"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

Similar Messages

  • 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.

  • HTML DB v1.6 Install - Where did the graphics go?

    Hi Everyone,
    I just installed version 1.6 over 1.5 and noticed the image graphics went missing!
    I also noticed my passwords were trashed so I went into the 10g Enterprise Manager and found the OBE user I created for the tutorial and re-typed the password. I then was able to log into the OBE account on HTML DB.
    Can you tell me how to get the graphics back, and what other user's are connected to the ADMIN account so I can re-type those passwords?
    Thanks.
    Emad

    Hi Sergio,
    Here are the steps.
    1. I unzipped the downloaded files.
    2. I ran sql/plus and used the command as described in the documentation as the first example. After a short while sql/plus crashed.
    3. I changed the properties for the sql/plus shortcut to start in the directory I unzipped the downloaded files.
    4. I ran sql/plus again and used the command as described in the documentation as the first example. This worked and there was a success message displayed before sql/plus ended. I am taking for granted they have an exit command in the script to do that.
    5. I loaded HTML DB in the browser and it displayed the login page but had no graphics. I tried to use the workspace obe, user name obe, and password obe. It said the login was invalid.
    6. I started the Enterprise Manager and found the obe account and re-entered the password.
    7. I loaded HTML DB in the browser and it displayed the login page but still had no graphics.
    8. I was able to successfully log in as obe, but still no graphics. I was also able to run the application and the original graphics from the old templates were displayed.
    9. I logged out as obe and tried the workspace internal, user name admin, and password indonesia (This is the password I set up when originally installing version 1.5 from the companion disk.) It said the login was invalid.
    10. I tried to re-enter the passwords to the following accounts in the Enterprise Manager. flows_010600, flows_files, and htmldb_public_user. When I tried to login as admin it still said the login was invalid.
    I hope this helps.
    Thanks.
    Emad.

  • Does "Archive and Install" really exists on the Snow Leopard install DVD  ?

    Well, Mr Magoo really needs your help.
    I have an iMac late 2009 edition and the Snow Leopard DVD installer discs.
    Reading the little baby paper book manual that came with the discs and the iMac it says on page 54 that i can re-install Snow Leopard by choosing "Archive and Install" or "Erase and Install".
    Mr Magoo just can't find that "Archive and Install" choice and have concluded that this is a very bad reprint of a manual from years long ago when it was possible to archive and install or it some joke by Apple.
    Unfortunately my 90 days of phone talk to Apple has expired albeit the two year warranty under apple sometimes care program i purchased is still valid.
    Help/suggestions on how i can get to do an Archive and Install with the Snow Leopard installer DVD that came with this iMac ?

    Dave Sawyer wrote:
    You misunderstand what Carolyn wrote. In Snow Leopard, Apple engineered the installer so that any reinstallation over an existing copy is in essence an "archival" install in the sense that it replaces all the OS files while automatically preserving the applications and user settings, just as the old "archive and install" option did, though no longer with the option to not preserve the user settings. So all installations over an existing OS are in essence "archive and install", so Apple removed the extra, now-redundant option.
    They also removed the "Erase and Install" option. The only way you get a "complete fresh" installation is if you use Disk Utility to erase the drive. Otherwise the 10.6 installer will install a new set of OS files but not remove your apps and user settings.
    If you want to reinstall Mac OS X 10.6 and keep your applications and user settings and data, just do a normal installation over the existing one. If you want to do a completely fresh installation, either starting completely new or restoring user data from a backup, first run Disk Utility from the Utilities menu and erase the drive.
    Well, have you tried an Snow Leopard installation on top of a previously installed Snow Leopard.
    I must really be an idiot in using the snow leopard installer.
    I loaded the optical slot with the Snow Leopard DVD installer and after it opened up on the desk top i double clicked the install icon. That restarted my iMac.
    When I launched the installer after selecting my "Language" and then going thru the customization ( for example I don't need all those foreign languages ) and then selecting the drive to carry out the installation the installation starts.
    Upon completion all my third party applications were zapped and i only had the Apple applications. There was no "previous" system folder as there used to be in previous operating system installers.
    So, honestly, I have no idea how you folks manage to make an Snow Leopard installation over a previously installed Snow Leopard whereby all the third party applications are still there.
    Please tell me the steps i should take to make an "archival" install over top of a previously installed Snow Leopard that retains all third party applications.
    After my install of Snow Leopard I had to re-install all my third party software applications which in my case are mainly midi/audio programs.

