Installing Leopard - Previous Systems

Hi there,
Ages ago, I installed Leopard on my Macbook, and I chose the option to "Archive and Install", so I could back up all of my data incase anything dodgy happened. Thankfully, everythings fine and dandy, and I've found in Finder a folder called "Previous Systems". Am I able to delete this, or is this implemented into the current OS now?
Any help appreciated, thanks

Robert,
You can delete the "Previous Systems" folder if you have everything out of it that you needed.
It contains some of your old preferences, applications, etc..
If you have everything out you need, then delete it.
Joseph Kriz

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Archive and install leaves previous system in generic condition

I just did an archive and install preserving settings from 10.3.9 to 10.4.8
(10.3.9 > 10.4 > 10.4.8)
no problems on the surface so far
then I had an issue with "Preview" where multiple images opened in separate windows instead of in the drawer of one window so I went looking for a previous preview pref file thinking it was glitch and I could replace the file.
Previous system>users> revealed nothing -no user info whatsoever
I have a cloned backup which I've frozen for the time being.
I was under the impression that an arch and install w/preserve settings kept the previous system intact and just copied needed files.
It appears that the files were- moved- including all apps so my previous system looks generic
what am I missing?
G5 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Here we go, Lance
Many settings that are used very frequently are also stored in cache files. The associated preference file is only consulted when the cache file is deleted. During the Archive&Install all caches are cleaned. There might have been a different setting in the preferences than in the cache.
Open Preview, open "Preferences" from the Preview-menu, click the tab "Pictures" and "Open pictures in same window" (or something the like - I use a german system).
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

Performed Archive and Install now Previous System User File is Empty

Performed Archive and install yesterday -selected the save users and networks option. When it was complete - the machine worked - but when I went into the previous system folders the user folder is empty. I have almost no space left on my drive - so i think my stuff is still out there somewhere - is it?
Help!
I do have backups of most things - but there is no room on my hard drive to restore from my backup.

How much space DO you have?
If you can boot from another fdrive for now, that;d be good.
How much free space is on the HD, where has all the space gone?
OmniDiskSweeper is now free, and likely the best/easiest...
http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/
Perhaps they are there but invisible!?
If you want to try to recover them, you should quit using the computer asap. Possibility exists of losing everything. Backup if at all possible.
Unfortunately DU can't fix all that much, your best bet is DiskWarrior, you need the CD though.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/
If DW can't fix it, you might try Data Rescue II...
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
(Has a Free Demo to see if it could or not, but you'll need another drive to recover to).
Or FileSalvage...
http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftware/index.php?%20mainpage=product_info&productsid=1
to recover what you can.

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.

10.5.6 update is installing updates in Previous System/Applications folder.

After updating from OS X 10.5.5 to 10.5.6 I discovered several of the updates were installed into Previous System/Applications rather than the Macintosh HD/Applications folder.
This resulted in Mail (3.1 build 914/933) quitting repeatedly which is when I discovered I had a newer version (3.5 Build 933) in the Previous System folder.
I then checked some of the other applications and further discovered that Spaces 1.0, Bluetooth 2.13, ical 3.06, Key Chain 4.0.2, X11 2.1.5 and Address Book 4.1.1 also installed to the Previous System folder.
I switched the applications between the two folders and everything seems to be working OK but is this going to mess things up when 10.5.7 comes around?

Just and update:
-Previously I had deleted the Previous Systems folder.-
I backed up my files and downloaded the massive 10.5.6 Combo update on top of the previous update. Restarted the computer and everything is working fine, all the newer versions of software are installed and running fine.
So a happy ending for today.

Do I need my previous system folder?

