean/factory rest an iMac from ~2008ish. It seems as though recovery mode doesn’t exist- none of the start up commands (command+r for example) prompt anything. Can’t erase anything from utility disk. No iTunes or App Store access for some reason. I’ve tried to follow all the instructions on the Apple website but something always is missing on my computer. We don’t have the original disc either. Not sure why recovery mode isn’t on this device…. Anything else I can try?

Earlier displays & monitors

Posted on Dec 20, 2024 10:05 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Niel

Level 10

733,259 points

Dec 20, 2024 10:16 AM in response to Skn4597

The recovery system didn't become available until 10.7. Reinstalling the OS requires a compatible physical Mac OS X installation disk.

(257403)

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

733,259 points

Dec 20, 2024 10:37 AM in response to Skn4597

If you don't have the one that was used to upgrade it to Snow Leopard, you'd need to buy another. Ones intended for a different Mac model can't be used for the installation.

(257405)

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Answer 3

Dec 21, 2024 12:32 AM in response to Skn4597

Buy Mac OS X Retail v10.6.3 from eBay.

Or Mac OS X Server v10.6.3 rev 1 Snow Leopard Unlimited Clients MC588Z/A. It might be more expensive but it can be virtualized under later macOS like Sequoia via VMware Fusion etc (only in Intel Macs, though).

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Answer 4

Skn4597 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2024 10:32 AM in response to Niel

So I have to buy a 10.6.8 installation disk/usb and then go from there?

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