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futura888 · Jun 27, 2007, 06:15 PM

Hi there!

I'm have a bit of a dilemma, I have just tried to reinstall OS 10.4 and ended up not being able to complete the installation because I've run out of HD space... great! I know exactly what files I want removed but have been unable to get to them. Now I'm a Mac newbie so I would be grateful if anyone can suggest a way of freeing up space.

Thanks,

Andy

voicebox · Jun 27, 2007, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by futura888

Hi there!

I'm have a bit of a dilemma, I have just tried to reinstall OS 10.4 and ended up not being able to complete the installation because I've run out of HD space... great! I know exactly what files I want removed but have been unable to get to them. Now I'm a Mac newbie so I would be grateful if anyone can suggest a way of freeing up space.

Thanks,

Andy

Hi Andy
Need a bit more info - you say you have been unable to get your files, have you lost them during the failed reinstall? If they are still there then buy an external HD and transfer them across to it or better still just transfer your Home folder across. Then do your OS reinstall and transfer all your Home folder/files back - minus the files you don't want.
voicbox
PS: Why did you feel the need to do an OS reinstall by the way?

futura888 · Jun 27, 2007, 06:41 PM

Thanks for responding

Ok here is some more information

I was initially having problems remembering my password so I tried a password reset, I then ended up being completely locked out and just getting a logon screen every time I booted up.

So I then looked into re-installing the OS (without the format option), so it copied all the files etc over. Now when OS X boots up it says it cannot install on this volume due to the lack of hard disk space. This leaves me no option but to boot using Install Disk 1 and holding down C. Now I'm left in the dilemma of not being able to delete the files to free up space.

When I load up Terminal, and do a ls, I end up all I can see is the 'library' folder and '.forward' and '.nsmbrc'
If I go file open, I can browse to my macintosh HD -> Users -> user folder and see the files I wanted deleted to free up space. I just can't / don't know how to get to the users folder via terminal

Big Mac · Jun 27, 2007, 06:44 PM

1. Get a second, hopefully larger drive and backup your files.

2. Reformat your internal drive and then reinstall.

futura888 · Jun 27, 2007, 06:56 PM

Sorry if I'm asking pretty basic questions but how do I backup? I'm using the install disk 1, do I backup using the disk utility? I've not come across a way of backing up yet.

Big Mac · Jun 27, 2007, 07:03 PM

Okay, that's a good point. Okay, here are my revised instructions:

1. Get a second drive.

2. Install OS X on said second drive.

3. Copy over your files afterward.

futura888 · Jun 27, 2007, 07:09 PM

Got it!

I wish there was an easier way of doing this but it looks like I'll need to get my hands on another external HD (mine are all formated for fat32)

Thanks for your time guys!

voicebox · Jun 28, 2007, 03:19 AM

Yep, good advice from Big Mac!
Re your new External HD - check out the LaCie d2 Extreme range and remember to format it Mac OS Extended (Journaled) ..
Oh, and next time write your password down so you can memorise it at your leisure!!
Good Luck
voicebox

futura888 · Jun 28, 2007, 06:22 AM

Baaaaack.

Right I managed to pickup a cheap Lacie Rugged drive, plugged it in - check, extended (Journaled) format - check...

One thing that wasn't mentioned was that I needed to partition the disk selecting the GUID partition table to make the disk bootable.

Thanks again for your help guys!