Backing up HD and Panther upgrading step by step request

Question

new to forum, just want to ensure I do everything right..
I've had and used my iBook for 5 years now and I believe have been running 10.2.8 for the majority of that time.
I have the following items-
-iBook (meets requirements)
-WD My Book Pro edition 250GB
-Panther upgrade discs
and would like to do the following procedures-
-back my current HD onto the external drive (I do not want to lose my music,photos, and mail when I upgrade)
-upgrade to Panther
-use new OS with music, photos, and email intact
I've read through the discussions for tips, but I would appreciate a simplified step by step walk through if someone would be so nice... I have zero experience backing up, running disk repairs and permissions stuff, etc. so any steps that are helpful along the way are appreciated.
also I believe I need to format the WD My Book to run properly in 10.2.8 before I can backup HD prior to upgrading..? sound right..?
forgive any terminology mistakes.
thanks,
scott

Answer 1

scottyatown:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
If I may expand on roam's very comprehensive response a bit, just by way of fleshing it out.
You said you have an external HDD, but you did say whether is was Firewire or USB or FW/USB. If you want to make a bootable clone you need firewire.
As roam indicated you will need to format and partition the HDD before you can clone to it. Dr. Smoke's FAQ Backup and Recovery has excellent advice on partitioning.Now to
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: 1 partition is normally better for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the a volume under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. If you want a quicker method, don't go to Security Options and just click the Erase button.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Now your HDD is ready to accept your clone. Dr. Smoke has a preference for Retropect which I have found diffcult to use. SuperDuper will do an excellent job of making an exact backup of your HDD on the external drive.
Your computer is already connected to the external HDD.
Launch Super Duper
Select the Source (your iBook) and the Destination (external HDD)
Click copy, and confirm.
I notice that you list Panther upgrade disks. Hoeefully they are specific to your computer, or else there can be a problem. To install
Boot from you install disk holding down the "C" key.
When booted, select language.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
After Permissions are repaired Click Repair Disk.
Quit Disk Utility.
Open Installer and begin installation.
Installation option: Upgrade
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Check box to install BSD Subsystems.
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install 10.3.9 Combo Update
Computer will restart after updates.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Please post back with questions, comments or an update on your progress.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius