From time to time it may be necessary to reinstall OS X even just to fix any errors and improve the performance of your computer. The re-installation process only takes a few minutes and is quite simple. If you can make a full backup of your most important files, you should also be able to avoid any future problems. Start reading the following step to learn how to reinstall OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.4 (Tiger).
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare for Installation
Step 1. Backup your data
Reinstalling OS X will erase all data on your computer. For this reason, you should first make sure that all your most important documents, photos, videos and other files are at least copied to another storage location.
- You can burn the backup files to DVD, copy them to an external hard drive or even put them in the online cloud.
- Make sure you have copied everything you need to the backup. Once the installation starts, you will no longer be able to recover the files.
- You can choose to export all your files and user settings during the installation process, but for the best performance, you'll want to do a clean install which will erase everything.
Step 2. Start the installation from a working computer
If your computer can start with OS X, you will be able to start the installation process within the operating system. Insert the installation DVD into your computer and wait for it to appear on your desktop. Double-click the "Install Mac OS X" icon and then click Restart.
Step 3. Start the installation from a broken computer
If your computer doesn't boot into OS X, you can start the installation by booting from the DVD. Restart your computer while holding down the Option key. This will load the "Startup Manager" and display all the sources you can boot from.
Once in the Startup Manager screen, insert the OS X installation DVD. After a few moments, the DVD will appear in the list of available sources. Select it to restart your computer and boot from the DVD
Part 2 of 3: Install OS X
Step 1. Choose a language and start the installation
After the computer restarts, the installation process will start. You will be asked to choose the language and then the welcome screen will appear. Click on the Continue button to start the installation.
Step 2. Choose the type of installation
Click on the Options… button on the "Select a destination" screen. When reinstalling OS X, you will have two different installation options: "Archive and Install" and "Erase and Install". Choose the process that suits your needs and click the OK button.
- "Archive and Install" will make a copy of your system files and then install a new copy. If you choose this option, you will be able to keep your user settings and network settings. This is not recommended if you are having problems with your current OS X installation. Any programs you had will need to be reinstalled after choosing this method because otherwise they may not work properly.
- "Erase and Install" will erase the entire disk and install a fresh copy of OS X. All data will be erased - be sure to make a copy of all important data. This is the recommended option to fix most problems that have come up and will give you the best performance.
Step 3. Choose your destination
If you have multiple partitions or hard drives installed on your computer, you can choose which of these to install OS X. The amount of available disk space and the amount of space required by the operating system will be displayed. Select the hard drive you wish to install to and click Continue.
- Use the "Format Disc As" drop-down menu to set the disc format to "Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)".
- Make sure you are not installing on a recovery or storage disk.
Step 4. Choose the software to install
The installer will display a list of all additional software packages that will be installed with OS X. If you don't have much disk space, you can always deselect less important files by clicking the Customize… button.
- Expand the "Print Drivers" section and uncheck any print drivers that you will not need.
- Expand the "Translation" section and uncheck any languages you don't need.
Step 5. The installation begins
After choosing the additional software options, you will be able to start installing the operating system. To get started, click the Install button.
A progress bar will let you know how much time is left to complete the installation. The installation process is automatic once it has begun. When the process is complete, the computer will restart
Part 3 of 3: Setting up OS X
Step 1. Set up your keyboard
The first thing you will be asked to do after restarting your computer is to set up the keyboard. Follow the onscreen instructions to detect and set it up.
Step 2. Set the keyboard layout and region
After the keyboard is detected, you will be asked to set your region and choose the keyboard layout. If you often carry your computer on trips, choose the area where you live.
Step 3. Choose whether or not to transfer the data
Having performed a clean installation, there will be no data to import. You will copy the previous backup files to it later. Choose "Don't transfer my information now" and click Continue.
Step 4. Enter your Apple ID
If you have an Apple ID, you can use it for login. This will sync your settings with other Apple devices. Read a guide to find more information on creating an Apple ID. Entering an Apple ID is optional.
You can also choose whether or not to register your software with Apple. This might help you if you need to get official support
Step 5. Create an administrator account
Administrator is the account that has permission to change system settings and install software. If the computer is yours, enter your name in the "Name" field and a nickname in the "Short Name" field. Often users will simply use a lowercase version of their name in the "Short Name" field.
- Your Short Name is used to label the Home directory.
- It would be very difficult to change the Short Name later, so make sure you are happy with what you choose.
- The administrator account needs a password. If you want, you can also add a hint to remember it.
Step 6. Start using OS X
Once the setup wizard is finished, you will be ready to start using the newly installed operating system. You will need to reinstall all the programs you had before and you will be able to copy back to the User folders the previous files you have backed up.
Step 7. Install any available updates
Once the installation is complete, we recommend that you install all available updates as quickly as possible. They help you secure your system and can improve performance. You'll need to download updates from Apple, so your computer will need to be connected to the internet.
- To get the latest updates, click on the Apple menu and select "Software Update…". The tool will check for any available updates and then display them. Select all the updates you want to install and click the Install button. Updates will be downloaded from Apple's servers and then installed. You will need to reboot after the installation is finished.
- Repeat the process. Some updates become available only after others have been installed. Keep an eye on everything and install updates until there are none left.
Advice
Always complete the official "Apple Software Updates" after reinstalling the operating system
Warnings
- Before doing any kind of reinstallation, always back up your files. Even with "Archive and Install", any errors in the reinstallation process could lead to data loss.
- When performing "Archive and Install", use the installation CD for the current version of the operating system that is installed on your computer. For example, if your computer originally had Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) but you upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), run "Archive and Install" using the Leopard CD.
