Archive and Install... or ... Where did my pictures go?

Ok, so I had to total brain malfunction and did a Archive and Install when I did the last OS update. So now my user account is gone and hiding inside the "previous system" folder. I'd really like to retrieve iPhoto albums, pictures, books, events, etc. Is it possible?
Thanks!
John

Next time select the option to preserve User and internet settings (I think that's what it's called). This will keep your account intact so you don't have to retrieve it from the Previous System folder.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Similar Messages

Archive and Install or... where did my music go?

Ok, so I had to total brain malfunction and did a Archive and Install when I did the last OS update. So now my user account is gone and hiding inside the "previous system" folder. I'd really like to retrieve iTunes albums, music, movies, playlists, iphone data, etc. Is it possible?
Thanks!!

Yes - just copy them to where you want them...though I can't figure out why they would be in the previous system folder and not in the new one.

HELP! I did an archive and install and I want my old system back

Hello,
I had a big problem that actually ended up being a small problem. Unfortunately to try to fix it I did an archive and install. Now I have come to the realization that my Postfix mail setup, my MySQL setup, my PHP setup, my web pages, my Blog are all gone. Now if I go into the "previous system" folder everything seems to be there. Is there a way to just restore the old system to get all that back without having to reconfigure and redo everything?
I tried to copy the old "Library" back out to the / folder, the problem is that this folder is constantly in use and cannot be replaced.
Any advice?
PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 Ghz

Joshua:
You said you did an Archive and Install. You did not say whether this was an upgrade or you were re-installing Tiger.
I suggest you read the article linked above, if you have not already done so, and it will give you an idea of what happened. If you chose to preserve User Settings, it should all be there in your new Library. All you need to do it move over your data and you'll be fine. Otherwise you can just move over your entire Users Folder and it will have everything you need.
You said that you want your old system back. I am not sure if you are saying that you want to go to a previous OS, like Panther, or whether you want your computer back the way it was.
a couple of other points, if I may:
1. Re-installation, by whatever method, should always be a avenue of last resort. It is the ultimate invasive therapy and likely result in the situation you are in or worse. Every other avenue should be exhausted before resorting to this rememdy.
2. A good backup strategy is a life saver. During any major procedure, and sometimes without any procedure just of out the blues, your computer can fail and you can lose all your data, your third party apps etc. It is good practice to preferably clone your entire computer to an external Firewire Drive that can also be used as an emergency boot disk.
OK, I gave you much more information that you requested. However, I hope something I said was helpful in terms of recovering your settings and data. Please post back and let me know.
Good luck.
cornelius

Archive and install but still no right or left scroll

HI I have Archived and installed but also did preserve users and network setting and Safari is still the same with no right or left scrolling available. I am using Safari 4.0.3(5531)
Help
George

Even tho you did an Archived and Installed, you'll still using the old user account. Something in your user account might be corrupt preventing the scroll from showing up in Safari. Make a new user account in your System Preferences/Accounts and see if that new account brings back the scroll bar.

"Archive and Install" - Where did the folder go??

I have had many problems with applications crashing since my upgrade to Leopard and Apple recommended that I do a Archive and Install of the system.
I started it last night and went to bed.
When I woke up it was done...
Now I can not find the folder with my old system copy. Where is it and what is it called?
Looking at the space on the hard drive, I expected a big chunk to be used for this folder but I can not see that much of the hard drive have been used.

Hi,
Open a finder window, click on your hard drive, and you should see a folder named "Previous System Folder"
Follow Apple's advice on how to delete it - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25461
Regards

Where to find after "Archive and Install"

Hi everyone. I recently installed Leopard onto my Macbook. During the process, I used the archive and install feature to save all of my old data and files. Right now everything is located in the "Previous System" folder on my hard drive. I am trying to find my iCal information, but don't know where it's located. Does anyone know?
I didn't backup any of my calendars. I didn't think I would have to since all the information should already be saved.

aimili,
If you actually accomplished an Archive and Install, you should be able to open iCal and the previous calendar information will populate your upgraded iCal. What calendar information is displayed in iCal when you open the application?
If your old calendars are not displayed you should be able to find your previous information in folders named something like 4A1DC586-14EC-4D42-B659-BEBA31968385.calendar in the Users/yourusername/Library/Application Support/iCal/Sources Folder of your previous system folder. There will be as many of these folders as you had calendars on the previous system, but they will have different alpha numeric names on your computer than the example which I just gave you.
Open these oddly named folders and you will find the corestorage.ics files containing your former calendars.
Use iCal to import the corestorage files by using the iCal>File>Import... menu command to navigate to and import the appropriate corestorage.ics file for each of your calendars.
Did you ever use .Mac? If so, you may also have calendar information that can be retrieved from that service.
;~)

Where is the "Archive" file from "Archive and install"?