Hi guys,
I reinstalled OSX a month or so ago, but retained my 7GB "previous system" folder. Do I need it? Does my current system use it at all? Or can I erase it to reclaim some free space?
Thanks!
Alec

Alec,
After an Archive and Install, the Previous Systems folder contains the prior OS X system. You will never be able to boot from this previous system folder, and therefore from that aspect it is completely useless. The Previous Systems folder may contain third party items, but when you are satisfied with the performance of your new system it is unlikely that anything of value will remain.
I got rid of mine after a couple of weeks. Be aware that the mere presence of this folder may lead to problems in the future.
This is what Apple says about the Previous System folder: You might wonder, "What do I do with the Previous System folder?" It may contain items that you need. To determine this, once you've finished configuring, installing, and updating your applications, compare the Previous System to the new System. If there are things in the Previous System folder that aren't in the new System folder, just copy them over. If you're not sure what some items are (and don't seem to need them), leave them in the Previous System folder. Once you're comfortable that you've got everything you need out of it, you can delete the Previous System folder (or leave it around if you're not low on disk space).;~)

Leopard install fails - No Previous systems - packages all over desktop

*My basic question is this*...+Can I hack into the "packages" and other weird files that the Leopard install has left all over my hard disk (in a mid-install failure) to try to retrieve, photos, stickies, and AppleMail?+
History: After an iTunes "update" I got a bluescreen on restart. After repeated restarts and ample time (hours) for a reboot, I thought it might be time for the Leopard upgrade. I booted off Leopard DVD and ran Disk First Aid first, then installed Leopard. The install failed midway and left weird install "packages" all over my HD. I was only able to see these after booting off of an external disk. No previous systems or Users were anywhere in the mess left from the mid-install failure. I bought a new 500GB HD and tried to install Leopard on that...also failed. I booted off of the external again and copied the "mess" from the internal HD to the new HD in case the internal factory HD failed or was failing.
Phone support said it was a bad DVD. Wrong!...I used that Leopard DVD on my G4 to create the external boot disk. I took the G5 into the Apple store and they couldn't install off of the DVD, or their mini-drive(s). They ran Disk Warrior and it went nowhere. They kept the G5 and replaced the HD but said they needed to "image" the OS Leopard onto the disk because the install failed. After picking the Mac up, I didn't think this was acceptable and returned the G5 which was sent out for testing. It was determined that it was bad factory RAM that was the culprit. RAM replaced.
Now my original internal HD with any historical hidden files or other "baggage" is gone (mistakenly-prematurely replaced) and Disk Warrior and DATA Rescue doesn't seem to work on these weird files that I copied from that original disk.
Naturally, this G5 (wife's new computer) was the only one in the house not backed up. I was installing Leopard to use Time Machine with my new Time Capsule. To add insult to injury, I'd recently talked my wife into using iPhoto and AppleMail. She will never forgive me for that! As much as I love the on board apps, I am finding it is inherently dangerous to have your eggs in those baskets because all the integrated Apps (iPhoto, Mail, stickies, iTunes, document folder, etc) were/are destroyed or "packaged up" in an upgrade and the 3rd party apps (and their ancillary files, mails,etc) were all fine. (Eudora, Adobe apps, etc.)
_If there is a way to "crack" open those files and get to at least the photos, that would be great._
Otherwise, I have learned 6 things from this experience. 1. Backup your photos, music and Document folder (minimum) today...and everyday. 2. Don't think that a simple iTunes update is necessarily innocuous. 3. Mac Genius is a title and job, not a degree or intellectual state. 4. Endorsing computer applications to your spouse is not necessarily a good idea. 5. A computer crash can lead to severe depression and other issues that will negate any quality of life advances you thought your computer had afforded you to date. 6. Backup everyones computer - today! I wish I felt better now, but I don't!

a true horror story. i can only commiserate. I'm not at all sure your pictures and other stuff are actually in one of the packages that are left but you can use [Pacifist|http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/12743] to open them up and restore anything useful you find inside.

Archive and Install Leopard - questions about "previous system" folder

now that i have done an archive and install for leopard I have a "Previous system" folder. In it is "Applications", "Library", "Private", "Users", and "System" folders.
Which can I delete and which must I save??

