[Meteo]

I've got my imac running jaguar since it has been released.
It's now slower than ever and I want to reformat it and re-install os X.
What are the folders to backup to retrieve my data (I know where are my word docs but where are my emails?) and my settings in all the apps I use?
Is there software to use that backup all these precious things?
many thanks in advance

[soul searching]

Originally posted by Meteo:
I've got my imac running jaguar since it has been released.
It's now slower than ever and I want to reformat it and re-install os X.
What are the folders to backup to retrieve my data (I know where are my word docs but where are my emails?) and my settings in all the apps I use?
Is there software to use that backup all these precious things?
many thanks in advance

Try Backup.app (by Apple) or Carbon Copy Cloner.

You need a .Mac subscription to use Backup.app. If you don't, maybe now it's a good time for a trial subscription.

Good luck.

[Truepop]

I vote carbon copy cloner. but I don't see the need to format. Why not just do an archive and install?

[CatOne]

Originally posted by Meteo:
I've got my imac running jaguar since it has been released.
It's now slower than ever and I want to reformat it and re-install os X.
What are the folders to backup to retrieve my data (I know where are my word docs but where are my emails?) and my settings in all the apps I use?
Is there software to use that backup all these precious things?
many thanks in advance

If you back up your ENTIRE home folder, you'll get about 95% of what you need. That is, the ENTIRE /Users/meteo folder (or whatever it's called).

What it won't get is any applications you've installed, or any machine-specific settings (for example, your computer name or the like). But you will get all your data files, and you'll get your dock preferences, etc. I can do a fresh install and in about 30 minutes, be 100% where I was, if I only make sure to copy the home folder.

Doing it correctly though isn't 100% trivial, because if you re-create the username on the machine, you'll have to "copy over" the old home directory, which requires some tricks I only know how to perform from the command line (i.e. log in as root, rm the new home directory, and mv the old one to the new). Archive and Install may be easier, as would going to Panther

[Meteo]

Originally posted by Truepop:
I vote carbon copy cloner. but I don't see the need to format. Why not just do an archive and install?

there is no need to format only that I don t want 4 partitions anymore, 2 would be better on my 20GB HD.

many thanks for all the answers

I know CCC but in my mind it was only for replication, i will give it a try

I will backup tomorrow and re install this week end

ciao

[Meteo]

did it!
thank you for your help, got all my mails!!!! (more than 500)