Formating your Leopard

[Khajak]

Hi all,

I got my new Macbook Pro (Leopard) and i started playing with it to see its new features and also instaled lot of softwares.

The problem is now that something is not right with the unit, maybe becuase i moved most of the installed files and for some other reasons.

How can i format my laptop so i'll start all over again from zero, just like i first bought it (fresh)????? and can i use the CDs that comes with my laptop??

Thanks,

[DeltaMac]

Yes, that's one of the reasons that Apple supplies those restore DVDs, so you can just wipe it all, and restore your system to original if you want, or need to.
Put Disk 1 in your drive, and reboot, holding the letter C
You will see a screen asking your to choose a language, so click Continue. When you see a screen to select your disk, click the Options button. Then Click the choice to Erase the hard drive. That will be the bottom choice on that screen. Click continue, then continue on with the install. It will take 30 minutes or so, then asks for the disk #2. When complete, your MacBook Pro will be back to the same as it was when you took it out of the box.

Just a suggestion - There will be exceptions to this, but if you don't know what something does, and it's part of the original software, don't move it from it's original location.
If you have major questions, you can always come back here before you get yourself into another jam... Someone will try to help you out.

[Khajak]

Thanks alot DeltaMac, you were really quick and helpfull.

But what about the suggestion thing, can you please give me an explanation about it? what do you mean by moving from the original location??

Thanks again.

[Rhisiart]

If you try to move folders or files from the folder called System, you will be asked to give permission by putting in your password. These folders and files shouldn't be moved unless you really know what you are doing. They are best left alone.

You can move folders or files anywhere else on your laptop, but I wouldn't move anything unless I knew exactly what it is, what it is for, and more importantly, why you feel the need to move it.

For example, I wouldn't move any applications (programmes) out of the Applications Folder, unless it was to the trash can if I wanted to get rid of it.

[fryke]

Basically, do *not* move stuff around. You're free to move your own files to and from the Desktop folder or within the Documents folder etc., but you shouldn't *ever* move/rename/delete folders generated by the system. Search this forum for threads called "HELP! I renamed my home folder now I can't login!" and similar to see the havoc you're creating.

[Khajak]

wow, thanks alot guys, you are really helpful.

I formated my Pro and everything is back to normal, exept, i cant see my iLife again.

It was installed when i first bought my MacBook Pro and as you know it also sais on the box that its included.

But after the formating, its gone, its not there.

Is there a way to get it back?? or do i have to buy the software??? Help please.

[DeltaMac]

If you installed from a black disk (for Leopard), then iLife is not included with OS X, but is on the bundle that needs to be installed from your original restore disks.
Just to make sure, that will be on the grey DVDs that shipped with your MacBook Pro.
You can reinstall just the bundled software - that's the original iLife plus some others that you mentioned.
Insert your restore DVD, and run the Installer, I think it's called Other software, or Optional software - I don't have one here to look at.
You don't need to reboot your system, just run the installer for that other software.

[Khajak]

Wow, thanks alot guys, its done now and its better than ever, thanks to you.