Clean install and then restoring just what is needed

I have a machine running SL. It is fine as far as SL is concerned.
Back in time I started out with Panther on a 12" PB. I upgraded hardware and software a few times. As my profile shows I have a MBP 17" with the latest OS.
I had a hard drive fail last Christmas. Apple was great and they replaced the drive. As I was in the US and the backup was in the UK I used the machine for about 2 weeks before I could attempt to restore files. When I got back I found that the account set up did not match so the restore was not clean.
In any event I likely have some legacy files or other junk kicking around that I do not need. Some of it will be outside the user part of the filesystem (old apps, old library files for apps that were deleted long ago).
I had a number of application crashes over the last year running Leopardi. When in at the Apple store to get a fan replaced the Genius suggested that it might be time to think about a clean install. After I told him that I have had a number of system crashes he definitely suggested it was time for a clean install.
Basic model is back everything up and then install from the factory issued disk. Once I have a clean system on the computer I can bring across my files.
Question: How do I get only the files I need or want and not some of the old junk? Frankly I have no idea just what things I need or want in terms of legacy system files. I am pretty sure that everything in my home direction and down from there will be wanted. There will be some apps that I no longer need but how to make sure I am deleting all the associated files is unclear.
I have lots of spare disc space on external drives so I can make a Carbon Copy of the system and a Time Machine back up on a different drive. I am confident of my ability to follow the process once someone can explain what will consistently work. The time involved is not a concern.
Suggestions?

Mac OS X doesn't have a clean install per se.
However, making two bootable clones should allow you room to erase and install Snow Leopard, and just migrate over user data from specific user data folders.
You may have to reregister your licenses for licensed software to avoid issues.
See these two resources to make sure your applications either need Snow Leopard, and/or are Snow Leopard compatible:
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
http://www.macintouch.com/specialreports/snowleopard/slcompat.html
and make sure your printers and scanners are Snow Leopard compatible with their drivers:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669
Once that's all the case, then you can migrate your user data from the specific folders on your backup*:
http://www.macmaps.com/safetodeleteormove.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Clean Install and Software Restore CDs

Hi,
I have had my iBook G4 since February 2004. Yesterday I did a Clean Install and completely erased my HD. I used Install Disc 1 and 2. However, I was never prompted to insert Disc 3. Did I miss something?
Also, I also found the 8 Software Restore Discs. What exactly is "software restore"? After reading the pdf file and searching around these boards, I still could not find a definitive answer. What software is restored? The only application I seem to see missing is GarageBand.
Thanks,
DBDevil

Any software that you are missing from when you first got your ibook brand new should be there. It should also give you the option of which ones to install and such.

Clean install and selective restores from Time Machine?

Hi, all.
Just purchased a 13-inch non-Retina MBP last week. Swaped out the 500GB drive for a 1TB, upgraded to Mavericks and transfered all my data from a 2006-era white iMac running Leopard via Time Machine. I've had some connectivity issues (logins at app store failing, server verification errors in iTunes, and not being able launch the software that allows the folks at Apple to view my screen via chat) and after a few nights on the phone and in chat with Apple support, they've recommended booting in recovery since nothing else is working, wiping the hard drive, and performing a clean install of Mavericks. The assumption is that something from the migration is causing the issue.
I've created a fresh Time Machine backup on an external 1TB drive, and I'm mainly concerned with moving over the documents, Lightroom 4 library, iPhoto library, and iTunes library.Will I just be able to enter Time Machine and restore those or, failing that, manually drag and drop them into the user library? Are there any user permissions I need to be concerned about?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks, I figured as much. Another foolish question: should I be concerned about user permissions if I'm starting over? Can I transfer the users (there are only two, me and my wife) over from Time Machine? Trying to start as fresh as possible since no one can figure out what's causing the connectivity issues.

IMac Clean install and now won't install Lion 10.7.5

My mid 2007 iMac was haveing trouble connecting to the internet via a browser and I took it into the Genius Bar and their only suggestion was to do a clean install and then see what happens. I wiped the computer and tried a clean install. It wouldn't install OS X 10.7 Lion (which this computer was previously running). I took it back into the Genius Bar and they had to install 10.6 Snow Leopard. And now it won't upgrade to Lion (that it used to run till it started having problems).
What's going on?
Now, 3 weeks later, on our other mid 2007 iMac is starting to have the same issues.
Is there something wrong with the OS? I go to network diagnostics and it says it is connecting to the internet just fine. But it won't connect via a browser or do software updates.
I go to Airport Utilities and it wants me to forget the AirPort Extreme. Exact thing happened on the other iMac and I couldn't ever recover (or discover) the Extreme.
Help !!!!!!!!

