RE-installing Mac OS

[H2SO4]

Hi all. Quick quesstion as this isn't something I've done in years. I usually clone and then erase the destination disk and use migration assistant to retrieve files from the backup.

In versions of OSX past, upon double clicking the installer you were given the option of an erase and install and a reinstall in place, (can't remember the exact terminology for this choice).
This has now gone. Can someone please confirm that with High Sierra - 10.13.2, that downloading from the App Store and running the installer leaves all user files intact?

Also, is it possible with an SSD to prevent HS from converting you to APFS on installation?

Thanks.

 

[Bart Kela]

1.) Installing High Sierra on a previously functional macOS retains the user data. As always, it is recommended to make a full backup of your files before upgrading to a new operating system.

2.) Not to my knowledge. Installing High Sierra on a system with an SSD boot drive will automatically convert that drive to APFS. You cannot decline and you will not be prompted to choose something else.

If you install High Sierra on a rotational boot drive formatted with HFS+, it will remain HFS+. I do not know if there's some way to clone such as drive to an SSD formatted as HFS+, but I assume one of the third party utilities like Carbon Copy Cloner can or will be able to do this.

 

[H2SO4]

1.) Installing High Sierra on a previously functional macOS retains the user data. As always, it is recommended to make a full backup of your files before upgrading to a new operating system.

2.) Not to my knowledge. Installing High Sierra on a system with an SSD boot drive will automatically convert that drive to APFS. You cannot decline and you will not be prompted to choose something else.

If you install High Sierra on a rotational boot drive formatted with HFS+, it will remain HFS+. I do not know if there's some way to clone such as drive to an SSD formatted as HFS+, but I assume one of the third party utilities like Carbon Copy Cloner can or will be able to do this.

Thanks BK. I'll clone overnight and then do an install tomorrow morning. I don't have time to install to a spinner and then clone back but it's something I'll do when I have longer.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Fishrrman]

You didn't say which version of the OS you're using NOW.

If it's Low Sierra and you're contemplating a move to High Sierra, you might think twice about it.
Numerous folks are having problems with HS.

Also, I would suggest that if you DO decide to update to HS, that you do so from a bootable USB flashdrive with the installer on it. Easily created with the free "Boot Buddy" app and a 16gb flashdrive (you could even try 8gb if you have one).

DO make a cloned backup first with CCC. If you find you're not satisfied with HS, the clone makes it easy to "get back to where you once belonged"...

 

[hallux]

2.) Not to my knowledge. Installing High Sierra on a system with an SSD boot drive will automatically convert that drive to APFS. You cannot decline and you will not be prompted to choose something else.

Actually, there has been a Terminal command posted in other threads that will prevent the conversion to APFS. I'm not sure if that applies only to clean installs or if it will work on upgrades as well.

Can you install High Sierra and not convert to APFS? | MacRumors Forums

 

[H2SO4]

Actually, there has been a Terminal command posted in other threads that will prevent the conversion to APFS. I'm not sure if that applies only to clean installs or if it will work on upgrades as well.

Can you install High Sierra and not convert to APFS? | MacRumors Forums

Hi, thanks. I believe it's along the lines of;
path to installer/startosinstall / --volume path to drive / --converttoapfs NO

It didn't work for me as Apple have removed the option to select a drive other than the boot drive. I'm using a drive A and want to install on drive B which is an SSD.
[doublepost=1514656053][/doublepost]

You didn't say which version of the OS you're using NOW.

If it's Low Sierra and you're contemplating a move to High Sierra, you might think twice about it.
Numerous folks are having problems with HS.

Also, I would suggest that if you DO decide to update to HS, that you do so from a bootable USB flashdrive with the installer on it. Easily created with the free "Boot Buddy" app and a 16gb flashdrive (you could even try 8gb if you have one).

DO make a cloned backup first with CCC. If you find you're not satisfied with HS, the clone makes it easy to "get back to where you once belonged"...

Sorry, it's HS already. I wish I did think twice about it too. I've had a lot of issues. What's annoying is that it ran for a while with no problems at all, then I had the iconservicesagent problem and things went down hill from there. I'm not going downgrade now as I've had a lot of changes since the original install, (and in typical Apple fashion they make it a pain - your iTunes library will be converted and will no longer work with the previous etc. etc.)
I used to use Disk Utility from the recovery partition but that no longer works, hence the reinstall. Even booting to Windows now is hit and miss.
If they make the new Mac Pro like they have the new iMac Pro. The item I currently have will be the last Mac I buy.

What a fool I've been. Upgraded my production machine to a new OS, and for good measure one with a new file system!!

 

[hallux]

It didn't work for me as Apple have removed the option to select a drive other than the boot drive. I'm using a drive A and want to install on drive B which is an SSD.

Care to elaborate? On a Mac with High Sierra on it I've booted to a flash drive, run the command to wipe out the APFS drive and then installed Sierra on the system (company-issued computer, security tools not yet updated for HS but the user installed it anyway). So.. I know you can hold the Option key and select a boot drive on a Mac with High Sierra installed.

 

[H2SO4]

Care to elaborate? On a Mac with High Sierra on it I've booted to a flash drive, run the command to wipe out the APFS drive and then installed Sierra on the system (company-issued computer, security tools not yet updated for HS but the user installed it anyway). So.. I know you can hold the Option key and select a boot drive on a Mac with High Sierra installed.

Ah, I think I see a key difference, you've booted from a flash drive. I believe you used to be able to run it from the drive you are on. I've got an RX470 installed at the mo so I don't have the option to see the boot manager. It'll be a hassle but I'll have to hunt down my 5770/120 assuming they are Ok to work - I've heard rumours that after the firmware update people are having problems with certain 'legacy' GPUs.