Flashing question mark - no OS installed on my MacBook Pro - what do I do?

Hi, I bought a used MacBook Pro 13" with no OS installed..guy said he's cleared the hard drive or something so when I hit the on button, a flashing folder with a question mark pops up.I figure that this is cos there's no OS installed so wanted to know what do I do? Do I get the snow leopard disc (guy didn't give a disc)? Can I somehow purchase lion?

I tried again, hit cmd + r, this menu comes up saying I can "restore from time machine backup", "reinstall mac OS x" and there's "disk utilities". I haven't purchased OS X befor and it doesn't look like there's any "time machine backups."

So Erm what on earth do I do? I'm well and truly baffed.

It would probably be best to purchase a retail copy of Snow Leopard from Apple or Best Buy (if they have it in stock) and install it on the MBP. Once Snow Leopard has been installed and updated to 10.6.8, you can purchase Lion direct from Apple at the Mac App store. SL = $29.99, Lion = $29.99 total $60.

Or, you can purchase the Lion flash drive direct from Apple on line for $69.99.

Either way will work.

chscag said:

It would probably be best to purchase a retail copy of Snow Leopard from Apple or Best Buy (if they have it in stock) and install it on the MBP. Once Snow Leopard has been installed and updated to 10.6.8, you can purchase Lion direct from Apple at the Mac App store. SL = $29.99, Lion = $29.99 total $60.

Or, you can purchase the Lion flash drive direct from Apple on line for $69.99.

Either way will work.

Click to expand...

ok thanks, so if i purchase lion i wont need to install snow leopard?

Also, i know this is a dumb question but how do i install that once ive got it? Will it come up along side the flashing question mark folder or something?

If you get the Flash Drive of Lion it probably will boot from that but if you still get the question mark, just boot holding down the OPTION key and you will get a boot choice menu. Select the OSX installer and hit the arrow.

thanks i live in the UK btw.. also is it really worth getting lion or is snow leopard ok?

Snow Leopard is a fine OS.

What are the specs on that MBP?

it is up to you, maybe you can get your feel on snow leopard, then upgrade to lion, if you have the means go with lion, it is worth it. one that you will not regret.

thanks for the advice guys, its decent spec. intel i5, 4gb ram etc

****, £55 for lion need to save up lol still a student...
can i get it cheap anywhere? :/

can you get snow leopard retail copy cheaper on ebay in UK ?

ycl1688 said:

can you get snow leopard retail copy cheaper on ebay in UK ?

Click to expand...

is this the one? Apple iMac Restore / Install DVD OSX Snow Leopard 10.6 and Applications DVD | eBay
cheapest i could find

no. the one you posted is for certain macbook another words generic one to one particular model year.
go for some like this
maybe cheaper on uk apple store which I do not know.
Mac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.3 - Never used | eBay