Formatting a Macbook Pro

[k11jrp]

Hello all,

After some advice for a Macbook Newbie if possible. I have a Macbook Pro (approx 2011) running Mavericks. Its become increasingly slower over time and I suspect its time I formatted the HDD or reset it back to factory default and started again. I have a time machine app (default one) that I hope backs everything up (there are 3 users in the household with separate logins)

Can someone please recommend a way of setting this machine back to default or maybe formatting the HDD? Also, time machine.. does it back up everything for all users or only the user logged in at that time? I am very nervous about pictures etc being erased for ever. I can't see anywhere where it tells me what its backing up, all that i do know is that it is a back up of approx 200Gb. I don't have any disks that came with the macbook even though i bought it from an Apple shop...

Please bare in mind that I am struggling a little with how to do this so if you can advise please state the obvious.. I would appreciate that...

Thanks in advance
Jon

[sonysteve]

Best thing for a novice like yourself, would be to watch a youtube tutorial. Take it step by step at your own pace. Some good one on there.

[k11jrp]

OK, so having watched several youtube clips, erasing the disk and reinstalling Mavericks looks quite easy. However I'm still concerned about the time machine, what it actually backs up and how you can replace items once a fresh install is complete. E.g how do i take off the photos from the time machine? Is it just drag and drop?
Thanks again
Jon

[k11jrp]

Learning fast here, it looks as if its drag and drop

[B B Leo]

just get it back up and running go to where ur photos where and hit restore!!!!
really is that simple

[blacksheep]

There's a few apps out there now for defragmenting (which isn't meant to be an issue with mac drives but can be over time) and system clean up. Not personally tried any, will be at some point soon on my 08 MacBook Pro so if anyone's tried anything and its been good appreciate the pointers (sorry for the slight thread hijack).

Might be easier/quicker for some folks with the same results than a full wipe/reinstall (ah I remember my 1-2 monthly windows reinstalls).

[mij]

Clone your drive if you have a spare usb drive, it can be bootable as well.

Here is a link that may help: http://www.imore.com/how-easily-clon...on-copy-cloner