This is sort of a dumb question, but what exactly does an Archive & Install do? I know in the Windows world, it puts your previous Windows installation in a Windows.old folder, and all programs are lost. What does Leopard do?
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What exactly is Archive and Install?
- Thread starter thesdx
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trippr
macrumors member
i also have some questions about this, sorry if you seen my other posts.
Does the Archive and Install keep all your iphoto albums etc, itunes and playlists, all other mp3s and movies on my mac?
Cheers in advance
Archive and Install keeps EVERYTHING.
It backs up EVERYTHING on the computer, performs a clean install and then merges in everything that it does not recognize.
So, if it knows about the Application iTunes, it does not copy the old version into the new installation.
All of your user-specific files will be retained.
This includes Applications that are not included on the Install Disc.
Only "system" files are not copied over.
It backs up EVERYTHING on the computer, performs a clean install and then merges in everything that it does not recognize.
So, if it knows about the Application iTunes, it does not copy the old version into the new installation.
All of your user-specific files will be retained.
This includes Applications that are not included on the Install Disc.
Only "system" files are not copied over.
Trepex
macrumors 6502a
Backs up everything and creates a folder for your old system and library files. Some applications like Photoshop will need to be reinstalled before they work, but stock applications and many others that are not Library-dependent will just work immediately.
Details here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Details here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
yellow
Moderator emeritus
Typical Archive & Install moves your entire installation of OS X into a "Previous Systems" folder in the root of the drive. It will save any non-Apple installed apps. If you allow it to save users and network info (the default), it will keep your /Users directory in place, as well as save your logins within the NetInfo framework. It will reinstall a new version of the base OS.
If you choose an A&I that doesn't save user and network info, then everything will be moved into "Previous Systems" folder and a new clean installation of the OS will happen.
If you choose an A&I that doesn't save user and network info, then everything will be moved into "Previous Systems" folder and a new clean installation of the OS will happen.
Trepex
macrumors 6502a
By the way, when doing an Archive&Install you can choose to Preserve Users and Network Settings in which case your user(s) home folders will be restored as they were before the reinstall. So yes, you could keep all your photos and music.
This said, even if you DON'T choose this option, you can jsut copy stuff over from the "Previous System" folder after the fact. Sometimes it's desirable to NOT preserve the user folders if you suspect that could be the source of your problem(s).
This said, even if you DON'T choose this option, you can jsut copy stuff over from the "Previous System" folder after the fact. Sometimes it's desirable to NOT preserve the user folders if you suspect that could be the source of your problem(s).
trippr
macrumors member
thanks for the fast reply peeps.
I've only had my mbp under a month so no problems,
Would you recommend i just do a upgrade when leopard arrives?
Or archive and install?
Trepex
macrumors 6502a
You should have no problems upgrading but some people prefer a clean install 🙂 Worst case you could try one and revert to the other if something isn't to your liking.
so third-party programs don't need to be be re-installed or re-registered or anything like that? they just automatically reappear in working condition in the new OS?