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drissa · Oct 15, 2003, 01:18 PM

Hi

I'll be going for Panther soon (from 10.1...) and want to do a clean install. However, I have bits of software, the original CDs of which have long since vanished down the back of the sofa, etc.

Being a relative newbie, I'm not sure if I can hang-on to the programme files I have - will they simply copy to a CD then reinstall on the new OS? Presumably this would make them too easy to copy with unsavoury intentions? I keep the authorisation codes in a text document.

My my, I am green aren't I? I'm pretty nifty at pool though.

Dale Sorel · Oct 15, 2003, 01:44 PM

Do an Archive and Install and you will keep all of your current software

TheIceMan · Oct 15, 2003, 02:01 PM

drissa: I'll be doing a clean install of Panther on Oct.24th (when Panther is delivered to my house). I save all my softwares in their original .dmg, .sit, etc. files and back them up from time to time. So after installing 10.3, I'll pop in my CD of backup softwares and install from it. If you have the .dmg/.sit files that would be the easiest. Hope that helps. Can't wait for Panther to get here!

drissa · Oct 15, 2003, 02:20 PM

Hmmm. I haven't kept any installation files - I just have the programme files. Will they still be copyable?

I'll investigate the 'archive' installation. Does this still allow a clean OS installation(or are they two opposing options?) I'm probably just being neurotic, but I'm really looking forward to starting totally afresh with 10.3 - really cleaning everything out.

rhogue islander · Oct 15, 2003, 02:27 PM

'Archive and install' saves your previous system folder and writes a new one all the while preserving your user account settings and program installations.

Performing a clean install means erasing the disk and starting with a clean, blank slate. Everything on your hard drive will be wiped out.

If I were in your position, I would choose to do an 'archive and install'. This is what I've always done and it's worked well for me.

gorickey · Oct 15, 2003, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by drissa:
Hmmm. I haven't kept any installation files - I just have the programme files. Will they still be copyable?

I'll investigate the 'archive' installation. Does this still allow a clean OS installation(or are they two opposing options?) I'm probably just being neurotic, but I'm really looking forward to starting totally afresh with 10.3 - really cleaning everything out.

An archive install will give you a totally fresh "System Folder" and it will retain all your User & Network settings...however, it places your old System Folder into a "Previous Systems" (not bootable) folder on the root of the HD in case you need it or want to copy stuff back into your newly created System Folder...as stated above, it won't mess with your Applications either...

(rhogue islander: You beat me to it!)

drissa · Oct 15, 2003, 02:47 PM

Thanks folks.

I've heard about possible problems caused by archive installations, but it sounds OK to me.

devmage · Oct 15, 2003, 03:18 PM

Ya the archive installation sounds cool, but why wouldn't update do the same thing instead? Seems like a cleaner way to update your OS and keep all yourstuff.