installing os x, not installing all those extras?

CDs? iLife? What version of OS X is this? Are you talking about the system restore DVDs that come with a computer, or are you talking about an OS X installation disc? OS X does not come with iLife to begin with.

I think you change these options at that window where the customize option first appears in the lower left, but I'm not 100% sure now... because it's been a while for me also.

 

I think the OP is talking about reinstalling 10.4 from the restore disks that came with his/her machine. Correct?

During the install process you can choose whether or not to install any part of iLife, I elected to install everything but GarageBand. I think I might not have used the second DVD, I am not sure though.

 

If they are the restore DVD's that came with your computer than yes, you can choose to not install iLife. From what I remember there is quite a lot of stuff you can choose not to install.

 

this link:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301229

might help.

 

When you reinstall Mac OS X from the resotre dvds do you have to back up all your files or is it like an update?