Format MacBook Air and reinstall Leopard?

hogweed · Apr 8, 2009, 05:48 AM

I've done a search, but couldn't find how to do this, sorry. I want to wipe a MacBook Air completely and install from scratch using the original restore disks. Trouble is... yes, there’s no optical drive. Can I just attach a USB DVD drive (from a PC, not a Mac), hold down C when booting, and proceed as with (say) a normal MacBook?

Thanks as always...

Bacong · Apr 8, 2009, 05:50 AM

If you have a USB DVD drive that works, just connect that and insert the disc. The DVD will show up on your desktop, click it, and install Mac OS X. It'll ask you to reboot, and then follow the instructions based on what you want to do.

Matek · Apr 8, 2009, 05:51 AM

Yup, the external optical drive should probably work. Other options are Remote Disc or installing OS X from an external hard drive, if you have one.

hogweed · Apr 8, 2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacong

If you have a USB DVD drive that works, just connect that and insert the disc. The DVD will show up on your desktop, click it, and install Mac OS X. It'll ask you to reboot, and then follow the instructions based on what you want to do.

Thanks all - I do the "Disk Utilities" - Erase option first. Can I still do that if I start from the desktop? I usually boot off the DVD...

The Mook · Apr 8, 2009, 08:06 AM

you kdont need to do the dick utilities erase option when you boot from dvd and are selecting options to install there is a button on the lower left i think its called options click that and choose the erase and install option.

Apr 8, 2009, 05:48 AM	#1
hogweed macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2009	Format MacBook Air and reinstall Leopard? I've done a search, but couldn't find how to do this, sorry. I want to wipe a MacBook Air completely and install from scratch using the original restore disks. Trouble is... yes, there’s no optical drive. Can I just attach a USB DVD drive (from a PC, not a Mac), hold down C when booting, and proceed as with (say) a normal MacBook? Thanks as always...
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Apr 8, 2009, 05:50 AM	#2
Bacong macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Westland, Michigan	If you have a USB DVD drive that works, just connect that and insert the disc. The DVD will show up on your desktop, click it, and install Mac OS X. It'll ask you to reboot, and then follow the instructions based on what you want to do. __________________ iPhone 5 16gb White Nexus 7 Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop
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Apr 8, 2009, 05:51 AM	#3
Matek macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007	Yup, the external optical drive should probably work. Other options are Remote Disc or installing OS X from an external hard drive, if you have one.
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Apr 8, 2009, 08:06 AM	#5
The Mook macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boston, MA	you kdont need to do the dick utilities erase option when you boot from dvd and are selecting options to install there is a button on the lower left i think its called options click that and choose the erase and install option.
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