Backup Applications Folder, too?

I'm good about backing up. Usually just drag the USERS folder over to my LaCie, and let it do it's thing. (The other day I tried EXT HD software's, which basically did the same thing.)
But I wonder, why can't I easily also back up my Applications Folder? Wouldn't that make sense, too? Of course, I'm sure I could drag it over to my External Hard Drive and let it copy that, too. What's the thinking on this? Thanks.

Wow man... that was a great post!
I dl'd and ran Applejack and it found a lot of things. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wack my user cache and prefs or not, but I did anyway. I figure it couldn't hurt. Since the user acct is what has the most action, I thought that perhaps that might be where some of the problem is.
Also, I think I understand backing up now with superduper or anything else. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what you are saying is that if I clone my current hard drive to another drive (I have a FW drive I can use, instead of USB), that is basically takes all the info on my current drive, and copy's it all to another location, except in a nice and neat order? If it's copying the drive, how does it know what's in or out of order, and what is perhaps not right? In my mind, cloning something doesn't mean making improvements. But perhaps you're saying that it takes all those system files, and puts them in a nice neat arrangement, rather than spread out across the disk. If that is the case, then I can understand that.
I guess I still don't understand why I should clone my current HD? What do I do with the old? Totally wipe it and start over with a fresh install? So then what do I do with the clone? Take things of my choosing, like applications and their pref's and move it over to the new install? That way I don't have to reinstall certain things?
And once I do this, what should I do with that clone? Overwrite it with the nice new reinstall of my OS, along with the app's that I want? And from there, use that clone as my guinnea pig for things before installing them for real? I like that idea.
So, if I install an OS to a FW drive, and boot to it, I can run that OS no problem, and any application on it. Let me ask you this... since I run an iMac, what if my internal HD started to fail? In theory, could I run my OS from the FW indefinitely? Would it be just as fast? Slower? Not a good idea? Just curious.
FWIW, I have Cocktail, TTP, and Disk Warrior, and I have ran them on this machine regularly. I actually figured that maybe TTP actually screwed something up, which is why I wanted to wipe and start over.
The reason why I think something is weird, is because very little will cause my CPU to max out. I dl'd and installed an update to Webkit, and my CPU MAXED while dl'ing and installing it. You can imagine how slow my machine gets when I run something that is really CPU intensive like an Audio application for recording. It's beach ball central, and so sluggish that I can't stand using it. I even added another 2gigs of ram, to max myself out at 2.5 (I have 3gigs installed, but this machine will only recognize 2.5), and it didn't really seem to improve by much.
At my office I use a 2.33 Core Duo iMac G5, and that thing is always fast. Granted, it's supposed to be MUCH faster than this machine. But even so, this machine shouldn't be all THAT frustrating to use should it? It's not far off from one of the older Mini's. Stink-o! I bought it new, and it's still covered under Applecare. But I'm not sure why I would want to take it in? It's a refurb from Apple. And ever since I bought it, I noticed that they musta had the machine apart at one time, and they wiped the inside of the monitor off, and left dark streaks!! I can't clean it off without taking the machine apart, which I'm not going to do. So, right there is a reason to take it to Apple. So they can fix that, and maybe run it thru it's paces. I don't know. I need to do that before my Applecare runs out. I'm wanting to sell this machine soon, so I can get a faster Intel machine, and I don't want to sell it with these streaks, even though you really don't see them unless yer on a white background.
Oh, one more thing, when I booted to Single User mode to run Applejack, my machine had all it's fans CRANKING, and for at least 20 min. The fans stopped immediately when I selected to fix my pref's, and before I hit enter. Isn't that strange? Also, the log on my screen, when I logged in to Single User Mode, indicated strange things that appeared to be "problems" with certain things. I took a pic with my phone, and can send them to you if you want to see.
Thanks for the help! Sorry this is so wordy!
J

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Backup application folder only

Hi first thanks for read my quetion. My question is how can I back up only my application folder to a DVD, CD or ipod? can I just copy the app folder in a DVD, CD or ipod, do an erase and install and the drop the app folder from the DVD CD or ipod in the hard drive and the apps will work.
Thanks

You could drag over the apps, but may also need to drag over relevant preference and application support files as well to make them work as expected. Best to backup as much as possible (ideally a clone) to a backup drive first, then you can drag over files as required without losing anything vital!

