Do i need to make an back-up of my files before i get mountain lion?

do i need to make an back-up of my files before i get mountain lion?

Even though the Mac OS X updaters are very smooth and rarely run into problems, it is always wise to make a clean, and bootable  backup before performing a major update.  When things go wrong they go wrong in the worst possible way

Similar Messages

  • How do I make a back up on Time Machine before upgrading to Mountain Lion?

    A detailed process would be greatly appreciated. I've heard I should use time machine before upgrading to Mountain Lion for reasons I cannot remember.
    Thanks!

    Connect an external drive to your Mac. Open Disk Utility, it is in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder, and see if the external is formated Mac Extended (Journaled) and if it is not you can either use the Partition tab to Re-partition it as one partition and format it Mac Extended (Journaled) or you can use the Erase tab to Erase the drive and format it the Mac format. Name it anything you like.
    Once that is done close Disk Utility and open System Preferences and go to the Time Machine Applet. Once that is open, If OS X doesn't ask you if you want to use that external as a TM backup disk, select "SelectBackup Disk" and select that external as a place to store backups. Then move the slider from Off to On and then TM will start the process of making a backup of your system. Once it is finished I suggest you turn it back off.

  • Do I need external hard drive to back up my iMac before update to mountain lion? My is OS 10.6.8

    Do I need external hard drive to back up my iMac before update to mountain lion? My is OS 10.6.8.

    First, repair your hard drive and permissions:
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard 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 Utilities menu. 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU 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.
    Second, make a bootable backup to an external drive using the Restore option of Disk Utility:
    Clone using Restore Option of Disk Utility
      1. Open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder.
      2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
      3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
      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.
      6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
    Third, purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Be sure you meet the requirements for Mountain Lion:
    Upgrading to Mountain Lion
    To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
         OS X Mountain Lion - System Requirements
           Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
             1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
             2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
             3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
             5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
    To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
         Are my applications compatible?
             See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
         For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.

  • HT4818 hey, I want to install windows on my mac, I have mac osx lion and I'm soon going to get mountain lion. If I use Boot camp to install windows do I need a windows disc, will i lose all my data, etc. If so how to I save them. Can I switch back to osx

    hey, I want to install windows on my mac, I have mac osx lion and I'm soon going to get mountain lion. If I use Boot camp to install windows do I need a windows disc, will i lose all my data, etc. If so how to I save them. Can I switch back to osx after I install windows. ( can I switch between Windows and OS X as many times as I want.) thanks for answering.
    Sebastian

    hey, I want to install windows on my mac, I have mac osx lion and I'm soon going to get mountain lion. If I use Boot camp to install windows do I need a windows disc, will i lose all my data, etc. If so how to I save them. Can I switch back to osx after I install windows. ( can I switch between Windows and OS X as many times as I want.) thanks for answering.
    Sebastian

  • I was using OS Snow Leopard and on 8/1/13 I downloaded Mountain Lion and found out it was not compatible with my HP printer (HP photosmart C5580) so I called Apple and asked how to get Mountain Lion off and Snow Leopard back on.  The Tech told me to

    I was using OS Snow Leopard and on 8/1/13 I downloaded Mountain Lion.  Then I found out it was not compatible with my HP Printer (HP Photosmart C5580 all-in-one) so I called Apple support and the tech told me to erase the hard drive instead of going in the time machine.  Well I did that and then it took about three hours three days a week for about three weeks on the phone with an apple tech to get all my stuff back on my computer.  I have had trouble with my printer (won't do the scan anymore and wasn't printing on my DVDs.  Also the computer keeps freezing up when it is in the sleep mode, etc.
    When I tried to list my problem on this forum it lists your OS at the bottom and mine had Mountain Lion listed as what I was using so apparently it didn't erase it.  Want to know how to get Mountain Lion off and put my Snow Leopard on so things start working right.

    Go to the  menu/About This Mac - what OS version shows there?
    Do a backup, preferably 2 separate ones on 2 separate drives.
    Revert to a Previous OS X
    Revert to Snow Leopard
    If you do revert, I'd use Setup Assistant to restore your data. This process takes a while, so do it when you won't need the computer for several hours, based on my experience.

  • I'm running on Mac OS X 10.5.8. Do I need to buy snow leopard first before upgrading to Mountain Lion?

    I'm running on Mac OS X 10.5.8. Do I need to buy snow leopard first before upgrading to Mountain Lion?

    Make sure your machine meets the minimum system requirements:
    http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/
    Although it says 2 GB RAM is the minimum, it's generally recommended to have at least 4 GB unless you only use your machine for "light" use (no movie editing/burning, etc).

  • My iMac does not connect to internet via wireless after I log in. I have to open network preferences and run the assistant everytime to make it work. Its a new system, updated to Mountain Lion,.

    My iMac does not connect to internet via wireless after I log in. I have to open network preferences and run the assistant everytime to make it work. Its a new system, updated to Mountain Lion,.

    Hi, this has worked for a few...
    Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
    10.7…
    System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
    10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
    System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
    The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
    Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.
    For 10.5/10.6, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...
    208.67.222.222
    208.67.220.220
    Click OK.
    Also, turn off IPv6:
    System Preferences » Network » AirPort » TCP/IP tab » Configure IPv6
    Or whatever Interface you use.

