How to do Clean Install?

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Level 1

14 points

How to do Clean Install?

I have a couple Mac Minis (A1176) that I want to sell. I have the disk for 10.5 Leopard and want to do a clean install and erase all the data currently on the machines.

I was able to install the OSX but not while erasing the personal data.

I looked up how to do it and found this tutorial but it didn't work. I have a usb keyboard plugged in and working, but when I hold down "option" on restart, nothing happens differently. It just goes to the login screen like usual. I also tried the "C" key on restart; nothing different happened.

I have tried this multiple times on both computers, I'm not sure how to go about installing a clean OSX. Does anyone know?

Posted on Jan 27, 2015 4:27 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jan 27, 2015 4:52 PM in response to elgraso

Hi, a bit confused... You did install OS from the DVD, or you could not???

Is this a Retail 10.5 Install Disc, or a grey machine specific/Intel only Install Disk?

What is the 2z691-****-A number on the Disc?

Without a proper Install Disc, might try this, but new owners should have an Install Disc included...

Open System Preferences>Accounts, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

In the same pref pane highlight your old account, click the little minus icon, then use Disk Utility to Secure Erase Free Space.

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Answer 2

elgraso Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 29, 2015 10:10 AM in response to BDAqua

Its the shiny purple retail DVD.

I believe I need to run the OS off of the DVD so I can erase the drive.

However I cant get it to start running off of the DVD it always starts up running off the harddrive OSX like normal.

I guess I can take it to the genius bar...

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jan 29, 2015 10:51 AM in response to elgraso

Hold alt key at bootup with the Install Disc inserted, does it show as a boot choice?

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Answer 4

elgraso Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 29, 2015 10:52 AM in response to BDAqua

no that is the problem. it just starts up as normal....

i guess i can just take it to genius....

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jan 29, 2015 12:00 PM in response to elgraso

Yes, that may be the solution.

Do you have this setup?

Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option boot will show a lock, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.

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Answer 6

elgraso Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 29, 2015 12:48 PM in response to BDAqua

i'm not sure if it is setup like this, but I made an appointment so I dont have to think about it or troubleshoot anymore. ha.

thank you for your help though. it sounds like i was doing everything I was supposed to...

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Answer 7

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,972 points

Jan 29, 2015 1:09 PM in response to elgraso

Another item to try & do to see if the install-restore DVD may work, is to check

the System Preferences> "Startup Disk" panel to see if the DVD appears as a

Startup option in there. If so, see if it really does -- after choosing it there...

If the computers shipped with a machine-specific grey label install restore disc

set with a version of Leopard 10.5 on DVD, then a retail disc won't work. There

were differences, too, between Intel-based and PowerPC-based Mac install DVD.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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