[ryarber]

Is there any simple way to rebuild your system after doing a clean install of OS X? It seems that files are put all over the place and I don't know what all to move. The library folder, the user folders, etc. Is there software written for this purpose? Does the clean install do this automatically?

I'm having some quirky problems and I think I should do a clean install, but I don't want to go through the headache of doing this now. Might just wait for 10.3 in 3 months and put up with my USB devices flashing on and off every couple of minutes.

[zachs]

First of all, here's how to do a clean install (just in case):

1. Startup from the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 while holding the 'C' key.
2. Follow the instructions until you get to the disc selection screen. Click 'Options', and choose the 'Archive & Install' option. Also check 'Preserve Users & Network Settings' (this will preserve all of your users/settings, etc.)
3. Install as usual


When you install it this way all your settings will remain intact.

[ryarber]

Originally posted by zachs:
First of all, here's how to do a clean install (just in case):

1. Startup from the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 while holding the 'C' key.
2. Follow the instructions until you get to the disc selection screen. Click 'Options', and choose the 'Archive & Install' option. Also check 'Preserve Users & Network Settings' (this will preserve all of your users/settings, etc.)
3. Install as usual


When you install it this way all your settings will remain intact.

Will it keep all those little files that other apps put in places like the main library folder, etc.?

[zachs]

In the main library, yes.

But there will be a folder created called "Previous Systems", which has your old System folder, Library folder, etc.

You can just move those items (ie, preference panes) from the main Library to your home library (~/Library), or move them afterwards.