Format my Macbook Pro

rickgraham · 29 Apr 2010, 19:42

Hi all,

I think it is time for me to reformat my MBP and start afresh. My machine is loaded wiht stuff that I have loaded, played with and then unloaded and there are some weird things happening that I can't explain so I think a fresh MBP is in order. I wanted to know what the pitfalls would be to reformatting it as all 64-bit. I'm pretty sure that it is presently 32bit.

Anyone do this and live to tell about it?

Rick

Chris Fullmer · 29 Apr 2010, 19:56

You have to have a 64bit processor. Without it, you do not have the option to migrate over to a 64bit OS.

Then assuming you do have a 64bit processor, the only other pitfalls will be the fact that it is a Mac.

Some hardware might not have 64 bit drivers. I'm not sure how good Mac has been at getting their hardware peoples to supply 64bit drivers. It can be VERY hit or miss on the PC. I just recently bought a component that was not compatible with 64bit Vista. So hopefully the Mac folks in their KGB style of enforcement have been more succesful at getting their hardware makers to supply drivers. Or maybe Mac has a decent 32bit emulator built in for that hard to access hardware?

Good luck Rick!

Chris

jeff hammond · 29 Apr 2010, 20:07

unless it's one of the very first mbps then it's already 64bit and osx will install as such..
core duos were 32-bit.. core2duos and the arrandales are 64

there won't be a point during reinstalling in which you are prompted '32bit or 64?'

tfdesign · 29 Apr 2010, 21:59

@rickgraham said:

Anyone do this and live to tell about it?

Hi Rick.

Yes, I've done this one or twice. It's pretty painless (nothing like floating around in a black prompt screen within XP's installer, when trying to load/install Bootcamp!!! )

You need to get a separate HD (preferably (well, recommended actually) Firewire), which is the same size, or bigger than your own internal drive. You also need a copy of SuperDuper! (which is payware, but its freeware version will also get the job done nicely). You use SuperDuper! to completely copy your HD, which will take a few hours. Then, if you f**k up (which you won't), you can at least install the whole lot back in again, and you will be back to where you started (fail-safe). Once you are successful, copy all the stuff you need again, from various files on your backed up drive, and hey presto!

Good luck

Tom

PS Windows 7 doesn't run on anything prior to NVidia unfortunately (but it's sh*t anyway- look elsewhere on this forum )

jeff hammond · 29 Apr 2010, 22:03

oh wait. windows?

tfdesign · 29 Apr 2010, 22:15

No. Don't sweat Jeff!

I was just mentioning that. I don't know why, but some folks want to run that abomination on their Macbooks!

rickgraham · 29 Apr 2010, 22:41

@tfdesign said:

@rickgraham said:

Anyone do this and live to tell about it?

Hi Rick.

Yes, I've done this one or twice. It's pretty painless (nothing like floating around in a black prompt screen within XP's installer, when trying to load/install Bootcamp!!! )

You need to get a separate HD (preferably (well, recommended actually) Firewire), which is the same size, or bigger than your own internal drive. You also need a copy of SuperDuper! (which is payware, but its freeware version will also get the job done nicely). You use SuperDuper! to completely copy your HD, which will take a few hours. Then, if you f**k up (which you won't), you can at least install the whole lot back in again, and you will be back to where you started (fail-safe). Once you are successful, copy all the stuff you need again, from various files on your backed up drive, and hey presto!

Good luck

Tom

PS Windows 7 doesn't run on anything prior to NVidia unfortunately (but it's sh*t anyway- look elsewhere on this forum )

I have many many backups. I use Time Machine on a 1 TB drive. So I think I'm okay there - at least I think I am.

Rick

rickgraham · 29 Apr 2010, 22:43

@tfdesign said:

No. Don't sweat Jeff!

I was just mentioning that. I don't know why, but some folks want to run that abomination on their Macbooks!

Well - . I'll be running W7 x64 on Bootcamp because I use Autodesk Civil 3D 2011 for a real living.

Rick

tfdesign · 30 Apr 2010, 11:29

I wouldn't use Time Machine to make whole backups. I've heard that TM can sometimes wipe everything.

And if you are to use W7, make sure that your computer supports it;

@unknownuser said:

You can use a 64-bit version of Windows Vista or Windows 7 with any of these Mac computers:

A Mac Pro or MacBook Pro introduced in early 2008 or later

An iMac or MacBook introduced in late 2009 or later

If you’re not sure when your Mac computer was introduced, see http://www.apple.com/support/hardware , click your Mac model, and look for an article on identifying your Mac.

rickgraham · 30 Apr 2010, 12:49

@tfdesign said:

I wouldn't use Time Machine to make whole backups. I've heard that TM can sometimes wipe everything.

And if you are to use W7, make sure that your computer supports it;

@unknownuser said:

You can use a 64-bit version of Windows Vista or Windows 7 with any of these Mac computers:

A Mac Pro or MacBook Pro introduced in early 2008 or later

An iMac or MacBook introduced in late 2009 or later

If you’re not sure when your Mac computer was introduced, see http://www.apple.com/support/hardware , click your Mac model, and look for an article on identifying your Mac.

Oh, I know my Mac can handle it - it's coming up on the one year anniversary.

Word to the wise. If you are contemplating buying a Mac - WAIT until WWDC. I could have saved $300 or upgraded to the next processor for the same price since they lowered the prices day 17 after my purchase (Apple store honors 15 day returns)

Rick