Best way to ReFormat my MacBook Pro ?

fab5freddy · May 23, 2007, 05:00 PM

What is the best way to ReFormat my MacBook Pro ?
I currently have 60 GB of Apps and other stuff, and want to
do a clean install of my entire harddrive....

can i just move all my apps over to an external harddrive and then put them back on after my re install ?
Will i have to re type in all the serials for photoshop and dreamweaver, etc....?

cheers, FF

mad jew · May 24, 2007, 07:01 PM

Boot from the OSX discs and use Disk Utility to reformat your drive. However, why do you want to do this? Reformatting involves erasing everything, so you're kinda just asking for trouble.

CanadaRAM · May 24, 2007, 07:06 PM

Some apps, mostly small and simple ones, can be moved and replaced. Some require re-serializing or reinstallation from the original disks.
Some will not work if you don't know all of the locations that they store necessary Library items, authorization files, support files etc. and you fail to bring over the right components.

skybolt · May 25, 2007, 10:30 AM

Not knowing why you want/need to reformat, but suggest you try Archive & Install (and click on "save user preferences" - or whatever it actually says)-- that will preserve your apps, preferences, etc. and you should not have any problems. My understanding is that it is the same as regular formatting, but when you archive, you save your apps etc. Maybe this would do what you want to do?

fab5freddy · May 25, 2007, 04:13 PM

the reason i want to re format my macbook pro, is because
it is running really sluggish as i have installed alot of junk on it
in the last 14 months!

my main concern is CS3, Capture One Pro, Dreamweaver, Transmit, and a few other apps. Do i need the original DMG install file to re install ?

than ks

eyebeaz · May 25, 2007, 05:22 PM

DMG install file? You will need the original discs.

mad jew · May 25, 2007, 06:23 PM

Yeah, you need OSX discs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skybolt

Not knowing why you want/need to reformat, but suggest you try Archive & Install (and click on "save user preferences" - or whatever it actually says)-- that will preserve your apps, preferences, etc. and you should not have any problems. My understanding is that it is the same as regular formatting, but when you archive, you save your apps etc. Maybe this would do what you want to do?

Apple has an article on the Archive & Install. It doesn't reformat your drive. It installs a new system which replaces your old system files, but leaves your personal files and settings untouched.

psychofreak · May 25, 2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fab5freddy

my main concern is CS3, Capture One Pro, Dreamweaver, Transmit, and a few other apps. Do i need the original DMG install file to re install ?

Drag them to an external HD from the Applications folder

DieboldM · Oct 8, 2009, 08:22 PM

Hey, I know it seems pretty simple to reformat, but I put in my Leopard disk and attempt the boot from disk and my disk will not let me install the OS. Am I doing something wrong? Can someone please help...

Also Im attempting to wipe everything off my drive and start fresh if that matters....

jlynn628 · Nov 19, 2009, 12:25 PM

I am also having a similar problem. My MBP is running slow and sluggish. It was bought in april 2007 and has been a great machine. I remember when it took less than 45 seconds to start up. But now after 2 1/2 years and lots of extra software and assorted junk it is slow.

I also have thought to reformat and start fresh but also am concerned about adobe CS3. I do have the original disks and serial numbers and all that stuff but have already installed it on a 2nd computer and am wondering if I will have trouble reinstalling on my MBP. If I remember correctly Adobe CS3 can only be installed on 2 computers correct?

ChrisA · Nov 19, 2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fab5freddy

What is the best way to ReFormat my MacBook Pro ?

Why? Erasing everything and then putting it all back will get you exactly where you are right now.

Do you have a problem? If so ask about how to fix it.

jlynn628 · Nov 24, 2009, 12:38 PM

Why? Erasing everything and then putting it all back will get you exactly where you are right now.

Do you have a problem? If so ask about how to fix it.

I can't speak for the person who started this thread. However, I do not intend to put back all that I erase, only the main software that I use now and the current files that I am working with.

Over the years I have installed a ton of programs, many of which were not really what I was looking for and don't use or even remember what they do. Also, I have changed many settings in all programs and OS. This was my first mac and I still don't fully understand all the settings or how to restore to the original state.

I could ask how can I improve my MBP's speed or something similar however it is a vague question and would take all day to list all of the possible factors for the loss in speed.

My question is- for the software that has been installed and that I would like to reinstall

Adobe CS3 master collection
Final Cut hd
Microsoft office 2004
Visual Hub - (no longer available so I am very concerned)

This may seem like a silly question, but when the software is registered, the serial number for the computer is registered right? so that as long as i am reinstalling on the same computer I will not have a problem right?

