2009 Macbook Pro memory wipe

[g.t. rags]

I want to wipe the software clean and start fresh..... do i need disk to reinstall OSX because it originally did in 09, or can i do a fresh install via wifi

i bought the computer second hand and the original owner gave me a bootleg copy of lion.... which i lost about 2 years ago

 

[Intell]

Your Macbook is too old to do an Internet Recovery. You will need either the original restore discs or a Snow Leopard retail installation disc or a bootable USB drive with 10.7+ on it.

 

[g.t. rags]

any idea where i can get any of said items?

 

[CanadaRAM]

You can order Snow Leopard DVDs from the Apple store online, just search for Snow Leopard. About $30.00 Then you can download and install 10.9 if you feel like it.

 

[DeltaMac]

Snow Leopard is actually $20US

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Once you have Snow Leopard installed, then update that to 10.6.8 - Your MBPro can run Mavericks, and you can download that for free.

Or, you have other Macs where you can download the Mavericks installer.
Use that installer to make a bootable USB flash drive (You can find 8GB flash drive for less than $10, if you look for them) There's various instructions on the net to do that - or download a free utility, such as DiskmakerX, which will do the job very neatly. http://diskmakerx.com

Or - if you need to stay with Lion for some reason, that's also available at the Apple store, again for $20.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion
That will get you a redemption code that you use at the App Store to download the Lion installer. Again, that DiskmakerX will use that installer to create the bootable installer for Lion. I've got 8GB flash sticks with each OS X version. They are handy to keep around. (and don't get damaged in a drawer like some of my old installer DVDs 😀 )