Reset 2009 Mac with 10.5.8

[leachim]

I have an older mac

 

Need to reset it back to Factory Settings without a disk

 

Have tried CMD + R but still loads the OS

 

Thanks

[3s-gtech]

I have an older mac

 

Need to reset it back to Factory Settings without a disk

 

Have tried CMD + R but still loads the OS

 

Thanks

 

Not sure about 10.5, but you could download 10.6 at one time, then make a bootable USB to install it. Not sure if it’s available now.

[Tom_M]

I believe the in-built recovery was introduced in macOS 10.7 and above (along w/ newer Macs). Your best option would be to find an original installation media.

If it's a 2009 Mac it can go up to El-Capitan (Generally). This is still available via the Apple Website to the best of my knowledge. Just watch out for a bug that existed with the Date/Time where you need to jump into Terminal to kick start the installation.