Need a Recovery HD for Find my Mac?

Question

Need a Recovery HD for Find my Mac?

I've seen some similar topics on this website regarding this issue, but I have a small twist that I have not seen addressed in other topics.

I own an Early 2011 15" MacBook Pro originally came with 4 GB DDR3 RAM and 500 GB HDD. Recently, I upgraded my system by adding more RAM (16 GB now) and replacing the optical drive with a 240 GB SSD. After the modifications, I cloned my entire HDD to the SSD—everything except my home folder which contained media files such as documents and videos. Now my operating system and applications are on the SSD. I subsequently deleted everything from the HDD except the home folder.

This setup has been working fine so far. There is only one issue.

I noticed that Find My Mac is greyed out in the iCloud preferences on my system. After investigating, I realized I needed a recovery partition in order to enable it.

My question is this.

What is the best course of action?

Should I simply create a new partition on my HDD (say, 20 GB)? I don't want to use my SSD because I will be downloading applications in the future and I want all the space possible with the money I invested for the pricy SSD. I realized when I was doing the cloning that I would lose the Recovery HD, but I didn't really care because I have a backup of my entire system on an external 1 TB hard drive via Time Machine.

I would appreciate some advice on the best course of action.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 2, 2013 1:11 PM

Reply

Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

263,661 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

I think, based on the article below and other measurements I have seen, the recovery partition can be much smaller than you're postulating -- I think 1GB would work.

If that's true, might you consider placing such a small partition on your SSD?

OS X: About Recovery Disk Assistant

Reply

Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:55 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

The Recovery partition must reside on the boot drive. It takes up 650 MB and is created automatically when you install or reinstall OS X.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 2, 2013 1:59 PM in response to Linc Davis

Can I create it without reinstalling?

Reply

Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 2, 2013 2:23 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

In theory, maybe, but I don't see the point and I wouldn't recommend it.

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 2, 2013 7:07 PM in response to Linc Davis

A few questions:

What is the exact process of reinstalling? Will I lose my data? Why wouldn't you recommend creating a partition?

And finally, how large of a partition will it make in my boot (SSD) volume?

Reply

Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 2, 2013 7:17 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

1. Boot into Recovery and select Install OS X. You'll need your Apple ID and password.

2. Not unless something goes wrong. You must back up all data, of course.

3. Because there's no easy way to do it and no point in making the effort.

4. Answered two posts ago.

Reply

Answer 7

Jul 2, 2013 7:56 PM in response to Linc Davis

What do you mean Boot into Recovery? Can you please elaborate?

Also, will it by default make only a 1 GB or 650 MB partition for the Recovery partition?

Reply

Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 2, 2013 8:55 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

1. Boot from the Recovery HD. In your case, hold down the option key at the startup chime.

2. Not sure why my previous answer isn't clear.

Reply

Answer 9

Jul 2, 2013 9:21 PM in response to Linc Davis

Once it is reinstalled, will I need to recover all my applications and preferences via my backup drive? What is the process for this if so?

Reply

Answer 10

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jul 2, 2013 10:12 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

Once it is reinstalled, will I need to recover all my applications and preferences via my backup drive?

Linc already answered that one for you too:

2. Not unless something goes wrong. You must back up all data, of course.

Reply

Answer 11

Jul 2, 2013 10:16 PM in response to Lanny

To be clear, you're saying everything will be identical immediately after reinstalling?

Reply

Answer 12

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jul 2, 2013 10:21 PM in response to Plasma Prestige

Reintsalling the OS won't delete your apps or data. The backup is a precaution in case the install fails for some unforeseen reason.

Not understanding why you can't understand this, perhaps you should take your Mac to the Apple Store and have someone do it for you.

Reply

Answer 13

Jul 2, 2013 11:58 PM in response to Lanny

While I appreciate your help, there is really no need to be condescending. I simply like complete clarity before I perform I task I haven't before, especially when it involves possibly losing data.

Reply

Answer 14

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jul 3, 2013 12:13 AM in response to Plasma Prestige

Not trying to be condescending, but if you're uncomfortable doing it, seek assurance at the Apple Store.

....especially when it involves possibly losing data.

That's why a backup is recommended, it removes that risk.

Reply

Answer 15

Jul 18, 2013 7:47 AM in response to Plasma Prestige

Hey Guys,

I've read your posts and I'm more than happy with having a safe back-up, but I've just bought a second hand macbook for the missus and I want to activate find my mac and its grey and dead and out of reach!

She's all updated to mountain lion, which I thought had recovery HD built in, but the text under the find my mac section in the icloud account says :Recovery HD required" !!! What do I do?

All help appreciated, and don't condescend me, I'm precious 🙂 ;p

Reply