I did an Archive and install when I upgraded to 10.5. I also made a bootable clone (external HD) of my Tiger.
Now, I'd like to know where the Archive file is? And is it ok to delete?
Need to free space on my internal HD.
Thanks

Open the folder Previous Systems on your hard disk, go through the highest numbered or most recent folder for items you want to keep; once done, throw it away and empty the Trash.
(25395)

I did and Archive and Install on MBP with 10.4.11...now what?

I recently performed an "Archive and Install" on my MBP that was having odd random shutdowns (not battery related). Just prior to this I used DiskWarrior 4.0 to fix errors to try to possibly cut down on the shutoffs. All it did was f**k up my machine so bad that as soon as the grey screen and apple logo came up, it was like this grey curtain went down and an "on/off" icon came up saying I had to restart. I was never able to boot my machine off my hard drive again until i did the archive and install. Everything seems fine now.
My question is, I want to get the "old system" folder off my HD since it's taking up a lot of room. how do I know what files are critical and what ones aren't? I copied over my printers folder but all my other data seems to either be where it was before or it got moved over during the archive and install.
Any help on what i HAVE to save before i trash the old system?
Thanks!

Cool, that was my first guess as to what to do. But now the old lockup issue has returned. I had put my MBP to sleep for an hour or so. When I came back up from sleep mode, I got the black box in the middle of the screen with the "on/off" button and the message that I had to restart or shut down. On restart when I clicked "report", the following came up in the box:
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x001A49CB): Unresolved kernel trap (CPU 1, Type 14=page fault), registers:
CR0: 0x80010033, CR2: 0x017b6900, CR3: 0x00e1a000, CR4: 0x000006e0
EAX: 0x01610000, EBX: 0x017b6900, ECX: 0x00000420, EDX: 0x00000000
CR2: 0x017b6900, EBP: 0x25153c38, ESI: 0x00001000, EDI: 0x00000000
EFL: 0x00010202, EIP: 0x0017eaa9, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x03860010
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x25153a18 : 0x128d0d (0x3cc65c 0x25153a3c 0x131f95 0x0)
0x25153a58 : 0x1a49cb (0x3d2a94 0x1 0xe 0x3d22b8)
0x25153b68 : 0x19b3a4 (0x25153b80 0x18c296c 0x0 0x0)
0x25153c38 : 0x15df65 (0x423d220 0x1000 0x0 0x14185d)
0x25153c88 : 0x16214b (0x3f953e8 0x1801000 0x0 0x25153df4)
0x25153d28 : 0x16e29d (0x3f953e8 0x25153df4 0x3f909f8 0x1801000)
0x25153e78 : 0x37558d (0x1803000 0x0 0x3 0x0)
0x25153eb8 : 0x3481e9 (0x1801600 0x0 0xb88 0x0)
0x25153f58 : 0x37b300 (0x3fb67d0 0x48469a0 0x48469e4 0x0)
0x25153fc8 : 0x19b77e (0x483eea0 0x0 0x19e0b5 0x4133348) No mapping exists for frame pointer
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0xb0080be8
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.11.1: Wed Oct 10 18:23:28 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.25.20~1/RELEASE_I386
Model: MacBookPro2,2, BootROM MBP22.00A5.B07, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.16 GHz, 2 GB
Graphics: ATI Radeon X1600, ATY,RadeonX1600, PCIe, 128 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 1 GB, DDR2 SDRAM, 667 MHz
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM1, 1 GB, DDR2 SDRAM, 667 MHz
AirPort: spairportwireless_card_type_airportextreme (0x168C, 0x87), 1.2.2
Bluetooth: Version 1.9.5f4, 2 service, 1 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: FUJITSU MHW2120BH, 111.79 GB
Parallel ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-857D
USB Device: Built-in iSight, Micron, Up to 480 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, Apple, Inc., Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: IR Receiver, Apple Computer, Inc., Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, Apple Computer, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Hub in Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Apple Optical USB Mouse, Primax Electronics, Up to 1.5 Mb/sec, 100 mA
USB Device: Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 250 mA
Any ideas on what's causing the error, or is this the same one that i see posted all over this site with no resolution either from Apple or anyone else?

