Macbook running real slow

My daughter bought a macbook and its running real slow, takes 10 minutes just to boot up, soon as you click on anything it takes 5-10 minutes for it to respond. Whats the best way to reformat it, or can you even do that?
Answer #1
What version of OSX is it using? Before you format it try repairing the disk permissions using “Disk utility”. If that doesn’t work and you want to re-format follow the Apple guide (takes about 30 minutes):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
If it’s going slow enough to take 10 minutes to boot up it sounds like a hardware fault rather than software though (e.g. failing HDD) so reinstalling probably won’t do anything.
Answer #2
I agree with it’s quite possible that the HDD is going bad, I suggest you get it checked with the following app:
http://www.volitans-software.com/smart_utility.php
My daughter bought a macbook
A brand new one or second hand? Still under warranty?
Answer #3
Mac OS X Version 10.6.4
I ran the hdd program and it did say it was failing, is there a way to repair it?
Answer #4
No, You’d have to get it replaced!
If it’s under warranty, Take it to an apple service center.
Answer #5
i doubt its under warranty 10.6 is old man that laptop is at least 4+ years old…you can try to find a 10.6 disk but something like that you wont find here youd have to go to torrents and probably just reformat and buy a cheap hdd off ebay…also you might have to start using
oldapps.com
b/c i have a old mac (powerbook g4 running 10.4 yes ever older than yours!!) and none of the new apps work on it (vlc/itunes/roxio toast/etc) so im forced to download 5yo versions of software off oldapps…
Answer #6
I have a powerbook g4 that has a cracked screen, can I take the hdd out of it?
I have several hdd’s, if its just a sata 2.5
Answer #7
Provided your powerbook uses an SATA HDD, Yes you can, Otherwise no.
And yes it’s a 2.5″ SATA HDD, So if you got a spare one, You could use it.
Answer #8
I found a copy of MAC OS X 10.5 Leopard – Install Disk, can I not put a new hdd in it and then format it with this disk?
Answer #9
Yea but its more outdated then what it’s running now, couldn’t find a 10.6 disk?