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Complete Steps to Perform a Clean OS X Reinstall on Your MacBook Air

Comments about this process and question :

I did this. Thank you so much for posting this thread, couple of things to comment on :

1. OVERVIEW
MBAir System : 1.8/SSD
Connection : Remote Disc - via ethernet cable to host computer (G4 Quicksilver)
Formatted capacity (after clean reinstall) : 44.49 GB available (pre- OS 10.5.2 update)
Time : 70 minutes

2. SETUP / INSTALL SELECTIONS
- (added) : "Erase and Install" (clean install done)
- I installed the language fonts (not the language localizations)
- I removed iMovie, iDVD
- I installed iPhoto
- NO Printer Drivers (I figure I will add them later one-by-one as needed)
- PROBLEM : I was not able to "unselect" Garageband nor was I able to "select" iWeb (I did not want to do that - but I am just pointing out that the option was not available to me) - these were GREYED OUT

--> Did anyone else have this problem???


Last comment : I needed both discs, and unlike what is posted here, the host computer DID prompt me to insert disc 2 - actually, it promted me to eject disc 1 and insert disc 2 (no "auto eject" as others have mentioned)

-alf

ps : if anyone could comment about the garbageband issue I would appreciate it. TIA
 
alpinadvl said:
I did this. Thank you so much for posting this thread, couple of things to comment on :

PROBLEM : I was not able to "unselect" Garageband nor was I able to "select" iWeb (I did not want to do that - but I am just pointing out that the option was not available to me) - these were GREYED OUT

--> Did anyone else have this problem???

Last comment : I needed both discs, and unlike what is posted here, the host computer DID prompt me to insert disc 2 - actually, it promted me to eject disc 1 and insert disc 2 (no "auto eject" as others have mentioned)
Click to expand...

I had the same kind of weirdness with GarageBand and one other app (iMovie perhaps). I had to do this custom install twice (Migration Assistant bloated out my disc, so I had to start over), and each time I had the "greyed out" issue, but each time it was different apps that were greyed out. I worked around it by toggling all the apps on and off until I got the configuration I was looking for.

BTW, I too was prompted for the second install disk.
 
It's entirely possible that things might work a bit differently under Remote Disc. I have updated the steps in the original post to indicate that you may not be prompted for DVD #2.

As far as not being able to toggle GarageBand and iWeb, the only thing I can think of that would cause this is if you weren't performing a truly clean install. I can't stress enough how important it is that you either use Disk Utility to repartition/reformat your hard drive before proceeding with the installation or perform an Erase and Install. My preference is to go with the Disk Utility option, since that is the true "blank slate" clean installation. Not being an Apple programmer, I can't speak to exactly what an Erase and Install does; but I can assure you that repartitioning/reformatting your drive using Disk Utility will get you to a totally clean start state.
 
Getting Rid of Garageband (and other Apple Apps) :

I can attest that using AppZapper will remove Garageband completely

just make sure you change the preferences so that "Keep default apps safe" is not checked.

This will remove 1.01 GB of Garageband
 
clayj said:
It's entirely possible that things might work a bit differently under Remote Disc. I have updated the steps in the original post to indicate that you may not be prompted for DVD #2.

As far as not being able to toggle GarageBand and iWeb, the only thing I can think of that would cause this is if you weren't performing a truly clean install. I can't stress enough how important it is that you either use Disk Utility to repartition/reformat your hard drive before proceeding with the installation or perform an Erase and Install. My preference is to go with the Disk Utility option, since that is the true "blank slate" clean installation. Not being an Apple programmer, I can't speak to exactly what an Erase and Install does; but I can assure you that repartitioning/reformatting your drive using Disk Utility will get you to a totally clean start state.
Click to expand...

I did clean installs both times. Each time different apps were greyed out.
 
I did it between MBA 1.6/SSD and PC/Win XP using Airport method, and it went perfectly with no hassle and was fast.

Disk 1: 30 - 40min
Disk 2: 10 - 15min

and it propmt me to remove Disk 1 and insert Disk 2 and GarageBand and all those application were not greyed out, I was able to select/deselect them normally!
 
Maui19 said:
I did clean installs both times. Each time different apps were greyed out.
Click to expand...

