How to revert to previous system?

I recently bought a used mac with OS X 10.4 preinstalled. Since I didn't know the administrator password, I used the OS X 10.3 install CD of one of my other macs to reset the password - but I went too far with the disk. Before I knew what I had done, the OSX 10.4 had been replaced by the older OSX 10.3. Now I have a "previous systems" folder containing the previous 10.4 system. How do I go about
making the "previous system" the current system?
Thanks

Paul:
The Previous System Folder contains User information from the initial install. The article Mac OS X: About the Archive and Install feature describes exactly what is in the Previous System folder. The article How to get files from a Previous Volume after Archive and Install describes how to restore your Users Folder, including data, third party applications in the Applications folder, and preferences and settings, if that was selected prior to the Archive and Install.
However, the Previous System Folder contains nothing that will restore the Previous System, namely Tiger. Unless you have the Tiger install disk, you are stuck with Panther.
My suggestion is that you restore your data and preferences as well as you can, and use Panther until you are able to get your hands on a Tiger install disk. Then you can do an Archive and Install. The seller of the computer should have included the install disk since according to the Apple Software License Agreement, the OS can only be installed on one computer at a time, and since the OS was installed on the computer that was sold to you the seller cannot legally have it installed on a different computer.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Similar Messages

How to revert back previous working files in InDesign CS6?

I have suddenly replace wrong working files, how to revert back previous working files in InDesign CS 6?
OS Mac version: 10.10.3
InDesign CS6 version

This feature does not exist in InDesign. You're best hope is that you have a backup of the previous file. Moving forward, you might want to try a free product called Radish that allows you to save versions and revert back to previous versions when needed. Here's a blog post I wrote about the product Story Versioning in InCopy | InCopySecrets.

Reverting to previous system.Nothing on Desktop.Finder opens automatically

On my MacBook there is nothing showing on the Desktop. I think I did something like doing a restart while holding down the F12 button or maybe another one. I read it somewhere. I can't remember. (The reason I did that was to solve the problem of the finder window opening automatically on startup which was the result of a software update some time in 2008.) It didn't work anyway.
In order to fix the problem of nothing on the desktop I reinstalled 10.5.6. from my installation disks. Nothing changed except that now I have a Previous System folder which takes up about 15Gig and I'm getting short on space.
So, how do I get rid of the new install, revert to the previous system and get my disk space back?
Also, any ideas how to get my Desktop showing what I have? In Preferences from the finder menu I've ticked the boxes to show Hard Disks, CD's etc and Connected servers but still nothing shows.
Finally, how do I stop the Finder window from opening automatically at startup? Whew!
Chris

smokie21 wrote:
On my MacBook there is nothing showing on the Desktop. I think I did something like doing a restart while holding down the F12 button or maybe another one. I read it somewhere. I can't remember. (The reason I did that was to solve the problem of the finder window opening automatically on startup which was the result of a software update some time in 2008.) It didn't work anyway.
In order to fix the problem of nothing on the desktop I reinstalled 10.5.6. from my installation disks. Nothing changed except that now I have a Previous System folder which takes up about 15Gig and I'm getting short on space.
So, how do I get rid of the new install, revert to the previous system and get my disk space back?
you can't revert to a previous system unless you have a backup of it. I take it you don't have one. make a new user and see if everything works correctly there.
If it does you should migrate what you need from your old home directory to the new user and delete the old user.
You can delete Previous Systems folder.
Also, any ideas how to get my Desktop showing what I have? In Preferences from the finder menu I've ticked the boxes to show Hard Disks, CD's etc and Connected servers but still nothing shows.
Finally, how do I stop the Finder window from opening automatically at startup? Whew!
Chris

How do i find previous system after save and install mac os x

The title pretty much describes my question. Due to the fact that my machine was irritating slow, I re-installed the operating system Mac OS version 10.5.6.
I choosed the option 'save and install' and followed the prosedure. Afterwards, I got the message that the old system was in a newer version and that I had to upgrade the mashine before I could get hold of the old files. So I upgraded to 10.5.8, but still couldn't and can't find any previous system-map. I then transferred programmes and files from an old PoweBook G4, and the programmes seems to have been transferred all right, but documents are gone and the photos are not recognizable.
I regret doing the re-installetion! and wonder if its ever possible to recover files from the previous system.
Oops, I discovered another problem: The word-program doesn't function properly.

