How do I restore MacBook pro??

[Mrdabbas]

Hi I have a 2008 MacBook pro 15"

I want to restore it with my friends 13" MacBook pro cd, but when I put his cd in my laptop it says this laptop cannot install os x leopard

Any help please? I need to restore it because there are lots of applications including the computer settings tab with a big "?" on the icons and I can't open them

[Scoops98]

Is is the original disc? If so, insert, restart and hold the "C" key. That will force boot to the optical drive. You can then reinstall OS X, either a complete erase and install, or just an operating system reinstall, leaving all user documents intact.

[s0ulp1xel]

If you have lion you will need a time machine backup of someone who has snowleopard on a HD and than plug in the HD and hold down the C key on the keyboard. Below is the link to all of the startup boot keys. When you hold down the C key do not hold down command.

Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts

[Mrdabbas]

Unfortunately I don't have the restore disks. I spent 60$ so far buying restore disks that are not working

I bought the 15" pro 10.5.6 cd but it still said it won't work on my laptop

[Scoops98]

What discs did you buy? You get get an official 10.6 disc for $30.

[Mrdabbas]

Here are some pictures

I have 10.5.8 installed on my comp but have the 10.5.6 cd

[Scoops98]

You don't have to have 10.5 installed. Get a 10.6 disc and either reinstall fresh or upgrade. 10.6 is way better.

[Cer0]

Yep, just grab the 10.6 discs for 29$ and it will work fine.

Also you cannot buy other peoples factory restore discs because each one is made for that specific configuration. So unless the person had ordered it with the exact same stuff you did then it won't work.