formatting and reinstalling os x on old macbook air

[berrill]

I have just bought an old macbook air, 1.6ghz Intel core 2 duo 2gb SDRAM. Currently its running OS X 10.6.8

I want to format the HDD and install the latest operating system that this macbook can run (I think it will be lion and NOT mountain Lion)

I DO NOT have any original disks.

How do I format and reinstall.

I do have internet access

 

[pigoo3]

First I need to mention we need to know exactly which 1.6ghz core 2 duo MacBook Air you have. There were two different early models with these specs...and it makes a BIG difference as to what the latest OS it can run.

Need to know what size HD it has...and what graphics hardware it has.

Once we know that...if you really really feel you need to do a reformat & install...and since MacBook Air's do not have a built-in optical drive...you going to need to:

- buy an external optical drive
- buy a copy of Snow Leopard to do the OS install
- then purchase, download, and install the latest OS it can run

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

No need to double post this thread. The 2nd duplicate thread was deleted.

Thanks for understanding,

- Nick

 

[berrill]

before i go to that expense, the macbook air has the number A1237 on the back.

It currently has snow leopard installed, when I go to the app store and log on I only get the MT Lion option.

When I select MT Lion, it says this cannot run.

HOW do I get a Lion option.

 

[pigoo3]

before i go to that expense, the macbook air has the number A1237 on the back.

Yes...you have the original first generation MacBook Air...and the max. OS it can run is OS 10.7.5 "Lion"...that's why you're getting that Mountain Lion "cannot run" message from the Mac App Store.

As far as finding "Lion"...this is a difficult one. Lion only came in two forms...download & on a USB stick. Apple no longer sells the USB stick version...and when Apple released Mountain Lion...they removed Lion from the App. Store.

About the only suggestion I can offer is...check e-Bay to see if anyone is selling the Lion USB stick. These originally cost $69...so they may be selling for more on e-Bay.

Otherwise you may be stuck with Snow Leopard. If you still want to do a reformat & install...an external optical drive will cost around $50 bucks...and a Snow Leopard install disk will cost $19.99 from the Apple Online Store (website).

HTH,

- Nick

 

[berrill]

how frustration, I cannot get Lion.

I have an newish imac as well running MT Lion, can i use its optical drive and how do i do that

Thanks for the advise.

 

[pigoo3]

how frustration, I cannot get Lion.

Yes it is frustrating!

I have an newish imac as well running MT Lion, can i use its optical drive and how do i do that

Normally since most Macintosh computers have a firewire port...you could have used "Target Disk Mode" via firewire. But since your MacBook Air does not have a firewire port...you cannot do this.

MacBook Air's have their upsides & downsides!

- Nick

 

[berrill]

Ok so is there any way I can do it without purchasing am optical drive

 

[pigoo3]

Ok so is there any way I can do it without purchasing am optical drive

To install Lion...Yes...try to find Lion sold on a USB drive/stick (as I suggested above) on e-Bay (the original Lion on USB stick sold by Apple...NOT an illegal copy).

To reinstall Snow Leopard...no...since it was only sold on DVD.

- Nick

 

[berrill]

great news I have just found my LEGAL copy of lion its on a usb.

Please tell me how to use this for Format the HDD and install a fresh copy of lion

 

[harryb2448]

Need anything saved to an external drive? If not plug in the thumb drive, reboot holding down 'C' immediately after the chime. Leave Installer and go to utilities > Disk utility and run Erase and Repair Disk, Partition ensuring GUID is selected under Options, back to the Installer and let it run. Then update to OS X.7.5.

 

[berrill]

Thanks, will be doing this later this afternoon. Fortinately there is nothing to save.

 

[berrill]

Thanks all Im up and running.

most appreciated

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks all Im up and running.

most appreciated

Congratulations!

- Nick

 

[adoptedheir]

install Mac os x 10.6 from usb

Need anything saved to an external drive? If not plug in the thumb drive, reboot holding down 'C' immediately after the chime. Leave Installer and go to utilities > Disk utility and run Erase and Repair Disk, Partition ensuring GUID is selected under Options, back to the Installer and let it run. Then update to OS X.7.5.

I have a MacBook Air a1237, a usb restore 10.6, but it continually tells me that it cannot restore the os, to restart or restore from time machine. this is a used item. I just cleaned the hard drive and want to install a new 128gb ssd, but if the usb won't work, I'm stuck in an endless loop. Help.

 

[harryb2448]

To restore the OS you do need the Snow Leopard OS X.6 DVD not a USB restore which was never made by Apple. If it was sold as genuine get your money back. OS X.6 is still sold by Apple Online for $20.00 with postage.