Questions about erasing my hard drive

[Zach808]

I'm fed up with this "Cannot move files" error that I get when I'm trying to partition with BootCamp, and have just decided to back up my files. However, I have a few questions:

1. Is the Mac OS Snow Leopard install DVD actually the full version?
I used it to upgrade from Leopard, but is it a full disk, or just an upgrade disk? Like how Windows has the "full" version and the "upgrade" version.

2. Will all my registered apps get unregistered?
I have apps that have required serial numbers to get them to work. Will I have to buy them again, or is there some way to save the registration? If so, what files should I keep?

3. Specifically, what files do I have to save to keep Ilife '09, Office '04, and Iwork '09? Those are my largest concerns, and if I lose those, I'm probably screwed. Which files should I keep to keep them running like normal?

 

[Gregg2]

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. Back up your entire hard drive, then migrate the applications you want.

Why reformat? Why not just archive and install the OS?

 

[Zach808]

I've tried reinstalling OS X, but it didn't do it. I've tried repairing the permissions and the disk. Does it have anything to do with this SUID file I can't repair? I'd like have BootCamp actually move those stupid files.

 

[Dan73]

Did you defrag?