How to re-install everything

[gangst]

Hi,

I am keenly awaiting Tiger and everyday my 1.33Ghz Powerbook seems to get slower (so I will get a 1gb ram module to help boost things).

But my main concern that once Tiger is installed this will make it performance awful.

Because of this I have decided to do a clean install of Tiger, but before I can do that, I need your help.(I have an external hard drive if that helps)

I am not 100% sure how to do the following, and don't want to mess up and loose all my personal and important stuff.

1)How do I backup my applications so that I can just drop the into the Tiger applications folder.
2)I can easily backup my iTunes library, but how do I bak up playlists.
3)The same with my iPhoto library, how do I back thaat up so it maintains albums e.t.c

The rest I am fine with e.g documents, videos, but I am really concerned with the applicaations bit and don't want to mess up.

PS. To do a clean install do I have to erase the dis using Disc Utility, or does the actual Tiger instalation disc give that option.

Thanks

 

[mkrishnan]

1)How do I backup my applications so that I can just drop the into the Tiger applications folder.
2)I can easily backup my iTunes library, but how do I bak up playlists.
3)The same with my iPhoto library, how do I back thaat up so it maintains albums e.t.c

1) I'm not sure there's a straightforward answer to this. If it was an application you installed by dragging its icon from the disc image to the apps folder, then all you need is a copy of the application package that's in the apps folder now. If it was an application you installed using an installer program, then it also has some things in the library folders (prolly), so there might not be an easy way.

2) I'm pretty sure that your playlists are in the .xml and library files that are in ~/music/itunes folder. So if you back up that whole folder, I think iTunes will see it automatically when you put it back.

3) Similar answer -- I'm pretty sure the additional info is in the three files that are in the root of ~/pictures/(your library)/

PS. To do a clean install do I have to erase the dis using Disc Utility, or does the actual Tiger instalation disc give that option.

The latter.

 

[gangst]

1) I'm not sure there's a straightforward answer to this. If it was an application you installed by dragging its icon from the disc image to the apps folder, then all you need is a copy of the application package that's in the apps folder now. If it was an application you installed using an installer program, then it also has some things in the library folders (prolly), so there might not be an easy way.

If I was to use a program like CarbonCloner, would that work? Or making disc images using Disc Utility, even though I don't know how to do make disc images using Disc Utility. This is my problem, because I have lots of apps where I have installed them using an installer, and have lost/no longer have the discs but only have their serial numbers.

 

[mkrishnan]

If I was to use a program like CarbonCloner, would that work? Or making disc images using Disc Utility, even though I don't know how to do make disc images using Disc Utility. This is my problem, because I have lots of apps where I have installed them using an installer, and have lost/no longer have the discs but only have their serial numbers.

Hmmm...can't help you there.

Oh, with regard to iPhoto and iTunes...if you start iTunes and it doesn't see your library (after you restore the whole library folder into your new music folder), then in the advanced preferences, there is a place to set the location of the library. I think you can set it to the correct location there, and then quit/restart. In iPhoto, the first time you start it in your newly minted account, it may automatically create a library. If so, quit, delete that library, and then start it again, and you will get an option to find the library that you already have.

 

[gangst]

okay, thanks for your help mkrishnan.


Anybody able to help me with the following, from previous post:

If I was to use a program like CarbonCloner, would that work? Or making disc images using Disc Utility, even though I don't know how to do make disc images using Disc Utility. This is my problem, because I have lots of apps where I have installed them using an installer, and have lost/no longer have the discs but only have their serial numbers.

 

[Fredstar]

Easy way to copy applications over - all you gotta do is drag them onto your pod, if you have one, and just drag them to your new application folder in Tiger. Works fine for me

 

[gangst]

thanks alot fredstar, I'd say that the same principles work with an external hardrive,even tho i have an ipod i don't have the space, stupid mini

 

[munkle]

Easy way to copy applications over - all you gotta do is drag them onto your pod, if you have one, and just drag them to your new application folder in Tiger. Works fine for me

This won't always work as some applications create folders/files in other locations, namely under Library/Application support. This holds especially true for apps like GarageBand, iDVD, Keynote etc etc.

 

[munkle]

okay, thanks for your help mkrishnan.


Anybody able to help me with the following, from previous post:

If I was to use a program like CarbonCloner, would that work? Or making disc images using Disc Utility, even though I don't know how to do make disc images using Disc Utility. This is my problem, because I have lots of apps where I have installed them using an installer, and have lost/no longer have the discs but only have their serial numbers.

CarbonCopyCloner will make a complete clone of your system. What you will be able to do then is mount the image on your system and then drag what you want onto your new Tiger install.

 

[mkrishnan]

CarbonCopyCloner will make a complete clone of your system. What you will be able to do then is mount the image on your system and then drag what you want onto your new Tiger install.

From my understanding, with this approach, you basically either have to get a website to tell you what to move from ~/Library and /Library, move it all , or play with it 'til it works, right?

 

[munkle]

From my understanding, with this approach, you basically either have to get a website to tell you what to move from ~/Library and /Library, move it all , or play with it 'til it works, right?

Pretty much but at least you're safe in the knowledge that you have a comprehensive backup and, hey, who doesn't love tinkering on their Macs!