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Clean up Macbook hard drive

J

jshelton

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 4, 2008
528
8
Listen folks. I am still stuggling with understanding external hard drives and backing up data. I have had my MB for 7 months and I have downloaded a ton of programs here and there that I ended up removing. I have all kinds of little stray files in Finder. I have wanted to do an "Erase and Install" for a while now but I am nervous about losing some applications like Office.

I want to start with a fresh system and have on the programs that I use, Handbrake, Office, VLC, Transmission, etc. I have my system backed up with Time Machine. What steps do I take to get the "fresh system", or is it a bad idea? Please help me out here...
 
jshelton said:
I have wanted to do an "Erase and Install" for a while now but I am nervous about losing some applications like Office.
Click to expand...

I would just do an erase and install. I know that there are/is programs out there to clean up all those stray files, but I can't remember the name(s) off-hand (sorry, still working on 1st cup of coffe today).

Why would you be afraid of losing office? Do you not have the original disks? Just copy over your documents/photos/misic/etc somewhere safe and you should be good to go...
 
Anyone know what programs can remove stray files?

...or should I try an Erase and Install?
 
Is an Erase and Install necessary like it is for Windows? I know with Windows it really helped to reformat the HD once or twice a year.
 
GroovyLinuxGuy said:
No, you shouldn't need to do re-installs on your Mac like you do on windows.
Click to expand...

Right.

Things to do:
- Download "Onyx", delete all cache/temp files, run all weekly/monthly/yearly scripts.
- Open /Users/(You)/Library/Preferences ... look through for old preference files.
- Go through /Applications/, see if you don't use any of them anymore.
- /Library/Receipts is probably safe to delete (I'd backup first to be sure)
- Use FontBook and trash and old/different language fonts you don't want
- Go through your own documents!

Should clear up quite a bit of space.
 
Thanks guys. I downloaded Onyx a month or so ago, but I was nervous about using it. I didn't want to screw anything up. I finally got everything backed up with TM though. I used a program (can't remember the name) a while back to delete all other languages which gave me some space. I'll give Onyx another shot.

What exactly are the Library/Receipt files?
 
jshelton said:
Thanks guys. I downloaded Onyx a month or so ago, but I was nervous about using it. I didn't want to screw anything up. I finally got everything backed up with TM though. I used a program (can't remember the name) a while back to delete all other languages which gave me some space. I'll give Onyx another shot.

What exactly are the Library/Receipt files?
Click to expand...

Old setup/update files that just rot on your hard drive.
 
also run DeLocalizer it is free. Also delete your printer files or when you reinstall the system, do a custom install and don't check the printers and languages box -- that should save you a couple gigs of crap off your system
 
Pacer69 said:
also run DeLocalizer it is free. Also delete your printer files or when you reinstall the system, do a custom install and don't check the printers and languages box -- that should save you a couple gigs of crap off your system
Click to expand...

I know this article is for Tiger, but is this printers and languages you are referring to? I can uncheck those?


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1442
 
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