theasbodisco
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: How do I reset macbook if cmd r isn't working

Hi,

I've got a 13" Macbook from 2007.
It's a lump but it works OK.
It's had a few bugs and it's full so I want to do a factory reset so it runs better.
I have Snow Leopard on disk.

 

From instructions I've read I'm suggested to reboot holding CMD + R, erase my disk and reinstall OSX.
I'm not getting any look getting to a Utilities screen whilst rebooting. Have tried CMD+R, CMD+OPTION+R, etc. Nothing has worked.

 

I also don't know if I'll be able to just install Snow Leopard on there or will it make me connect to the web?
I want to use this computer to practice playing keyboard on so would rather not.

Posted on Sep 17, 2016 6:36 AM

by Tesserax,Apple recommended
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,843 points)
Wireless
A:

Instead of using Recovery Mode (CMD+R) or Internet Recovery (CMD+Option+R), you can try the following:

  • Hold down the C key when booting up. This will allow the Mac to boot up from a CD or DVD. In this case you want to use your Snow Leopard installation disc.

Posted on Sep 17, 2016 8:49 AM

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theasbodisco

Q: How do I reset macbook if cmd r isn't working

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 17, 2016 8:49 AM in response to theasbodisco
    Level 9 (54,843 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 17, 2016 8:49 AM in response to theasbodisco

    Instead of using Recovery Mode (CMD+R) or Internet Recovery (CMD+Option+R), you can try the following:

    • Hold down the C key when booting up. This will allow the Mac to boot up from a CD or DVD. In this case you want to use your Snow Leopard installation disc.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 22, 2016 1:38 PM in response to theasbodisco
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 1:38 PM in response to theasbodisco

    There is a last Combo update download that makes Snow Leopard 10.6 complete.

    You should get that and also check for more updates from Apple servers by use of

    the Software Update selector in menu beneath the Apple icon in Finder.

     

    The Combo Update 10.6.8 v1.1 is available for download (works to finish

    the Snow Leopard full installation) from this Apple support page link:

    • Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1

     

    For continued offline use, you could get an externally enclosed hard disk drive, then

    get a free (demo) of SuperDuper cloning utility, to make a copy that may save you

    the effort of re-downloading the entire OS X + Combo update. If you learn how to

    make and use Clones, that can save you. An external drive should be self-powered

    and not rely on USB port power, if its Clone is ever called upon to start up the Mac.

     

    This may be important should the internal MacBook hard drive fail. You would be

    able to replace the internal hard drive, then use the running clone on external drive

    (with its copy of Clone utility in place) to ready a replacement HDD, then clone the

    content of the external drive into a newly installed internal hard drive.

     

    A helpful product to have, if one wants to prepare a replacement hard drive for a

    new OS X installation, without installing the drive first, is a wire kit; the OWC also

    has replacement drives, among other upgrade parts & instruction video:

     

    newertech universal drive adapter USB... kit (includes power adapter)

    https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NVSPATA/

     

    For examples of upgrade parts, and a way to find ones most likely compatible

    with your computer, there is a page at OWC that may be helpful.

    https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/

     

    In the eventuality of replacement of the internal drive, usually they can be expected

    to fail after a few years. In the process of acquiring the correct spec replacement,

    you could get an external USB wire kit that allows you to prepare a new HDD to

    accept an installation of OS X before the hard drive is installed. You could do that

    ahead of time, with the correct system (fresh install/clone to new hard drive) while

    the computer is still running correctly. Once the HDD fails, it won't work.

     

    Main portal to portable Apple repair guides:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Laptop

     

    {Note your build model identifier or processor speed may be used to identify

    the unit among others in these guides; if your unit is a MacBook Pro instead

    of MacBook, select the correct guide section from main page}

     

    Your model is likely among those this Guide covers:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Core_2_Duo

     

    • MacBook Repair guides - iFixit:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook

     

    There are good instructions on the iFixit repair guide pages so the task can be

    done if you have a second means of seeing them online. Or if you were to save

    the web page instead of printing as PDF for offline reference, that would likely

    keep any links to other places (in the original page) alive & accessible.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!