Backup System Folder too?

I make incremental backups every day of my Home and Applications folders, and once a week I do a complete backup to a removal drive.
For the full weekly backup, I know it's good to include the Users, Applications and Library folders, but do I need to backup the Systems folder as well? Under what circumstances would I need to restore something from the Systems folder?

If the hard drive should fail, and your optical disk is worn, then you'd want to have a backup of the System Folder via a clone handy.
My backup FAQ* explains that:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Time Machine: I just found out that my backups doesn't contain the Applications folder anymore!

I take backups manually, irregularly, with Time Machine. Sometimes twice or thrice a day, sometimes much more seldom, and I recently found out that none of my backups since early June contain the Applications folder anymore.
(This caused a bit of a crisis, since the new upgrade of 1Passport demands that you delete the old version first - and when trying to open the new version I get the message: File corrupt, download again (or something equivalent), over and over again. So now my only option seems to be to use a version from early June, without many of my new passwords).
I've searched all help foras I've found, without coming across this issue - and no, I have not put the Applications folder in Time Machine's omit-panel.
This problem has probably come into existence during an upgrade of OSX 10.8 in early June this year.
So, if anyone could help, I'd be very grateful. How can the Applications folder suddenly stop to be backup'ed - and what to do with it??
Sincerely,
John Fridlund
Oslo, Norway

I know of at least two things that can cause this.
1)
It may be working but you need to be patient.
When I look back in time at my Applications Folder it often looks blank.
I wait a minute or two and then it populates the folder.
So try this simple test.
> Go > Applications
> Enter Time Machine
Click back in time.
Go get a cup of coffee. Enjoy it for a minute or two.
2)
If the apps do not reappear when you are patient try this:
You may have parameters set that exclude the applications folder.
This happened to me once, even though I never set this parameter.
> System Preferences > Time Machine
Click on the padlock if it is closed.
> Options
Check if it is excluding any things other than the backup volume.
If so remove them by selecting them an clicking on the minus sign.
Run a backup and check that the applications were really backed up repeat the steps above.

No more backup of the applications folder in Time Capsule

I realized that time machine didn't backup my applications. It worked OK 2 times after I setup the new 3TB time capsule but then it did stop end of July. I just realized it yesterday as i couldn't access a backup of the applications folder from last week.
Any suggestions? Is it a known problem

Yes, there is a known bug where some parts of the OS are not being backed up.
See D10 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Restoring a home folder backed up using the Backup application (with the umbrella) to a new hard drive running Snow Leopard

I was running OS X 10.4 Tiger on a 2006 iMac. My home folder is backed up on a My Passport 500GB USB external drive using Backup (the original application that came pre-installed with the orange umbrella symbol).
I was intending to upgrade tp Snow Leopard so that I could sync a new iPad with iTunes and iPhoto so had ordered the disc from Apple and was waiting for it to arrive.
2 weeks ago my hard drive stopped - and I took the iMac to a support store (I am currently in Belgium and there is no Apple store here). They confirmed the hard drive was dead and as I had my receipt for Snow Leopard installed this for me.
Now I am trying to restore my home folder but the new OS does not recognise the data. I can see there is nearly 200GB of data on the external drive - but the folders contain small files call backup.log, backup.log.gz, InfoPlist.stringscat, stat0..... all under 5MB.
Applecare told me they did not know about the Backup application and it was not theirs..... then suggested I tried migration assistant.
With migration assistant, I just get a spinning wheel at the initial 'select your disk' page - spinning now for more than 8 hours. I checked on line and the only advice I saw was to use firewire - but my external drive works with the new high speed USB...
Can anyone help?

