Do I really need to erase and re-install OSX?

Hello all, 2 days ago when downloading an update to the OSX Operating System there was an error in the installation, bundle ended up in trash. Now I get an error message with most of my third party software like MS Word, Entorage, Firefox that there is a "conflict in the shared library". Also, it looks like when I empty trash that update bundle is still there.
I tried repair disk permissions and AppleCare tried a few things but disk could not be repaired so the suggestion was transfer all critical files and erase and re-install OS.
Is this sound advice? Any thoughts?
Much obliged in advance,
JT
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7) Aluminum 17"

Tiger 10.4.6 is out on DVD for $114 @ Amazon if that helps.
TechTool Pro 4.5.1 is shipping now from MicroMat which is (I think) up there with Disc Warrior now with a 'few' more features, and regularly updated.
Do you not have a FW backup drive with room on it for an emergency and backup OS on it? That would be first thing I would be doing is backing up and having an emergency boot drive. Needed to find one for family member and it is either FW800 320GB $207 from OWC or slightly smaller.
No matter what, yes, transfer the files. Maybe even boot Tiger DVD, Disk Utility, Restore, and do a volume copy.
Only once have I seen Apple offer a CD with the combo updater ($25) unfortunately it was obsolete the next day due to bugs in USB support in 10.2.4/.5 and, didn't even come with a few other "goodies" like latest QuickTime and other nice or essential software updates.
I tend to run fsck before installs or updates, to run Applejack and clear out swap files and cache folders (which does seem to help, too) and maybe Disc Warrior and/or TTP4. And only then download the combined updates to another drive or partition. Not easy when it weighs in at 140MB, but delta updates seem more like "hit or miss."
I assume you can use FireWire Target Disk Mode or something.

Similar Messages

Cannot erase and re-install OSX 10.4.3

I have a Intel 2GHZ Imac, I bought off of craigslist, the person who sold it took it in as a trade, it only had the keyboard and mouse, it did not have the password, it has 10.4.9, so I bought the latest version of tiger OSX 10.4.3, the universal software which is for intel and power pc from the apple store, and I bring it home and put it in the computer and try to boot from the disc by holding down the "C" key and nothing happens, I tried this numerous times, I am not new to macs, I own a G5 tower and a G4 tower and powerbook, I have done this before, but on this computer it is NOT working, what could be the problem, PLEASE HELP !!!

You can also change the administrator's password from single user mode. I have not tried these instructions. These steps are more complicated..
This page tell you how to get the mac to ask for a new admin & password:
I followed JoseAranda steps and it worked. Walked me through the setup and I created a new account.
restart your computer, hold down Command-S. When you get the prompt, type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
Posted by: new2mac at September 23, 2006 10:43 AM
Here is the link from which I copied the post.
Here is another solution...
This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
http://www.securemac.com/macosxsingleuser.php
Basically, you hold down the command-s key when powering on. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.
You will need to change the password on some account. ( Do you know Unix. You are in a Unix single user console. ) To find out the users on the system type:
ls /Users
Pick one of the users and type passwd a-user-name and enter the new user password. You need six characters. One of these account will be the administrator.
The root account isn't enabled by default. I am not sure if changing the password on root will enable it.
Robert

Will I lose iLife if I erase and re-install OSX ML??

Hi, I want to do a clean re-installation of OS X Mountain Lion and i wanted to know if i would lose iLife if I do so. I also wanted to know if i could selectively re-install some apps from a time-machine backup, without restoring my Mac from the time-machine backup. If not, i'd like to know if doing a selective time machine backup from the applications folder would work to restore my Mac from it. Thanks!

