How to Factory Reset 2010 MacBook Pro from El Capitan?

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Level 1

64 points

How to Factory Reset 2010 MacBook Pro from El Capitan?

I was recommended a 'clean install' (reset to factory defaults) by a user here to improve the speed of my MacBook Pro. However, attempting to follow the instructions provided (Figure 2), I am told that I cannot do so (Figure 1). How do I proceed?

I intend to bring my computer to the Apple Store to get the battery serviced and upgrade from 4 GB to 8 GB RAM, as two here recommended for El Capitan.

Figure 1. You can't use this version of the application "Install Mac OS X.app" with this version of OS X. [El Capitan] You have "Install Mac OS X.app" 23.1.1.

Figure 2. Installation Instructions from the Mac OS X Install DVD regarding restoring the computer to factory settings says to double-click the Install Mac OS X icon.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 2.4GHzIntelCore2Duo;4GB 1067MHzDDR3

Posted on Mar 15, 2016 4:04 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 15, 2016 4:10 PM in response to ethereality

First, shut down your Mac. Then, turn it on again. As it's loading hold the Command button and the R key. Something will come up called OS X Utilities. Click on Disk Utility and click on "Mac OS Extended". Then, click Erase. Once it's done, click on the Disk Utility menu and click quit. You won't need a DVD to reinstall it, because the "Welcome to Mac" window will be there.

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Answer 2

ethereality Author

Level 1

64 points

Mar 16, 2016 6:02 AM in response to MasterofApple

I erased the hard drive via Command+R after shut down + power button bootup like MasterofApple said, but then clicked the option to reinstall Mac OS X, using the 'journaled' option like the instructions said. Then after rebooting the Welcome to Mac screen was displayed.

It's not clear to me whether my recovery disc being in the drive had any effect, both because it appeared to be downloading El Capitan from my wifi network, El Capitan was installed rather than Snow Leopard, and because the recovery partition also appears to have the recovery disc's contents loaded onto it.

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Answer 3

Niel

Community+ 2025

Level 10

741,125 points

Mar 15, 2016 4:07 PM in response to ethereality

Restart with the disk in the drive and the C or Option key held down.

(140657)

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