What mac do you have?
Query by serial number
Apple's warrenty database will identify the type of Mac you have. Your serial number is securely sent. Provides more information for newer machines.
https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
This site provides more information. Best for older machines. Note, serial number is sent in the clear.
"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
or
This site provides more information, but lacks security too.
"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
( hint by K Shaffer )
So my original problem was that i couldn't boot my computer which i still cant. I was told to re install OS X Lion but it wouldnt let me.
You are posting in the Tiger forum. You say you are trying to install Lion. Why are you not posting in the lion forum?
What error message are you getting?
i was then told that i need to erase my hard drive.
Who told you this?
I went to disk utilities, selected my mac hard drive (250.06 GB Hitachi) then went to the partition and did partition 1 and choose Macintosh HD and then applied it and then pressed partition. It says unmounting disk but it wont load. I tried going to first aid and verifying and repairing the disk and am sti getting the same response.
The harddrive could be bad and need replacement.
Am i doing something wrong? also i dont have the CD/DVD i keep seeing people talking about on the discussion boards. if thats what i need but don't have is there another way to get my computer to boot up?
Where or not you need a cd/dvd depends on what mac you have.
Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5 DVDs are available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0 -- January 20,2013
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5772721?answerId=24588313022#24588313022 -- January 22,2014
