is restoring from a time machine backup a fresh install?

[otis123]

so does it completely wipe the OS or does it just restore the old one from a time machine backup?

 

[richard.mac]

if you restore from the Install DVD it restores everything so the system files and your user files.

if you just restore using Migration Assistant in the Setup Assistant or using it in the Utilities folder it will only restore your user files and third party applications.