  • I just upgraded my system to Mountain Lion. If I restore my Macbook Pro back to the very beginning state, will the Mountain Lion be removed or not? Thank you

    I just upgraded my system to Mountain Lion. If I restore my Macbook Pro back to the very beginning state, will the Mountain Lion be removed or not? Thank you

    The only problem that I forsee is that some have reported problems getting machine-specific builds of Lion via Internet Recovery. Not sure if it's working yet or not. But you could give it a shot, I suppose. Basically what you want to do is 'prepare your computer for resale' - just like it came out of the box. Kappy, a pretty wonderful and very knowledgeable man, has tip for that which I have copied and will paste below:
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
        1.    Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
        2.    After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
        3.    Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
        4.    Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Install button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
    Good luck,
    Clinton

  • I need to reduce the size of several pdf files before transferring them onto a research database. Each file is made up of 100 images (pages of diaries)

    I need to reduce the size of several pdf files before transferring them onto a research database. Each file is made up of 100 images (pages of diaries) & is up to 1.36 GB in size. I have tried reducing file size in preview but the images are unreadable. Any ideas? 

    WHen I want to reduce the file size, I either use "Optimize Scanned PDF", or more often use "Reduce File Size". Both are on the Document menu. The Reduce File Size selection has some limited customization that is used, when selected.

  • TS1702 how do i delete from the startup disk? I am trying to get Mountain Lion from the App store and it says that the purchase was not complete because i need 4.06 GB space to download OS x 10.8. and to remove items from my startup disk to increase space

    how do i delete from the startup disk? I am trying to get Mountain Lion from the App store and it says that the purchase was not complete because i need 4.06 GB space to download OS x 10.8. and to remove items from my startup disk to increase space. How?
    Thanks

    You can use iCloud with 10.7.5. You do not need to upgrade to Yosemite. You should provide a minimum of 15 GBs of free space or 10% of the hard drive's capacity, whichever is greater.
    Freeing Up Space on The Hard Drive
      1. See Lion/Mountain Lion/Mavericks' Storage Display.
      2. You can remove data from your Home folder except for the /Home/Library/ folder.
      3. Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on freeing up space on your hard drive.
      4. Also see Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk.
      5. See Where did my Disk Space go?.
      6. See The Storage Display.
    You must Empty the Trash in order to recover the space they occupied on the hard drive.
    You should consider replacing the drive with a larger one. Check out OWC for drives, tutorials, and toolkits.
    Try using OmniDiskSweeper 1.8 or GrandPerspective to search your drive for large files and where they are located.

  • If I have the Snow Leopard OS do I need to update the Lion OS before the new Mountain Lion OS?

    If I have the Snow Leopard OS do I need to update the Lion OS before the new Mountain Lion OS?

    Apple has not detailed Mountain Lion's requirements or how it will be made available, and probably won't until much closer to release. So we cannot answer your question at this time. Keep an eye on Apple's web pages for Mountain Lion as well as the many Apple-related news web sites and I'm sure you'll see the announcement when it comes.
    Regards.

  • I am trying make a flash drive bootable so i can install OSX Mountain lion it BUT it has MBR partition on it how can i remove this partition

    I am trying make a flash drive bootable so i can install OSX Mountain lion it BUT it has MBR partition on it how can i remove this partition
    Regards
    Warren

    Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition 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 Security 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.

  • I have several macs with Intel core duo 2 operating systems. All are running os x10.6.8. Is it necessary to upgrade to Lion before upgrading to mountain lion when it comes out this summer? Do I need to have the "base" version of 10.7?

    I have several macs with Intel core duo 2 operating systems. All are running os x 10.6.8. Is it necessary to upgrade to Lion before upgrading to Mountain Lion when it appears this summer? Do I need to have the "base" version of 10.7 first?

    This is unknown, it will be up to Apple and AFAIK they haven't announced that yet.

  • How could i get Mountain lion back if it came with the macbook i bought?

    Hey everyone!
    i bought a Macbook pro 15 mid 2012, it came with Mountain lion, could i get it back having OS X Yosemite now?
    Also, and more important, how?
    i heard that it's possible from Internet recovery (Restating pulsing Cmd+Option+r, i guess??), but then it would download the OS from apple (Which probably is Yosemite, i don't think their servers still have mountain lion, do they?)
    it's not on the Appstore anymore (Not even Mavericks), and i really don't want to get it from a Torrent.
    Thanks!

    Tayel wrote:
    Are you sure i will get Mountain lion after recovering from the internet?
    because that sounds amazing! but i am afraid i erase the whole HD and then i get Yosemite again haha
    After you restart in Internet Recovery and you get to the OS X Utilities Menu, BEFORE you erase your drive look at the OS X icon to the left of the option to Reinstall OS X. THAT will tell you what your machine came preinstalled with and if it's a Mountain Lion, you're good to go.

  • Get mountain lion back after updates

    HEllo.
    I Bought a macbook pro 2 years ago, with mountain lion installed.
    I made the update to mavericks and some problems occured. So i update to yosemite, and many problems occured.
    i´m not satisfied with these os, so i would like to go back to mountain lion.
    the problem is that i did not save my system with time machin, i did not download mountain lion installer, so now i can not get mountain lion back...
    the reinitialisation utility gives me only mavericks...even when i go online.
    IS there a way to get a mountain lion version for free ? I don't want to pay for it, I had it when i pourchase the macbook...
    thanks for answers.

    Boot into Internet Recovery (command - option/alt - R on a restart). It should install the OS that came with the computer. Note, this can take some time to connect to the server and to install.

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