Replacing the HD in a MacBook and OS clean install

[davmat787]

I have been asked to replace a hard drive in a MacBook, and then put a clean install of the latest OS on it for a business acquaintance of a good friend.

Problem is I am completely new to the Apple world, even though I have been using and/or building computers/servers since Commodore 64 days. I have performed this exact same task for Windows PC's countless times.

So, will the following work?

- buy latest MacOS disc from local Apple Store
- pull out faulty HD, install new HD
- attach USB CDRom drive with latest OS disc
- boot to OS disc, perform clean install

If that will not work, what am I missing?

Also, I see MacBooks often referred to as "Spring 2013" or "Fall 2011" model. How can I determine which edition MacBook I am working on? I believe I need to do that to ensure the latest MacOS will be compatible.

If anyone can assist or has additional info I should be aware of, I am eternally greatful. I can't get into the OS of course, but I am very impressed with the build of the machine, it is a sexy laptop for sure.

Thanks a ton!

 

[Childs]

If the machine is recent you can do a network restore, which will install a fresh version of the OS.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

You can check the machine by using System Profiler/System Information. Just go to the Apple in the file menu, then select "About This Mac" and click on "More Info...". That will give you the exact model number, something like MacBookPro8,2.

You probably wont have to buy anything, assuming he was running 10.7 or later. You might need his Apple ID to verify he can download the OS. So just go into recovery, use Disk Utility to reformat the drive, then install the OS. Once it installs and reboots, you will be in the new user setup. At that point you can just Shutdown from the file menu and you friend can set it up how he wants.

 

[davmat787]

If the machine is recent you can do a network restore, which will install a fresh version of the OS.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

You can check the machine by using System Profiler/System Information. Just go to the Apple in the file menu, then select "About This Mac" and click on "More Info...". That will give you the exact model number, something like MacBookPro8,2.

You probably wont have to buy anything, assuming he was running 10.7 or later. You might need his Apple ID to verify he can download the OS. So just go into recovery, use Disk Utility to reformat the drive, then install the OS. Once it installs and reboots, you will be in the new user setup. At that point you can just Shutdown from the file menu and you friend can set it up how he wants.

Perhaps my OP was not clear, but the HD is toast. The owner wants a larger HD regardless.

Thank you for the reply anyway, but given the HD needs to be replaced do you have any further suggestions? Thanks.

 

[manly]

Apple hasn't pressed OS discs in a few years. The latest OS X is compatible with machines going back roughly 5.5 years so I wouldn't worry too much about compatibility.

Unfortunately if Internet Recovery as Childs suggested isn't viable (looks like only the newest Macs have this), you'll need access to another Mac where you can download the OS X installer and write it to a USB thumb drive (8 GB minimum).

 

[davmat787]

Apple hasn't pressed OS discs in a few years. The latest OS X is compatible with machines going back roughly 5.5 years so I wouldn't worry too much about compatibility.

Unfortunately if Internet Recovery as Childs suggested isn't viable (looks like only the newest Macs have this), you'll need access to another Mac where you can download the OS X installer and write it to a USB thumb drive (8 GB minimum).

No way to simply download an .iso? Hmm, can I download the OS X installer and make a bootable USB drive on a Windows PC?

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[davmat787]

Looks like the mavericks.app file (did I get that right? I am a total Apple noob here) is 5.2 gigs, too big for a DVD burn. But, I found easy enough to follow instructions on how to make a bootable USB Thumb Drive!

Awesome! Except it must be made from another Mac, which I don't have. Anyone know where I can download that file directly, if that would work?

PS: What do Mac users do when they need to replace a failed HD or want to upgrade? Seems like obtaining the media to do so is somewhat more troublesome than it should be. Of course, I don't know if new machines come with a disc, and a good user would make a backup or media before they ran into problems. Not trying to bash Apple at all, just curious as I think I am missing something here.

