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How do I reset to factory settings on OS X 10.6.8 when install disc is 10.5.5?

Hi, I'm ready to sell a MacBook Pro I bought off a while ago on eBay that came with OS X Snow Leopard. The install disc that came with it however only included OS X Leopard. My question is that how do I reset the computer back to its default setting (erase all personal data) but keep Snow Leopard. I really need the answer quick. Thank you.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 16, 2011 2:18 PM

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3 replies

Jul 16, 2011 2:19 PM in response to ferdows007

Prepare Your Mac for Sale


Boot from the OS X Installer Disc One that came with the computer. 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 DU loads select the startup volume from the left side list then click on the Erase tab. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) then click on the Options button. Select the one pass Zero Data option and click on the OK button. Then click on the Erase button.


Note: You can skip the Zero Data option if you are not concerned about removing sensitive personal data from the hard drive. If you choose to skip this part of the process then it is possible for others to recover data from the hard drive. The Zero Data procedure will prevent others from getting access to your personal information.


This process will take 30 minutes to several hours depending upon the size of the hard drive. After formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Now complete the OS X installation. At the completion of the installation do not restart the computer. Instead just shut it off. The next user will be presented with the Setup Assistant when they turn on the computer just as it would if new out of the box.

Jul 16, 2011 2:29 PM in response to ferdows007

If it didn't come with a Snow Leopard install disk, you never actually owned a copy of Snow Leopard, and thus you cannot reinstall Snow Leopard. You'd have to buy a copy for $30, then be sure to include that (as well as the original Leopard disks) with the machine when you sell it. Note that it would technically be illegal to sell it with Snow Leopard on it but not include the disk, so the original seller did the wrong thing... though at least they included the original disks, which many don't bother with.

Jul 16, 2011 2:36 PM in response to ferdows007

Hold c and reboot off the 10.5 disk


Second screen in is a Utilities Menu > Disk Utility


Select your boot drive hardware name, click Erase > format HFS+ (default) > Security Option > Zero All data


Wait a hour or two depending upon it's size, it will overwrite the entire drive with 0's and erase all your data completely. (you can do 7x if your paranoid, 35x is just insane and takes days to complete)


When finished quit and install OS X 10.5, shutdown and just leave it for the next person.


Let them buy their own 10.6. 🙂

How do I reset to factory settings on OS X 10.6.8 when install disc is 10.5.5?

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