How do I do back to previous system folder after archive and install?

Did an archive and install (retaining my existing user account), only to discover it was unnecessary. (Turns out the problem was hardware-related.)
How do I go back to using my previous system folder?

FloydianSlip wrote:
Huh. Hardly seems to be worth "archiving" if you can't go back to the archive.
The purpose of an *Archive & Install* is to install a fresh, known-good copy of the OS, while preserving in the archive all the files from the previous copy of the installed OS that you might potentially need for some reason. (This is why it is called an Archive & Install.)
However, since any of these archived files might have been damaged in some way since they were installed or created, or in some way conflict with a freshly installed OS, they cannot be considered "known-good" without further testing & should not be reintroduced haphazardly into the "live" system.
The value of this install method should be obvious if you consider that if the OS is sufficiently damaged it will not run the computer, either at all or well enough to recover from whatever damage is done. Without this option, you would have to erase the existing startup disk completely (with the *Erase & Install* method), losing everything created or installed besides what is contained in the OS installer.
The closest equivalents to the kind of archive that you can "go back to" are cloning the entire drive or using the 'restore from Time Machine' option from the installer DVD's Utilities menu, assuming you use Time Machine.

Similar Messages

Can I copy newer system (10.6.8.) from previous system folder after archive and install with (10.5.4)?

Rightyho,
had trouble with extensions in 10.6.8 and had to re-install with original disks 10.5.4.
Did an archive and install.
In my (dated) Previous System Folder are Appl / Library / System / User folders.
Copied my User folder back no problem.
Can that also be done with the newer system? No info in support.
Time Machine won't migrate because of newer system and I have only a disk image of Snow Leopard and can't burn double layer DVDs.
When I tried to order SL DVD from Apple they told me it'll take 3 weeks ...

http://www.maciverse.com/install-os-x-snow-leopard-from-usb-flash-drive.html
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

Previous System folder vs. system folder after archive and install

Hi there - I am very new to mac but love the products and am excited to be a part of the culture.
Because I am having battery-type problems I was told to do an archive and install to see if it was a software problem.
My question is, I followed the instructions apple gave for doing the archive and install. And it says that you can delete the previous system folder if everything is the same or you can move stuff over.
The problem is I want to delete the previous systems folder but it is very different than the new one and I don't even know what I would copy.
Briefly, the new system folder just has one folder inside called library with a bunch of folders inside of that.
The previous system folder called previous system 1 has folders entitled application, library, mach.sym, private, system, and users. Why are they different and what can I do?

The previous system, in most cases can be safely deleted. You can't revert to it anyway, so there's no fall back option to worry about. If you've saved everything in your user folder (or home folder - same thing) your data is safe. The previous system may have some preference files for apps you run, perhaps even registration data for apps that require serial #'s when you install them. If everything runs fine, and your data is where it's supposed to be, you can safely delete the previous system. I'd suggest making sure everything runs OK for a week or so, make sure all your apps work and all your data is there, then delete the previous system.
Jeff

Removing Previous Systems Folder after Leopard upgrade....Receipts get lost

After archive and install of Leopard I noticed the "Previous Systems" folder which also happens to contain ALL the receipts from Tiger days. It's over 3GB and I temporarily moved it to an ext hd. Is this OK??? I'm wondering how future update notifications will be handled if old receipts can't be found.
If I need to move the receipts back to my sys hd do I have to move all the other folders in Previous Systems folder back too, or just Receipts?

jimbo60640 wrote:
I thought future installers need to see these (old) receipts to determine update versions.
Yes, but the installer only needs to see 1 previous receipt not all of them. (i.e. once you have a receipt for 10.5 you no longer need all the receipts for 10.4). The receipts you will need have been copied to your receipt folder.
-mj

Problem Deleting Previous System after Archive and Install

Earlier in my time with this wonderful iMac, I did an Archive and Install to try and resolve a slight problem. I read all the docs beforehand and knew it would save the previous system in its own folder and saw that I could likely delete that folder afterwards.
I have waited months since then, (almost forgotten about this folder) but have never had reason to want anything there, so today decided to delete it.
I dragged the entire previous system folder to trash and tried to empty trash. It deleted most of the stuff, but kept one package DownloadReader7.pkg complaining of locked files.
I have used Pacificist to look at the contents of this package and it says it is a receipt. It contains elements of Adobe Reader Download Manager.app
I have looked on my present working system and can not find an equivalent.
So two questions...
1. Is it safe to delete this package (if I knew how)?
2. If it is safe to delete it, HOW do I, when it appears to have locked elements when I try to empty trash?

