Sunnilu

Q: I bought a used macbook pro from a friend. Software updates are available, but when I try to update, the computer asks for apple id and will only accept the former owner´s. How can I connect my macbook to my apple id?

I bought a used macbook pro from a friend. Software updates are available, but when I try to update, the computer asks for apple id and will only accept the former owner´s. How can I connect my macbook to my apple id?

Posted on Sep 22, 2013 5:10 AM

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Q: I bought a used macbook pro from a friend. Software updates are available, but when I try to update, the computer asks for apple i ... more

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  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 5:13 AM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 5:13 AM in response to Sunnilu

    Yes. The Mac is still tied to his Apple ID, because he didn't prepare the Mac for you properly. He should have erased the disk and installed the original OS that shipped with the Mac from the original install disks. Did he give the OEM disks?

  • by arthur,

    arthur arthur Sep 22, 2013 5:14 AM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 5 (5,193 points)
    iBooks
    Sep 22, 2013 5:14 AM in response to Sunnilu
  • by Sunnilu,

    Sunnilu Sunnilu Sep 22, 2013 11:05 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 22, 2013 11:05 AM in response to macjack

    No, he didn´t. Is that crucial? Thank you for helping me!

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 22, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 22, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Sunnilu

    The first thing you should do after acquiring a used computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. How you do that depends on the model. Look it up on this page to see what version was originally installed.

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard installation disc, which you can get from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller — not from eBay or anything of the kind.

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the gray installation discs that came with it. If you don't have the discs, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.

    To boot from an optical disc, insert it, then reboot and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, it should boot into Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.

    Once booted from the disc or in Internet Recovery, launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive — not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive, which is what you should do.

    After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. When the installation is done, the system will automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.

    You should then run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. If you want to upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, buy it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the previous owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed — you have to repurchase them.

  • by macjack,Helpful

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 11:44 AM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 11:44 AM in response to Sunnilu

    Sunnilu wrote:

     

    No, he didn´t. Is that crucial? Thank you for helping me!

    It can be, depending on which MBP it is. If it shipped with OS X 10.6.x or earlier you should obtain a copy of the OEM disks by calling Apple and giving them the serial number. They will ship them to for a nominal charge.

     

    If it shipped 10.7 or higher you're in luck and you can follow the instruction Linc offered.

     

     

    Note that your Liife apps will not be included on retail install disks. You need the OEM disks for that.

  • by Sunnilu,

    Sunnilu Sunnilu Sep 22, 2013 11:41 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 22, 2013 11:41 AM in response to macjack

    Even if it has to be shipped to Norway? I´m kind of hopeless with computers, so could you tell me how I find out whether it was shipped with os x 10.6 or 10.7 ?

  • by Sunnilu,

    Sunnilu Sunnilu Sep 22, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 22, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

    thank you so much for your help!

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Sunnilu

    Sunnilu wrote:

     

    Even if it has to be shipped to Norway?

    Not sure about that, Apple will know.

     

    Go to Apple Menu > About this Mac > and give us the info for "Processor" and maybe we can narrow it down.

    It's hard to tell because even if it was manufacturered one year it may have a previous year's OS depending on where it was purchased and how long it sat on the shelf.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159

  • by Sunnilu,

    Sunnilu Sunnilu Sep 22, 2013 12:12 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 22, 2013 12:12 PM in response to macjack

    I found it! OS X 10.8.3 So, as I am (still) quite hopeless.. does this mean that I don´t need to actually buy an installation disk, but rather I can skip straight to internet recovery?

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 2:06 PM in response to Sunnilu
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 2:06 PM in response to Sunnilu

    Yes, you can boot up holding command-r keys into your Recovery Volume.

    Then choose the entire disk upper image Disk Utility > Partition > Format OS X (Extended (Journaled) and create 1 partition. (Or more if you want)be sure Partition Map Scheme is GUID the lower right...

     

    Screen Shot 2013-09-22 at 2.02.42 PM.png

    After that choose Install OS X. After the install it will boot into Setup Assistant. You will be prompted to migrate, so if you have another Mac or PC and you want to do now is your best chance for sucess. Follow the on screen prompts.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Sep 22, 2013 2:15 PM in response to macjack
    Level 8 (49,762 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 2:15 PM in response to macjack

    macjack,

    Shouldn't Sunnilu use Internet Recovery so that originally installed OS is loaded. If you use straight recovery, won't it ask for the AppleID that purchased Mountain Lion?

    Perhaps not since it came with Mountain Lion installed?

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 2:36 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 2:36 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Yes, but choosing Install can only install from the internet when the disk's been wiped?

     

    EDIT: I see your point but I can't find any documentation on that.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Sep 22, 2013 2:35 PM in response to macjack
    Level 8 (49,762 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 2:35 PM in response to macjack

    I admit I haven't been to Internet Recovery, but isn't there a Disk Utility there?

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 22, 2013 2:41 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2013 2:41 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Yes, that's what I wrote, to use Disk Utility in Recovery Partition to reformat the drive.

    Yes, you can boot up holding command-r keys into your Recovery Volume.

    Then choose the entire disk upper image Disk Utility > Partition > Format OS X (Extended (Journaled) and create 1 partition. (Or more if you want)be sure Partition Map Scheme is GUID the lower right...

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