Luupgrade to install new OS uses corrupted /var/sadm/install/contents file

The /var/sadm/install/contents file on a system got corrupted, big time. I figure my best course of action is to reinstall the OS, because the server is currently out of service, waiting to be deployed to a new application.
Because I'm still learning about luupgrade, I decided to use that route to re-install Soloris9. I have done the following:
metadetach d0 d20
metadetach d3 d23
metaclear d20 d23
lucreate -A 'Solaris9' -n 'Solaris9' -m /:/dev/dsk/c1t1d0s0:ufs,preserve -m /var:/dev/dsk/c1t1d0s3:ufs,preserve
then,
luupgrade -u -n Solaris9 -s /cdrom/cdrom0/s0
This ran fine, almost... Output from luupgrade included a notice that 19 packages failed to install properly. I found the list of the 19 packages, and the output from their pkgadd. These messages indicated that there were problems with the /var/sadm/install/contents file, preventing these from being added.
Is it possible to run luupgrade to install a brand new OS, without using the current/active BE's 'contents' file, but still using other system configuration info like vfstab, dfstab, passwd, shadow, ...
Thanks in advance for help.

Your friend with a Mac first downloads it onto his Mac using your Apple ID. Then for Mavericks, see the following for creating a bootable installer on a flash drive.
http://www.macworld.com/article/2056561/how-to-make-a-bootable-mavericks-install -drive.html
Scroll down to the section Create the Mavericks install drive: The options
For Yosemite, 10.10, I don't know if anyone knows yet how to make a bootable flash installer for that. When it's released I'm sure there will be ways of doing that published in the usual places.
And if you want to get 10.10, I would strongly suggest not getting it right away. You should wait for at least several point updates until most of the very well known bugs are gone.

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Solaris 9, /var/sadm/install/contents and fix-modes issues

I'm in the middle of patching a bunch of systems right now using Martin Paul's PCA and Casper Dik's fix-modes and I'm getting some rather odd error messages from fix-modes after installing the Recommended and Security patches from 06 August 2007.
I'm seeing this on better than a dozen machines right now, and it doesn't seem to be consistent on which entries have the problems.
Here's a snippet of the fix-modes output:
WARNING: Unparseble mode "?" at /var/sadm/install/contents:107
WARNING: Unparseble mode "?" at /var/sadm/install/contents:1238
WARNING: Unparseble mode "?" at /var/sadm/install/contents:2348
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107: /etc/VRTSvcs/conf/config d none ? ? ? VRTSweb
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2359: /kernel/drv/vxapm/sparcv9 d none ? ? ? VRTSvxvm
2377: /kernel/drv/vxdmp.conf ? none VRTSvxvm
2380: /kernel/drv/vxio.conf ? none VRTSvxvm
Has anyone seen this behavior before? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remedy this?
fpsm

IMHO the only thing that should modify the contents of /var/sadm/install/contents is a system utility. There is work currently underway to update the way that this file is modified.
http://mail.opensolaris.org/pipermail/opensolaris-arc/2009-March/014675.html
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Solaris10 install logs are not found at /var/sadm/install/logs -Kindly help

I installed Solaris 10 on a sparc machine using custom jumpstart.... i wanted to check the install logs which i am unable to find at /var/sadm/install/logs.
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How about under the */var/sadm/system/logs/* directory? There should be install_log in that directory.
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http://mail.opensolaris.org/pipermail/opensolaris-arc/2009-March/014675.html
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Hi,
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This issue may be due to a missing symbolic link; to replace the link under 10.3 and newer, open the Disk Utility in your /Applications/Utilities/ folder and run the Repair Permissions command.
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Dv6000, installed new HDD, used recovery disk DVD, computer keeps restarting on it's own

HP dv6402ca
Installed new HDD - WD Scorpio Blue 500G
I ordered the recovery disk DVD from Computer Surgeons.
I installed the recovery in drive bay and restarted as per instructions. Everything went fine and when it started windows for the first time that went ok as well, it kept restarting like it said it would to install all software. Now, with everything installed it is still restarting on it's own. I let it go on overnight as I thought this might be normal, but when I got up 5 hours later it was still restarting.
I don't what else to do, please help.
Andrew

