How to restore a Apple computer to factory defaults
by Justin Garrison • 2008/10/03 • Apple, How-to, OSX • 5 Comments
I occasionally need to set up a Apple computer to act like it just came from the factory to give to a new person or to sell it. There are 2 ways I found to do this. The first is with the original install disk that came with your computer. But honestly who still has those around?
The second is as easy as deleting one folder and two files.
All you have to do is boot the mac into single user mode (command+s at start up) and enter the following commands at the terminal you are presented with.
mount -uw /
rm -rf /Users/
reboot (or shutdown -h now if you don't want the machine to turn back on)
Replace
This isn’t exactly the same as a fresh install but it is close enough. It removes all of the users and has the person go through the steps of naming the computer and registering with Apple.
Let me know if you have any other tips for restoring a Apple computer to true factory defaults.
Tag this one!
“There are 2 ways I found to do this. The first is with the original install disk that came with your computer.”
Are you sure that this is so?
I think the Apple computer’s factory defaults is difficult to restore.
so when the black screen comes up after pressing command s what do i type in ?
can you help me do this? I’m kind of stupid when it come to computers and I’m about to sell mine :/ if you could help me do this it would be a HUGE help thanks 🙂