How can factory resetting macbookpro when recoveryHD deleted

Try CMD+R on startup and see what happens.

If Command+r doesn't worj to take you to the Online Recovery HD system then try Command+Option+r keys.

On my latye 2011 model that is the key combo I use to access the online recovery system. But then I do this just to check if I can as I have multiple USB sticks of Lion.

Shootist do you make the usb lion thumb drive from your macbook? I've been having trouble trying to make one, I assume for the reason that apple doesn't want me to install lion on all my mac's from an image obtained from my Macbook pro over the recovery online option? - Sorry kind off topic there

Indeeed off/topic.

But it is easy to make an USB stick with the recovery disk on it:

Download the Recovery Assistant from Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433

and follow the instructions there.

As shootist says:

when you have deleted the Recovery Disk, you still can use the Online Recovery Method.

Instead of starting with CMD+R you start with CMD+ALT+R.

If you have been using Disk Utiltiy to create the USB thumb of the InstallESD.DMG file then yes I had problems using DU to make it. I then found LionDiskMaker which is a small program specifically written to create either a DVD or thumb drive of the Lion install files. Works great and have not had any failures in creating the thumbs.

Yes I've been using my only MBP which is a late 2011 model that came with Lion. I've gotten the Lion install files several ways. Bootint to the R-HD and downloading to an external then disconnecting that external when the system want to Auto reboot. Using the USB thumb of the R-HD files I created with Lion recovery disk assistant then the same as above. Then I used this hint to actually load and run the Recovery HD program while I was actively booted into Lion. I found this one the easiest as it give you a chance to save the files while your are running the computer.

10.7: How to get a full Lion install disc for a new MacBook Air or Pro - Mac OS X Hints

Try LionDiskMaker, Google search.

LexSchellings wrote:

As shootist says:

when you have deleted the Recovery Disk, you still can use the Online Recovery Method.

Instead of starting with CMD+R you start with CMD+ALT+R.

Well I never use the Alt key nomenclature as Mac's really don't have an Alt key. It is just there in small text as a carry over for PC people. But still no matter what you call that key some poeple have a hard time findinig it, even when they know exactly where the Command key is.

LexSchellings wrote:

Indeeed off/topic.

But it is easy to make an USB stick with the recovery disk on it:

Download the Recovery Assistant from Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433

and follow the instructions there.

No Lex he was talking about making the FULL Lion install USB thumb drive. Not just one with the R-HD files on it.

Why wait hours to download Lion every time you want or need to install or re-install Lion. Do it once and never have to do it again.

On my Macs there is no OPTION key, it says alt and the little sign.

The same for my extended keyboards

OK, for a full install Lion USB stick you can use the following:

http://lion-disk-maker.en.softonic.com/mac

.

Different keyboard localizations have some of the keys labeled differently, including the Alt/Option key.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2841

I know eww, but I have the international (us) english version, and I know the Dutch, French, German versions here: all alt and not option. I think Shootist has an old mac or an exotic one.

The current US English and International English keyboards are not the same; see the article I linked. You have the International one, apparently, and Shootist and I have the US one. You and Shootist are both correct with respect to your own keyboards.

Coorect: in FR I have an English extended keyboard, the key says: alt on top and option at the bottom. Most countries do not have the option text on it 😉