

- How to restore mac os x lion install#
- How to restore mac os x lion update#
- How to restore mac os x lion upgrade#
- How to restore mac os x lion software#
The reinstall creates the Recovery HD partition. This means that a Lion restore requires an extra step: Reformat, reinstall Lion, and restore. Restoring from a mirrored backup does not reinstall the Recovery HD partition. However, with Lion, a reformat typically means that you erase the Recovery HD partition. Pre-Lion, all you would need to do is reformat and restore. Further, suppose you decide that you need to reformat/repartition your internal drive before restoring from that backup. The other alternatives here are to use either of the Internet-free methods covered in the previous section. If the system was upgraded from Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard to Lion, the external recovery drive can be used with other systems that were upgraded from Snow Leopard to Lion.” Apple states: “If the computer shipped with Lion, the external recovery drive (created by Disk Assistant) can only be used with the system that created it. Once again, the 2011 Macs that ship with Lion represent a special case. If this advice is coming too late, you can redownload a copy from the Mac App Store (by holding down the Option key when selecting the Purchases tab). If you plan to use it again, save the application before it gets deleted.
How to restore mac os x lion install#
One complication here is that the Install OS X utility is moved to the Trash as part of an update/install to Lion. To do this, you’ll need a copy of the Install Mac OS X utility from the Mac App Store. The first is to set up a bootable Lion install disc. If you want to reinstall Lion without the need for an Internet connection, you have two main alternatives.

How to restore mac os x lion software#
Reinstalling OS X 10.7 via Recovery HD requires an Internet connection, as the installer has to both download OS X software and verify your computer’s eligibility. In such cases, you’ll have to rely on the Recovery HD option to reinstall Lion.
How to restore mac os x lion update#
They even have a separate update to Mac OS X 10.7.1. These Macs have their own separate version. The version of Install OS X Lion available from the Mac App Store will not install Lion on these Macs. To do this, you again start up from the Recovery HD partition and go directly to the Reinstall Mac OS X option.Īll of this gets still more complicated if you have one of the new Macs that come with OS X Lion preinstalled (the 2011 MacBook Air and Mac mini).

How to restore mac os x lion upgrade#
From there, you can upgrade to the latest version if you choose.If you are only concerned about corrupt system files, you may be able to skip a restore of your data and just reinstall Lion. This will install the version of OS X that was first installed on that machine. Select Disk Utility and erase your HD, just as instructed to do in the first section of this article. From there, you’ll see an OS X Utilities window with the aforementioned options listed.

Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys until the Apple logo appears. It’s easy to get into OS X Recovery, too: With OS X Recovery, we have a built-in set of tools to install OS X, repair and erase your HD, check your internet connection, and restore from Time Machine backup. Thankfully, we no longer have to mess with DVD. These are available through Apple, PowerMax, and other sources. If you’re running 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or earlier, you will need an Install / Restore DVD as described above. Since Internet Recovery (described below), there is no need for discs, only an internet connection. **Install/Restore DVDs no longer come with new or used Macs. After you have finished installing, the computer will reboot, taking you back to the original “new Mac” screen. After you are done, close Disk Utility and continue with the installation from that disk. In there select your hard drive (HD) and use the Erase tab to wipe the drive clean. Then, from the Utilities menu, select Disk Utility. When you boot up of the DVD you will pick your language. Insert the disc and restart the computer holding down the key. Look through the box the mouse came in to find the discs. A set of Install / Restore DVDs is shipped with all modern new Macs**, and are most often grey in color. Answer:There is an easy way to get your Mac back to a “Factory Fresh” install of OS X.