  • After archive and install--I have a previous system folder

    Hello, I had a corrupted system file and I had to do an archive and install, which used the system discs I got with my laptop to reinstall OS X.
    Now I have a previous system file on my hard drive. Is this still needed? Can i just delete it? What can I do?
    Thanks

    This is simply an archive of your previous system.
    Although system was corrupt, you may be able to look through the folder and retrieve any data which you would like to keep.
    But the answer is no, you definately don't need it.
    Dave

  • What to do after an Archive and Install operation?

    Hello:
    Near the end of a hard drive defrag on the laptop using Drive Genius, something (I am not sure what) caused the computer to shut down before the defrag had finished. Most of the hard drive info. ended up in a folder called Lost and Found. The Directory probably got damaged.
    The only solution I could see was to do an Archive and Install operation. The laptop had been backed-up, but the backup was not very current.
    DiskWarrior brought the laptop back to life. Some information and apps were manually dragged over from the backup copy. I now have the unsavory task of having to sift through a thousand folders in Lost and Found folder to see if there are any large chunks of folders/files which are salvageable. If I can determine where the files belong, I will drag them there.
    Meanwhile, I have a former System Folder in the "Previous System" Folder. Inside is a file named 'mach.sym' and three folders named 'etc, tftpboot and var'.
    QUESTIONS:
    1. How does a person reclaim the former System Folder back into the rebuilt Hard Drive?
    2. Any helpful suggestions or comments .... are we doing the right things to get the laptop back into shape?
    Thanks in advance!

    Thanks for the assurance note; I will go ahead and trash the former System Folder. I assume the re-installing program dumped the former System Folder into a new folder in order to get it out of the way so that a new System Folder could be installed. I did not remember that the old folder needed to be manually hauled to the trash.
    As there are now quite a few folders missing their former data files, I suspect these files are gone for good. So far it does not appear that anything absolutely critical is missing......other than my sanity for being so lax in maintaining scheduled backups!

  • How do I use archive and install to restore my CD drive?

    I have a 2.66 GHz MacPro with current leopard software. My extended warranty just ran out. Before it ran out I began having problems with my CD drive in that some CD's or DVD's will be recognized while others' will not open. After talking extensively to Apple, they told me to do an archive and install with the original installation discs. I've been putting this off (even allowing the warranty to expire) because I'm paranoid that I'm going to lose precious data even though I have a current Time Machine backup.
    So my question is do I just do the archive and install and hope for the best? Will I then have to upgrade back to the current version? I remember doing an archive and install a couple of times before to upgrade OS's and a few things didn't work until they were tweaked - lost code numbers, some Adobe products, etc.
    Or is there a CD/DVD drive 'package' on the OSX install CD? Could I just reload this? If so can anyone tell me where to look? I would love to do this because everything else is working perfectly and I don't want to mess things up.
    Note: I'm sure it's a software thing and not hardware related after consulting with Apple.
    Thanks for the help,
    Lou

    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
    1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
    Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
    3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
    4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
    5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
    6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

  • Finder not responding after Archive and install

    I recently encountered my first problem ever with my mac(new in '05) This is the first mac I have owned; I have worked on G3's and G4's in the past. After reading through many message boards and support pages I don't believe my problem to be similar but different to previous posts.
    My problem started off with an OS problem that I was able to diagnose in the "help" book I purchased when Leopard came out. It said I should Archive and Install to remedy the problem and keep my files. I ran the archive the install (it gave me no options to preserve user or network settings). After Archive and install my computer started up alright, but I got the permanent beachball and the finder does not work. it is constantly non responsive. I can relaunch finder, but after it restarts it goes non responsive immediately once again. So I can't actually access my "previous system" folder to move anything over. I checked my dock items and finder, they opened, but my itunes asked for an update. I list of update items came up; I did the non-restart items first. they updated fine, (my itunes old itunes playlists are viewable but not playable now) then I did the items that required a restart. That is when I found out that I could not shut down or restart my computer with std. procedures.
    Currently I can only access my spotlight or apple pull down menu if I am in a functioning dock program (safari or itunes, quicktime. etc.) after reading some more support pages it looked like the common thing to do was check permissions and verify disk. I did, I repaired two permissions and the disk was OK. I did look at the HD files, they were as I remembered, but unaccessible (greyed out) and the "previous system" folder was present. +It didn't look like I would expect. The HD looked same as it used to just with a previous system folder.+ After checking the permissions and verified the disk I tried a hard restart. It came back the same as before, unresponsive finder and only the few dock items worked along with spotlight. I checked permissions and disk verify again and everything was OK.
    Sorry to be long winded I am trying to be thorough...In short, My finder does not work after doing an Archive and Install to fix my original problem (which has been fixed)...the remedy for an unresponsive finder is to do an archive and install. Is another archive and install really going to fix my problem? Can I archive and install OSX 10.4 and work my way back up to 10.5.6?
    Secondly is there a way to restart my computer without doing another hard restart?