The installer removes the old system so their is no weight to carry.
My guess is if a reinstall helps performance then there was something in the upgrade that was not installed correcty.
I installed Mountain Lion on my Mac over the top of the previous version and suffered not ptoblems.
Allan

I interrupted a software update and my macbook pro will not boot. I have tried to reboot using the startup disc, I have tried to verify the disc, and repair the disc. It tells me I need to erase and reformat the hard drive then reinstall the operating sys

I interrupted a software update and my macbook pro will not boot. I have tried to reboot using the startup disc, I have tried to verify the disc, and repair the disc. It tells me I need to erase and reformat the hard drive then reinstall the operating system. I do not have a back up of all my applications, my garageband music and other things. I also do not have time capsule set up on this machine, but I do have a 2 TB time capsule.
Is there anyway to back up this corrupted drive so I can restore my applications later?

There's an old saying. If you don't have a backup disc, then there must be nothing important to backup. That's just lesson #1. Lesson #2 is to never interrupt a software update. Not a good thing.
OK, I'm sure you know this. It just upsets me to read your story, knowing you have a lot of important stuff on your hard drive, and didn't use time machine.
You're pretty much in a bad place. My only hope for you is to boot to your Installation Disc, then using disk utility see if you can save the internal hard drive (by fixing what can be fixed). You might be able to see your user folder and some of your apps. I wouldn't even consider copying the library, because who knows what's been corrupted in there.
Good luck.

I want to sync my movies from iTunes onto my iPad, but when i try, it says it needs to "erase and sync" my iPad. If i erase and sync, will it delete my apps, photoa, and videos?

i want to sync my movies from iTunes onto my iPad, but when i try, it says it needs to "erase and sync" my iPad. This is the first time plugging my ipad into my newwer computer. If i erase and sync, will it delete my apps, photos, and videos?

All devices only sync what you select to sync.
If you do not want all of the music, then simply do not select all of the music to sync.

Update iOs 4.x to 6.x - do I really have to erase and restore device?

Do I really have to "erase and restore your device" as stated at the top of this support page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972
in order to update iOS 4.x to 6.x (iPhone 4)?

Yes.
See the chart below to determine whether you can upgrade your device and what you can upgrade to. If you do not have a Software Update option present on your iDevice, then you are trying to upgrade to iOS 5 or higher. You will have to connect your device to your computer and open iTunes in order to upgrade.
IPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad iOS Compatibility Chart
     Device                                       iOS Verson
iPhone 1                                      iOS 3.1.3
iPhone 3G                                   iOS 4.2.1
iPhone 3GS                                 iOS 6.1.x
iPhone 4                                      iOS 6.1.x
iPhone 4S                                    iOS 6.1.x
iPhone 5                                      iOS 6.1.x
iPod Touch 1                               iOS 3.1.3
iPod Touch 2                               iOS 4.2.1
iPod Touch 3                               iOS 5.1.1
iPod Touch 4                               iOS 6.1.x
iPod Touch 5                               iOS 6.1.x
iPad 1                                          iOS 5.1.1
iPad 2                                          iOS 6.1.x
iPad 3                                          iOS 6.1.x
iPad 4                                          iOS 6.1.x
iPad Mini                                     iOS 6.1.x
=====================================
Select the method most appropriate for your situation.
Upgrading iOS
   1. How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
   2. iPhone Support
   3. iPod Touch Support
   4. iPad Support
     a. Updating Your iOS to Version 6.0.x from iOS 5
          Tap Settings > General > Software Update
     If an update is available there will be an active Update button. If you are current,
     then you will see a gray screen with a message saying your are up to date.
     b. If you are still using iOS 4 — Updating your device to iOS 5 or later.
     c. Resolving update problems
        1. iOS - Unable to update or restore
        2. iOS- Resolving update and restore alert messages

HT4623 i am trying to download normal applications on my iphone 2g and i really need to update and it is frustrating please i need help

i am trying to download normal applications on my iphone 2g and i really need to update and it is frustrating please i need help

Help with what?
You did not ask a question.
The original iphone can go to 3.1.3

Erase and re-install on my powerbook G4 12 inch

I lost my Mac OS X v10.2 install disc and was wondering how I can obtain a replacement? Of course, once I do so, what is the proper procedure to erase and re-install?

