WARNING! Before you reinstall your Operating System, you must back up all irreplaceable files on your computer, such as e-mail, papers, artwork, music, saved games, etc. The processes listed below will permanently erase all contents of your hard drive, and anything not in backup will be lost.
Part 1: Setting up the install disc
  1. Insert Disc 1 into the CD drive.
  2. Turn off the computer, making sure everything powers down. Wait ten seconds, and then turn the power switch back on.
  3. The moment the computer screen turns on, hold down the C key. This will force the computer to boot off of the CD you just put into the drive.
  4. The installation program will present you with a list of fifteen different languages. Make sure that Use English for the main language is highlighted (or whatever your desired language is), and click on the Continue button at the bottom right-hand corner.
Part 2: Checking your Hard Disk
  1. From the menu bar, pull down the Installer menu and select Open Disk Utility...
  2. From the left-hand menu, select the name of your hard disk (i.e. Macintosh HD).
  3. Click on Repair Disk.
  4. Allow the program to find and repair any problems. Once it is finished, click Repair Disk Permissions.
  5. Once the program is finished repairing the disk, Quit Disk Utility and move on to Part 3.
Part 3: Beginning the installation
  1. Here you are welcomed to the 10.3 operating system. Click Continue to move on.
  2. The following window will give you information relevant to your new installation of Mac OS X. When you are done, click the Continue button.
  3. This window is your Software License Agreement. When you are done reading the agreement, click Continue.
  4. A confirmation box will appear asking whether or not you agree to the terms of the Software License Agreement. Click Agree to continue the next part of the installation.
Part 4a: Updating System Software
NOTE: By performing the following instructions, you will be backing up your old system folder and installing new system software onto your computer. In order to do a complete reformat and reinstall, please read Part 4b.
  1. Select your hard disk (i.e. Macintosh HD).
  2. Click Options.
  3. Click the radio button that says Archive and Install.
  4. Uncheck the box that says Preserve Users and Network Settings.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Continue.
  7. This screen allows you to customize your installation of Mac OS X. It is recommended that you do not change any options and just click Install.
  8. The installation program will then verify your install disc, and then immediately continue to the installation. Do not click Skip, or else the verification process will be canceled.
  9. From here, the installation program will prepare your hard drive to be installed with Mac OS X. When it is done, it will reboot itself.
  10. When prompted, Insert Disc 2 into your CD drive.
  11. Once the installation is complete, the computer will reboot, and you can set up your new system software according to Part 5.
Part 4b: Reformatting and Installing
WARNING! By performing the following instructions, you will be erasing your hard drive and installing a new copy of Mac OS X. Be sure to back up all of your documents and otherwise irreplaceable material before continuing. In order to just perform an upgrade of your system software, please read Part 4a.
  1. Click the radio button that says Erase and Install.
  2. From the "format disk as:" pull-down menu, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
  3. Click OK.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. This screen allows you to customize your installation of Mac OS X. It is recommended that you do not change any options and just click Install.
  6. The installation program will then verify your install disc, and then immediately continue to the installation. Do not click skip, or else the verification process will be canceled.
  7. From here, the installation program will prepare your hard drive to be installed with Mac OS X. When it is done, it will reboot itself.
  8. When prompted, Insert Disc 2 into your CD drive.
  9. Once the installation is complete, the computer will reboot, and you can set up your new system software according to Part 5.
Part 5: Setting up your copy of Mac OS X
  1. Select United States (or your country of residence) and click Continue.
  2. Select U.S. (or your preferred keyboard layout) and click continue.
  3. Select Don't create an Apple ID for me, and click Continue.
  4. Unless you want to fill out your registration information to be sent to Apple, hold down the apple key and q to skip registration.
  5. Click Skip to confirm that you wish to forgo product registration.
  6. Enter your name, short name (either your first name or a shortened version of your name), your password and a hint to remind you of your password into the forms on this screen, and customize your login image. This information (except for the shortname) can be changed in the System Preferences under Accounts. When you are finished, click Continue.
  7. Select your location on the world map, select your closest city from the pull-down menu, and click Continue.
  8. Set your date and time, and click Continue.
  9. Once you have entered all of the above information, click Done. The setup program will close and you will be able to begin working with Mac OS X.