How can I restore to factory an imac (early 2009) without the disks? The iMac is running on OS X 10.8.4
iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)
You can't; unless you're going to be selling or giving away the computer, you can use the recovery partition to create a fresh installation of Mountain Lion.
(131142)
Hi thanks for reply.
I am selling it.
How do I go about doing it please?
You need a disk to do so. If you don't have one, click here, phone Apple, and order replacements, or buy a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD from the online Apple Store, and include the disk with the computer.
That Mac model can't be sold with an OS newer than 10.6.8 on it(or 10.7.5 if you have one of Apple's installation thumbdrives.) The instructions for creating a fresh installation of 10.8 or newer aren't applicable in this case.
(131143)
What do you mean it can't be sold with OS newer than 10.6.8 on it? Can I use the recovery partition rather than disk?
1. Apple doesn't allow that.
2. No.
(131145)
Ok Thanks
I have tried to install new yosemite update, the update has downloaded but when I try to install it, it says it cant install as the guest user is logged on, it then goes back to the main log in screen. The update was downloaded when logged on as an administrator. Any ideas?
If you're doing this on the computer you're going to sell, give up and order a DVD. As with Mountain Lion, an installation of Yosemite will be tied to your Apple ID and not transferable.
If you're doing this on a different computer, log into the administrator account.
(131146)
I was logged in on admin account when i downloaded update but it is saying that it wont install because other users (guest) are logged on?
Restart the computer and try again.
(131148)
should that work? i am not with the imac now as it is in my parents, I will try tomorrow
Selling old Mac (4) Apple support
How do I restore iMac early 2009 without disks? Running on OS X 10.8.4
