OS X Re-installation (Factory Restore) with Windows Keyboard - Cant get Command + R!!

[LordX]

Hey all, I have been looking at google to see how to factory restore an old iMac for resale.

I have tried the command + r trick to get it to the restore options, but it never does anything.

I have a regular pc usb keyboard plugged in - and tried using the Windows Key, CTRL Key, and ALT Key as substitutes for the command key... on both sides of the space bar......

I can get to the boot menu, but the only option there is Mac HD...... no other options...

Can I create an OS DVD/CD from inside the OS? Or a command from inside the OS to reboot in recovery mode without having to press a keyboard combination?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forum.

Only Mac OS X versions from 10.7.X on to the present (10.12.4) can boot to Recovery. Versions prior to Lion (10.7.X) do not support a Recovery partition, therefore the command plus r keys will not work.

You need to tell us which version of OS X is presently on the iMac and which iMac is it? (year and model) And do you have an original install disk for it?

 

[LordX]

It is an A1207 iMac - No Disks......

 

[LordX]

Version 10.4.11

 

[harryb2448]

You will need the discs. eay and such can help. As it is over eleven years old, being a 2006 model, you will have to decide whether it is worth buying DVD or creating a new user account, delete all your information from that and use it as the User account.

 

[ferrarr]

Since it is an intel iMac, you can order Snow Leopard, https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard, and sell it with this Mac OS X version.

 

[LordX]

Harry - that option may work for me.

How do I create a new account and then delete the old one? More importantly, how can I securely erase the information from the old account?

 

[pigoo3]

Version 10.4.11

Obviously OS 10.4.11 is well before OS 10.7 & newer. Which is why "command + r" is not working. When working with such an old OS version (10.4 was released in 2005...12 years ago)...need to be very careful how information that has been released since 2005 is applied. Not a whole lot of info released since 2005 will be applicable to such an old OS version.

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

How do I create a new account and then delete the old one? More importantly, how can I securely erase the information from the old account?

The best thing you can do is purchase the Snow Leopard install disk (OS 10.6) as mentioned above. Once you have the disk...boot from it...completely erase the HD...reformat the HD...then install a fresh copy of the OS. In this way you start with a completely "clean slate".

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

If you actually want or need to stick with OS 10.4.11. These install disks are no longer sold by Apple (haven't been sold by Apple for a VERY long time). These disks need to be sourced via eBay.

- Nick

 

[LordX]

I am normally a big fan of clean wipes, but this system has MS Word on it - which may boost resale value. So creating another account and deleting the old one would preserve the programs installed on the machine - right?

So then it's back to securely deleting the user data from the old account.

 

[cradom]

The problem with that is Word wont be registered in the new user's name and therefore be illegal. Having Word on it will not affect the resale value, this is an 11 year old + computer.

 

[ferrarr]

Unless you give the install disc to the new owner for Microsoft Word, that would be an illegal version.

 

[Slydude]

That could vary from program to program. Keep the following in mind though:

1. That's not a legal way to obtain most software unless you are planning to follow the developer's procedure for transferring the software license to a new owner. That process will vary from vendor to vendor.
2. If that m machine truly has some version of 10.4 on it nothing much is going to change the resale value of that machine. It's more than a decade old which is prehistoric by computer age.

 

[pigoo3]

I am normally a big fan of clean wipes, but this system has MS Word on it - which may boost resale value. So creating another account and deleting the old one would preserve the programs installed on the machine - right?

Nope. To start with a 2007 iMac is not worth all that much. And a version of MS Word that's compatible with a 12 year-old version of the Mac OS is definitely not going to add any value.

The vast majority of folks that would purchase this 2007 iMac are in no way going to want to run OS 10.4.11 (which was released 12 years ago...and is EIGHT OS versions old).

I did see in post #1 it mentioned resale. Do you want to know the #1 thing that will help this computer sell?? Install the NEWEST version of the Mac OS possible. Almost everyone looking for a used Mac wants the newest OS version already installed on it. Very very few people will be looking for a used Mac running OS 10.4.11. BELIEVE ME!

- Nick

 

[LordX]

Ok, Snow Leopard it is. I contacted the original owner, and they actually have a snow leopard disk but never installed it since they got a new machine. So I will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again for all your suggestions and help!

 

[pigoo3]

Good deal. And even better if the install disk is free.

- Nick

 

[LordX]

Ok, I got the drive erased and the OS installed.

I ran software update when it was complete, and there was a big update which I would expect....

Now however, it is stuck on just showing the space nebula background with no icons, menus, or progress indicator....

Is this normal?? Been there for a while......

 

[ferrarr]

It sounds like it is hung on your desktop. Try to restart it, first. If it still hangs, try Safe Mode, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262.

 

[pigoo3]

Now however, it is stuck on just showing the space nebula background with no icons, menus, or progress indicator....

Is this normal?? Been there for a while......

Are you saying you have no drop down menu's at the top of the display (Apple, Finder, File, Edit, View, Go, Window, Help)?

- Nick