Reinstalling Operating System

[mwebster51]

I just purchased a MacBook Pro with OS 10.5.2. A third party program was loaded shortly after the purchase. The third party software didn't load properly so I tried to remove it. I may have done this incorrectly. I am now having problems that seem to me to be related to a shared file that may have been modified or deleted during the uninstall. Can I, using the Mac OS X Install discs 1,2 that came with the laptop try a reinstall with existing software in place? Will it erase other programs and data (like a format), or just overwrite OS files like a repair?
Sorry if this is too basic, I am new to Mac world.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Noels]

mwebster51,

Just go to Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD on the left, then erase your disc. Then re-boot using your install disc and you're on your way.

This from Apple: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106693

Good luck,

Noel

 

[mwebster51]

Hi Noels
I get a little nervous when someone suggests erasing an HD. Isn't that where all my applications are stored? And I assume data? If that is true, I would have to copy and save the data first and then reload all applications after the OS reinstall right?
Mark

 

[Noels]

Hi Noels
I get a little nervous when someone suggests erasing an HD. Isn't that where all my applications are stored? And I assume data? If that is true, I would have to copy and save the data first and then reload all applications after the OS reinstall right?
Mark

Don't blame you, that's just what it would do... I thought you wanted to re-install the OS, that's like a clean install on Windows, not a repair. You can backup all your stuff on an external hard drive and then do the erase, re-install the OS and then restore your apps and data from the external.

You'll need an external for safety anyhow, so if you don't have one, now's the time to get it...

Noel

 

[mwebster51]

Thanks Noels
Looks like a big job.
M

 

[Noels]

mwebstar51,

Here's something akin to repair, might want to try it first, see if it works before you re-install: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

Noel

 

[mwebster51]

I'll give it a look thanks
M