How to get Mac OS back?

Question

Level 1

0 points

How to get Mac OS back?

It's actually my friend's Mac laptop.

Last December, he brought his slow booting Mac laptop to a NYC Chinatown PC shop for repairing, since he doesn't speak English. And they installed a pirated Windows 7 for his Mac computer.

Now the Mac computer is basically messed up, not response to any keyboard shortcut, be Windows or Mac, running slow, boot slow.

He asked for my help, and I don't know much about Mac OS, what I think is to restore his laptop to Mac OS.

But the bootloader is corrupted and I can't restore right from his computer.

Anybody have any idea how to restore his laptop to a Mac OS laptop?

I don't know his Mac laptop model or original Mac OS. I just posted it here in hope of more people reading this forum. Please feel free to relocate this post if necessary.

Posted on Apr 3, 2015 5:51 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 3, 2015 6:46 PM in response to newchin

What version of OS X was it running?

You can boot with command-R held down. This will boot to the recovery partition. Go to Tools->Disk Utility, tell it to reformat the disk, and then install OS X on the machine.

Reply

Answer 2

newchin Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2015 7:47 PM in response to William Lloyd

I've checked it with a Windows partition software and didn't see any hidden partition. So, I'm afraid that the recovery partition is already ruined.

But thanks for the help, I'll try the shortcut and see how it come out to be like.

Reply

Answer 3

Cunnla

Level 6

8,263 points

Apr 3, 2015 9:50 PM in response to newchin

First you should identify the Mac model. How to identify MacBook models - Apple Support

Then you can use Mactracker (available on App Store) to find the original OS, in case you need to get a copy of the original install disk.

If you make a bootable OS X installer on a USB stick or other suitable media you can reformat the Mac's HD and install the OS. Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 4

newchin Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2015 8:39 AM in response to Cunnla

Can't identify the model, no serial number on the laptop, non
-removable battery, and it's Windows OS now.

My friend said it's bought around 2012, white cover and inner, with the word "MacBook" in the center.

Recovery partition is gone for sure. No Recovery options at boot time, no hidden recovery partition in partition software.

The only way I can thino of now to restore is to get a Mac OS DVD and install it.

Anybody has any easier solution?

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 4, 2015 8:50 AM in response to newchin

There is no serial number tag on the bottom of the computer anywhere? Try removing the battery to see if the serial number is shown printed in the battery bay. You may also see a model number printed.

I would recommend you take the system into an Apple Store, and avoid any third-party "PC Repair" locations for fixing your Mac. At an Apple Store you can have employees wipe your Mac and set it up with an appropriate version of OS X, which will get you up and running. This should be a free service, though you may have to schedule an appointment.

Reply

Answer 6

newchin Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2015 4:07 PM in response to Topher Kessler

No, don't see any model number or serial number on front or back, outer or inner. Don't know how to open the non-removable battery.

You brought up a solution I ignored before for having no receipt and no serial number, that is to bring it to an Apple store. I should try that.

Reply

Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Apr 5, 2015 2:44 PM in response to newchin

Have you tried going to the  menu while holding down the option/alt key and running System Information? That should give you the model and serial number.

Reply

Answer 8

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Apr 5, 2015 4:14 PM in response to newchin

Can't identify the model, no serial number on the laptop, non

-removable battery,

The number should be printed on the bottom.

Reply

Answer 9

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Apr 5, 2015 4:09 PM in response to Eric Root

Have you tried going to the  menu while holding down the option/alt key and running System Information? That should give you the model and serial number.

It's not running.

Reply

Answer 10

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Apr 5, 2015 4:19 PM in response to newchin

My friend said it's bought around 2012, white cover and inner, with the word "MacBook" in the center.

MacBooks weren't sold around 2012. Last model was Mid 2010, sold until July 2011.

Reply