Restoring My Mac mini

Hi All

Id like to restore my Mac Mini back to factory defaults like it was when i got it. I had to install the OS before i could use it.

Can anyone tell me how to do this please?

Cheers!

Why d'ya wanna do that? What's wrong?

Nothings wrong, its perfect but im selling it to get a proper iMac

The mini has got me hooked but its just not fast enuff for me now, did what i bought it for and got me wanting more! lol

So want to sell it empty, will all my stuff off. They can then just install the OS and be clean and happy

Here's a page from Apple that should help. It even has a link to a walk-through video: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61802.

make sure you back up anything you want before doing that.

Thanks for the link badger, just what im after

And yep, i will remember this time to backup! lol

Hi Again

The link didnt show me jsut what i was after, after all. What id like to do is just format and leave it without an OS. So when the new owner gets it, the Apple Icon and Question Mark flashes, prompting them to boot with the DVD in.

They can then install the OS and register it to themselves.

This is the state i got it in, does anyone know how to do this please?

Here's how to restore your mac to factory default (aka "Fresh out of the box"):


The next time the mac boots, it'll be just like a new mac boots: He/she will be able to set up user accounts/internet/register etc, without having to install the entire OS from scratch or having a possibly confusing flashing '?' icon.

How-to:

1. BACKUP YOUR STUFF
2. Pop in your install DVD, and hold down c to boot from it.
3. Complete the regular installation, making sure you select 'erase & install' from the installations-customize menu.
4. After installation, let it get to the first user prompt where it asks you to select a language - now hit apple+q. It will warn you that the computer will be shut down, ok this and you're done.

Next time it's booted, the new owner will only have to go through the standard 'new mac' steps.

Excellent, i will give that a whirl now Thanks for the reply.

I presume, just before i press the Apple and Q i can Eject the CD my pressing the Eject on the keyboard?

Yeah...

If not, just reboot and hold down the mouse button to eject the dvd.
Then when it goes to the language screen again, just apple+q out of that again.

Thanks for that, it worked like a Charm. It let me eject the DVD before i Apple Q the first time so all is good

Hopefully get this sold in a day or two then get a Spanky new iMac! w00000t

thanks for all your help and have some rep points!

No problem, good luck with the sale!

And remember to show off some pics of your new imac when you get it

Oh i will

Im just torn between getting a 17" soon as i sell my Mac Mini, or saving for a month or two and getting a 20"!

Decisions decisions

Get the 20"!!!

It is sooooo much nicer to work with than the 17"...
Sure, the 17" is pretty cool, but the screen tends to feel cramped a bit (the fact that it's widescreen seems to make it appear smaller than it is).
The 20" feels just right space-wise.

I know i know, i do want the 20"..... I just will have to wait to save up a bit, if i could sell something else i would but ive sold it all! lol

Have to get some more money, or just hammer a CC and pay it off.... tempting, so very tempting!