Archiving/Restoring 'home' folders

[sandman42]

I want to do a clean install of Tiger on my iBook, but I also want to preserve everything in the existing user folders. In the past I've always just 'upgraded', but I have a feeling my computer could use a clean start.

Is it as easy as backing up each user's home folder (to an external HD), then copying them back to the 'Users' folder once the OS is re-installed? Do I have to 'create' the user (in Accounts) first? Are there any other important steps? Is it possible to do an 'Archive and Install' with the archive directed to an external HD?

Thanks!

 

[St Soichiro]

I want to do a clean install of Tiger on my iBook, but I also want to preserve everything in the existing user folders. In the past I've always just 'upgraded', but I have a feeling my computer could use a clean start.

Is it as easy as backing up each user's home folder (to an external HD), then copying them back to the 'Users' folder once the OS is re-installed? Do I have to 'create' the user (in Accounts) first? Are there any other important steps? Is it possible to do an 'Archive and Install' with the archive directed to an external HD?

Thanks!

Doing an erase and install is a good option once in a while. It cleans up all the unneeded stuff. The home folders contained most of the information. You may want to back up all needed applications. In any case, prepare well before you being, because what is gone will not be recoverable.

Detailed info from the horse's mouth
Also remember to deauthorize iTunes

Erase and Install has been discussed ad nauseam on MR. I am sure that you could find other threads by searching.

Good luck.