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions ...
You can get replacement System Install & Restore CD/DVDs from Apple's Customer Support - in the US, (800) 767-2775 - for a nominal S&H fee. You'll need to have the model and/or serial number of your Mac available.
To see your serial number, from the Apple Menu click: About This Mac Where you see:
Version 10.x.x click there once and the Serial Number will be displayed.
Carolyn

My Mac is three years old and has crashed about 10 times. I have had to erase and re install Snow Leopard every time,yet it keeps happening.

I have communicated with apple care every time and they keep telling me there is no problem,so why does it keep crashing. I took it in for repair under warrenty and they told me there was nothing wrong with it yet it crashed again two weeks later and has crashed another 5 times since then,I have to erase and re install each time. It has now crashed again , i have re installed snow leopard and all i get is the spinning wheel and nothing loads..Im over it. I have several mac products including two other imacs that are running fine..

Run Apple Hardware Test on your computer, the next time your machine crashes try running disk utility on the hard drive. You shouldn't need to reinstall the OS each time your system crashes, if that the case then you could have a bad hard drive.

Erase And Clean Install Error

Hi Guys,
I'm attempting to reinstall OSX on a Macpro - 10.4.10 using the Erase and Clean Install. All goes well with the first installation disc and all is going well with the second disc until it gets to garageband where it freezes and then stops installing and says that I need to try and reinstall again - I''ve tried three times now - is there something I am doing wrong or need to do differently to bypass this problem.
Thanks

First off, there is no such thing as an erase and clean install option. These are these Mac OS X installation options:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607614
So what are you doing according to the actual installer?
Message was edited by: a brody

If I have to erase and re-install......

Will I lose all of my applications during that process? My SL install failed and DU says the disk cannot be repaired, back up files, and erase and re-install the OS.
Do I lose all of my applications when I do this? Illustrator, Photoshop, etc???

Will I lose all of my applications during that process? My SL install failed and DU says the disk cannot be repaired, back up files, and erase and re-install the OS.
A quick note here: you can be sure that the install failed because the disk was damaged, not the other way around. I just want to head off yet another string of "Snow Leopard destroyed my system!" complaints before they get started.
Now, to a solution... when you say Disk Utility can't repair, was that when you were booted from the Snow Leopard disk and running Disk Utility from there? I'm assuming so, but if not, you need to try that... Disk Utility can't repair the current boot drive. If Disk Utility isn't working, you can try [DiskWarrior|http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html] or [TechTool Pro|http://www.micromat.com>. Neither of these are free, unfortunately, but they're both excellent utilities. If DU, DiskWarrior and TechTool Pro can't fix the drive, it's not fixable.
If it turns out not to be fixable, you'll need to erase the hard drive and reinstall everything. If erasing doesn't work, your hard drive has failed and will need to be replaced.
Do I lose all of my applications when I do this? Illustrator, Photoshop, etc???
You will have to reinstall those apps from the original install disks. If you don't have the disks anymore (I'd have to question why not), then you should have a backup that includes those apps and all support files... this is a less-desirable option, since you may not know where all the support files are and may have trouble getting the apps working again.
Also, as was already pointed out, your documents are more important and less replaceable than your applications. Do you have a backup of your documents? If not, you're going to need to think about file recovery before erasing the hard drive. Don't expect to recover everything, though. I don't have experience with Mac file recovery utilities... you never need one if you keep good backups. Google "mac file recovery" for some options.

How do I completely erase, re-partition, and re-install OSX 10.8?

Hi,
I have a new MacBook Pro with a 256 GB flash drive. It did not come with any OSX installation discs, probably because it also doesn't have a CD/DVD drive. Unfortunately I need to erase and re-partition the hard drive. How do I do that?
I must need to download OSX 10.8 from somewhere, put that on an external drive, .....? I have some largeish USH drives, as well as an external hard drive, and an external CD/DVD reader/burner.
Thanks!

