What are you trying to do? If you still have a valid recovery partition, boot into it (Cmd-R) and choose the option to reinstall Lion. It will recreate the OS partition and download and install Lion. If your recovery partition is corrupted, the MBA firmware will detect this and first prompt you to connect to a WLAN. It will then boot a recovery system from the Apple servers, from which you can proceed with the installation as described above.Ahh, never mind. I just saw the link. All I can say is I tried that and it didn't do anything for me.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
does new MBA come with a thumb drive to reformat?
- Thread starter unlimitedx
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The recovery partition was wiped out by an ill fated button push in Windows Disk Management. When I rebooted, the only thing left was a corrupt Windows 7 install. I held down the option key but didn't hit Cmd-R. You have to excuse my noobness, but this is my first Mac.
When do I hit the Cmd-R? I already had the MBA replaced but I am interested in learning how to access that menu!
Just press and hold Cmd & R while booting. After 30 seconds or so you will get into the recovery system (which is essentially a stripped-down mini version of Mac OS with only a number of system utilities like the OS installer and disk utility).
Rigby, you are a lifesaver! Too bad I didn't know this yesterday, or i would have tried it before I went to the Apple store. Are these utilities that come up resident in the hard drive do you know, or are they part of some firmware? It lets me do the restore from a Time Machine or reinstall Lion. Excellent piece of information!!!
Thank you! Today is a good day. I learned something new (and useful).