Get OS X back on Windows-installed MacBook Pro?

Discussion in 'Windows, Linux & Others on the Mac' started by iPhn4s, May 28, 2013.

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  1. iPhn4s, May 28, 2013

    iPhn4s macrumors newbie

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    #1
    Hi Guys!
    I recently bought a MacBook Pro from a friend of mine, only problem is that windows is installed and theres no OS X left on the computer..
    He said that he accedentally erased exactly everything on the computer and then he had to install windows because he didn't have any Snow Leopard Cd's.
    Now I'm wondering.. How can i get Snow Leopard back?
    Apparently you can't just put the disc in and install.. He said i need som kind of boot cd too.. :s

    Anyone who have any idea about how i can fix my problem?
    I've wanted an Apple computer ever since i was a kid and saw my first Apple computer.. Now that i finally have one i would like to have OS X on it too ^^
     
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  2. justperry, May 28, 2013

    justperry macrumors 604

    justperry

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    #2
    Macbook Pro what, specify Model Identifier.
    Do you have any CD/DVD or not?
     
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  3. iPhn4s, May 28, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #3
    I dont know which model it is.. :/ All i know is that it's either late 2010 or early 2011..

    No i don't have any CD's but i'm trying to find someone to borrow it from..
    Can i use a downloaded OS X CD?
     
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  4. justperry, May 28, 2013

    justperry macrumors 604

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    #4
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  5. iPhn4s, May 28, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #5
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  6. justperry, May 28, 2013
    Last edited: May 28, 2013

    justperry macrumors 604

    justperry

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    #6
    This Mac supports the latest OS which is Mountain Lion 10.8.x, the problem is though you can't buy the OS without having an Apple ID and without another Mac.
    You can still buy OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3, this is the minimum and it comes on DVD, that is, if you can't find the disks that came with the Mac.

    Edit: I don't think that MBP has it but maybe it has Recovery HD, if this is the case hold the Command-R at startup, see what it does, hold until an Apple Logo appears.
     
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  7. iPhn4s, May 28, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #7
    Okey.. i'll see if i can find snow leopard discs..
    And i'll try the thing with cmd+R now, i'll be back with answers :)
     
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  8. freeuser, May 28, 2013

    freeuser macrumors regular

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  9. iPhn4s, May 29, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #9
    So.. now i've formatted the HDD to FAT32 and the system preserved to exFAT.
    And i've downloaded Snow Leopard to a USB memory which i made able to install os x from.
    but when i try to install the Apple logo comes up with that spinning thing. but after a while the Apple logo becomes a circle with a line over, and the spinner keeps spinning..

    Any ideas guys?..
     
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  10. justperry, May 29, 2013

    justperry macrumors 604

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    #10
    Erm, THAT is NOT going to work, a mac needs HFS+ journaled and GUID partition scheme.
    But, you should really be more clear, how did you restore Snow Leopard to the USB, not copied did you.
     
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  11. iPhn4s, May 29, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #11
    Ok, sounds a little complicated ^^
    No i used something called TransMac to format the usb-stick and then "burned" it to the usb with the same program..
     
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  12. iPhn4s, May 29, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #12
    I think that it is hfs now. I found a guide that showed how to do it..
    Now i just need to find a way to get a working usb installation. Could it work by downloading the os or do I absolutely have to buy it or borrow it from someone?
     
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  13. justperry, May 29, 2013

    justperry macrumors 604

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    #13
    Should work.

    Restore the .DMG to the USB, then boot from it while holding the Option.
     
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  14. MJL, May 29, 2013

    MJL macrumors 6502a

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    #14
    if you have temporary access to another MAC then you can use it as a target disk and restore in that way. Alternatively have a time machine backup on some external drive / usb key and boot from that.

    You can always install an old version from DVD so you can get to the internet and Apple's Appstore and then buy Mountain Lion.

    By the way - nothing wrong with Windows on a MAC. I ran that for a while as only OS on the internal drive and had OS X on an external drive for backup (WinClone).
     
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  15. iPhn4s, May 29, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #15
    I'll look at it after work today. Thanks!

    ----------
    Yeah I had no problems or so exept the wireless network card was slow because I couldn't find the right drivers ^^
    But I want a Mac mostly for the music and video making softwares.. :)
     
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  16. iPhn4s, May 30, 2013

    iPhn4s thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #16
    YAAY!! I solved it! :D
    i downloaded mountain lion ISO file to the usb, formatted the HDD to HFS+ with TransMac, rebooted, made the HDD GUID partitioned in Disk Utility, and swoosch, it worked! :D

    Thanks guys for all your help! Couldn't have done it without you! :)
     
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  17. masaker514, Mar 15, 2014

    masaker514 macrumors newbie

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    #17
    I'm stuck in the same boat as you were. I am able to get the osx on the usb I formatted the hdd with Transmac I put the HDD in GUID but i'm not able to get it installed. Can you give me a walk through please.
     
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