How to install OS X

Egon

Egon

Egon

Soldato
Joined
9 Jan 2003
Posts
6,801
Location
Darlington
Hi Everyone,

Wasn't sure whether to stick this in hardware or software.

Work are getting rid of a load of old Macbook Pros (about 5/6 years old) and I decided to take one off their hands. I'd like to wipe it and install the OS from scratch but not too sure where to start. I have next to zero experience with macs.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Not sure if I can get an older version for free (I doubt it, but never know) or if I will have to pay. There might even be an option to reset it somehow, there is an OS installed already but it's locked to our network.

Thanks for any help.
 
Mavericks should be available for free for that age of Macbook Pro.

The issue is if the current installed version has the App Store. The oldest OS X release with it is Snow Leopard 10.6.8.

You can buy SL from the Apple Store for about £15 on disc.
 
2Thumbs said:
Mavericks should be available for free for that age of Macbook Pro.

The issue is if the current installed version has the App Store. The oldest OS X release with it is Snow Leopard 10.6.8.

You can buy SL from the Apple Store for about £15 on disc.
Click to expand...

OK, so if I get a copy of snow leopard, can I wipe the drive and install a fresh copy?
 
Yup, put the disc in, restart the Mac. Keep pressing the C key on start up until it starts booting from the disc.

Then I believe (been a couple years since I've done it) you'll get a live-desktop style menu system. Go to disk manager, format the drive and install SL.

Then you want to update it to 10.6.8 to get the App Store, then download Mavericks and install that. Quite the time consuming process but worth it.
 
2GB is the minimum requirement. I'm running it on a 2008 2.4 Core2 with 4gb of ram and a HDD and it's fast enough it almost feels like it's running on an SSD. Lots of under-the-hood tweaks and speed enhancements with Mavericks.
 
Mavericks is 64bit only. I think you can find out if your CPU is 64bit from the terminal. The max 32bit can go to is 10.6.8 I think. So it may be worth checking before you download mavericks.
 
Thanks guys, confirmed in terminal it is 64bit as 2Thumbs said. Will try and get a copy of Snow Leopard then.

Are replacement batteries cheap to source as this one is totally shot!
 
If you're able to update 10.6.7 to 10.6.8 you'll get access to the App store, which in turn gives you access to download Mavericks. Negating the need to buy SL.

Click the Apple logo in the top left corner and click software update.
 
I've tried that. It won't let me, it's looking for an update server in our domain since it's an ex-work machine.

If I can get this back to a non-network state I might be able to do something.
 
This is proving to be a real headache. I managed to get a 10.6 disc from out network admin. But when I try and install I get a "can't install mac os x on this computer" message :(
 
  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
  3. Turn on the computer.
  4. Immediately press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears. Continue holding the keys down until the computer restarts, and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  5. Release the keys.
Resetting PRAM may change some system settings and preferences. Use System Preferences to restore your settings.
Click to expand...
Might be worth resetting the PRAM and failing that try swapping the internal hard drive and formatting.
 
EVH said:
Might be worth resetting the PRAM and failing that try swapping the internal hard drive and formatting.
Click to expand...

After a bit of reading apparently the grey discs are locked to the machine it came with. I need a retail copy.

I'll try resetting the PRAM, and see how it goes though.
 
Oh right, yes, you won't have much luck with the grey discs.

Legally, I don't know where you stand putting an image of OS X on a USB if you own a genuine copy of the disc. At least you could boot from the USB and update to Mavericks via the app store :cool:
 
EVH said:
Oh right, yes, you won't have much luck with the grey discs.

Legally, I don't know where you stand putting an image of OS X on a USB if you own a genuine copy of the disc. At least you could boot from the USB and update to Mavericks via the app store :cool:
Click to expand...

I've just purchased a copy of Snow Leopard for £14 anyway, don't mind at all at that price!

Interestingly I've brought the macbook into work today and connected it back to our network - after a few updates (mainly to 10.6.8) I have the option to upgrade to Mavericks. The problem is the macbook is still tied to our network in many ways which is why I want to just format and reinstall. If I stick Mavericks on it now will I still be able to format and role back to 10.6 when my disk comes?
 
If you download mavericks, within the package .app will be an installesd.DMG file, you can burn that image to a disk or USB and boot from it for a full reinstall. Lots of guides on it.
 
Last edited:
HecFam said:
If you download mavericks, within the package .app will be an installesd.DMG file, you can burn that image to a disk or USB and boot from it for a full reinstall. Lots of guides on it.
Click to expand...

This worked like a charm and was super easy to do. I could have saved myself £14 on Snow Leopard, too late now as it's already shipped.

Took a while to install but it's all looking good so far :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom