Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Resolved How to do a Clean install of Mountain Lion on Mountain Lion

P

phr33k

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 22, 2012
19
0
Hi guys,

This may seem like a dumb question, but I have been searching for ages and can't get what I need. I used cmd-r and reinstalled OSX 10.8 from there, but i didn't realise it wasn't a clean install. All my apps and files are still there.

My Air cam with Mountain Lion preinstalled, so how to I download it to do a totally clean install without paying for it in the mac app store as I don't fancy paying for it again? Or it it possible to do a clean install from the cmd-r?

I really appreciate and help.

David
 
Last edited:
Follow these steps:

First you need to create a bootable install copy of ML using :
http://www.cultofmac.com/180518/sin...on-diskmaker-gets-os-x-mountain-lion-support/

You need a USB stick of 8GB Minimum.

There are two ways to perform the install. One is destructive ( all files and data will be erased) To do it that way, boot your Mac whilst holding "OPTION" then enter Disk Utility and format your HDD. Reboot whilst holding OPTION again with the USB stick connected and choose "EFI Boot" then install from there .

The non destructive method is the same, just skip the format hdd step. Boot holding OPTION and choose EFI boot. This method will not remove your files and apps.
 
Thanks for your reply. Can I just ask you, where will I get the install file from?
 
phr33k said:
Thanks for your reply. Can I just ask you, where will I get the install file from?
Click to expand...

1) Download a copy of ML and put it on your hdd

2) Run the app in the link i post, it will find the copy of ML and create the bootable USB stick for you ( stick needs to be connected)

Once created, follow the steps I posted to re-install.
 
Ok Thanks. Where will I get a copy of mountain lion? My air came with it reinstalled, so it says "buy" in the mac app store? is there anyway to get it?
 
phr33k said:
Ok Thanks. Where will I get a copy of mountain lion? My air came with it reinstalled, so it says "buy" in the mac app store? is there anyway to get it?
Click to expand...

If you bought a brand new Mac with Mountain Lion pre-installed you should be able to download it again from the MAS. Contact Apple and they should be able to sort it out.
 
Ok i will. I was justa bit wary of clicking "buy", and being charged for it and I already have it
 
phr33k said:
Ok Thanks. Where will I get a copy of mountain lion? My air came with it reinstalled, so it says "buy" in the mac app store? is there anyway to get it?
Click to expand...

If your Mac came with ML, you did not buy it from the App store so it won't show up there. If you click "buy" you are going to get charged for it.

You can just do a command-r boot to recovery and erase Macintosh HD then install ML. That will be a completely clean install and it will DL Mountain Lion from Apple's servers for the install. You do not need to get it from the App Store. While in recovery, Apple's servers will recognize your machine's serial number was sold with ML and just give it to you.
 
Weaselboy said:
If your Mac came with ML, you did not buy it from the App store so it won't show up there. If you click "buy" you are going to get charged for it.

You can just do a command-r boot to recovery and erase Macintosh HD then install ML. That will be a completely clean install and it will DL Mountain Lion from Apple's servers for the install. You do not need to get it from the App Store. While in recovery, Apple's servers will recognize your machine's serial number was sold with ML and just give it to you.
Click to expand...

Thanks weasel boy! followed as per instructions and it work great! thanks again!
 
Usb

Hi, i want to do the same but don't have an 8GIG USB stick, can i whop it onto my external HDD?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back