Gareth_Apple96
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: How Do You Reinstall the OS from Discs?

Hi everybody, I am selling my old Mac, I-Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.3) and want to reset it, by reinstalling the OS to wipe the user account, passwords, e-mail account and any other logins, passwords and personal information still retained by the operating system.

 

I have deleted all my files and non OS software from the machine. What is the best way to reinstall the OS? This mac has two DVD discs, Mac OS Install and Applications Install. Many thanks for your advice. Should I just put them in and follow instructions?

 

I have read the Erase a drive and install OS X link below but failed to understand what they were talking about in many places. I don’t know what a “start up disc” is or what erase your start up disc means, which made it impossible to follow. If anybody can help or advise me that would be great. Thanks.

 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204904

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 9:35 AM

by Niel,Solvedanswer
Niel Niel
Level 10 (314,466 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Click here and follow the instructions. When you reach step 5, insert the Mac OS Install disk, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.


(141226)

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 9:41 AM

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Gareth_Apple96

Q: How Do You Reinstall the OS from Discs?

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  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Apr 4, 2016 9:41 AM in response to Gareth_Apple96
    Level 10 (314,466 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 9:41 AM in response to Gareth_Apple96

    Click here and follow the instructions. When you reach step 5, insert the Mac OS Install disk, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.


    (141226)

  • by Gareth_Apple96,

    Gareth_Apple96 Gareth_Apple96 Apr 4, 2016 12:01 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 12:01 PM in response to Niel

    Thanks Niel, I should be able to do it from that. Unfortunately I won't know for sure for a few days. I have shut down my old Mac now and will not have time to do this operation until Thursday, as I have work and too much other stuff to do tomorrow and Wednesday. I think I will be Ok now, so I will mark that as correct answer. If I have any problems later I will post on this thread again. Thanks again.

  • by Gareth_Apple96,

    Gareth_Apple96 Gareth_Apple96 Apr 6, 2016 9:56 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 6, 2016 9:56 AM in response to Niel

    I have done this and it seems to have reset everything, however I have one more question. What exactly was I deleting with the disc utility? I selected HD from the menu on the left but I had already deleted all my files from the computer (with the trash can) and when it deleted them it says this can not be undone, so what is the disc utility doing? I clicked “erase” and it seemed to do something but I have no idea what it was doing or what it was erasing. Can someone explain what exactly it was deleting? Many thanks.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Apr 6, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Gareth_Apple96
    Level 10 (314,466 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 6, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Gareth_Apple96

    It was deleting the OS components and all other remaining data on the drive.

     

    (141273)

  • by Gareth_Apple96,

    Gareth_Apple96 Gareth_Apple96 Apr 6, 2016 10:08 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 6, 2016 10:08 AM in response to Niel

    Fair enough, my actual files were on the Desktop, and in the “Home” folder anyway so I was a bit confused about what it was doing. I think it has all gone well. Now I just need to recycle it with apple!