It includes information on the decisions you make when performing a clean install.
Do this using Disk Utility, which is included with the installer.
Insert the bootable media or connect it to your Mac and then restart the Mac while holding down theOptionkey.
You can choose to transfer user data, applications, and other information from another Mac, PC, or hard drive.Screen shot courtesy of Coyote Moon, Inc.
The Mac OS X Utilities window displays as if you are booting from the Recovery HD partition.
There is not a Recovery HD partition available yet, because you have not installed the OS.
This is why you made your own bootable media.
You can choose to transfer user data, applications, and other information from another Mac, PC, or hard drive.Screen shot courtesy of Coyote Moon, Inc.
SelectDisk Utilityfrom the list of options, then selectContinue.
Select your Mac’s startup volume from the list of devices in Disk Utility.
If you never changed its name, the startup volume is listed as Macintosh HD.
Screen shot courtesy of Coyote Moon, Inc.
Select theErasetab and confirm thatMac OS X Extended (Journaled)is selected in the Format drop-down menu.
Give the startup drive a name or use the default name, then selectErase.
SelectReinstall Mac OS Xfrom the list, then selectContinue.
When theInstall OS Xwindow opens, selectContinue.
your box’s eligibility must be verified before you’re free to download and restore OS X.
This happens because the bootable media you created does not contain all the files necessary for the install.
Read through the license agreement (or don’t), then selectAgree.
SelectAgreeonce more to confirm.
The installer displays a list of drives on which you’re able to install Mountain Lion.
grab the target drive (the startup drive you erased earlier), then selectInstall.
The installer checks the Mac App Store for updates and any other files it needs.
Enter yourApple ID/Apple Accountand selectSign In.
The installer copies the necessary files to the target disk and restarts the Mac.
When your Mac reboots, a progress bar displays the time remaining in the installation.
When the progress bar hits zero, your Mac automatically restarts, and you are prompted for information.
Select your country from the list on the Welcome screen, then selectContinue.
Select your keyboard layout from the list, then selectContinue.
you could also choose not to transfer data now.
you’ve got the option to transfer data later using the Migration Assistant included with Mountain Lion.
Make your selection, then selectContinue.
Choose whether to enablelocation services.
Make your selection, then selectContinue.
The installer asks for your Apple Account.
It also pulls account information you provided in the past to make the registration process easier.
Make your selection by selectingSkiporContinue.
Review the terms and conditions for the various services included with OS X Mountain Lion, then selectAgree.
SelectAgreeonce again to confirm.
Allow the installer to set up iCloud on your Mac.
Make your selection, then selectContinue.
Make your selection, then selectContinue.
Create your administrator account.
type your full name.
The account name defaults to your full name with all the spaces and special characters removed.
The account name is also all lowercase letters.
You also need to enter a password.
Don’t leave the password fields blank.
you’re able to choose to allow your Apple Account to reset the administrator account password.
If you occasionally forget important passwords, this may be a good option for you.
you could also choose whether or not a password is required to log into your Mac.
Make your selections, then selectContinue.
Select theSkipbutton, if you don’t want to register now.
Otherwise, selectContinueto send your registration information to Apple.
A Thank You screen displays.
All it’s crucial that you do now is selectStart Using Your Mac.
It’s almost time to start exploring your new operating system, but first, a little housekeeping.
SelectSoftware Updatefrom theApplemenu and follow the instructions for any updates listed.
After youinstall any available updates, you’re ready to go.
A clean install means you start fresh by erasing all the data on the target drive.
The installer downloads to the /Applications/ folder.
When you download Mountain Lion, the installer starts automatically.
The choices are a DVD, a USB flash drive, or a bootable external drive.
Consult the following guide to prepare your bootable media:
