Okay, so you may have a lot of files that you want to get rid of, but you definitely have some files you want to keep. In my case, I even have programs I want to keep so I don't have to re-download them after the process is over. You could also create a Time Machine backup, but I wouldn't do a full restore later—just pick and choose things you want back after a fresh install—otherwise it could run just as sluggishly or erratic as it did before.
Then proceed to highlight your computer's hard drive; select the Erase tab, make sure OS X Extended Journaled is selected, then hit the Erase button. In El Capitan, after you select the Erase tab, a pop up will appear with the details. Keep the default settings and select Erase. Click the Reinstall OS X option in the menu and proceed to follow the directions. You will need to be connected to the Internet, so make sure you're plugged in via Ethernet, or are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
You should now have a fresh copy of Mac OS X installed, and your computer is back to its factory settings. All without the need for a recovery disc or thumb drive. Thank you, a friend asked me to get a new install OS X and this seems easy, but just one question.
macOS Sierra Patch Tool
It's downloading a fresh copy from Apple's servers. Apple OS's are now free, so they're not too concerned about verifying. Thank you for the steps, i was wondering, we need to be connected to the internet as it will download the osx again? I'm currently running the new Yosemite. Ugh how frustrating I backed up my files and was already to go and restarted twice and could not get this menu to come up Is this not possible on Snow Leopard?
This only works for Lion and higher. If my computer originally came with Snow Leopard but has since been upgraded to Mavericks, will I be able to do the factory reset back to Mavericks?
Macmini2,1 - FreeBSD 11.2-RELEASE i386
Or will it revert all the way back to Snow Leopard, requiring the discs? Yes, it should work just fine. Lion through El Capitan has the Recovery built-in, and it will reinstall OS X using whatever current version you are on. If not, you might need to download the firmware to use the Internet Recovery version, but this installs whatever was originally on the computer, so you'd have to update your OS again from the Mac App Store.
Everything works fine up until the last step after entering my ID and Password Try again later. My hard drive crashed on my Imac took it to computer repair they installed new hard drive, tried to recover data but could not, when we presented the imac to the apple store they told me i would have to buy back my old hd from them um hello no way, so thats why we went to another place that works on macs, so apple said i had lion on the mac, i couldnt remeber but now i remember i had leopard, the computer place installed lion, well now I cannot get any of my programs installed from the dics i have, like my photo software, etc, any cd i put in stays in for a minute then pops back out.
I turn on the computer, hold the command and r keys for 15 sec. Oh the joy of reading Service currently not available when it tries to download Mavericks online and all the while having only windows computer working. My late Mac Pro would not boot this AM.
Gotta Be Mobile
Would not let me reinstall OS X. Would any think it is more than a bad internal drive 1? I pulled the drive 1 out, checked all the pins and reinstalled into its slot firmly. It goes to grey screen and first tone If your Mac won't start up from a compatible version of macOS, it might require a specific build of that version. Use the Mac operating system that came with your Mac, or a compatible newer version If you try to use an incompatible macOS, your Mac might not finish starting up, or it might behave unexpectedly.
You see a message that you're using an unsupported or incorrect version of the Mac operating system. Your Mac doesn't respond to your trackpad, mouse, or keyboard. Apps unexpectedly quit.
Your Mac doesn't sleep or wake. Here is how to get an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Store this only works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't work if you have already installed Mojave or Catalina :. Clicking Install won't actually install the software, but it will download the installer application to your Applications folder.
You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating system directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We will explain how it can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install old Mac OS X versions.
If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS X then jump to step 3 and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.
The one thing you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X you want. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it's fine to just pick up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.
USB ports problem on modified mac mini late 2006 - El Capitan install
Apple will send you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, so you will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it. If the old version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might be able to get it from developer. You may be able to access the Developer section of the website, but you will only be able to access certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Developer Program. If you haven't signed up as a Apple Developer, find out what that entails here. You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system.
If it's Tiger you are after, then it will cost a little more.