I've just had a look through the MindNode Pro support site, which did actually help (thank you), because it reminded me that Mobile Documents is in ~/Library. I was able to open iCloud files from the Terminal at least (once I remembered to add the .mindnode suffix). MindNode, however, brings up the same error as before. I tried using TextEdit to open a link to a TextEdit document stored in iCloud, and exactly the same thing happened.
I don't know why this happens, but it seems strange that you can open documents from Terminal in this way, but not from the applications themselves (or cross-application). I've just noticed that the error message I described in the initial post substitutes things like %20 or %22 for certain characters: could that be what's causing the problem, or is that just the way the link is displayed by the error itself?

How to reconnect with previous system files

I recently had to reset my G4 and am now recovering my archived files. I'm at a loss for iPhoto(6), I reovered all my old files and I guess I have to re-import in to the library. The issue is that there are so many folders that I don't know what to import...orginals, modified, data.....????? Is there a "magic solution" that just reconnects the whole thing? I guess I could just re-import the "orginals" file but should I then rename it first? And should I then get rid of all the other "old" files first? This would be my least preferred option, as it would mean to re-adjust 3000+ pictures. Any help greatly appreciated! Frederic
Powerbook G4 and iMac 20inch dual core Mac OS X (10.4.9)

frederic
Have a look inside your iPhoto Library Folder. Is there a file in there called library6.iphoto? If so then you do not need to import anything. Simply hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto, then choose 'Locate' and from there navigate to the library6.iphoto file. This should open your library.
If 1) You do not have this file or 2) it will not open, then you will need to create a new library and populate it.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same film rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library Folder on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual rolls to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library Folder on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

Seriously: How to revert to iTunes 6 safely?

Somebody knows how to revert to previous version? Sincerely, I don´t like videos, I have no time to fight with all the bugs of the new version, and I want to return to the working one. I can save my home folder, restore a complete backup of last week to get the application, and then restore the home folder but, that will work? Or the iTunes library files, updated by version 7 will not work with 6 anymore?

If you want to revert to iTunes 6:
• Trash iTunes 7
• Delete the 'iTunesX.pkg' file from ./Library/Receipts
• Run the iTunes6 installer. It should install without any problem. Older versions (iTunes 6.0.5 not yet) are available here.
• Trash the 'iTunes Library' file in ./Users/Username/Music/iTunes
• Create a copy of the 'iTunes Library 2006-09-12' (or a date near this one) in ./Users/Username/Music/iTunes/Previous iTunes Libraries and rename it to 'iTunes Library'
• Put this file at ./Users/Username/Music/iTunes.
• Run iTunes 6. It should recognize the library without any problem. Any changes you made during the time you used iTunes 7 are lost of course.
I tested the above procedure 2 days ago and it worked without problems.
Hope this helps.
M
Edit:
I tested the above procedure only to see if it possible to revert to iTunes 6 in case of trouble. I don't experience problems with iTunes 7 on my system.
17' iMac 800 MHz, 768 MB RAM, 200 GB HD, DL burner Mac OS X (10.4.7) iTunes 7.0
Message was edited by: macmenno

Previous system integration

How do I integrate my previous system folder into Leopard? My address book, e-mail settings, airport connection etc. ? I just installed Leopard. Thanks- Su

How did you install? Sounds like A&I. If so, that was the wrong choice. Details on all installation options and in particular A&I and how to handle the Previous System folder stuff is in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545

I accepted/installed an update for iMovie and it turns out that this version is not compatible with my graphics card. So now I can no longer open or use iMovie. Any ideas on how to get around this - how to revert to the previous version.

I accepted/installed an update for iMovie and it turns out that this version is not compatible with my graphics card. So now I can no longer open or use iMovie. Any ideas on how to get around this - how to revert to the previous version??

Look in your Applications folder. If your system behaved as expected, you should have an iMovie 9.0 folder in your Applications folder. Apple moved the old version there as even they suspected the new versions was a train wreck.

Hate Safari 4. How can I revert to previous version?

I can't count the ways that Safari 4 is a pain. I'll just go with Firefox if I can't revert to previous version. Any directions to get me back to the older version?
Thanks!

Couldn't agree more.
As only having my macbook for less than a month starting with Safari 3, everything was a dream. Now since the update with Safari 4, i'm doing everything but enjoying my new macbook, trying to figure out why my gmail doesn't work, looking everywhere trying to figure out how to uninstall this CRAP FING BROWSER!
Thanks for already wasting 2 days of my time with this crap. I wanna smash my new macbook against the freaking wall.
As a newbie, it takes along time to figure anything out on a new system.
IM ****** RIGHT OFF!
Cant wait for GOOGLE CHROME. Downloading firefox now and starting over.
Thanks a lot for good for nothing piece of crap browser.

