Fobozzz
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Would like to wipe the harddrive and update to latest OS X to have a clean start

I have a MacBook Pro, 2010 vintage.  I'd like to wipe all the data off the machine, update the OS for a new user.  What is the best approach to  do this.  Currently at OSX 10.11.2.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Jun 3, 2016 9:12 AM

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Fobozzz

Q: Would like to wipe the harddrive and update to latest OS X to have a clean start

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  • by Courcoul,Helpful

    Courcoul Jun 3, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Fobozzz
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Jun 3, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Fobozzz

    If you're passing/gifting/selling the Mac to someone else, see this: What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Else if you just want an absolutely clean start with nothing from the past, try first to see if the Mac can start up in Internet Recovery Mode: make sure it has speedy internet access, reboot and hold down Option-Command-R. After awhile a spinning globe should pop up as it boots off Apple's servers. If it does, use the Disk Utility option to erase the internal drive, quit and then use the Install OS X option to lay down a fresh and virgin OS X system on the drive.

     

    If it does not boot with the spinning globe, means it cannot. So download the OS X installer from the Mac App Store and concoct a bootable USB installer stick with an 8GB flash memory and DiskMakerX. When done, stick the stick in, reboot holding down just the Option key. A list of bootable drives will appear, select the stick to boot from it. Proceed as above, use DU to erase the internal drive and then Install a fresh version.  Important Note: if installing El Capitan or later via this method, be sure you signed in to the Mac App Store using THE SAME AppleID used to register the Mac, otherwise the installer may refuse to work.

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Jun 3, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Fobozzz
    Level 10 (313,456 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 3, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Fobozzz

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


    That Mac can’t be sold or given away with an OS newer than 10.6.8(or 10.7.5 if it came from one of Apple’s USB thumbdrives) on it. The new owner needs to upgrade the OS with their own Apple ID.


    (142701)