Wiping mac before installing OS High Sierra

[rchip]

Hey guys,

I have a 2015 macbook pro retina. I haven't installed the latest OS yet - I've neglected my laptop really, I use it daily for work and it's very unorganised but most of the data on it is no longer needed.

I want to wipe it and start again basically.

Should I put all my files onto an external hard drive and then use erase in the disk utility, then reformat my hard drive? Then after than install High Sierra?

I know it's a basic question but I'm no Mac expert so thought I'd check this is the best way.

I plan to keep all that old data off my mac and just keep it on the external HD incase I need it, which is unlikely.

Thanks!

 

[hobowankenobi]

Hey guys,

I have a 2015 macbook pro retina. I haven't installed the latest OS yet - I've neglected my laptop really, I use it daily for work and it's very unorganised but most of the data on it is no longer needed.

I want to wipe it and start again basically.

Should I put all my files onto an external hard drive and then use erase in the disk utility, then reformat my hard drive? Then after than install High Sierra?

I know it's a basic question but I'm no Mac expert so thought I'd check this is the best way.

I plan to keep all that old data off my mac and just keep it on the external HD incase I need it, which is unlikely.

Thanks!

Yes.

Once you are sure all your data is a safely stored, you can Restore your Mac. If you do an Internet Recovery, once booted to the net boot image, you can open up utilities (before you restore) and wipe the internal drive, so you can start fresh. Should also give you the latest OS.

 

[Fishrrman]

Here's what to do:

First, you want to save any files you wish to keep TO ANOTHER DRIVE.
It can be a hard drive, a USB flash drive, whatever.

Then, I suggest you do the following.

1. Download the High Sierra installer, but DON'T run it yet. Just quit when prompted to install.

2. Get a USB flashdrive 16gb or larger.

3. Download ONE of the following free apps: "Boot Buddy", "DiskMaker X", "Install Disk Creator" (I suggest Boot Buddy).

4. Use one of these apps to create a BOOTABLE USB flash drive installer.

5. Now, boot the MacBook from the flashdrive (Shut down, then press power on button, IMMEDIATELY hold down option key until startup manager appears, select the flash drive with the pointer and hit return)

6. The flashdrive will boot to the installer but again DON'T RUN IT YET.

7. Quit the installer and open Disk Utility. Now, ERASE the internal drive. Next, quit DU.

8. RE-OPEN the installer. Now, just let the installer go and do its thing.

9. When done, you should be at the setup screen for High Sierra. Create a new account, check for software updates, etc.

10. At this point, you can connect the external hard drive and perhaps re-copy some data over from it. IMPORTANT: to prevent permissions problems, do this:
a. Mount drive icon on desktop
b. Click ONE time on icon to select it, type command-i (eye) to bring up get info
c. At bottom of get info click the lock and enter your NEW account password
d. Put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions).

WHEW!
A number of steps to take, but if you are patient and follow the above guide, I think you'll do fine.

 

[rchip]

Thanks for advice guys - really appreciate that detailed advice Fishrrman! I'm going to give that a go, I'll let you know if I run into any problems but whilst there are a lot of steps, those instructions are easy to follow - so thank you!