You have to go into disk utility and format the drive, then do a clean install. Otherwise some apps are gonna be greyed out. ( You need to do steps 4-6 from the original post )
 
Hardware Test

I believe if you do not install the CPU help files you will be missing the "Hardware Test". You can still run this off the disc via remote reinstall OSX with the option key pressed. I wasn't able to bring up the hardware test holding D at boot until I added that package. Anyone care to confirm? No biggie but I think a bulk of that package is the Leopard PDF which you can delete and still have the hardware test built in with out having to use remote disc.
 
I am trying to do a clean install but can not get it to work. I have the install disk shared via my macbook pro, i restart the air, hold down option key, and eventually get to the point where i DO see the shared install disk up on my air screen. I select it and hit the arrow underneath it, but then nothing happens. The spinny thing just spins and spins for ever. Well, for 20 minutes or so. It never progresses to the screen where I see the various install options, the disk utility option, etc. Do I need to wait more than 20 minutes or can I assume there is some problem?
 
I have a question about what to expect if I do not install any printer drivers. What happens when I want to install a printer? Do I get prompted to find the driver? Or does it become problematic to even initiate the connection?

I have no problem downloading drivers as I need them if I could somehow get told which to download etc.

Anyone know what to expect? Many thanks!
 
I finally went through the process successfully, with one small hiccup:

I'd decided to let the consistency check run... why not be safe? When it was over and I looked back at the screen I had a "clean media" request prompt. The problem is, my external USB-CD drive (AC powered, not Superdrive) would not let me eject, I think OS-X installer was not letting it eject. The Installer then told me to clean it and then reboot to reinstall but I had to reboot without cleaning. The process started again and this time I just hit 'skip' when the consistency check started. The installation then proceeded with no problem and was over in 30min.

I regained about 7G. I opted out of the same things clayj did, except I left:

-Spanish language (I regret this: I didn't care for the menu translations, but I wanted the spellcheck dictionary and wasn't sure if they were connected; I know realize that those are completely separate and you still get them regardless)

-HP printer drivers (and a few other printer drivers I didn't need but were just ridiculously small ~10Mg).

I won't remove Alex voice or change my hibernation mode until I find myself at my upper storage limit. I'm off to download LaTeX and other goodies now...

Thanks clayj for a great post! :D

econ-mit

PS: after the personal effort to gain 7G, I'm still disturbed by the missing 4G in our SSD that is still unexplained by Apple:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/427947/
 
Can't get past step #2?

Am I the only idiot that can't get past the "hit the power button" step? (OK, stop laughing :)

I've tried every combination...

Let me back up.

I installed CD sharing, and trying to boot off a windows CD. I can connect to the drive, and have turned off "ask me before connecting."

I shut the MBA. I hit and hold the option key, I hit and release the power key (still holding the option key), and I get a picture of a hard drive, with an up arrow below it, and a list of wireless networks.

Disk 1 is in the PC.

I select the wireless network that the PC is on (the same one I tested on).

Now, my only option is to hit the "up arrow", which points at the hard disk. I hit the up-arrow, and I'm back at my normal desktop.

No blue screen, no menu to select language, no nebula, no installer...

Any ideas?

Thanks,

David
 
Went throught the process as described by clayj... Worked like a charm ! :)

Thanks for this great thread...
 
Update: Unable to get past step 2...

Hi,

So, I changed two things, and I'm now remotely booting...

1. I undocked my PC from the docking station
2. I ran the "Remote Install Mac OS" application from the boot CD on my PC before rebooting - maybe this was obvious... but it wasn't in the instructions!

Also, in case anyone else runs into similar situations... it seems I had to disconnect from the VPN I use for work, even though I use a split configuration, in order to access the remote disk. But, that I had figured out last night - just wanted to share.

David
 
djbressler said:
2. I ran the "Remote Install Mac OS" application from the boot CD on my PC before rebooting - maybe this was obvious... but it wasn't in the instructions!
Click to expand...
In my defense, I have never actually run through a Remote Disc OS reinstall myself... that's why the directions in that particular area are a little vague. They do say that you must have previously set up the Remote Disc functionality, though. ;)
 
Man I cannot get this to work. I'm trying to do this remotely. First problem is when I restart my MBA and select a wireless network my network does not show up. Luckily I can choose a free network. Choose the free network and the OSX disk shows up. I select it and then I get the apple screen with the rotating globe. Thats sits there for like 5 minutes and then I just get the apple logo on the grey screen. It's been sitting there for like 20 minutes with the apple logo and the spinning thing.