Where is mail stored after archive and install?

Hello All,
I need to know where my old mails are stored after archive and install. To give a bit of background... This is a work computer. Its a MacMini which came with 10.4 installed. Before I joined the company boss upgraded to Leopard and thats what I have been using all this time. Recently it blue screened and I had to do an archive and install after trying various other options.
I only had the original install discs with 10.4 in them and not the Leopard discs. Since I needed to my computer up and running, I used those discs and did an archive and install.
I have all my old documents, etc but I couldn't open mail from the previous systems folder because its a different OS.
Is it possible to retrieve my old emails without having to install Leopard again?
Any help is appreciated.

When I started the computer up, instead of the login page with the account names coming up, there was just a blue screen. There are lots of articles that gave suggestions to try but nothing worked so I had to archive and install.

Installing FCS2. Did Archive and Install. Now what?

I got studio 2 today and didn't like the idea of installing it over Studio. I searched and the gurus say don't do it. I'm confused about archive and install. If I do it do I just drag all the Studio apps in the trash after I do the Archive and Install or do I drag the apps in the trash before then install FCS2.
Any help would be appreciated.
Erik

You got that right. I cloned my drive with SuperDuper then used Migration Assistant to move all my settings and users files over. No applications where moved. It was pretty easy. I'm still loading all my programs which is a drag but everything else is already been moved and that would have been a whole lot harder to deal with. I have three users on this Mac. Lots of files and folders. This was the first time I have done this and I did learn a few things. I have been making images of all my software and the updates keeping them all in a folder on a separate drive. next time I have to do this I will just open the image and sit back. No sticking disks in. And its faster. I have Leopard sitting on my desk but not brave enough to try it out just yet. I need a stable edit bay right now. I wish I could get a Intel mac just for FCP. Now that would be sweet. The G5 is still kicken but il bet this Studio 2 upgrade will be the last one for a G5.

I'm a Pro Tools user, who just did an "Archive and Install" installation of 10.5.8 over my 10.4.11 on my 2 Ghz G5, now Pro Tools won't launch. I checked the extensions folder and sure enough, the digidesign extensions were left behind. Can I revert back

I'm a Pro Tools user, who just did an "Archive and Install" installation of 10.5.8 over my 10.4.11 on my 2 Ghz G5, now Pro Tools won't launch. I checked the extensions folder and sure enough, the digidesign extensions were left behind. Can I revert back to the "Archive" of my 10.4.11 System from the "Previous Systems" folder? If not, what's the point of creating the "archive"?

Did you select "Preserve User Settings"?
Archive and Install installation automatically moves existing system files to a folder named Previous System, then installs Mac OS X again. (See tip 3.) You cannot start up your computer using a Previous System folder, nor can you "re-bless" the Previous System folder. (See tip 1.)
You can choose to preserve your user and network settings before installing. This option automatically moves existing users, Home directories, and network settings. This also skips the Setup Assistant after installation.
Note: Because the "Preserve user and network settings" option moves, not copies, existing users, Home directories, and network settings, from the Previous Systems folder to the newly installed System, these items will not exist in the Previous Systems folder after the Archive and Install is complete.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1710
Read this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2196
BTW, it is never recommended to do a major OS change without having a full, bootable backup.

Anyone know where I can get an "Archive and Install" article for Tiger?

I need to do an archive and install on my Macbook (OS 10.4.11), which runs at the speed of molasses. I've never done it before and am very nervous. Can anyone point me to an article on the website that will tell me how to do it? Thanks!!