Hi DrAndy;
It is my understanding that after testing the installation done with an Archive & Install once you are certain that everything is working correctly the "Previous System" folder can be deleted in it's entirety.
Allan

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

HT1710 If I click archive and install and it says moves existing system files to a folder named previous system , will this save my photos tol

I have to restore my Mac mini and i want to click on archive and install and it says it will move existing files to a folder but I need to know wether my photos will be moved too because I have 5 years worth of photos on there. If my photos will not be moved could I take it too a store and they could put them onto a USB stick for me.

"Archive and install" is an option in early versions of OS X installers. It moves some parts of the previous system to a folder called "Previous System" and installs the new OS.
There is also an option to presever user data and settings. See this document. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1710
If you have 5 years' worth of photos and you do not want to lose them, then you NEED to have a backup. Hard drives can fail. Suddenly. Particularly on aging hardware. Computers can get stolen, set on fire or have drinks spilt over them.
If you do not have a backup, you should EXPECT to lose your files.
You should not need a store to make a copy of your files. Get an external drive, or use DVDs and move the files in the Finder. If you're using Leopard already, then you have Time Machine.

Post Leopard Installation - Transfer data from "Previous System" folder

After the first attempt to install Leopard and got the evil blue screen, I had to reinstall my old Tiger from the original installation disks, then attempted a new installation of Leopard. This time I chose Archive and Install as one support article suggested, and chose Preserve user and network settings as instructed. This time the Leopard installation was successful, but now how do I retrieve my data (photos/itunes/mail)etc. from the "Previous System" folders?

There should be no need to sync the files. A previous system folder happens when you do an archive and install, so what's in that folder is identical to what your Mac was when you last did one. Presumably you've changed a lot of things since then and wouldn't want to go back.
Unless there are a few files you deleted and want back, then just copy them over. Then delete the entire thing, it's using up disk space.
Kevin

Can I re-install Tiger without previous systems?

I installed Leopard but I didn't have enough space for my music on my hard drive, so I want to reinstall Tiger, which takes up less space. I tried doing that, but it won't let me re-install Tiger unless I delete previous systems. I can move all my music to my external hard drive and then install Tiger again, but that will take a very long time because I have so much music. So the question: If I just leave my music on my Powerbook, and then re-install Tiger and delete the previous systems for the re-installation, will my music still be there?

You only have two ways to reinstall Tiger. You can do an Erase and Install which will delete everything on your hard drive. Not a problem if you have everything backed up on another hard drive. Or you can do an Archive and Install which doesn't require erasing the drive but does require enough space to perform a normal installation. Tiger requires 6-8 GBs of free space during installation plus you must have some additional free space on the drive - at least another 3-4 GBs. Obviously from your question you don't. Therefore, you need to remove files from the drive to free up space sufficient to install Tiger - roughly 9-12 GBs, and I'd suggest the bigger number to avoid further problems during installation. I'm afraid you have little choice but to take the time or keep Leopard and move your music to another hard drive and delete it from your current drive.

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

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?

I had to delete everything on my computer and install the operating system again , but I had to install Snow Leopard because it was the cd that came with the computer when I bought it. The problem is that I had already paid for the OS Lion and even h

I had to delete everything on my computer and install the operating system again , but I had to install Snow Leopard because it was the cd that came with the computer when I bought it. The problem is that I had already paid for the OS Lion and even had upgraded to the Mavericks . I do not think it's fair to have to pay again and I would like to upgrade my operating system without having to pay again for the same system.

Hi anatuta,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you are trying to upgrade your Mac to a newer version of OS X, after completing a fresh install of Snow Leopard.
If you have already purchased and downloaded OS X Lion and Mavericks, you should be able to find these items in the Purchased section of the Mac App Store.
You may find the steps in this article helpful with finding the items:
Mac App Store: Finding your purchased apps - Apple Support
If you do not see the items in the Purchased section, they may be hidden:
Hide and unhide purchases in the Mac App Store - Apple Support
All the best,
Jeremy

Installing Leopard - Previous Systems

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