You mean 2011 or do you mean Mountain Lion? Lion came out in mid 2011 and ML in 2012. And yes, 7,1 is the model identifier. Here is something I found on running the current OS:
From this site:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.0-20-inch-alu minum-specs.html
Did you try recovery?
Not sure if your machine would be able to qualify for the recovery disk assistant (since yours would need the assistant to create a recovery partition)
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433
If that works, you should try using the recovery option (hit Command + Option + R during restart) to connect to Apple's servers and reinstall Lion.

Upgrading to SSD, what is the best way to clean install and transfer my files over?

I am upgrading to an SSD and I would like to start clean by doing a fresh installation of Yosemite on the new drive. However, I still want all of my personal files from my current hard drive, like my music, music libraries, photos, and Home folder, transferred over to the new drive. What is the best way of doing this?
I have Time Machine and a Time Capsule. Could I simply restore a Time Machine backup, or will that defeat the purpose of doing a clean install?
Should I just back up the home folder and transfer the home folder onto an external drive, then drag the home folder to my new drive? Will that save my iTunes playlists and music?
I don't need to transfer apps over so I'm not worried about that. Just my documents, files, pictures, music.

How to replace or upgrade a drive in a laptop
Step One: Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple
      logo appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
Boot From a Recovery HD:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the
      "COMMAND" and the "R" keys together.
3. Release the keys when the Utilities Menu appears.
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, Leopard, Snow Leopard and later.)
For Lion or later select Disk Utility from the Utilities Main Menu.
After Disk Utility loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the Disk Utility 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If Disk Utility reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro 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.
Step Two: Remove the old drive and install the new drive. Place the old drive in an external USB enclosure. You can buy one at OWC who is also a good vendor for drives.
Step Three: Boot from the external drive. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears. Select the icon for the Recovery HD on the external drive, then click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Step Four: New Hard Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utility Main Menu, then click on the Continue button.
2. After Disk Utility loads select your new hard drive (this is the entry with the
      mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of
      the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive
      is failing or has failed and will need replacing. Otherwise, click on the
      Partition tab in the Disk Utility main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from
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      GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition/Apply button and
      wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the
      drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main
      window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the
      Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to
      return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several
      hours depending upon the drive size.
Step Five: Clone the old drive to the new drive
1. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
2. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
3. Check the box labeled Erase destination.
4. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the
      Destination entry field.
5. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the
      Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the new internal drive. Source means the old external drive.
Step Six: Open the Startup Disk preferences and select the new internal volume. Click on the Restart button. You should boot from the new drive. Eject the external drive and disconnect it from the computer.

I have the iPhone 4S and I cannot get my apps to download. I will click free then install and then it will ask for my password. Once I enter my password correctly it will verify my password an then it won't do anything. what should I do?

I have the iPhone 4S and I cannot get my apps to download. I will click free then install and then it will ask for my password. Once I enter my password correctly it will verify my password an then it won't do anything. what should I do?

I just went through this same process.... I changed my credit card, double checked billing info, changed my password, I restored my phone, but the misake I made was I kept restoring it from my back up.... Finally I went to Apple Store.. and sad to say that you have to do a restore, and DO NOT restore from back up.
I used Gmail so I didnt loose contacts or email.. but I did loose all my text messages and history of that.
So, I had the EXACT same problem and it was a software issue.. you have to restore your phone to factory settings and start all over.. BLOWS I know!

Did a leopard clean install and restored via time machine

Hi
Just done a leopard clean install and restored data via time machine, now when i run time machine i cant go back in time to restore other bits and bobs, any ideas
thanks

This is not meant to be a snide comment, but I use Carbon Copy Cloner and Super Duper not TM. Used TM for a while but got tired of it, changed to CCC and then when Super Duper was updated for Leopard moved back to SD. I like it because (both SD and CCC) can be scheduled for whenever you want to run it and it only backs up files that have changed since last update. It also produces a bootable disk.

Clean install and restore from Time Machine: Will i lose my applications ?

I want to do a Snow Leopard clean install instead of a an upgrade.
1) How do I do the clean install and restore it from Time machine during the install ?
2) If I do the clean install and restore from Leopard's time machine backup, will I retaing all my applications or I will only retain my personal files ?
- If I don't retain my applications, how will my photos in iPhoto be restored without iPhoto ?

