To perform a hard reset on your MacBook Pro 2012, you can follow these steps:
1. Save your work: Before proceeding with a hard reset, it’s important to save any unsaved work you may have on your MacBook Pro. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important data during the process.
2. Shut down your MacBook Pro: Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “Shut Down.” Wait for your MacBook Pro to completely power off before proceeding to the next step.
3. Disconnect all peripherals: Unplug any external devices or peripherals that may be connected to your MacBook Pro, such as USB drives, printers, or external displays. This will help avoid any potential issues during the reset process.
4. Press and hold the power button: Locate the power button on your MacBook Pro. On a 2012 model, it is typically located on the top right corner of the keyboard. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds.
5. Release the power button: After holding the power button for 10 seconds, release it and wait for a few seconds.
6. Press the power button again: Press the power button once again to turn on your MacBook Pro. You should see the Apple logo appearing on the screen.
7. Enter Recovery Mode: Immediately after pressing the power button, press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously. Keep holding these keys until you see the Apple logo, a spinning globe, or a progress bar. This will indicate that you have successfully entered Recovery Mode.
8. Use Disk Utility: Once you are in Recovery Mode, you will see a window with several options. Select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.” In Disk Utility, you can choose your startup disk and erase it to perform a factory reset. Be aware that this will erase all data on your MacBook Pro, so make sure you have a backup of any important files.
9. Reinstall macOS: After erasing your startup disk, you can exit Disk Utility and choose the option to reinstall macOS. This will download and install a fresh copy of the operating system on your MacBook Pro.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions: During the reinstallation process, you may be prompted to select your language, agree to the terms and conditions, and choose a destination for the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.
11. Set up your MacBook Pro: Once the reinstallation is finished, your MacBook Pro will restart and you will be guided through the initial setup process, similar to when you first bought your device.
Please note that the steps provided are for a hard reset, which will erase all data on your MacBook Pro. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.