Will Archive and Install Delete Microsoft Office on Leopard?

[eatapples]

Because I installed Microsoft Office 2004 from my friend's disk, I do not have the actual disk for installation. So, if I were to do an archive and install of leopard on my macbook, would microsoft office be deleted?

 

[spinnerlys]

No, but

Archive and Install choice

This option moves existing system files to a folder named Previous System, and then installs a new copy of Mac OS X. This option is available only for volumes with Mac OS X already installed. Usually, if you select this method, you will want to also select (check) "Preserve Users and Network Settings" which imports existing user accounts, home folders, and your network settings into the new system.

from Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
found via "archive and install leopard"

 

[south8212]

Archive and install will only replace the system files, not the users home folder in which the office files are stored in. So in other words, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[spinnerlys]

Archive and install will only replace the system files, not the users home folder in which the office files are stored in. So in other words, you have nothing to worry about.

That's a bit confusing. Aren't the actual applications of MS Office stored inside the Applications folder, which is outside the Users, thus Home folder?

 

[MisterMe]

That's a bit confusing. Aren't the actual applications of MS Office stored inside the Applications folder, which is outside the Users, thus Home folder?

The global Applications folder is at the root-level of your hard drive. It is undisturbed by an Archive and Install reinstallation of the OS.

 

[eatapples]

Before I do an archive and install, if it stores everything in a previous systems folder, when I start up my computer, will I have to do anything, or will it automatically start up from the previous systems folder?

 

[spinnerlys]

Before I do an archive and install, if it stores everything in a previous systems folder, when I start up my computer, will I have to do anything, or will it automatically start up from the previous systems folder?

It will start from the newly installed Mac OS X, the Previous System folder is not bootable, but accessible for you through Finder.

 

[eatapples]

So I will have to create a new user account and re-setup everything? I think I've found another way to fix the problem with my macbook, but this would be good for future reference...

 

[MisterMe]

So I will have to create a new user account and re-setup everything? ...

No. The point of Archive & Install is that you do not have to have to create a new account and you do not have to setup everything. Most of your settings reside in your user directory which is untouched. Immediately after an Archive & Install, should should be able to get back to work.

Other settings reside in the global Library folder. These, you drag from your old Library folder to the equivalent location in your new Library folder. Do this file by file. Your problem is likely to be one damaged settings file. Test your system after each move until you have issues. This will help you to identify the problematic file and so that it can be discarded.

 

[eatapples]

okay thanks!