Erase and install with SL with Time Machine Back up the right way

Question

Ever since I upgraded to SL last year my MBP has had issues. After going round and round with Apple Care which is now expired it is clear that I need to do an erase and install. Most of the Apple Care guys don't know jack and you get a lot of answers but the one guy who seemed to know something said you have to first go back and reinstall Leopard then run through all of the updates then install the SL upgrade and then run through all of the updates. Now you are ready to install back all of your apps and documents from Time Machine. This is where I have a problem and I just want someone to give me a step by step way to best do this. Should I use Migration Assistant or is there something in Time Machine Utilities that I can just load all the apps and documents on top of my newly loaded OS? When I tried Migration Assistant the first time it created a new directory and did not get rid of the old directories just eating up disk space. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi J,
I don't know if the upgrade would do a full install, I think it will not. Get a retail version. I did that and it got me very satisfied as in 40 days I reinstalled the system 8 or more times.
In my new experience I would tell you to do a full carbon copy of today's state in a bootable disk only for safety matters.
Then insert installation disk;
Shutdown;
Press OPTION key;
Press Power button;
Choose installation disk;
After choosing language >Utilities>Disk Utility;
Apply a partition scheme if you don't have any data to use from this disk AND/OR;
Erase disk - a simple erase would be better here, no zero out or anything*;
I like to shutdown here, install asks for a startup disk and itself is the one;
Power button, language, install with or without customizing.
About Migration Assistant, I would only use it to transfer personal data without any applications. For applications I would reinstall all of them right after install all updates one by one chronologically if you have downloaded them or till software update tell you are up to date.
Only after these updates and any other applications updates is that I use to bring up my personal files using Time Machine.
About the * above: I also have noticed that two zero out erases got me a longer time setting up the system again, is that possible that a simple erase enable the system to recover data and recomposing system files?
Thank you and good luck.