Performing a 'super clean' install on a PowerBook

Feb 14, '03 12:24:10AM

Contributed by: Anonymous

If you are having hardware issues with your PowerBook and want to really start over, try this method (as suggested by Apple tech support) of doing a really clean install.

  1. Back up all your data
  2. Shut down system
  3. Remove power and the battery
  4. Remove keyboard and reset PMU -- there is a small button in the top right hand side under the keyboard in an oval shaped hole. Push the button.
  5. Plug power in
  6. Reboot into Open Firmware (hold down Command-Option-O-F when you turn on your machine)
  7. In Open Firmwarre, type reset-nvram (you should get an OK in response)
  8. In Open Firmware, type in reset-all (your machine should reboot, have your Jaguar DVD/CD ready)
  9. Insert Jaguar DVD/CD and hold down the 'C' key to boot from the DVD/CD
  10. Do a fresh install of OS X, and choose to 'Erase Disk'
  11. Update to 10.2.3 (I used the Combo installer)
[Editor's note:These are basically the same steps that Tech Support had me follow while trying to debug an issue with an iBook, except the reset PMU steps are different. Obviously only recommended when you REALLY want to start from scratch!]

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