It's safe to delete any files in the PSF.
Usually all you need do is press the OPTION key before selecting Empty Trash. If that doesn't work the next thing to try is restart the computer after you've dragged the file to the Trash. If neither works then visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on resolving Trash problems.
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Can you access a Leopard previous system folder after upgrading to Snow?

If I have a previous system folder from 10.5, can I copy to my machine running Snow Leopard and access files? I have it archived and want to upgrade a MacBook intel currently using Tiger to either Leopard or Snow Leopard and then access the files.
I see the previous system folder and user on the Tiger machine fine. It shows correct folder sizes, but files do not appear...assuming because it's 10.5.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Bryson

Long story...but basically was using 10.5 regularly, then had some major issues (couldn't even log in at all). Went to reinstall OS but my Leopard system disc was damaged. So went back to 10.4 (had old disc)and copied previous system folder to archive. Was going to buy and reinstall 10.5 but thought about going all the way to SL instead.

After archive and install, can you go back to old system?

After some trouble with permissions, I decided to do a clean archive and install from 10.2.8. Too late I realized that the install would be 10.2.
The permission trouble did not go away, and now I have additional trouble with upgrading everything, the combo upgrade to 10.2.8 does not work, error messages etc.
Is there a way I can undo this and use my old system 10.2.8 again which is saved in a folder?
Thanks.

Hiltraut:
As ali brown has already pointed out your iMac does, indeed, have 2 Firewire ports. Depending on which optical drive you have (the computer shipped with CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW, or SuperDrive) you can install Tiger directly.
Since you have an older version of Jaguar, and since it does not seem to be very co-operative, I suggest that you seriously consider upgrading to Panther or Tiger. To install Panther your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Panther. You will need to purchase the Full Retail version of Panther.
To install Tiger your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Tiger. You will need to purchase the Full Retail version of Tiger.
You can purchase universal installer versions of Panther, guaranteed to install, or Tiger on CDs, from applerescue. Please note that Computer specific or upgrade versions should be avoided since they are optimized for the computer to which they are specific and will therefore, very likely, cause problems during or after installation. On the legal side, it may be a violation of the Software License Agreement which statesThis License allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single computer at a time. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time...
If you decide to go that route please post back for assistance with how to proceed.
Good luck.
cornelius

After archive and install--I have a previous system folder

Hello, I had a corrupted system file and I had to do an archive and install, which used the system discs I got with my laptop to reinstall OS X.
Now I have a previous system file on my hard drive. Is this still needed? Can i just delete it? What can I do?
Thanks

This is simply an archive of your previous system.
Although system was corrupt, you may be able to look through the folder and retrieve any data which you would like to keep.
But the answer is no, you definately don't need it.
Dave

Can I trash "Previous Systems" after Archive and Install?

For details leading up to this question, please see my previous post entitled "Not recognizing password after OS install". Basically I want to know if I can throw out the "Previous Systems" folder that was created when I did an "Archive and Install" re-install of my OS.
Thanks.

For more information about the previous system folder and what is saved, you can check out Mac OS X: About the Archive and Install feature. Probably the most important piece of information is that the Previous System Folder contains a copy of the /Users folder. If you thought that something was missing from your home folder in the new system after the upgrade, you could copy it from the /Users folder. But, if you selected the option "Preserve User and Network Settings" when you did the Archive and Install, this should not be necessary.
Personally, what I would do is to leave the Previous System Folder be for a couple of weeks. If you don't find anything missing, then it should be okay to delete it.
EMAC G4 1.0 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

How do I restore previous settings after archive and install?

I had to do an archive and install (with the box unchecked about users) on Friday after I had a kernel panic issue, but now I don't know if there is a way to restore my previous settings and access my previous files. I found the "previous system" folders, but it restricts my access to almost all of the folders, and I can't even find all of my music (iTunes) files or my stickies. I also can't find all of my bookmarks and internet settings. I'm totally panicked...there is a lot of information for my business that I really can't afford to lose. Please help me!

