Hey folks, I received a 2007 iMac a few months ago from someone. I've never had an Apple computer before and barely used them hence why I want to get this thing going and learn how to navigate the Apple world. Some of the previous owner's data is there and name, etc. Can I reinstall the OS to do a fresh wipe without fear of bricking the thing? Thanks.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
needing help with 2007 iMac
- Thread starter bratboy_y2k
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thank you for the reply. He knows it's there and he asked that I delete it and I said I would although I would rather just reinstall the OS. Could you maybe walk me through it so I can do a wipe and keep what apps are there? Thank you.
You could just create a new user account for yourself, give that new account "admin" privileges, sign into the new account, remove admin privileges from the old owner's account, and finally delete the old owner's account. You do this in System Preferences -> Users & Groups.
Did the iMac come with the original install DVD's?
They can be used to boot the iMac, erase the internal drive, and re-install a "fresh copy" of the OS.
Another way to do it is to create a bootable USB flash drive with the OS installer on it.
What you'll need:
- a usb flash drive 8gb in size
- a copy of the OS installer you're going to use
- the free app "DiskMaker X". You'll need to get an older copy from here:
http://diskmakerx.com/whats-this/
Which version you download will depend on which version of the OS you're going to install.
You then erase the USB flash drive to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled" using Disk Utility.
Then... use DiskMaker to create the bootable flash drive.
IMPORTANT:
Because the iMac is old, you're limited as to which version of the OS will work with it.
I'm guessing you will want:
- 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard"
- 10.7.5 "Lion"
- 10.8 "Mountain Lion"
I'm not sure "how far you can go" insofar as later versions of the OS are concerned.
You may not want the "newest version you can run" -- because newer versions of the OS tend to run SLOWER on older Macs. There is "a balance" to be found here.
They can be used to boot the iMac, erase the internal drive, and re-install a "fresh copy" of the OS.
Another way to do it is to create a bootable USB flash drive with the OS installer on it.
What you'll need:
- a usb flash drive 8gb in size
- a copy of the OS installer you're going to use
- the free app "DiskMaker X". You'll need to get an older copy from here:
http://diskmakerx.com/whats-this/
Which version you download will depend on which version of the OS you're going to install.
You then erase the USB flash drive to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled" using Disk Utility.
Then... use DiskMaker to create the bootable flash drive.
IMPORTANT:
Because the iMac is old, you're limited as to which version of the OS will work with it.
I'm guessing you will want:
- 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard"
- 10.7.5 "Lion"
- 10.8 "Mountain Lion"
I'm not sure "how far you can go" insofar as later versions of the OS are concerned.
You may not want the "newest version you can run" -- because newer versions of the OS tend to run SLOWER on older Macs. There is "a balance" to be found here.
I have one these 2007 iMac.
It was my first Mac desktop too.
El Capitan runs great but I'd recommend upping ram to max 6GB and fit and SSD.
You can download and make a bootable El Capitan drive.
or if unsure (the guys here will tell you how to do it) then can buy a pre made one on ebay.
It was my first Mac desktop too.
El Capitan runs great but I'd recommend upping ram to max 6GB and fit and SSD.
You can download and make a bootable El Capitan drive.
or if unsure (the guys here will tell you how to do it) then can buy a pre made one on ebay.