eddyfzee

Q: how do I format my harddrive without software discs

How do I format my harddrive without software discs, my laptop is stuck on the installation's blue and black screen. It gives me the user log on applet, and recycles back to it continually without logging on to the desktop. I attempt to install the original OSX software to no avail, the machine keeps ejecting the disc after a minute or so. I have research the web to no avail. HELP ME PLEASE!!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 10:06 AM

Close

Q: how do I format my harddrive without software discs

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 12, 2015 10:15 AM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 10 (271,367 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 12, 2015 10:15 AM in response to eddyfzee

    You can't. You can purchase replacements, I think:

     

    Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.

     

    To contact product and tech support: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes

    international calling numbers..

     

    Or you can upgrade your computer to Snow Leopard:

     

    Upgrading to Snow Leopard

     

    You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

     

    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.

     

         Snow Leopard General Requirements

     

           1. Mac computer with an Intel processor

           2. 1GB of memory

           3. 5GB of available disk space

           4. DVD drive for installation

           5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;

               fees may apply.

           6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and

               terms apply.

  • by eddyfzee,

    eddyfzee eddyfzee Apr 12, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Kappy

    Please let
    me try this from the beginning. I was reinstalling the OEM Software, I placed
    CD 1 in the drive, rebooted, and pressed the C key.

     

     

    The laptop
    booted to the installer’s blue and black splash screen, and a small
    multicolored ball appeared to be spinning. Then the install disc ejected.
    Nothing else happened, I waited about five minutes, and retried to install
    again.

     

     

    This is what
    happens, every time, every installer disc.

     

     

    I place the
    CD into the drive, and reboot from the User Logon App screen. I press and hold
    the C key. The laptop boots to the splash screen, the CD is active in the
    drive, about thirty seconds later the screen turns grey with the Apple Logo in
    the center, a small ball indicating system activity appears for around fifteen seconds.
    The screen turns blue and blank, then the user logon app appears. When I select
    sign in, the screen blues again and the log on app recycles over and over, I cannot
    log on and I can’t install any of the software.

     

     

    This is the software
    that came with the Macbook:

     

     

    Power Mac G4
    Install and restore disc 1 of 1 v10.4

     

     

    Mac OS X
    install disc 1 &2 v 10.4.10

     

     

    Mac OS X
    Leopard CPU Drop-in disc,  v 10.5

     

     

    I purchased
    later Mac OS X Snow Leopard  v
    10.6.3   HELP ME!!

  • by eddyfzee,

    eddyfzee eddyfzee Apr 12, 2015 1:10 PM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 1:10 PM in response to eddyfzee

    Please let
    me try this from the beginning. I was reinstalling the OEM Software, I placed
    CD 1 in the drive, rebooted, and pressed the C key.

     

     

    The laptop
    booted to the installer’s blue and black splash screen, and a small
    multicolored ball appeared to be spinning. Then the install disc ejected.
    Nothing else happened, I waited about five minutes, and retried to install
    again.

     

     

    This is what
    happens, every time, every installer disc.

     

     

    I place the
    CD into the drive, and reboot from the User Logon App screen. I press and hold
    the C key. The laptop boots to the splash screen, the CD is active in the
    drive, about thirty seconds later CD ejects, the screen turns grey with the
    Apple Logo in the center, a small ball indicating system activity appears for around
    fifteen seconds. The screen turns blue and blank, then the user logon app
    appears. When I select sign in, the screen blues again and the log on app
    recycles over and over, I cannot log on and I can’t install any of the software.

     

     

    This is the software
    that came with the Macbook:

     

     

    Power Mac G4
    Install and restore disc 1 of 1 v10.4

     

     

    Mac OS X
    install disc 1 &2 v 10.4.10

     

     

    Mac OS X
    Leopard CPU Drop-in disc,  v 10.5

     

     

    I purchased
    later Mac OS X Snow Leopard  v
    10.6.3   HELP ME!!

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 12, 2015 1:12 PM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 10 (271,367 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 12, 2015 1:12 PM in response to eddyfzee

    What do you have; a MacBook or a Power Mac G4.

  • by eddyfzee,

    eddyfzee eddyfzee Apr 12, 2015 1:46 PM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 1:46 PM in response to eddyfzee

    MacBook

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 12, 2015 1:51 PM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 10 (271,367 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 12, 2015 1:51 PM in response to eddyfzee

    Then try using the Snow Leopard installer or the Disc 1 from the Mac OS X set:

     

    Mac OS X

    install disc 1 &2 v 10.4.10

  • by eddyfzee,

    eddyfzee eddyfzee Apr 12, 2015 2:13 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 2:13 PM in response to Kappy

    I have tried every install disc

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 12, 2015 2:21 PM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 10 (271,367 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 12, 2015 2:21 PM in response to eddyfzee

    What happens when you try using the Snow Leopard DVD? Be sure this is what you do:

     

    Booting From An OS X Installer Disc

     

    1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.

      2. Restart the computer.

      3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.

      4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple

          logo appears.

      5. Wait for installer to finish loading.

  • by eddyfzee,

    eddyfzee eddyfzee Apr 12, 2015 5:14 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 5:14 PM in response to Kappy

    I quit, nothing is working, I'm gonna deep six this laptop in the Atlantic on my way to work in the A.M.

    Thanx for trying

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Apr 13, 2015 10:58 AM in response to eddyfzee
    Level 5 (7,694 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 13, 2015 10:58 AM in response to eddyfzee

    From your description the install discs are not able to boot this Mac. It then boots to the default OS which is damaged.

     

    It's possible the CD drive itself is failed/ failing another option is that you have DVD installers & a CD only drive.

    Boot holding alt (a.k.a. option on older Macs). You should see a 'boot picker' that allows you to select the disk to start up from - do any of the OS install disks appear? If they are ejected you have disks that are damaged/ unsupported or the drive is toast.

     

    The Power Mac G4 install disk will not install on Macbook, please stop trying that one.

    10.5 & 10.6 shipped on DVD if I recall correctly (otherwise you will have many disks because the install is many GB's).

     

    Try a safe boot with no install disks inserted, see if the user login works.

    OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? - Apple Support

    If that works check the spec of the optical drive in Apple System Profile (via About this Mac > More info).

    Also insert the discs to see if they appear on the Desktop - indicating the optical can read them.

     

    Do you have access to any other Macs?

    You can often repair from another machine, or possibly share a DVD/CD if you have the required cables (probably Firewire for Target Disk Mode).

    How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode - Apple Support

    Another option is to clone an install disk onto a spare disk & try that for booting and installing. Older Macs need to use Firewire, newer ones can use USB.

     

    A last resort may be to remove the HD & see if it can be repaired on another Mac using a case to connect it - you may be able to read the data from it assuming you have no backups elsewhere.