How do I Factory Restore?

My 13" MBP arrived yesterday, but I made the mistake of on the first time start up menu, choosing to transfer data from my Mac to my Pro, thinking I'd be able to specifically select files, alas, having them all transfered.

I want to do a Factory Restore and start again, just to be sure (even thogh I can't even see the files on my Pro).

How do I do this?

I'm away I have to go to Disk Utilities and erase, but when I go there, the left hand Menu shows up:

500.11 GB APPLE HDD T..

Macintosh HD

SuperDriv (faded out)

----------------------------------------

disk1

Mac OS X Base System

Which of these do I erase? And by doing this, I'm only erasing any data I transfered, am I right, so it's as it would have been if I'd started it up without transfering data.

Then do I re-instal OS X Mountain Lion?

Posted on Sep 20, 2012 1:10 AM

21 replies

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Sep 20, 2012 2:35 AM in response to lpardo

I doubt it will take 46 hours, but you sure have time to figure out another solution.

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Sep 20, 2012 2:41 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Apple really needs to start putting notices, with new computers, advising users to make USB install sticks first thing after they setup their computers. This is nonsense...if you don't have a fast Internet connection or somehow hose your Recovery partition, you're in a world of hurt, with no easy solution. A bootable USB install stick would fix this stuff.

Sep 20, 2012 2:52 AM in response to wjosten

Here is how to make a bootable USB drive....

Create a bootable Lion install drive for newer Macs | Macworld

Just for future reference....

lpardo Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 20, 2012 4:52 AM in response to davscanlon

Thank you.

It's going along.. slowly.

Ah, I really shouldn't have ever transfered the data.

lpardo Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 20, 2012 6:14 AM in response to lpardo

I think I've found an ethernet cable - pale grey, both ends have a yellow connector.

The Reinstall of Mountain Lion seems to be taking VERY long. It hasn't even moved for the last hour.

If I cancel it, can I then do it again, but this time via the ethernet, and if so, how do I do it.

Thank you!

Oct 15, 2012 2:34 PM in response to wjosten

what do u mean by volume

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How do I Factory Restore?