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First things first: I don't appreciate software piracy and I really want to spend money on software that I use and that I work and make money with. I don't want this question closed just because I consider downloading software, I only want honest opinions and alternatives.

Here we go: So I have my OS X Snow Leopard Upgrade DVD, but it's horribly scratched and won't boot anymore. It endlessly loads and at some point I have to force pull it out of the disc slot.

How can I reset my Mac then?

  • Can I take my original disk to an Apple Store and ask them for a replacement? Will they believe me, even if I don't have the receipt anymore?
  • Would owning the original disk make it okay for me to look somewhere on the internet and download it? I don't even know if that will work without hassles.
  • Could I try to read the disk to an image with some error correction methods? Maybe during boot it can't read some files, but some other program can?
  • Is there any other way of resetting the Mac? Mine's now over 3 years old an I seem to have misplaced my original discs that had 10.4 on it.
  • Or should I just buy a new 10.6 upgrade disk? (Which is not really what I want to do)

Answers and opinions would be much appreciated.

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4 Answers 4

Reset to default
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In general you purchase a license to use the operating system on a pre-defined number of computers. You're not buying the media per se. It is perfectly legal to install a pirated version of an operating system as long as you have your own license to use that version of the operating system.

As you have the original disk, you have the license to use the software. Where you source the software from is neither here nor there, so don't feel guilty about downloading it.

It only becomes illegal if you don't have a license.

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  • That makes sense, at least I don't have to feel guilty or anything.
    – slhck
    Commented Mar 2, 2011 at 8:35
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I have successfully used Novus Fine Scratch Remover several times.

Novus Fine Scratch Remover
Although it would take forever to go through the big jug.

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  • Seems nice, but I'm not located in the US, so I might have problems getting my hands on these.
    – slhck
    Commented Mar 2, 2011 at 8:33
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Try having the disc resurfaced, either professionally or one of those "disc doctor" machines you can purchase. The home versions do leave some marks but the one time I used it, it did restore use of the one disc I had issues with.

I would not trust a downloaded copy, it's too easy to add stuff to the CD.

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    You could although try toothpaste not kidding. Just put some toothpaste onto the disk and polish it with a clean rag. It will at first become dull but after a few minutes of polishing it will get a smooth surface again. And it even smells better than before g. I have done it myself. It might be some work, but it sure can help. But it takes some time. Maybe 15-30 minutes depending on the amount of scratches. If they are really deep you might have to use sandpaper or it will take forever using toothpaste.
    – Darokthar
    Commented Mar 1, 2011 at 23:11
  • Thanks, I've tried the toothpaste thing as it was an ad-hoc solution, but it didn't work that well. The disc smells great now, but no luck.
    – slhck
    Commented Mar 2, 2011 at 8:36
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Contact Apple support and order a replacement DVD.

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  • I called today, they don't do replacements.
    – slhck
    Commented Mar 2, 2011 at 16:02

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