    It won't let me add a new account. I am locked out and when I try to unlock it gives me the beachball and becomes non responsive after it tries to authenticate.
    I looked at the log file, I am not sure what exactly to look for. I am no programer. I see an awful lot of negative wording. I see some errors like "error (-4956) locating menu extra but they are mostly under system preferences...I see some stuff in the loginwindow that says is not a full path... Otherwise, the only reference I see to the finder is when I have force quit the finder.
    2/8/09 8:59:55 PM com.apple.launchd[114] ([0x0-0x4d04d].com.apple.finder[304]) Exited: Terminated
    2/8/09 11:10:17 PM com.apple.launchd[114] ([0x0-0x57057].com.apple.finder[321]) Exited: Terminated

  • Quicken 07 remains after Archive and Install?

    Will the Quicken 07 application AND all my accounts remain after doing Archive and Install? I mean, will they be up and ready to use or need to be located in a folder and re-installed?

    On an "Archive and Install", you have the option to save user data and network settings. This will copy all your user data into the home directory on the new install, and make the install process as seamless as possible. Applications are copied over as well, I believe, but if they're not they are left in the "Previous System" folder and you can copy them over manually and test them out. I believe "Quicken" is one of those applications where you just drag it to the applications folder to install it. As such, it should migrate to the new system easily and be up and running without the need to reinstall it. Most apps that require reinstalls are those that put extensions and plug-ins into the system folder (Adobe CS3, for example). Some things to keep in mind:
    Corrupt preference files can cause applications to run funny or not at all. If an app doesnt behave normally then remove the preference file for that application from your user library. Corrupt preference files can happen during an install, so its good to be aware of the possibility they might crop up.
    In a similar manner as corrupt preference files, sometimes the install process can change the permissions on files and folders, which will result in the same funky behavior. Using Disk utility to fix permissions BEFORE and AFTER the install will greatly reduce the probability of this being an issue.

  • Performed Archive and Install now Previous System User File is Empty

    Performed Archive and install yesterday -selected the save users and networks option. When it was complete - the machine worked - but when I went into the previous system folders the user folder is empty. I have almost no space left on my drive - so i think my stuff is still out there somewhere - is it?
    Help!
    I do have backups of most things - but there is no room on my hard drive to restore from my backup.

    How much space DO you have?
    If you can boot from another fdrive for now, that;d be good.
    How much free space is on the HD, where has all the space gone?
    OmniDiskSweeper is now free, and likely the best/easiest...
    http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/
    Perhaps they are there but invisible!?
    If you want to try to recover them, you should quit using the computer asap. Possibility exists of losing everything. Backup if at all possible.
    Unfortunately DU can't fix all that much, your best bet is DiskWarrior, you need the CD though.
    http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/
    If DW can't fix it, you might try Data Rescue II...
    http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
    (Has a Free Demo to see if it could or not, but you'll need another drive to recover to).
    Or FileSalvage...
    http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftware/index.php?%20mainpage=product_info&productsid=1
    to recover what you can.

  • HELP! Problem after Archive and Install

    I need help. I did an Archive and install because I was having problems with my ical not opening. I did the archive and install without checking the "preserve settings" box. I want to know what I need to transfer from either the "previous system" folder that was created when I did the archive and install or a back up I have on a seperate hard drive so that I can get all of my info back (ie: mail, addresses, bookmarks etc.). I am also having problems with some 3rd party software. For instance, when I open password plus I don't have access to all of my saved info.
    I am feeling overwhelmed right now and know I am not thinking clearly. Do I just copy and paste from the previous system folder to the new system folder?

    No, making an image won't help. There isn't anything you really need to copy from the /Library/ folder unless it's in the /Library/Applications Support/ folder in which case you shouldn't have any permissions problems unless you reinstalled your OS and used a different username and password. In this case you will have to change to ownership and permissions to enable moving the folders. In some cases try moving the contents of the folder rather than the folder itself.

