Jonofbone
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: If someone torrents a OS X upgrade on your computer how can you restore it without the startup disk

I recently let my friend use my computer for a few days with the promise that it would run better. When i got it back i found out he torrented Mac OS X 10.7. i have let it sit on my computer for a while but it has caused problems with downloading apps. I would like to know how to downgrade back to the compter was when i orginally bought it. I do not have a startup disk because i bought it from a used mac seller online. also i would like to keep my files, music, games, ETC.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Mar 18, 2014 10:28 PM

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Jonofbone

Q: If someone torrents a OS X upgrade on your computer how can you restore it without the startup disk

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  • Helpful answers

  • by QuickTimeKirk,

    QuickTimeKirk QuickTimeKirk Mar 19, 2014 4:59 AM in response to Jonofbone
    Level 9 (53,306 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 4:59 AM in response to Jonofbone

    You would need to purchase the Snow Leopard DVD from the Apple Store, install and upgrade it to 10.6.8.

    All of Apple apps and OS's are downloaded via the App Store and are associated with an Apple ID.

    You would need to backup any data you wanted to keep before installing Snow Leopard because you'll have to erase the 10.7. OS from the machine.

  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Mar 19, 2014 8:39 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 19, 2014 8:39 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

    You would need to purchase the Snow Leopard DVD from the Apple Store, install and upgrade it to 10.6.8.

    The retail DVD may not be the way to go for this, since the build of this Mac may be later than the 10.6.3 on the retail, and, depending on the OS that orginally shipped, might not install.

     

    If the Mac came with Snow, then better to call Apple with the serial # of the machine and request the proper discs.

     

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

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Mar 19, 2014 2:21 PM in response to Jonofbone
    Level 8 (38,024 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 19, 2014 2:21 PM in response to Jonofbone

    That was an incredibly bad thing your friend did to your computer. A torrent of just about any software you download for the Mac will have malware in it. So that gets installed along with the software you think you're getting for "free".

     

    I wouldn't use that computer for anything where you may type in a password, checking or credit card numbers, or any other type of sensitive data until you've had the chance to backup your important files.

     

    Once you have a way to do so, erase the drive and reinstall the OS, and then reinstall only your legally acquired software.

  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Mar 19, 2014 3:12 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 19, 2014 3:12 PM in response to Kurt Lang

    Kurt, it might depend on the torrent. Not all are bad. Then again, the prudent thing to do would be to take no chances, as you said.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Mar 19, 2014 3:12 PM in response to WZZZ
    Level 8 (38,024 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 19, 2014 3:12 PM in response to WZZZ

    Yup, but both Macworld and Mac|Life magazine have reported that illegal software downloads are the number one way crooks are getting malware onto Macs. They, and most security sites.

     

    As you note, not every single torrent is automatically bad, but I know I wouldn't take the chance.