elgraso
Level 1 (5 points)
Mac OS X

Q: 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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elgraso

Q: How to do Clean Install?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 27, 2015 4:52 PM in response to elgraso
    Level 10 (123,506 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.

  • by elgraso,

    elgraso elgraso Jan 29, 2015 10:10 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    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...

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 29, 2015 10:51 AM in response to elgraso
    Level 10 (123,506 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?

  • by elgraso,

    elgraso elgraso Jan 29, 2015 10:52 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    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....

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 29, 2015 12:00 PM in response to elgraso
    Level 10 (123,506 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.

  • by elgraso,

    elgraso elgraso Jan 29, 2015 12:48 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    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...

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 29, 2015 1:09 PM in response to elgraso
    Level 6 (14,304 points)
    Desktops
    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!