Hi, Andrew:
Sometimes it takes a while. You may want to abort the installation and try again.
You may also want to use this workaround if you can't get the recovery disks to work.
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When I went to compile the ISO file, ImageBurn gave a message that about a WIM file and ISO, and if I wanted to burn it in a different format.
I selected No, make the ISO file.
It was not that hard to do. I burned both the 64 bit disk and the 32 bit disk in case I ever need them.
I tested both of them (just short of going ahead with the actual install) and they appeared to work perfectly.
Apparently when you enter the product key, it knows what version of Vista you have.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.2-3-microsoft-windows-vi...
After you successfully install vista, you can download the drivers you need from your PC's support and driver page.
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How to install new fonts using code in java?

Hi,
How to install font in a system using java, provided i know the font file's address. Is there any specific class/method available for this purpose? Copying the file to windows/font directory will work for windows, but I think it wont be generic to all operating system. So is there anyway to install a font using code?
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I have already tried the above, But the font created using input stream is available only to my application* and is not viewable in photoshop.*. I realize this. Like I said, I know of no method that will register/deregister the font with the system. You'll have to create your own method that takes the operating system into account.
String os = System.getPropery("os.name");
if(os.equals("Windows Vista")) {
}else if(os.equals("Windows XP")) {
}else if(os.equals("Windows NT")) {
}else if(os.equals("Solaris")) {
AIX
Digital Unix
FreeBSD
HP UX
Irix
Linux
Mac OS
Mac OS X
MPE/iX
Netware 4.11
OS/2
Solaris
Windows 2000
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows NT
Windows Vista
Windows XPYou'll need the standard font directory for each system. I think all the window ones are C:\Windows\Font\ . Each OS probably has its own little quark (like having several font directories or throwing different security exceptions). Undoubtly it's going to require some research and a bit of trial and error. You can probably work some magic with Runtime.exec(...) as well.
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Several times a month, when I go to open Firefox, it says "wait installing new updates". After they are installed, Firefox won't open, it says "page not found." I have to then reload Firefox. How can I stop these updates?

Before Firefox open the little window opens saying"wait installing new updates." Then after when opening Firefox, my home page says "can't find this page. I have plugged in the address: http://www.google.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official and it Firefox still won't open. I have to run the Firefox setup 3.6.3 on my desktop, to get Firefox to open on my home page. I would like to stop these automatic Updates from running; how?

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Package question - what are the uses for /var/sadm/pkg ?

I'm writing packages and noticed once a packages is installed using pkgadd, that files and dirs are created in the /var/sadm/pkg directory. I'm specificly intereseted in the pkginfo file - it contains all the variables from my request script and their values. My question is what are all the uses for this file?
I've noticed that pkginfo reads from it but would there be any problem deleting certain lines from that file (lines not used by pkginfo - just variables used in the request script that I'd really rather not have floating around in a publicly accessable file).
thanks!
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I'm refering specificly to the file "/var/sadm/pkg/<pkgName>/pkginfo" - it's created during pkgadd and contains all the variable-value pairs from the packages pkginfo file as well as any variables used in the request script and copied to it's temporary response file. I'm not refering to the pkginfo file that you create as a package infofile component.
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To the best of my knowledge, this file is only used by the commands pkgparam and pkginfo. Are there other uses?
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-will doing this cause problems with any admin or package maintenance functions?
Thanks-
Bob

Installing new RAM and hard drive and installing mac os x

Hello all.
I have a new hard drive and ram for my macbook that I plan on installing. Would it be okay to install both at the same time and then install Mac OS X from the install discs? Or, would I need to install the hard drive first, install Mac OS X, and then install the RAM?
What do I need to do?
Also, when installing MAC OS X from the discs with a new hard drive, will it allow me to do a fresh install as soon as I enter the disc? Or, do I have to restart the computer with the disc in and hold down the C key?
Please bless me with your wisdom.
Thanks.