Terrifiedz · May 30, 2010, 03:40 AM

Wow... why do everybody have that problem...Ok me too =.= Does anyone have a simple solution of just reformatting a MBP so that it goes back to its factory settings without all the apps and add-ons and blahs ?

matthk · Oct 12, 2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychofreak

Drag them to an external HD from the Applications folder

Do NOT do this. It'll work for some, but anything licensed will have problems.
Also, you'll lose all your preferences and settings.

May 23, 2007, 05:00 PM	#1
fab5freddy Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heaven or Hell	Best way to ReFormat my MacBook Pro ? What is the best way to ReFormat my MacBook Pro ? I currently have 60 GB of Apps and other stuff, and want to do a clean install of my entire harddrive.... can i just move all my apps over to an external harddrive and then put them back on after my re install ? Will i have to re type in all the serials for photoshop and dreamweaver, etc....? cheers, FF
	0

May 24, 2007, 07:01 PM	#2
mad jew Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Adelaide, Australia	Boot from the OSX discs and use Disk Utility to reformat your drive. However, why do you want to do this? Reformatting involves erasing everything, so you're kinda just asking for trouble. __________________ Some things are better mad...
	0

May 24, 2007, 07:06 PM	#3
CanadaRAM Contributor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: On the Left Coast - Victoria BC Canada	Some apps, mostly small and simple ones, can be moved and replaced. Some require re-serializing or reinstallation from the original disks. Some will not work if you don't know all of the locations that they store necessary Library items, authorization files, support files etc. and you fail to bring over the right components. __________________ Expert Ex = former, no longer. Spurt = a leak, esp. when caused by water pressure. Expert = a has-been drip under pressure.
	0

May 25, 2007, 10:30 AM	#4
skybolt macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville, TN, USA	Not knowing why you want/need to reformat, but suggest you try Archive & Install (and click on "save user preferences" - or whatever it actually says)-- that will preserve your apps, preferences, etc. and you should not have any problems. My understanding is that it is the same as regular formatting, but when you archive, you save your apps etc. Maybe this would do what you want to do? __________________ Mary
	0

Oct 8, 2009, 08:22 PM	#9
DieboldM macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2009	Reformatting Macbook Pro Hey, I know it seems pretty simple to reformat, but I put in my Leopard disk and attempt the boot from disk and my disk will not let me install the OS. Am I doing something wrong? Can someone please help... Also Im attempting to wipe everything off my drive and start fresh if that matters....
	0

May 25, 2007, 04:13 PM	#5
fab5freddy Thread Starter Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heaven or Hell	the reason i want to re format my macbook pro, is because it is running really sluggish as i have installed alot of junk on it in the last 14 months! my main concern is CS3, Capture One Pro, Dreamweaver, Transmit, and a few other apps. Do i need the original DMG install file to re install ? than ks
	0

May 25, 2007, 05:22 PM	#6
eyebeaz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2006	DMG install file? You will need the original discs.
	0

Nov 19, 2009, 12:25 PM	#10
jlynn628 macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2008	similar issue I am also having a similar problem. My MBP is running slow and sluggish. It was bought in april 2007 and has been a great machine. I remember when it took less than 45 seconds to start up. But now after 2 1/2 years and lots of extra software and assorted junk it is slow. I also have thought to reformat and start fresh but also am concerned about adobe CS3. I do have the original disks and serial numbers and all that stuff but have already installed it on a 2nd computer and am wondering if I will have trouble reinstalling on my MBP. If I remember correctly Adobe CS3 can only be installed on 2 computers correct?
	0

Nov 24, 2009, 12:38 PM	#12
jlynn628 macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2008	Why? Erasing everything and then putting it all back will get you exactly where you are right now. Do you have a problem? If so ask about how to fix it. I can't speak for the person who started this thread. However, I do not intend to put back all that I erase, only the main software that I use now and the current files that I am working with. Over the years I have installed a ton of programs, many of which were not really what I was looking for and don't use or even remember what they do. Also, I have changed many settings in all programs and OS. This was my first mac and I still don't fully understand all the settings or how to restore to the original state. I could ask how can I improve my MBP's speed or something similar however it is a vague question and would take all day to list all of the possible factors for the loss in speed. My question is- for the software that has been installed and that I would like to reinstall Adobe CS3 master collection Final Cut hd Microsoft office 2004 Visual Hub - (no longer available so I am very concerned) This may seem like a silly question, but when the software is registered, the serial number for the computer is registered right? so that as long as i am reinstalling on the same computer I will not have a problem right?
	0

May 30, 2010, 03:40 AM	#13
Terrifiedz macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2010	Like... do you have a simple solution? Wow... why do everybody have that problem...Ok me too =.= Does anyone have a simple solution of just reformatting a MBP so that it goes back to its factory settings without all the apps and add-ons and blahs ?
	0

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