How do I copy over files from "Previous System 1" to my current system

Hello.
I was having trouble with starting up my computer. I used a friend's computer to check Apple's Knowledge Base. The suggestion was to perform an Arhive and Install and to select the option of preserving my user and network settings.
I could not locate my Panther Install disc (my previous OS was 10.3.9). However, I did find my Jaguar 10.2 Install disc so I decided to use that instead (my disorganization is truly exasperating).
I thought once my system was again accessible (which it now is) I'd be able to reinstall Panther from the Archive even though I still can't locate my Panther Install disc. Is that possible?
I am, of course, having trouble using many of my 10.3.9 applications as they are incompatible with my currently loaded Jaguar 10.2 OS. I am unable to print, get my email, or use countless applications.
I'd sure appreciate help and suggestions as to how I might reaccess my 10.3.9 OS from the Archive so that I can avoid having to repurchase and reload Panther to get my original system back.
Is there a simple way to copy/move my previous system from "Previous System 1" back to my current system?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Luna Monte
P.S. I foolishly neglected to maintain a back-up of my data onto an external disk. If I can get things back to where they were, I've learned my lesson.
iMac Flat Panel Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Lona:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
As Kappy pointed out, you need Panther install disks to install Panther. However, you may be able to recover your data files from the Previous System Folder.
You can purchase Panther disks from applerescue. Your computer will support Tiger if it meets the minimum system requirements for Tiger.
Please don't hesitate to post back should you have further questions.
Good luck.
cornelius

How do i return to a previous system after updating?

After trying to update our IMac to improve how it runs, we are unable to go back to our saved previous system. the entire computer is now set up differently and has none of our information on it. I think it's even running an older OS. I see all of our old files in a folder, on our hard drive, marked "Previous System", but I have no idea how to restore? HELP@!

Most likely you will need to reinstall your third-party software. However, before you do that try instead locating the various support files these applications use. Start with these folders:
/Home/Library/Applications Support/
/Home/Library/Preferences/
/Library/Applications Support/
/Library/Preferences/
Look for files or folders pertaining to your third-party applications. For CS3 you might look for folders named "Adobe" and "Photoshop." In the preferences folder look for files beginning with "com.adobe."
You would then drag these items to the same location in the newly installed system. This is quite tedious but you may not have to reinstall. But no guarantees because Adobe tends to install support files all over the place.

CS6 Camera Raw - I can now only crop using aspect ratio in the custom crop setting rather than being able to set the dims in cm and inches? anyone know how to revert? ever since installing new mac operating system things have been strange!

CS6 Camera Raw - I can now only crop using aspect ratio in the custom crop setting rather than being able to set the dims in cm and inches? anyone know how to revert? ever since installing new mac operating system things have been strange!

Hi Kglad.
I have looked at all of my settings both in Bridge and CS6 Photoshop regarding Camera Raw. I am at a loss how to set the crop tool in cm or inches as I once did - now the only option is to crop using ratios of 1:1 etc etc - This is infuriating as lots of my square crops I could set at 10" x 10'' specifically to print one to one to fit frame and mount size -
Now if cropping using bloody aspect ratio of 1:1 (square) the actual dims of the crop are roughly 4.25 inches x 4.25 inches. this means I then have to open the whole image in photoshop in order to crop at the dims I have set! It was so much quicker in terms of batch cropping in camera raw being able to set dims in centimetres and inches but they have gone and mucked around with it, with the new bloody update! Unless you are an absolute genius and know how I can go back to having an option of CM, Inches and aspect ratio within the custom crop settings? (Please say you do)
here is the new tutorial for CC - my guess is they have scrapped the control we had over the custom crop settings
Cropping Images In Adobe Camera Raw 8

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.

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 can I rescue prefs, bookmarks from "previous systems" archive?

Upgrading to 10.5 caused my ibook to no longer boot. I had to archive and reinstall 10.4, which took all my preferences, browser bookmarks, etc. and shoved them in a "previous systems" archive. I then managed to finally upgrade to 10.5 and want my bookmarks back, but can't get into the Previous Systems>username>Library>Application Support folder because the computer says I don't have sufficient access privileges. What the heck?! How can I get in there and rescue my bookmarks, etc?

Unfortunately, none of this helped. I changed permissions to 'read & write' but it didn't change a thing. tried using the disk utility to repair permissions--just got the windmill spinning forever and eventually canceled it. Quite frustrated. Tried mounting the archive to get in that copy of the folder, but it too wouldn't let me in.

How to revert to previous system?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for