Any ideas??
 
kydee6039 said:
Man I cannot get this to work. I'm trying to do this remotely. First problem is when I restart my MBA and select a wireless network my network does not show up. Luckily I can choose a free network. Choose the free network and the OSX disk shows up. I select it and then I get the apple screen with the rotating globe. Thats sits there for like 5 minutes and then I just get the apple logo on the grey screen. It's been sitting there for like 20 minutes with the apple logo and the spinning thing.

Any ideas??
Click to expand...
You might want to give it more time.

Also, if your WiFi network is secured (password-protected), you may want to temporarily remove the password... using your network should be faster than borrowing a neighbor's network. And check to see if the DVD drive is actually doing anything... don't eject the disk, but see if you can tell if it's actually reading the disc.

And did I mention that you might want to give it more time? Even if you are installing from a SuperDrive, the whirly "processing" thing can go for several minutes. Streaming over a network, it might take even longer.
 
Finally it kicked in BUT it just takes me back to my homescreen??? I thought it would take me to where I can install OSX??

Am I missing something??
 
I also noticed that when I it logs in it goes back to my network rather than the free one. Something that should be so easy is really turning into a pain in the ass!!

Any suggestions.
 
kydee6039 said:
I also noticed that when I it logs in it goes back to my network rather than the free one. Something that should be so easy is really turning into a pain in the ass!!

Any suggestions.
Click to expand...
Well, here's what Apple says:

To use Remote Install Mac OS X:
  1. Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 into the optical disc drive of the other computer.
  2. If the other computer is a Mac, open /Applications/Utilities/Remote Install Mac OS X. On Windows, choose "Remote Install Mac OS X" from the Install Assistant.
  3. Read the introduction and click Continue.
  4. Choose the install disc you want to use, and click Continue.
  5. Choose a network connection: AirPort, if you are using an AirPort network, or Ethernet, if the other computer is on an Ethernet network and you have an optional Apple USB Ethernet Adapter connecting your MacBook Air to the same network. Click Continue.
  6. Restart your MacBook Air and hold down the Option key as it starts up, until you see a list of available startup disks.
  7. Click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.
  8. If you chose AirPort as your network in step 5, on your MacBook Air choose your AirPort network from the pop-up list.
    If the network is secure, you are prompted for a password. You can enter a private network name by choosing the ellipsis (...) and typing the name.
  9. If you chose AirPort as your network in step 5, when you see the AirPort status icon indicating signal strength, click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.
Step 6 is critical. If you don't hold down the Option key until the list of startup disks appears, you will not get the menu. I'd recommend holding it down until you actually see the OS X Installer.

As I said, I'd also recommend temporarily removing security/passwords from your WiFi network so that you can use it, rather than your neighbor's.
 
okay - i'm holding option as i type on another computer. so far - i'm stuck on the rotating globe screen - but still holding!!

something i just noticed - before it went to the grey screen with just the apple logo for a split second there was a grey outlined circle with a diagonal line through it - and then it just boots back to my homescreen??
 
kydee6039 said:
okay - i'm holding option as i type on another computer. so far - i'm stuck on the rotating globe screen - but still holding!!

something i just noticed - before it went to the grey screen with just the apple logo for a split second there was a grey outlined circle with a diagonal line through it - and then it just boots back to my homescreen??
Click to expand...
Not knowing exactly what the image was, it sounds like it could have represented a failure to connect to the DVD, maybe because of the network you were using. That might explain why you ended up at the usual OS X desktop.
 
Why not make your lives simpler and just buy the nice little MacBook Air external Superdrive? IMHO all of this messing around with the remote disc dealie, which probably wasn't ever meant to do something such as reinstalling the entire OS, is just wasting your time. I'm sure that Apple didn't intend for people to be using a neighbor's wireless connection, either. Just buy (or borrow) the Superdrive, reinstall your OS and go on from there......
 
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