Tony: Thanks very much! I looked at the article, which warned me that I should attempt simpler solutions first.
The computer, which we got in 2006, has been slow from the beginning and has gotten worse and worse (despite the installation of a new motherboard). I had it looked at for precisely this problem while it was sitll under AppleCare, but the Apple Store I took it to claimed there was nothing wrong with it.The reason I've been assuming I need to do an A&I is that an Apple tech thought that would speed up the computer, which has been getting slower and slower on all counts--rarely crashes, but (for example), now it's so slow to recognize a perfectly good wireless signal that it sometimes takes a full minute before the "You are not connected to the Internet" disappears and Safari (or Firefox) connects.
Do you think the tech who advised me most recently was right, or do you think I should look for another cause before attempting an A&I? I've looked at the Apple article about isolating problems before trying an A&I, <http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1388>, but that article only addresses solving specific issues (e.g., balky startups, kernel panics, etc.), rather than the global problem of slowness this computer has had almost from the day it arrived.
Thanks again for the first article link, and for any suggestions you may have--much appreciated.

How do I restore previous settings after archive and install?

I had to do an archive and install (with the box unchecked about users) on Friday after I had a kernel panic issue, but now I don't know if there is a way to restore my previous settings and access my previous files. I found the "previous system" folders, but it restricts my access to almost all of the folders, and I can't even find all of my music (iTunes) files or my stickies. I also can't find all of my bookmarks and internet settings. I'm totally panicked...there is a lot of information for my business that I really can't afford to lose. Please help me!

See the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107297.
The following can also apply to locating and moving data from a Previous System Folder. The "Home" folder will be /Users/shortname/ where "shortname" is the user account name you created.
Because you did not transfer the users accounts when you did the Archive and Install you may have created a new user account and password that is not the same as the one you previously used. This means the PSF has different permissions associated with it.
<font "size=+1">Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
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Archive and install leaves previous system in generic condition

I just did an archive and install preserving settings from 10.3.9 to 10.4.8
(10.3.9 > 10.4 > 10.4.8)
no problems on the surface so far
then I had an issue with "Preview" where multiple images opened in separate windows instead of in the drawer of one window so I went looking for a previous preview pref file thinking it was glitch and I could replace the file.
Previous system>users> revealed nothing -no user info whatsoever
I have a cloned backup which I've frozen for the time being.
I was under the impression that an arch and install w/preserve settings kept the previous system intact and just copied needed files.
It appears that the files were- moved- including all apps so my previous system looks generic
what am I missing?
G5 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Here we go, Lance
Many settings that are used very frequently are also stored in cache files. The associated preference file is only consulted when the cache file is deleted. During the Archive&Install all caches are cleaned. There might have been a different setting in the preferences than in the cache.
Open Preview, open "Preferences" from the Preview-menu, click the tab "Pictures" and "Open pictures in same window" (or something the like - I use a german system).
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

Archive and Install...the aftermath

I recently performed an archive and install. I checked the option to "Preserve home user and network settings", so all of my documents, pictures, movies, music, user settings, iTunes/iPhoto libraries, internet favourites, address book contacts et cetera were RIGHT where I left them after the procedure, which was handy. However, certain things (library files, and duplicates of Mac OS X applications) are now in the "Previous System" folder. Certain articles I have come across online lead me to believe that I can delete this folder. But I'm not so sure I've got everything back yet. Here's my question:
Certain widgets that I have installed that didn't come with OS X are missing, because they are in
Previous System/Library/Widgets
as opposed to
/Library/Widgets
When I tried moving them, it failed, because it said that the folder "Widgets" can't be modified. The dialogue box gave me the option to Authenticate (rather than just clicking OK), but when I clicked Authenticate, nothing happened (and I do mean nothing). Is this just a quirk? Do have to simply download the widgets from the web again? Or is something else wrong?

you might be able to use Terminal and UNIX commands to migrate files from the archived System, but I think it's safer to reinstall any missing/non-functional apps. While most are standalone and easy to find the needed files, some may have special file locations that aren't obvious and you might miss them, the original installer will put all the app's supporting files in the correct locations.
For example: WireTap Pro contains an .app in your Applications folder, but also needs a kernel extension somewhere in the System folder. If you did an archive and install this would wipe out the kernel extension and the .app would no longer work. Who knows how every single .app/Widget stores their needed files? If one is missing and doesn't work, just reinstall it.
Maybe in the event that the installed .app is not available on disc or the internet, then you have no other option but to go digging in the archived System and pull out all the bits and pieces to try to get it working again. I would wait to delete the archived System until you know you have all your existing third-party apps working again, just to be safe.

Archive and Install... or ... Where did my pictures go?

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