 

[manly]

If you get the bootable DMG from the installer app, maybe something like this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/102983/how-to-convert-dmg-files-to-iso-files-on-windows/

Good question about what protocol people follow. Unfortunately besides Internet Recovery on newer Macs, there doesn't seem to be a clear standard. For many years, Macs shipped with restore discs but that stopped once optical drives became obsolete and OS X distribution moved online. You don't need any media when you're upgrading, the installer app will take care of things.

As you alluded to, the smart thing to do is to have an appropriate bootable OS X setup thumb drive on hand. But Apple hardly encourages this, so most users probably don't know they need one until they need one.

 

[TheStu]

Looks like the mavericks.app file (did I get that right? I am a total Apple noob here) is 5.2 gigs, too big for a DVD burn. But, I found easy enough to follow instructions on how to make a bootable USB Thumb Drive!

Awesome! Except it must be made from another Mac, which I don't have. Anyone know where I can download that file directly, if that would work?

PS: What do Mac users do when they need to replace a failed HD or want to upgrade? Seems like obtaining the media to do so is somewhat more troublesome than it should be. Of course, I don't know if new machines come with a disc, and a good user would make a backup or media before they ran into problems. Not trying to bash Apple at all, just curious as I think I am missing something here.

If your Mac is at most 3 years old (such as my 2010 MacBook Air), then you can use Internet Recovery. You can check the bottom of the system for the model number, that will tell us what version it is, and if it supports that.

If it does, then you can put in the new, bare drive, and start the recovery. It will connect to the internet, and download the most recent OS for which that system is authorized (so, even though 10.8 Mavericks is out, if the last OS on that Mac was 10.6, then 10.6 will download).

Check the bottom and get the model number, we can go from there.

 

[davmat787]

In my Apple Noobness I may have confused things.

My problem boils down to this: How do I obtain the files needed to create a bootable USB thumb drive when I don't have a working Mac?

If a neighbor had one, I could create one there so I don't think piracy is an issue here and Apple freely distributes the software. So I don't think it would be against the rules to download an image of USB bootable thumb drive that I could create in Windows.

I don't have a paypal account, but if someone can figure out how I can create a bootable thumb drive, I will mail/email whatever a token of thanks. Only fair since I am being (somewhat) compensated for my efforts.

Again, thanks for all the help, once I have a bootable USB thumb drive I am homefree.

 

[davmat787]

If your Mac is at least 3 years old (such as my 2010 MacBook Air), then you can use Internet Recovery. You can check the bottom of the system for the model number, that will tell us what version it is, and if it supports that.

If it does, then you can put in the new, bare drive, and start the recovery. It will connect to the internet, and download the most recent OS for which that system is authorized (so, even though 10.8 Mavericks is out, if the last OS on that Mac was 10.6, then 10.6 will download).

Check the bottom and get the model number, we can go from there.

It a late 2008 unibody model, but how do I access Internet Recovery? I assume power on and press some key to access boot options? Which key if that is the case?

Thanks a ton.

 

[Childs]

Perhaps my OP was not clear, but the HD is toast. The owner wants a larger HD regardless.

Thank you for the reply anyway, but given the HD needs to be replaced do you have any further suggestions? Thanks.

Its the same thing, install a new hard drive, Apple-R to go into recovery mode and install over the internet. That link I posted earlier should have more details. Otherwise, you can get an install dmg from the internet and restore it to a flash drive, then install that way.

 

[TheStu]

It a late 2008 unibody model, but how do I access Internet Recovery? I assume power on and press some key to access boot options? Which key if that is the case?

Thanks a ton.

Yea, I don't think that the '08 supported it. But, stick in the new drive, turn on the system and then hold command+R, and if that doesn't work, then it doesn't support it.

Do you have an Apple store near you? You could always take it in to them (or trying using their macs to set up the thumb drive).

 

[davmat787]

Yea, I don't think that the '08 supported it. But, stick in the new drive, turn on the system and then hold command+R, and if that doesn't work, then it doesn't support it.

Do you have an Apple store near you? You could always take it in to them (or trying using their macs to set up the thumb drive).

Yes, there is one nearby in Bellevue, WA. So you think they would let me make a thumb drive there? If so, I will be right in the area tomorrow anyway, and that would solve this problem.