  • Archive and install: pb to find my old files

    Hi,
    I had a bad bug in my os x tiger, so I had to "archive and install" to fix the bug.
    When I open my "user" file, I find a file name : "Paul.sparseimage" image file 16Go(Paul was the name of the user I want to find the files), where there is all my files in. The problem is that I can't open it...
    Please help me...
    Paul

    Sounds like before you used Archive and Install
    you had File Vault enabled on your user account.
    If you remember your former password double click the image file
    and it should ask you for a password, when the correct password
    is entered it should open up like a disk image.
    Roam through it and copy your personal documents to a shared folder or
    a new users/current users Documents folder.
    I do not know if it is possible to restore everything from the file vault image
    and replace what is there right now.
    As far a preferences are concerned you may have to re-set the preferences for your personal applications all over again.
    If anybody else has other opinions, theory's, idea's, and/or suggestions feel free to post them.

  • Archive and install... then?

    I did an archive and install while on the phone with AppleCare folks about three months ago.
    Now, I find myself starved for harddrive space and possessing a folder labelled "previous system" that weighs in at about 4 gigs.
    Is it OK to delete this folder? If not now, when? What are the pros and cons of freeing up these 4 gigs for everything else that seems to accumulate at an exponential rate?
    Thanks!
    (12" G4 PB; OS10.3.9)

    re: "Is it OK to delete this folder?"
    If you are sure you have copied all that you need from the folder and your new archive and install is working properly it is perfectly safe to delete this folder.
    hope that helps,
    littleshoulders [:-)
    PS. The best "Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk" primer that I know of can be found in Dr. Smoke's excellent FAQ that can be found here.
    Message was edited by: littleshoulders

  • Archive And Install: any way to preserve settings??

    Hey there, so as I've been posting on these forums, been having some problems with my computer freezing after I upgraded it to Tiger. Although it certainly wasn't crash-proof beforehand--although I used the program Rember and that suggested that the RAM was okay, that wouldn't necessarily tell me if the RAM was compatible--and I Verified and Repaired permissions for everything beforehand, the incidences have been increasing. It even froze when Software Upgrade was installing the 10.4.11 package! So, someone here suggested that I try again, using Archive And Install.
    If you have any suggestions on whether this is a good plan, let me know. I'm certainly ready to try it, but one of the things I liked about the basic upgrade is that it kept all my user settings from the previous OS--my other 3rd party applications, my personal files, my bookmarks, etc. Although I DID clone the previous boot partition to my external drive (using Carbon Copy Cloner), I haven't necessarily even looked at the clone since I reinstalled.
    Granted, if I can simply copy and paste all of those files, applications, and import those bookmarks from the old drive, then I'm not as worried. It's not like I upgrade my OS system very often, and just don't know that much about how Archive and Install differs.
    So, I want to know EXACTLY what's at risk, what I'd need to back up & reinstall (and if doing so could potentially eliminate any problems that could've incurred from the computer freezing during that Tiger Package upgrade).
    Thank you!

    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
    Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
    3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
    4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
    5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
    6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.
    The option to preserve users and network preferences will move your user folder from the previous system to the newly installed system. It will move your network preferences only from the /Library/SystemConfiguration/ folder. It will move your third-party applications. It will NOT move any application support folders located in /Library/Applications Support/ nor any third-party preferences located in the /Library/Preferences/ folder nor any third-party software folders installed in the /Library/ folder.
    I would clone your existing system before doing the Archive and Install as a precaution. Repair the hard drive and permissions beforehand and test the clone afterwards to be sure it boots the computer.

  • Doesn't accept User name + Password after archive and install

    I did an archive and install, when finished the install the computer restarted and came up with the login Name + Password screen. I type in every account Name + Password I know and the login window just shakes telling me its wrong. I don't know what to do from this point, I was thinking about reseting the admin password but I'm not sure thats the problem because we have two admin accounts and I know both passwords.
    I archive and installed 10.4.0 over 10.4.7. And currently on my backup install of tiger.

    I did an archive and install because I had no video, and sometimes could not turn on the IBook. I have had two logic boards that went bad and were fixed free by Apple. When I finished the install the computer restarted and came up with the login Name + Password screen. When I type in Name + Password the login window just shakes telling me its wrong, which it is not.
    It is possible that the administrator or other user on the computer were erased at some point when I thought to get rid of unnecessary stuff (mistake!)
    I archive and installed 10.2.0 over 10.3.7, because I thought the instructions were to use the original install disk.
    I have a backup of the info on this computer on a MacBook Pro that I use all the time, this IBook I only use for email, etc.

Maybe you are looking for