Reformat OS X Mavericks Help

[dasanii]

It's been about 2 years since I've had my Mac and it's been getting slow lately. So recently I backed up my entire system on an external hard drive and am planning on reformatting this computer. However, when I reformat it I would like to keep it as OS X Mavericks. I've never reformatted a Mac before, so could someone help me with a step-by-step guide on how to reformat my Mac and re-install Mavericks?

Thanks.

 

[redheeler]

Hold down Command-R at boot to boot into Recovery. Once booted, double-click on "Disk Utility" and erase Macintosh HD under the "Erase" tab. Then, Quit Disk Utility and double-click "Reinstall OS X" to enter the OS X Installer.

Hope this helps.

 

[dasanii]

Hold down Command-R at boot to boot into Recovery. Once booted, double-click on "Disk Utility" and erase Macintosh HD under the "Erase" tab. Then, Quit Disk Utility and double-click "Reinstall OS X" to enter the OS X Installer.

Hope this helps.

Will I need Mavericks on a USB/CD, or will I be able to download Mavericks from the App store?

 

[redheeler]

Will I need Mavericks on a USB/CD, or will I be able to download Mavericks from the App store?

The Recovery system should already be on your hard drive. Simply hold down Command-R when you turn it on and it should boot strait into it.

Edit: The Recovery system has its own installer, if that's what you're asking about.

 

[Weaselboy]

Will I need Mavericks on a USB/CD, or will I be able to download Mavericks from the App store?

The recovery 650MB utility is already on your drive and that is what you will be booting to with command-r. Then once you erase and click reinstall you will be asked for the AppleID you used to "purchase" Mavericks. After that the ~6GB OS will be downloaded directly from Apple's servers and installed on your drive.