Tutorial needed for a complete re-install of Mac OS X Leopard

[conor ordan]

In the past months my Macbook (specs below) has become extremely sluggish and slow to the point of it being a real pain to use for the most basic tasks.
I want to completely wipe the hard drive and re-install OS X.
Can somebody post a tutorial for the fastest and easiest way to do this.
The only things I am bothered about keeping are my huge iTunes library, around 500 photos and some work documents I need and a large collection of applications that I will need in the future. I have a USB external HDD which I can use to store things on.

My Macbook's specs...
Black Macbook running Leopard 10.5.8
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
120 GB HDD

I don't want to run any 'clean-up' or 'maintenance' apps, I have tried this over and over to no avail. Wiping and re-installing is the only thing I will try.

Please can somebody help me out, my mac is almost impossible to use.

 

[CJS7070]

Just insert your OS X disc, shut down the computer, and hold down the "C" key while restarting. Your Mac will boot into the installer and you can follow the instructions there to image it.

 

[GGJstudios]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...s.com&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

 

[Hellhammer]

Copy all your music, photos and documents to your external HD. I'm sure you can redownload the apps you need so don't copy them unless you have to (not available etc).

Insert your OS X disk and hold option key while booting and select your install disk with arrow keys and press enter.

From the Menu Bar, select Disk Utility. Select your hard drive (the HD, not partition) from right-hand-side box and click erase tab on the left. Now, just click erase and wait for it to erase it.

Then exit from Disk Utility and start installation of OS X. When it's installed, redownload your apps and transfer your files from ext HD

 

[calderone]

The Tutorial:

1. Backup your data
2. Double check that any data you want to keep is backed up
3. Check your backup again
4. Put the Install DVD into the computer
5. Run the Installer while the computer is booted or restart and hold down the C key
6. When it boots up, it will ask you to choose your language, choose a language that you are comfortable with
7. When the Installer window comes up, ignore it
8. Click Utilities --> Disk Utility from the Menu Bar
9. Select your Mac HD (Macintosh HD)
10. Click the Erase tab
11. Choose the Volume Format (Mac OS Extended Journaled)
12. Enter a name (Macintosh HD)
13. Click the Erase button
14. When it is complete, quit Disk Utility
15. The Installer window will return, follow the prompts to reinstall Mac OS X 16. Fin

 

[conor ordan]

okay, thanks, before I go ahead and do it I just have one question...

When it comes to re-installing the apps from the HDD to the Mac do I just do the following..?
1. Click the app I want to keep in the applications folder
2. Drag and drop onto external HDD
3. Open applications folder on new install of Mac OSX
4. Copy in old apps
5. Done?

Also...

Could someone link me to a tutorial for backing up and itunes library?

Thanks

 

[Hellhammer]

okay, thanks, before I go ahead and do it I just have one question...

When it comes to re-installing the apps from the HDD to the Mac do I just do the following..?
1. Click the app I want to keep in the applications folder
2. Drag and drop onto external HDD
3. Open applications folder on new install of Mac OSX
4. Copy in old apps
5. Done?

Also...

Could someone link me to a tutorial for backing up and itunes library?

Thanks

DOn't copy the apps, it's not recommended. You should look for all system files they have created so you're better off reinstalling them.

Just copy the whole iTunes folder and it'll include all album art etc

 

[calderone]

There would be no issue copying apps that were drag and drop (Firefox, etc). If they required an installer, reinstall them.