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Reinstalling OS X!

D

davidg4781

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Oct 28, 2006
2,973
476
Alice, TX
Why???

Because I don't work tonight (I've been working overnght :mad:). I'd also like to spend the time seeing how the install goes, you know, in case I ever really DO need to reinstall this thing.

Does anyone have any recommendations? As far as prefs go, I'm fine going through them again. I know to backup my purchased music and important files. Anything else I need to know before I start?

How about while I'm reinstalling? Any settings that I should select? How about software/files that I don't need to install? I think I can do without most of the iLife stuff, except for iPhoto.

Speaking of iPhoto... is there an easy way to back this up? Do I just burn the iPhoto folder to a DVD?
 
I suggest using iBackup for your user directory.

In the installer you can customize what you want to install. I suggest to pay attention for the Customize button when going through to see what options you have.
 
I'm downloading iBackup now (ohh, it's finished, broadband is nice). Is there any particular reason you recommend iBackup instead of me picking and choosing files? I really want to make sure I don't get any Palm files in there, from Palm Desktop I installed some time back.

And yeah, I'm actually asking that question after listening 10 Quick Steps to Perfect Backups.
 
davidg4781 said:
I'm downloading iBackup now (ohh, it's finished, broadband is nice). Is there any particular reason you recommend iBackup instead of me picking and choosing files? I really want to make sure I don't get any Palm files in there, from Palm Desktop I installed some time back.

And yeah, I'm actually asking that question after listening 10 Quick Steps to Perfect Backups.
Click to expand...
It depends on where Palm Desktop installed files.
 
UGH! They installed them everywhere. Almost every folder I open that isn't Desktop has some reference to Palm.

This is a pretty neat program, but scary. I think I'm going to do a FULL back up, then one that just has the basics.... just a precaution.
 
When I re-install OS X, I usually just uncheck the printer drivers, extra languages and fonts, those are a waste of time and space.


I don't see a need to re-install OS X, maybe just back up all your stuff for the hell of it.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I like to practice banging my hand with a hammer, just in case I have to do it sometime.
Click to expand...

Haha, I was waiting for a reply like this one. Normally, I'm the same way, but I just want to experience the install process. And it's also been running a little sluggish, I'm hoping this will help. Another 1.5GB of RAM wouldn't hurt either....that's coming next month.
 
davidg4781 said:
Haha, I was waiting for a reply like this one. Normally, I'm the same way, but I just want to experience the install process. And it's also been running a little sluggish, I'm hoping this will help. Another 1.5GB of RAM wouldn't hurt either....that's coming next month.
Click to expand...
Given that it's a MacBook with 512 MB of RAM, it's the RAM.

I have some for sale 2 x 1 GB. ;)
 
This backup is going to take forever. Oh well, it'll give me time to actually do something productive. MR takes up too much time.
 
Hmm, I'm not sure this is going to work. I have 32.1GB of stuff to backup, and only 23.1GB available.

Does iBackup compress? I tried backing up to my Windows PC, but it dinged and didn't do anything.

What do I do with this backup folder anyway, after it's created? Can it be burned to a DVD or does it need to be transferred to a network drive?

How do you restore it?
 
davidg4781 said:
Hmm, I'm not sure this is going to work. I have 32.1GB of stuff to backup, and only 23.1GB available.

Does iBackup compress? I tried backing up to my Windows PC, but it dinged and didn't do anything.

What do I do with this backup folder anyway, after it's created? Can it be burned to a DVD or does it need to be transferred to a network drive?

How do you restore it?
Click to expand...
iBackup can be switched between Backup and Restore modes. Sadly it doesn't compress.
 
davidg4781 said:
Haha, I was waiting for a reply like this one. Normally, I'm the same way, but I just want to experience the install process. And it's also been running a little sluggish, I'm hoping this will help. Another 1.5GB of RAM wouldn't hurt either....that's coming next month.
Click to expand...

"Running a little sluggish" is a pretty vague symptom, but whatever is going on (if anything), you're better off spending your time learning how to diagnose and fix it than by reinstalling. That's a skill you're more likely to use. ;)
 
IJ Reilly said:
"Running a little sluggish" is a pretty vague symptom, but whatever is going on (if anything), you're better off spending your time learning how to diagnose and fix it than by reinstalling. That's a skill you're more likely to use. ;)
Click to expand...

Sluggish, as in something's eating up my RAM. It never was this bad. But, like I said, I have the time, and want to give it a try. I might not be able to though. I can't find a free backup that will let me backup to DVDs. There's not enough room on my hard drive for that.
 
Ok, so, I scrapped the idea that night, since I couldn't back up to DVDs. I never thought of just moving my data to my PC. DUH!!!

Oh well, I need to fill out some applications, so no time to play around with that, but at least I have something to mess with the next time I'm off.:D
 
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