If you did a complete TM backup, then all your files, users, settings, and programs will be restored. You will have the opportunity to restore using TM at the end of the install. I would back at least my data up separately.
To erase and install (i.e., clean install), start up to your DVD and stop after selecting your language. Use the menus to start Disk Utility and erase your drive. Quit Disk Utility and proceed with your installation. At the end, you will be able to choose to reclaim your settings, files, and apps from TM.
Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

My Macbook is not working properly, I went to a Genius Bar appointment, they were not helpful at all and just told me to go off and reboot my Mac and then restore via TimeMachine. I dont know how to do this. I am extremely displeased with Apple, help me?

My late 2011 Macbook Pro is not working properly it is very slow and extremely painful to use, I went to a Genius Bar appointment, they were not helpful at all and just told me to go off and reboot my Mac and then restore via TimeMachine. I dont know how to do this. I am extremely displeased with Apple at the moment, can someone please help me?

Your problem description is generalized and non-specific. I would make another appointment at the Apple store and insist they help you execute their suggested fixes.
Incidentally, if you search this site, Apple has excellent articles re: restoring a system.
Barry

When I try starting my iPod touch, it won't start; the Apple logo comes up for a few seconds, and then, it just shuts off. I tried to charge it through an outlet; the iPod didn't even charge, so I tried to restore my settings on my computer. iTunes won't

when i try starting my IPod it won't start, the Apple logo comes up for a few seconds,and then. it just shut off . I tried to charged it through an outlet, the IPod didn't eve charger so I tried to restore my setting in my computer, i tunes won't

But that requires the computer to see the ipod. I am having the same problem and I keep being told to restore it, but you have to either get the ipod to turn on or have the computer see it in order to so that. Right now I have a pretty useless 32GB ipod touch cos I cant get the thing to turn on! I can only get the apple logo for like maybe 20 seconds and it goes away. Ive charged it for days on a wall charger, on the computer usb charger, and on a speaker charger. Nothing works.

IPhone 4, stopped 6.0 upgrade in the middle of install, and now I just get the blinking apple. Can't even get it to restore or recognize my phone when I plug into the computer/itunes....

iPhone 4, stopped 6.0 upgrade in the middle of install, and now I just get the blinking apple. Can't even get it to restore or recognize my phone when I plug into the computer/itunes....

Did you try to connect in recovery mode? iPhone and iPod touch: Unable to restore

I had a iMessage and a facetime account and was textin people and then exited out and then clicked inessage again and it said to setup my account and I did I signed in an decided what account people would find me by and then it just resets and sends sign

I had a iMessage and a facetime account and was textin people and then exited out and then clicked inessage again and it said to setup my account and I did I signed in an decided what account people would find me by and then it just resets and sends sign

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My downloaded paid for video loses sound every 15 or so minutes, so I have to contstantly log out of iTunes and log back in and then it works - what's the problem (apart from what I've just said), does anybody know?

My downloaded paid for video loses sound every 15 or so minutes, so I have to contstantly log out of iTunes and log back in and then it works - what's the problem (apart from what I've just said), does anybody know?

What ISP?
What router?
Who made it, what software?
Is it just the iPad ( Anything else using wifi at your place having problems? ) ?
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BF tried to update to ios6 on iphone 4 but crashed half way through saying it needed to plugged into iTunes and then restored so after it was 'restoring' he had an error message come up say to couldn't be restored....what should be do next?

BF tried to update to ios6 on iphone 4 but crashed half way through saying it needed to plugged into iTunes and then restored so after it was 'restoring' he had an error message come up say to couldn't be restored....what should be do next as the phone is in a complete non working condition

Spent hours trying everything suggested and finally this morning hit on a solution. iTunes must be run as an administrator. Even though you are logged into your PC as an administrator, using the iTunes shortcut does not make you an administrator in iTunes. I found this out by using the diagnostics in iTunes and reading through the results report.
I am using Windows 7, so I clicked the start button and right clicked on iTunes and selected "Run as an adimistrator". The first restore attempt got the 4013 error. I then did the DFU thing, hold power and home buttons for 10 seconds, release power and continue holding home for 10 more seconds.
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End result, a successful restore to factory settings and a happy 14 year old.
Hope this helps others.

I just purchased acrobat xi standard and during installation it said it did not install and that's it. what next????

I just purchased acrobat xi standard and during installation it said it did not install and that's all. what's next???

Hi smetanka,
Are you installing on Mac OS or Windows, and what version of the operating system are you using? Did you have a previous version of Acrobat on your system?
Best,
Sara

Clean install and then restoring just what is needed

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