See the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107297.
The following can also apply to locating and moving data from a Previous System Folder. The "Home" folder will be /Users/shortname/ where "shortname" is the user account name you created.
Because you did not transfer the users accounts when you did the Archive and Install you may have created a new user account and password that is not the same as the one you previously used. This means the PSF has different permissions associated with it.
<font "size=+1">Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
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Members may reward you with 5 points if they deem that your reply is helpful and 10 points if you post a solution to their issue. Likewise, when you mark a reply as Helpful or Solved in your own created topic, you will be awarding the respondent with the same point values.

Getting space back after archiving and installing

hi i need help!!! guys after i archived and reinstall leopard. eveyting is fine only that i used to have only like 50 gigs of space used and now it says i have 75 gigs used ... Why is that ?? how can i get my space back and the previous system folder its only taking up like 6 gigs stiil where is ther 15 gigs? its like if installed leopard over leopard again please help! i Want to get my space backk

Hi JM111;
When you do an Archive & Install the procedure saves the old system for you in a folder called Previous System. It does this just in case something is missing so that you can recover it from the Previous System folder. Once you have tested the system and applications and are satisfied with it, you can delete the Previous System folder which will return some disk back.
Allan

Help, I lost my system adminstrator account after archive and install

I did an archive and install and checked 'preserve users and network settings'. Prior to install I had two accounts: mine (adminstrator) and my son's. My iTunes and iPhoto are all on my account. After install, my normal desk top appeared. Software update informed me I had updates to download. I started the process and the password window appeared, but would not accept my password. I checked the users in the right hand corner of the menu bar and only my son's account appeared. When I clicked on that, a log-in window appeared (and my desktop disappeared). The only log-in option is my son's account. I can log into his account ok, but mine no longer shows up. I tried to access my account info in the previous system folder, but my son's account does not have sufficient access rights. How can I get my account back?
As a side note, I went to my old mac (a power pc G4 iMac) and could no longer log-in to iTunes Store or to .Mac. I changed my Apple ID password so I can now log into .Mac and the iTunes store. I don't know how to get my adminstrator account back on my Intel mac. My old Mac cannot be upgraded to Leopard and has no airport card.

Same thing happened to me! Now when I want to delete apps I get a window demanding my administrator password. I give it, but that is no longer correct. Actually, I suspect it is but the Administrator name has changed, but I have no idea what it now is. I tried to use the change password utility on the install disk, but it's just exactly that: a password changer, it won't change the administrator name, or even tell you what it is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

How can I add users after archive and install

Hi Gang,
I had a crash on Sunday and had to do an archive and install to get this computer back up and running.
It's a PowerBook G4 and I am running 10.4.
I reinstalled from my OS X 10.4 disc. After the install, the Login screen had none of my families user names. I had to go back to the disc and create a new password for a System Administrator.
I did a software update to OS X 10.11.
I am in now and can see the "Users" folder with everyone in it, but I can't figure out how to move it back into the system.
Please help.
Thanks,
Tom

Hi Gang,
If you go to "Users" in System Preferences, and add the user with the same name, it found the user and asked me if I wanted to import the data.
It worked beautifully.
Thanks,
Tom

How can I get Back all of my data after restoring and back up ? I lost my data and I did back up

when I did restore and update .. I lost all of my data , then I pressed to back up buttom , when I try to restore data , its disapper . is there anyway to get back all data lost ?

If you are backing up to your computer, check iTunes/Edit/Preferences/Devices, if there are nay other backups listed.
Since each backup replaces the old one if not used to restore from, your data might be lost since you seem to have backed up a phone without any personal data.
Check this article about how to restore from backups:
iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes

How to transfer account info out of Previous System folder?

I ran an archive & install (using the OS 10.4 install disk) and neglected to check Preserve User Settings. The information is in Previous Systems, but now that the install has created new user account info I'm not sure what to do. I can copy in the whole user account from Previous Systems, but then I have multiple accounts in Users and I don't know which controls, or if that's a problem. Is there a way to transfer the account settings from Previous Systems into the new User account? I notice that direct copy won't work -- Library won't allow it. Move individual files? Thanks.

[Mac OS X: About the Archive and Install feature|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710?viewlocale=en_US]
[X-Lab Archive and install|http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/archiveinstall.html]
[Kappy's A&I instructions|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1823034&tstart=0 ]
[How to get files from a previous home directory after Archive and Install|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2196]

How do I do back to previous system folder after archive and install?

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