First, press Command and R keys on boot, open Disk Utility and erase the disk. Then, close Disk Utility and reinstall Mountain Lion

My iMac is getting really slow. It used to boot in about 30 seconds, now it's over 3 minutes. I am thinking I may backup photo's Videos and such and format the hard drives and re-install OSX. Any thoughts on this?

This computer used to boot up in about 30 seconds, now it's minutes, programs are starting to freeze, or take a long time to boot. I suspect it's bits and fragments from programs that I have used and deleted over the years, but are still floating around inside my iMac. I really don't want to re-format and re-install OSX but the lack of performance is finally starting to irritate me. (Haveing switched from windows in 2009, I can tell you, I used to reformat and re-install windows about every 3 months because I liked that fresh fast boot up feel.) Any advice is welcome. Here's a printout from a program that lists everything using my system.
Thanks.
Hardware Information:
          iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
          iMac - model: iMac9,1
          1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores
          4 GB RAM
Video Information:
          NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB
System Software:
          OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 1 day 20:5:18
Disk Information:
          WDC WD6400AAKS-40H2B0 disk0 : (640.14 GB)
                    EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB
                    Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 639.28 GB (230.87 GB free)
                    Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB
          PIONEER DVD-RW DVRTS08
USB Information:
          Apple Inc. iPhone
          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
          Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub
                    Logitech USB Receiver
                    Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard
          Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
          Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
                    Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
FireWire Information:
Thunderbolt Information:
Configuration files:
          /etc/hosts - Count: 14
Kernel Extensions:
          com.f-secure.kext.fsauth          (1.0.0d1)
Startup Items:
          360ControlDaemon: Path: /Library/StartupItems/360ControlDaemon
Launch Daemons:
          [System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.aua.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.clstate-periodic.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.fsavd.dbhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.fsavd.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.fsmac.firewall.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.fsmac.fsupdated.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link
Launch Agents:
          [System] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.canon.MFManager.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.f-secure.trasher.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.robohippo.hippovnc.plist 3rd-Party support link
User Launch Agents:
          [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [not loaded] [email protected]
          [not loaded] com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [not loaded] com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist 3rd-Party support link
          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link
User Login Items:
          Charter Security Suite
Internet Plug-ins:
          Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.1 3rd-Party support link
          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
          Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.8.1 3rd-Party support link
          OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 3rd-Party support link
          Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101736: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link
          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2 3rd-Party support link
          Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
          CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 3.2.0.1 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 3rd-Party support link
Safari Extensions:
          iTube Studio: Version: 3.0.0.3
          DoNotTrackMe: Online Privacy Protection: Version: 3.1.1064
          DivX Plus Web Player HTML5 <video>: Version: 2.1.2.145
Audio Plug-ins:
          BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9
          AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9
          AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9
          iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9
iTunes Plug-ins:
          Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9
3rd Party Preference Panes:
          DivX 3rd-Party support link
          Flash Player 3rd-Party support link
          Flip4Mac WMV 3rd-Party support link
          Growl 3rd-Party support link
          Java 3rd-Party support link
          XBox 360 Controllers 3rd-Party support link
Old Applications:
          BrFirmDataProvider:          Version: 1.0.4 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link
                    /Applications/Brother/Utilities/Firmware Update Tool/BrMain/resources/BrFirmDataProvider.app
          SLLauncher:          Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
                    /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.app
          ControlCenter:          Version: 2.5.3 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
                    /Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/ControlCenter/ControlCenter.app
          RemoteSetup:          Version: 3.0.9 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link
                    /Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/RemoteSetup.app
          CameraWindow:          Version: 7.11.0.1 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
                    /Applications/Canon Utilities/CameraWindow/CameraWindow.app
          X-Plane 10 Demo Installer:          Version: 3.10r1 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link
                    /Users/[redacted]/Downloads/X-Plane 10 Demo Installer.app
          iSkysoft Helper Compact:          Version: 2.2.6.4 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
                    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Helper/iSkysoft Helper Compact.app
          Amazon MP3 Downloader:          Version: INFO_PLIST_VERSION - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link
Time Machine:
          Skip System Files: NO
          Mobile backups: OFF
          Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off
          Volumes being backed up:
                    Macintosh HD: Disk size: 595.37 GB Disk used: 380.36 GB
          Destinations:
                    My Passport for Mac [Local] (Last used)
                    Total size: 931.36 GB
                    Total number of backups: 57
                    Oldest backup: 2013-04-27 02:29:05 +0000
                    Last backup: 2013-11-20 10:53:56 +0000
                    Size of backup disk: Too small
                              Backup size 931.36 GB < (Disk used 380.36 GB X 3)
          Time Machine details may not be accurate.
          All volumes being backed up may not be listed.
Top Processes by CPU:
               2%          WindowServer
               1%          fscuif
               1%          fsaua
               0%          EtreCheck
               0%          aosnotifyd
Top Processes by Memory:
          315 MB          iTunes
          119 MB          softwareupdated
          106 MB          com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
          86 MB          Safari
          78 MB          com.apple.MediaLibraryService
Virtual Memory Information:
          943 MB          Free RAM
          1.22 GB          Active RAM
          758 MB          Inactive RAM
          568 MB          Wired RAM
          1.32 GB          Page-ins
          103 MB          Page-outs