Thank you for your help - I now have a solution ...in case it helps someone else.....
...I also think I may have been a bit silly...
The solution - thanks to a great guy in Apple Support USA - thank you Matt!!
first I partitioned my hard drive using disk utility - and set 235GB for a separate install - I called it Tiger install disk
this allows your hard drive to act as 2 totally separate systems (by holding down the option key when you start the computer you can choose which you want)
then I reinstalled Tiger from my original discs onto the new part of my hard drive
then I read my backed up home folder and copied it to the Tiger system on the new hard drive section
then I rebooted and started up Snow leopard on the original part of the hard drive
then I used migration assistant to transfer from the 'Tiger install disc' drive - it was recognised by migration assistant
Where I think I may have been a bit silly
I am now not sure if the orginal backup was always visible in Snow Leopard
in Tiger I found backup.sparseimage - which when double clicked opened up my home folder
now that I have istalled Tiger as well - I can also find this in now Leopard... ...so maybe I just hadn't opened all the original folders on my backup disk...
...but for sure migration assistant could not read the backup copy

My MacPro says the startup disk is too full. I have 4 internal hard drives that have 2T each so there is plenty of space, but all start up programs, libraries, iTunes and application folder are on the '1st' hard drive. Can I move any to 2nd drive?

My MacPro says the startup disk is too full. I have 4 internal hard drives that have 2T each so there is plenty of space, but all start up programs, libraries, iTunes and application folder are on the '1st' hard drive. Can I move any to 2nd drive?

Your system will likely fit just fine on a small fast 250GB SSD
What you have is lots of stuff that should not be on the boot drive, data and graphics or media files and libraries that should be moved to another drive.
If you are getting a message like this, STOP, off load files, make room, and make sure to have 15% free or more.
Do not try to move anything from system and its library and sub folders. Move your home user account and just leave the essential home library but move all the rest.
A full drive can have trouble finding free space segments and writing out updates to files and to the directory. And loss of directory means loss of where files are located and their segments.

Does Time Machine backup the Applications folder?

Hi everyone. I'm backing up my MBP with Time Machine with the intention of formatting and reinstalling ML. It's completed it's first backup, however the backup is 133GB and in Disk Utility it says I've used 220GB on my hard drive? What's happened to that 87GB? I've noticed also that on the Time Machine disk, the Applications folder is nowhere to be seen.... Has it backed up my applications? Why has it missed out 87GB of stuff? Thanks

Hi Steve, thanks for the reply.
Yes I've checked all that, applications is not in the exclude list, and the "used" value in disk utility is vastly different...
If you look at the number of files/folders on the Time Machine, it's almost half....

I moved my applications folder to the desktop, but modified the applications in my dock, and now i have too many copies of the applications folder and cant get rid of them without being unable to use the applications :(

I moved my applications folder to the desktop when i first got my imac. now i want to get rid of it, but when i put it in the trash, it wont let me use the applications, even though they are in more than one folder. I am at a loss of what to do now cause i have two copies of everything. please help me figure this out.

Marisalynne wrote:
I have the applications folder in my harddrive and then the one that I moved to my desktop when I first got my computer.
Where was the one that you moved to your desktop before you moved it to the desktop?
I really don't understand what you're trying to say. If I have a folder in A, and I move it to B, then the folder will be in B. There is no duplication. I still have only one folder, only the location is different.
Furthermore, your desktop is on your hard drive. Everything is on your hard drive.

Strange file in Applications folder, placeholder.txt

Saw this file today, placeholder.txt, this file wasn't here before, it is in my Applications folder and on the dock as well, with contents (copy pasted):
Placeholder to make sure directory gets created during a synch
File creation date January 16, 2010 7:43 AM
I don't have any backups or even a Mac back then. Was this added during 10.7.2, do you have this too? I'm just going to delete it.

It's not in 10.7.2 only, I have 10.6.8, and it's there too. If you delete it, it reappears. Somepeople suggest it's from adobe digital editions.

Possible Virus application in Application Folder

Hello to all.
I was recently informed by a friend that an e-mail that was sent under his name was not really sent by him. He said not to open it but of course it was too late and I did and it directed me to a website where they sold bargain items. That's how far as I went.
He said that his contacts have been erased from his mail but mine are still there and I don't notice anything else different except that I have a small application in my Application Folder called X11 which does not identify itself in any way under Get Info or System Profile.
Does anyone know what this could be? I'm thinking of trashing it.
Thanks.

This is drifting off-topic.
Many security update issues are likely due to inadequate user maintenance of the computer's hard drive before installing updates. There's many posting here about this around about the time that each update occurs so I won't go into detail. Generally you should back up your drive and files, then boot from your install disc and repair your hard drive using Disk Utility. Then boot your computer normally again (some recommend going into [safe mode|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455?viewlocale=en_US], repair permissions (again in Disk Utility) and run the security update installer. If you have problems you can still restore things from your backup. Finally, repair permissions again. You should always have a backup. With a computer it is not a question of "if" you will need it but "when". Investing $100 in a bootable backup drive (usually a Firewire connector drive) now will save you hundreds of dollars later, as well as many hours.

