Factory reset on an older Mac Mini (2005)

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Level 1

8 points

Factory reset on an older Mac Mini (2005)

Ok here goes this long winded story. I purchased this 2005 Mac mini off of eBay, I got it and it powered on and all the good stuff, but when it came up, it had the last users PERSONAL photos and such. I want to factory reset it, but I’m a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff, I’ve chatted with Apple and they‘ve been mostly unhelpful, I called a repair shop and they wanted to charge $130 leaps and bounds over what the machine is worth. I have the dvd of snow lepoard, but that’s not working either. I‘m just wondering, if anyone has any ideas or tip and tricks?

Thanks,

Derek

Posted on Dec 3, 2018 8:42 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Dec 3, 2018 10:31 AM in response to dcreelman

These are the only discs that are the retail version of Leopard:

Insert it into the DVD slot and restart your Mac holding the "c" key.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Dec 3, 2018 9:00 AM in response to dcreelman

The 2005 Mini can on go as high as Leopard, the OS before Snow Leopard.

You need to get an OS disk that your Mac can use and boot from that and erase the HD and reinstall the OS. To boot from CD/DVD depress the C key when booting up

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Dec 3, 2018 9:00 AM in response to dcreelman

Snow Leopard won't run on that Mac. The latest OS it will run is 10.5.8. You'll need a Leopard install disc. You can check online for the discs. You'll need the retail version of the discs with the black X on them. Do not buy the gray discs as these may not be compatible with your hardware.

Mac mini G4/1.25 Specs (Mac mini, M9686LL/A*, PowerMac10,1, A1103, 2026): EveryMac.com

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