In addition to Mike's suggestions, you only have 4GB of RAM and Mavericks does use more RAM than other versions. You may also want to look at the apps that startup on login and the possiblity of upgrading RAM.

My 2006 iMac running Snow Leopard won't boot even after erasing and re-installing Snow Leopard (via my MacBookPro), either from the HD or DVD drive. Can't get it to run Hardware Test. Disk Utility says disk OK - files are there. What can I do?

My 2006 iMac running Snow Leopard won't boot even after erasing and re-installing Snow Leopard. I erased and re-installed by putting the iMac in Target Disk mode and usin my MacBookPro as the host. But after numerous attempts I still can't get it to boot either from the HD or DVD drive. I just get the white screen after the wheel stops spinning. I can't get it to run Hardware Test - just get the white screen. If I use Disk Utility via my MBP it says the disk appears OK. All the Snow Leopad files appear to have been installed. What can I do?

Hi-NRG Bwoy wrote:
I erased and re-installed by putting the iMac in Target Disk mode and using my MacBookPro as the host.
Reet the SMC and the PRAM
 Cheat sheet to help diagnose and fix your Mac
Perhaps you installed the wrong version OS X onto the iMac, you can't use the disk from another Mac.
clean the disk.
If it's not working then use this method to create a bootable 10.6 USB from the iMac machine specific 10.6 disk or the 10.6.3 retail disk on your other Mac, use it to boot the iMac with.
http://www.maciverse.com/install-os-x-snow-leopard-from-usb-flash-drive.html
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

After apple store erased and re-installed iPhoto has gone. how do I get it back ?

macbook air 14 mths old wouldn't turn on. apple store said corrupted hard drive. erased and re-installed os x 10.8 . now restoring back up but iPhoto missing and iTunes and app stores says os version doesn't support them. What can I do ?

Visit the store, log in and download again, what you can get. Apps are no problem, even videos.
Regarding music, this is not since ever that you can download music again. So if there are older purchases, like from 5 years ago, you can't simply download them again from the store.
In this case, contact iTunes support saying you lost all music purchases from before a certain date and kindly asking if they would make that available for download for you and most probably they will. The store keeps your purchase history, so they can verify.
After all or at least most of the stuff is ack on HDD again - make a backup! And later, regularly make backups again. Remember it.

Do I really need to erase and re-install OSX?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for