My application folder got deleted need to replace

I DELETED MY APPLICATION FOLDER HOW CAN I GET IT BACK

If you have truly deleted your Applications folder, rather than just the icon from the dock, you will need to reinstall your applications — each and every one of them. However, if you're posting from your computer, I'd say you haven't really deleted the Applications folder, or you wouldn't have been able to access this forum. If you're posting from a different source, of course, all bets are off.
If you do need to re-create your Applications folder, do you have a backup? If so, just restore to your hard drive from that.
To reinstall your applications without a backup, if that is necessary, it would be easiest to start by reinstalling your OS; that will give you the built-in applications. Be sure to apply all updates, too. After that, you will need to reinstall all third-party apps, either by means of CDs or DVDs that they may be stored on, or by means of downloads from the internet.

HT204408 My applications folder has a black question mark on it at the bottom of my screen. I do not know what error I made, but my fan effect of the previous applications has gone away. Can I get some help with this?

One day ago I inadvertantly removed my applications folder. In it's place is a folder with a black question mark which appeared after I attempted to open up the applications file. Also, previously when I clicked on the file applications would open in a fan display. Could I please get some assistance with this?

...removed my applications folder.
From where? And to where?
If you trashed it and emptied the trash, what backup, if any, do you have? If it's still in the Trash, move it back.
If no backup, reinstall Snow, which will give you the version as of the DVD you use, then update back to 10.6.8, and run all other needed updates, including any security updates. This should save all your third party programs, as well as settings.
The white puff of smoke is nothing, it only means you moved it out of the Dock. If you still have it, or had it, as soon as you open it it would reappear in the Dock. The item in the Dock is only a kind of alias.

I have just agreed to software updates on my imac and now can't open my mail. There is a message saying this version of mail isn't compatible with this latest software. I have located the updated mail in the applications folder but it won't open. Help!

I have just agreed to software updates on my imac and now can't open my mail. There is a message saying this version of mail isn't compatible with this latest software. I have located the updated mail in the applications folder but it won't open. I don't have the original operating software disk. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Your reply suggests that you have moved Mail to a different location, which (as I said) will prevent it from being properly updated. You cannot use Mail 4.5 with any recent version of Mac OS X. Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) included Mail 5 and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) includes Mail 6. I'm assuming that you have either Lion or Mountain Lion, but if that is incorrect, you will need to provide that information.
At this point, you will need to reinstall your system. Hold down command-R at startup and reinstall the system right on top of the old one. This should not disturb any of your documents or applications, though you should have backups beforehand in case something goes wrong. And at this point, with your system in an uncertain state (I don't entirely know what you have done to it), something could go wrong.
You will also want to delete the old copy of Mail 4.5, wherever that is. You can't use it.
In the future, do not move any of the preinstalled applications. Leave them where they are.

Mobile Applications folder missing

Hello everyone,
I am trying to acces files, which are supposed to be located inside the "Mobile Applications" folder, which should be located at
C:\Users\<username>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media.
However, this folder is missing. The only things that are present in the iTunes Media folder are:
A folder named Automatically Add to iTunes, both one in English and Dutch "(my PC language) and both are empty.
Another folder named Music, which is also empty.
A file called .iTunes Preferences.plist
No Mobile Applications folder whatsoever.
iTunes version I am using is the latest. (iTunes 12)
OS is Windows 8.1
Device I am connecting with the PC is an iPod Touch 4th Gen. (running iOS 6.1.6)
Some notes:
I have tried syncing the iPod with the computer, creating a backup at AppData, but that still did not make a folder called "Mobile Applications" appear.
I have downloaded all my apps through the iPod's App store, not through iTunes on the PC itself.
I'll appreciate any help!

If this is a new computer that the device has never synced with see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
The process of recovering transferring purchases and recovering other media should create the folder in question. In some cases it may be one level up in the iTunes folder, but that is unlikely here. The only other possibility is that you're not looking in the active media folder.
tt2

Backup Applications Folder, too?

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