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07-01-2009, 10:18 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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True Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 113
|  Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
Hey guys, I got ahold of an IMac G5 "BigMac" recently (Model A1076) and it has several accounts on it but I just want to format it and start over. I know nothing about Mac, but I can get ahold of Mac OS X if I need to I suppose. Is it as easy as popping in the disc on boot up and formatting like PC, or...? | 
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07-01-2009, 10:42 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 5,251
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
Pretty much. There are some differences, but nothing major.
It should run 10.5, I would buy a copy of that.
__________________ R.I.P. Danny L. Trotter
11 Nov 1945 - 4 Sept 2009 I do not accept support questions via EMail, PM or IM. If I helped you out, or what I just said rocked you like a hurricane, hit the little thingie over there.
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07-02-2009, 12:20 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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01001100011011110110110 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,987
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
Yep, in fact it's easier than installing windows in my opinion.
I'd also get 10.5 It doesn't really matter what version you get, as there are free upgrades out for all versions anyway. So if you were thinking of buying a 10.5.7 or 10.5.6 copy over a 10.5.4 even though the price was higher, don't bother.
__________________ "As a result of all this hardship, dirt, thirst, and wombats, you would expect Australians to be a dour lot. Instead, they are genial, jolly, cheerful, and always willing to share a kind word with a stranger, unless they are an American." -- Douglas Adams Click this if I helped you >>>><<<< | 
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07-02-2009, 12:51 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 5,251
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
^^ Good advice on that front.
__________________ R.I.P. Danny L. Trotter
11 Nov 1945 - 4 Sept 2009 I do not accept support questions via EMail, PM or IM. If I helped you out, or what I just said rocked you like a hurricane, hit the little thingie over there.
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07-02-2009, 11:47 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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True Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 113
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
I was thinking, I mean, there is a legal version of the software on this Mac. I don't exactly have 200 to drop on another copy of Mac OS X just because... is there any way to get in it and just format using it's format ability and start clean?
Last edited by mr_wizard; 07-02-2009 at 11:53 PM.
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07-03-2009, 01:12 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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01001100011011110110110 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,987
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
If you can log into one of the accounts you can easily remove the others. Can you log in?
__________________ "As a result of all this hardship, dirt, thirst, and wombats, you would expect Australians to be a dour lot. Instead, they are genial, jolly, cheerful, and always willing to share a kind word with a stranger, unless they are an American." -- Douglas Adams Click this if I helped you >>>><<<< | |
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07-03-2009, 02:19 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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True Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 113
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
I can't, that's the problem. :-(
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07-03-2009, 02:29 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Hey you guuyyyssss! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lowell,Ma Posts: 3,716
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
If you can get the disk like you said you can, just pop it in and go to disk utility and format it.
__________________ 
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07-03-2009, 06:20 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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True Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 113
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
I can if it's a last resort, as in dropping 200 on a copy. The issue is making sure that's the only choice I have. Thanks.
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07-03-2009, 06:33 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 5,251
| Re: Any way to format Mac OS X without logging in?
It's a longshot, but try calling up Applecare. If you get a nice rep, they may send you out disks. I got a replacement for 10.4 that way, even though I wasn't under an Applecare warranty. Dunno if they do this with 10.5, but it's worth a shot.
__________________ R.I.P. Danny L. Trotter
11 Nov 1945 - 4 Sept 2009 I do not accept support questions via EMail, PM or IM. If I helped you out, or what I just said rocked you like a hurricane, hit the little thingie over there.
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