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shabbasuraj · Sep 28, 2003, 12:28 AM

I have decided that I am going to do a clean install...

this computer is really messed up right now, and I can't seem to figure out why the system preference pane or an apparent fix to these issues...

10.2.8 really screwed up my computer bad...

so my question is how should I go about backing up my info...
I mean how do I save all of my address contacts and iCal dates, and bookmarks and all the other personalized data files...

should I just burn my user directory including apps onto a CD or transfer them to another computer via network, and then transfer it back to the HD when 10.2.6 is all nice again?

I am worried about my dates and contacts and such... so how do I preserve them?

thanks in advance for the replies guys/gals...

lates...

mikemako · Sep 28, 2003, 03:13 AM

Yes, do what you said- backup the entire home directory, then re-install the OS.

Once you have created your new user (with same exact name and password), drag the contents from the old "documents" folder to the new one; from the old "pictures" folder to the new one; from the old "library" folder to the new one; and so on.. don't replace the new folders themselves with the old ones, though, only their contents.

Also, before you initialize the disk, remember to check in the main "Library" folder (located at the same level as the "users" and "system" folders) for any fonts or other things you may have added in there. Also check the "shared" folder (located at the same level as your "home" folder).

shabbasuraj · Sep 28, 2003, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by mikemako:
Yes, do what you said- backup the entire home directory, then re-install the OS.

Once you have created your new user (with same exact name and password), drag the contents from the old "documents" folder to the new one; from the old "pictures" folder to the new one; from the old "library" folder to the new one; and so on.. don't replace the new folders themselves with the old ones, though, only their contents.

Also, before you initialize the disk, remember to check in the main "Library" folder (located at the same level as the "users" and "system" folders) for any fonts or other things you may have added in there. Also check the "shared" folder (located at the same level as your "home" folder).

thanks for the help...

so how exactly am I gonna preserve my bookmarks, and more importantly, my addressbook?

TIA...

lates..

Mac Write · Sep 28, 2003, 04:12 AM

Why not drive Carbon Copy Cloner to copy over your home folder.

shabbasuraj · Sep 28, 2003, 04:21 AM

I am a Mac newbie...

just switched in july, and now I get screwed with 10.2.8...

so I am not familiar with that program...

please explain what it is and how to use it, and how I can benefit?

TIA...

lates..

mikemako · Sep 28, 2003, 04:54 AM

well.. if you are a .Mac member you can use "iSync" to syncronize your iCal, Address Book, and Safari Bookmarks to the .Mac server, then when you reinstall OS X and iSync if you run the program it will restore those items.

it is much easier to just do it the first way though, which is to back up your home folder. Everything you are concerned about: Address Book, iCal Events, and Bookmarks are in your home folder within the folder "Library"..

so just back up all the folders within your home folder and that's it!

Please note this will NOT back up any applications or anything outside your home folder.. just your personalized data and preferences.. All apps must be reinstalled once the OS is clean installed.

shabbasuraj · Sep 28, 2003, 05:14 AM

ok thanks for the reply...

you have been very helpful..

i guess my only concern naturally is, if i copy back that library folder, does that increase the chances that any of my 'problems' will resurface thus negating the very reason as to why I am doing a clean install on my 12" PB Al...

I know this requires a subjective answer...(and perhaps there is no answer, as I hope 'my' problem was not or did not originate from this 'Library' Folder...

TIA again...

lates..

ryarber · Sep 28, 2003, 04:40 PM

By far the simplest solution is to use Apple's Backup program. Just run it, back up to either DVD's, CD's, external firewire drive, etc. Then just restore. It is that simple. I did it last month and it worked like a charm. I also used it to move all my stuff from my iMac to my new G5 and it worked great for that also.

Caution, the new backup is beta software, so you might want to use the older version (1.2.1) to do something like this. However, you can't backup to an external firewire drive like this.

mikemako · Sep 29, 2003, 06:22 PM

backup is a great app for sure, but your concern about backing-up and reinstalling corrupted preferences is warranted, and backup won't save you from that.

This could help:

Go to your Home>Library>Preferences.. right click on preferences and choose "duplicate" to make a backup of your current preference setup.

Now go through all the files in the original "preferences" folder and look for any that shouldn't be there.. Maybe there are the remains of some old apps (that you have since removed) that are causing the problem. If you read carefully, you can tell where (almost) all the preferences come from.. delete the ones that you think are no longer needed.

Also check to see if there is a "preference panes" folder (also located in Home>Library), create a duplicate, and do the same as before: go through and see if there are any preference panes that are unnecessary.

You can also check in Hard Drive(or whatever your computer's disk is titled)>Library>Preferences for any files that don't belong..

Again, make sure to make duplicates of any folder you're going to delete files from. If something goes wrong, just remove the original folder that you've been deleting files from, and rename the duplicated folder (remove the word "copy" from it's title), log out and back in, and all will be back to how it was.