How can I create a clean install flash drive?

[tobindia]

I installed Mtn. Lion on my MacBook Air a few months ago. Since then, I've had a problem waking up my MBA, and this seems to be occurring more and more frequently. (Or I'm just finding it more and more annoying!) I've tried most of the solutions recommended in the Forums, but I haven't tried a clean install. I'm frustrated enuf to try that now... How can I create a flash drive of ML to do a clean install?

BTW, while I will do a backup before doing the clean install, will the clean install wipe out my whole hard drive or just the OS portion?

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I googled for "Mountain Lion usb install"

Here is the top of the first page for you:


https://www.macrumors.com/2012/07/25/create-a-bootable-mountain-lion-usb-key-installer/

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/07/how-to-burn-mountain-lion-to-a-dvd-or-usb-flash-drive/

http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/25/want-to-make-a-mountain-lion-usb-stick-or-sd-card-installer-heres-how/

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/07/how-to-create-a-bootable-backup-mountain-lion-install-disk/

http://gigaom.com/apple/quick-tip-create-a-usb-installer-for-mountain-lion/

http://mashable.com/2012/07/26/mountain-lion-clean-install/

 

[tobindia]

OK. Thanks SICKB0Y. I used the DIY option in the http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/07...b-flash-drive/ link. It was a bit tedious, but I now have a flash drive of the ML installer.

Besides doing a backup of my hard drive 1st, anyone have any recommendations before I boot with the flash drive? I assume that this will leave all my other files alone just like the original ML install, right? Will this bring me up to 10.8.2 where my Air is now, or will I have to do an update?

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

I assume that this will leave all my other files alone just like the original ML install, right? Will this bring me up to 10.8.2 where my Air is now, or will I have to do an update?

Wrong. A clean install means you erase your internal drive before doing an install. You actually have to do this manually, the ML installer doesn't give you a clean install option. You'll lose anything not backed up. Assuming you downloaded ML from the MAS, it'll be the latest version available at the time of your download.