Justincrews
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Restart or erase memory

I have a lot of apps and files that take up a lot of memory.  I would like to erase everything and start as if my mac pro is brand new.  How do I erase all of my files and start brand new?

MacBook Pro, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Jul 30, 2016 6:58 AM

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Justincrews

Q: Restart or erase memory

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jul 30, 2016 7:01 AM in response to Justincrews
    Level 10 (314,451 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 30, 2016 7:01 AM in response to Justincrews

    Restart with the Command and R keys held down or insert a compatible Mac OS X install DVD and restart while pressing C or Option, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.

     

    (143725)

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 30, 2016 7:07 AM in response to Justincrews
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 30, 2016 7:07 AM in response to Justincrews

    Hi Justin, first make a copy of your present hard drive, unless you have a recent backup. cloning utility like SuperDuper or CarbonCopy Cloner, or a TimeMachine to backup

    Then boot up command + option + R. Choose Disk Utility and erase the entire hard drive (uppermost icon). Now, partition your drive, You need to create at least one partition for Mac OS X that should be formatted OS X Extended, GUID partition scheme which is set by default.  Be sure you are connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or ethernet.

    The original OS that computer shipped with will be installed. After set up, you can upgrade. After it finishes installing, it will reboot and put you SetUp Assistant. Once you set up your accounts, you can log into the AppStore and upgrade OS X to the newest version your Mac meets the system specification for..

    Older Macs

    First make a copy of your present hard drive, unless you have a recent backup.

    You'll need your original install DVDs for the next step.

    Boot from the install DVD. Choose the disk you want to erase in Disk Utility and choose the upper icon, representing the entire drive. Press Erase Disk.

    Then, from your DVD, you will install the original OS and from there upgrade to 10.6.8.