 

[TheStu]

Yes, there is one nearby in Bellevue, WA. So you think they would let me make a thumb drive there? If so, I will be right in the area tomorrow anyway, and that would solve this problem.

Just take everything with you. You may want to make an appt with the genius unless you want to just try making the thumbdrive on one of their systems.

I guess that we never asked... your friend, they threw away everything that came with the system? A 2008 Mac would have come with a recovery disc that you could use to at least restore it to whatever it shipped with.

 

[davmat787]

Just take everything with you. You may want to make an appt with the genius unless you want to just try making the thumbdrive on one of their systems.

I guess that we never asked... your friend, they threw away everything that came with the system? A 2008 Mac would have come with a recovery disc that you could use to at least restore it to whatever it shipped with.

No recovery disc unfortunately, he said it was purchased used several years ago. I am trying to find an .iso of a recovery disc, that is another option. Thanks.

 

[Koing]

No recovery disc unfortunately, he said it was purchased used several years ago. I am trying to find an .iso of a recovery disc, that is another option. Thanks.

You can buy Snow Leopard (10.6.8) for like $20 at the online apple store. I doubt the apple store has a copy in stock

From there, if your Macbook supports 64bit you can download Mavericks for free using the app store from the Macbook. Mine doesn't so I'm stuck on Snow Leopard.

I can see the issue if your HD fails how can you get in to the OS to update or install the new OS if you don't have any cds?!

It reminds me to make a clone of the HD if I get a new Macbook Pro.

Koing

 

[TheStu]

You can buy Snow Leopard (10.6.8) for like $20 at the online apple store. I doubt the apple store has a copy in stock

From there, if your Macbook supports 64bit you can download Mavericks for free using the app store from the Macbook. Mine doesn't so I'm stuck on Snow Leopard.

I can see the issue if your HD fails how can you get in to the OS to update or install the new OS if you don't have any cds?!

It reminds me to make a clone of the HD if I get a new Macbook Pro.

Koing

For a new MBP, you would use internet recovery. Cloning is faster, especially if you have no/slow internet.

 

[Koing]

For a new MBP, you would use internet recovery. Cloning is faster, especially if you have no/slow internet.

Internet recovery works with a fresh HD with nothing on it?

Koing

 

[TheStu]

Internet recovery works with a fresh HD with nothing on it?

Koing

It certainly works on a HD with nothing on it. I did it on my MacBook Air at one point.

 

[KeithP]

You can buy Snow Leopard (10.6.8) for like $20 at the online apple store. I doubt the apple store has a copy in stock

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC...6-snow-leopard

Ships in 24 hours so I assume that means it is in stock. Definitely the way to go.

-KeithP

 

[Koing]

It certainly works on a HD with nothing on it. I did it on my MacBook Air at one point.

Sounds good to me then. I guess it has enough flash memory onboard to boot in to it's barebones OS to get to Internet Recovery mode.

I think I'll go with a clone of the SSD when it's all new and keep that safe. I have enough spare HD kicking about that are doing nothing.

Koing

 

[davmat787]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC...6-snow-leopard

Ships in 24 hours so I assume that means it is in stock. Definitely the way to go.

-KeithP

This is what I will do then, plus the guy will have a hard copy of the OS for any future problems. Thanks.

It certainly works on a HD with nothing on it. I did it on my MacBook Air at one point.

Wow, that is really slick. It looks like the unit I am working on is just a little too old to have this feature, too bad as it would have saved me and the owner a lot of time.

Thanks to all for the help, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Koing]

This is what I will do then, plus the guy will have a hard copy of the OS for any future problems. Thanks.



Wow, that is really slick. It looks like the unit I am working on is just a little too old to have this feature, too bad as it would have saved me and the owner a lot of time.

Thanks to all for the help, I greatly appreciate it.

I'm on an old skool white unibody macbook from 2008 so no Internet Recovery

Koing

 

[Childs]

I was looking at something else and came across this:

OS X Recovery Disk Assistant.

It appears to allow the Internet Recovery if your machine didn't support it.