Clean Install and iChat and Safari

Question

My computer has reached a point where it takes 45 minutes - 3 hours to restart. Everything takes 10x longer than it should. I have tried everything i can think of (regular reinstall, limiting the number of applications running, removing peripherals etc) so unless there are other recommendations I have decided to run a clean install. I have copied all important data to an external hard drive but I am concerned about losing iChat and Safari preferences and settings. I was hoping someone could let me know the best way to carry these over.
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi G^B, Welcome to Apple Discussions.
IChat prefs are stored online, for Safari just copy the Safari folder.
Here is a list of where your important data is stored ("~" stands for "Home"):
Your data in ~/Documents
~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Application Support/iCal(copy the whole folder)
Also in ~/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need)
~ /Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist *This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.
~ /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Application Support/Safari (copy the whole folder)
~/Library/Application Support/iMovie (copy the whole folder)
~/Pictures/iPhoto library
~/Music/iTunes
~/Movies/iMovie
If you want cookies:
~/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
~/Library/Application Support/Webfoundation/HTTPcookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in Documents/Microsoft user data
Also in ~ /Library/Preferences/Microsoft
internet explorer favorites are in ~/Library/Preferences/Explorer/favorites.html
-mj
[email protected]