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milf · Jul 7, 2003, 03:28 PM

I'm going to format and re-install for the first time since having purchased my first ever Mac. I've finally decided to delve into the world of Panther for a bit of a test run. Since I've never formatted my drive before, I'd appreciate some advice from the more experience OS X users. Namely, a compiled list of what I should backup before formatting, so that I'm not kicking myself later on down the road.

Also, are there any precautions I need to know of beforehand. Thanks in advance.

Powaqqatsi · Jul 7, 2003, 03:29 PM

Your users directory and the /Library directories.

milf · Jul 7, 2003, 03:36 PM

What about applications, music, etc? Could I use my iPod as a backup for my music? If I sync my iPod before formatting, could I later restore my iTunes collection from it or is my only option to burn my collection onto CDs?

Powaqqatsi · Jul 7, 2003, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by milf:
What about applications, music, etc? Could I use my iPod as a backup for my music? If I sync my iPod before formatting, could I later restore my iTunes collection from it or is my only option to burn my collection onto CDs?

Ah yes, you should back up your apps too

. And yes you can use your iPod but after the reinstall you need to copy the files back manually with a 3de party app.

milf · Jul 7, 2003, 04:35 PM

What's the name of the application and how reliable is it? I'd be pretty ticked if I lost some/all of my music collection.

Can anyone verify?

iOliverC · Jul 7, 2003, 04:44 PM

You can pretty much backup your entire User folder if your iPod is big enough. If I were you though, redownload all your apps or install them again, your apps might require something in installation etc.

milf · Jul 8, 2003, 10:36 AM

Okay, so my user folder (which includes my music, docs, apps, etc) is pretty much all I need to backup? I'm just worried about stray bits that I'm unaware of. I don't want to loose anything important. Although, I'm pretty sure if it's not in my user folder I can do without it.

Does anyone have the name of the iPod restore application mentioned above? Thanks.

fat mac moron · Jul 8, 2003, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by milf:
Okay, so my user folder (which includes my music, docs, apps, etc) is pretty much all I need to backup? I'm just worried about stray bits that I'm unaware of. I don't want to loose anything important. Although, I'm pretty sure if it's not in my user folder I can do without it.

Does anyone have the name of the iPod restore application mentioned above? Thanks.

Since you have a Powerbook /w Superdrive, do a backup onto a DVD with Apple's backup software also. I selected my entire /User directory and /Library. Your needs may be different, but I fit everything onto one DVD, and restoring was fairly easy. Note that I DID NOT upgrade from Jaguar to Panther, I just did a clean install of Jaguar.

As for my MP3 collection I had a backup on a firewire hard drive.

OptimusG4 · Jul 8, 2003, 02:06 PM

Don't forget any desktop pics you have, as well as fonts in the /Library/fonts folder that you may have installed.

milf · Jul 8, 2003, 04:09 PM

Okay, so I'm going to backup my entire user directory. I'll pop all of the folders minus the music folder onto a DVD. My music folder is backed up on my iPod, so assuming that such a program exists, I'll be able to backup from that.

If someone with experience doing this could please recommend an application to use? I REALLY don't want to lose my music collection. I'm tempted to go pick up a few DVDs to be certain.

TheDisaster · Jul 8, 2003, 04:38 PM

Fonts folders
User directory (any other users on your machine?)
Application Support
etc...

What I do is as I back up is throw stuff out as I go, so I can see what's left. It helps me remember what has to be backed up still. I know I have seen somewhere (macosxhints.com ipodshacks ipodlounge.com, or one of those) a way too see your music files on your iPod when it is mounted as a drive so you can copy them back off.