new mac user

rmochfl · Sep 22, 2012

I have a 7/11 MacBook Air I purchased used. It shows that there are six updates to software and downloads... I have to restart the computer and then is says, after about 15 minutes, that nothing was downloaded and an expected error occurred. That's all - no error code.

I also tried to accept iPhoto in the app store and it says I cannot (seems I have to use the prior owner's apple id which is not going to happen - not someone know).

Can anyone help? Thanks.

chscag · Sep 22, 2012

What version of OS X is on the MBA you purchased? However, as a new owner of the machine and as a start, you will need your own Apple ID and then purchase a copy of OS X from the Mac App Store. Probably Mountain Lion which is $19.99. Install it clean and go from there.

harryb2448 · Sep 22, 2012

G'day and welcome to the forums.

Have you actually set the computer up with you as user or still using former owner's files? Try setting up a new account in your name under System Preferences > Users and Groups by clicking the little '+' button. When all is good you can delete the original account.

rmochfl · Sep 22, 2012

version....

chscag said:
What version of OS X is on the MBA you purchased? However, as a new owner of the machine and as a start, you will need your own Apple ID and then purchase a copy of OS X from the Mac App Store. Probably Mountain Lion which is $19.99. Install it clean and go from there.

Thanks for the response - been looking around but can't find out where I can see which version I have. Seems like the prior user, though I had to set up (I already have an apple id as I've had an iPhone for years) is still somewhere in the system?

Thanks again.

xdunlapx · Sep 22, 2012

Did you set up your own user account when you first turned on the mac? If so then you should be able to set up your own apple ID in the system preferences.

You can click the apple menu at the top left of the screen, and click About This Mac and it will tell you your Mac OS X version. In my example I am using 10.8.2.

Screen Shot 2012-09-22 at 10.51.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2012-09-22 at 10.53.30 PM.png

rmochfl · Sep 22, 2012

Thanks - Mac OS x 10.7.4
I did set up my own stuff when I first turned it on, yes...

chas_m · Sep 23, 2012

If you have the prior owner's account, that could be a huge security risk for you or for them. I would STRONGLY recommend buying your own copy of Mountain Lion (using your own Apple ID), then installing it, then rebooting from the recovery partition and WIPING the other partition and reinstalling ML. This will take a little time, but the system will finally actually be yours. You'll then buy whatever software you feel you need to add (like iPhoto) and it will be YOUR software.

rmochfl · Sep 23, 2012

Thanks - made a reservation

chas_m said:
If you have the prior owner's account, that could be a huge security risk for you or for them. I would STRONGLY recommend buying your own copy of Mountain Lion (using your own Apple ID), then installing it, then rebooting from the recovery partition and WIPING the other partition and reinstalling ML. This will take a little time, but the system will finally actually be yours. You'll then buy whatever software you feel you need to add (like iPhoto) and it will be YOUR software.

Thanks for the response . . . I just made an appt at the Genius Bar - - not going to mess it up on my own! This morning the battery was at 0% - lid was closed - - thought it was asleep if not shut down - - so, going to Apple tomorrow.
Thank you - I agree I need to ensure the MBA is mine -

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