how do I erase a mac?

lelelndn · lelelndn #1 (**permalink**)

10-31-2010, 09:45 AM

Hi guys,
I just to know how can I erase a mac without loosing some files such as itunes songs,list and other things I downloaded...can I do this without an external HD?
Thanks a lot

Jaygray · Jaygray #2 (**permalink**)

10-31-2010, 10:40 AM

What do you mean by "erase a mac"? What are you trying to accomplish?

Do you want to sell the computer but keep your personal files?

lelelndn · lelelndn #3 (**permalink**)

10-31-2010, 10:59 AM

I just want to format it,reinstall the OS without loosing files such as music movies and some applications I downloaded

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

10-31-2010, 11:02 AM

Formatting will erase everything on the drive. You cannot selectively format within a single partition, no matter what OS you happen to have.

Anything you want to keep, you will need to back up first, whether to CD, DVD, flash drive, external drive...

6string · 6string #5 (**permalink**)

10-31-2010, 11:07 AM

You should have a backup even if you could do it without one!

If something goes wrong, well, you'll be here asking how to retrieve your lost music, movies, applications, photos, documents, etc. you get the drift yeah?
An external HD with Time Machine and/or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper are your friends

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	10-31-2010, 11:02 AM Formatting will erase everything on the drive. You cannot selectively format within a single partition, no matter what OS you happen to have. Anything you want to keep, you will need to back up first, whether to CD, DVD, flash drive, external drive... I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
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lelelndn #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 31, 2010 Posts: 2	10-31-2010, 09:45 AM Hi guys, I just to know how can I erase a mac without loosing some files such as itunes songs,list and other things I downloaded...can I do this without an external HD? Thanks a lot
	QUOTE Thanks

Jaygray #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 04, 2008 Posts: 1,115 Mac Specs: Unibody MacBook Pro 2.26, 4gb RAM, 500gb HD	10-31-2010, 10:40 AM What do you mean by "erase a mac"? What are you trying to accomplish? Do you want to sell the computer but keep your personal files?
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	10-31-2010, 11:07 AM You should have a backup even if you could do it without one! If something goes wrong, well, you'll be here asking how to retrieve your lost music, movies, applications, photos, documents, etc. you get the drift yeah? An external HD with Time Machine and/or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper are your friends
	QUOTE Thanks

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