Need to restore iMac to factory settings

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Level 1

45 points

Need to restore iMac to factory settings

Hi,

I have a new 27" iMac that I purchased just one month ago. I used migration assistant to move my PC files to my iMac and the files were dumped in all kinds of crazy locations with no real organization. Anyway, I would like to restore my iMac back to the factory settings and reload everything piece by piece to ensure proper org files and apps.

I didn't get an installation disk with my iMac so I was wondering if it was embedded somewhere on the HDD?

Thanks!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 30, 2013 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Mar 30, 2013 9:42 AM in response to Ratherboard

Restart the system and hold down the Command+r keys. At the screen that come up select Disk Utility and then the Macintosh HD on the Left and the Erase Tab. Erase the Macintosh HD. When that is done exit DU and select reinstall Mac OS X. The OS will be downloaded from the internet and when that is done the system will reboot to start the install. When that is done it will be just like it was the first time you turned it on.

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Answer 2

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Mar 30, 2013 9:46 AM in response to Ratherboard

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

Correct. New Macs and Macs with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion come with OS X Recovery > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718

To restore the computer to factory settings, follow these steps:

1. Hold Command and R keys while your Mac is starting to start into OS X Recovery, and open Disk Utility.

2. Choose "Macintosh HD" on the sidebar, go to the Erase tab and erase the drive.

3. Close Disk Utility and reinstall OS X. OS X will be downloaded from Apple and installed.

Apart from that, there's also Internet Recovery, available for 2010 and newer Macs. This mode, accessible holding Command, Option (Alt) and R keys while your Mac is starting, downloads Recovery HD from Apple, and it will always reinstall the original OS X version that came with the Mac

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Answer 3

Ratherboard Author

Level 1

45 points

Mar 30, 2013 10:08 AM in response to mende1

Thanks to both of you for the info. I tried restarting while holding the command and "R" keys, but I keep getting dropped into the login screen. Is it because I have a wiresless keyboard and it hasn't synced with the iMac quick enough during startup? If so, I can get my USB mac keyboard from work and try it that way. I also tried the command+option+R keys and that didn't seem to work either. Also I tried shutting down, holding down the keys and hitting the power button. Still, no luck. I'm guessing its the bluetooth keyboard.

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Answer 4

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Mar 30, 2013 10:10 AM in response to Ratherboard

Bluetooth keyboards are a bit problematic. The trick is to hold both keys just after the startup sound that your iMac makes when you turn it on. Then, hold them until you see the Apple logo on the screen, and finally, you should see the "OS X Utilities" window, which means that you have started into Recovery HD

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Answer 5

Ratherboard Author

Level 1

45 points

Mar 30, 2013 11:50 AM in response to mende1

That worked! You have to be quick about it, but I managed to get it on the first try. I erased and re-installed as you instructed. Now I'm reloading apps and moving over what I need. I think I'll make a copy using Tim Machine once I get everything sorted.

Thanks so much!

Cheers.

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