Hip Hoppa:
Congratulations on installing the RAM and Hard Disk Drive. Now you need first to format the HDD, then install the OS, and restore from backup.
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
• Click on Options button
• Select GUID Partition Table (Intel Macs)
• Click OK
• Select number of partitions in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
• Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
• Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
• Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
• Select Erase tab
• Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
• Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
• Click Erase button
• Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Installation Process
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Open Installer and begin installation.
• Select installation option
• Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger and later).
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• After installation computer will restart for setup.
• After setup, reboot computer.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.
• Connect to Internet.
• Download and install Mac OS X 10.5.6 Combo Update (Leopard) or
Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo update (PPC) (Tiger)
Computer will restart.
• Repair Disk Permissions as previously.
• Go to Apple Menu > Software Update.
• Install all updates.
Computer may restart after updates.
• Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select First Aid in main panel.
• Click Repair Disk Permissions.
If you have your old HDD in an external enclosure you can connect it to the computer and use Setup/Migration Assistant to move your stuff from the old drive when prompted.
cornelius

Can't install new flash using winetricks

I am not able to install any newer Flash then the default Flash 7 which can be found inside bin32-wine. When I ran a program which opens a Flash animation and I right-click it, I get "About Macromedia Flash Player7"
I tried using winetricks:
[warnec@chakra ~]$ winetricks flash
Executing wine /home/warnec/.winetrickscache/install_flash_player_ax.exe
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\Flash10c.ocx" 1 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130744 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\FlashUtil10c.exe" 1 4 (nil) (nil) 0x13074c (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{D27CDB6B-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{19114156-8E9A-4D4E-9EE9-17A0E48D3BBB}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\Interface\\{1D4C8A81-B7AC-460A-8C23-98713C41D6B3}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x13077c (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\Flash10c.ocx" 1 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130744 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\FlashUtil10c.exe" 1 4 (nil) (nil) 0x13074c (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{D27CDB6B-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{19114156-8E9A-4D4E-9EE9-17A0E48D3BBB}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\Interface\\{1D4C8A81-B7AC-460A-8C23-98713C41D6B3}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x13077c (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x130774 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c474 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c474 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{D27CDB6B-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c474 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{19114156-8E9A-4D4E-9EE9-17A0E48D3BBB}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c474 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\Interface\\{1D4C8A81-B7AC-460A-8C23-98713C41D6B3}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c47c (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) 0x15c474 (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e6c0 0x15c3fc 0xf6e70c
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\Flash10c.ocx" 1 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e6c0 0x15c3fc 0xf6e70c
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"C:\\windows\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\FlashUtil10c.exe" 1 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e278 0x15c494 0xf6e2c4
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e26c 0x15c494 0xf6e2b8
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e260 0x15c494 0xf6e2ac
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{D27CDB6B-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e254 0x15c494 0xf6e2a0
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\CLSID\\{19114156-8E9A-4D4E-9EE9-17A0E48D3BBB}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e248 0x15c49c 0xf6e294
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\Interface\\{1D4C8A81-B7AC-460A-8C23-98713C41D6B3}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
fixme:advapi:SetEntriesInAclA 2 0xf6e23c 0x15c494 0xf6e288
fixme:advapi:SetNamedSecurityInfoW L"MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\TypeLib\\{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}" 4 4 (nil) (nil) (nil) (nil)
Executing wine /home/warnec/.winetrickscache/install_flash_player.exe
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L"Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" (6.0.0.0)
Install of flash done
winetricks done.
[warnec@chakra ~]$
And it seemed to install just fine. But even though I rebooted, Flash 7 is still used.
What can I do?
PS.: bin32-wine 1.1.30-1, bin32-winetricks 20091007-1.
Last edited by warnec (2009-10-11 19:05:50)

To better assist you with this issue we need to know:
What is your operating system? (Windows or Mac) (XP, Vista, 7, 8)
What browser do you use? (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari)
Are you seeing any error messages?
Can you provide screenshots of the error messages (if applicable)?

Trying to install new font using Pages w/my IPad. The program IDo keeps trying to open it. Any suggestions?

Am pretty new at this, any suggestions would be most appreciated..

You cannot install any fonts in any app on the iPad.

Problem installing new ACR using LR3.4.1 and CS5

I've received error messages when I try to Edit In Photoshop, telling me that I need to update my ACR in order to proceed. I get almost all the way through with the installation (having closed LR3 and CS5) when I'm told to close Bridge. I don't use Bridge and it has not been opened at any time during the attempted installation. I'd appreciate any help that would allow me to complete the installation. Thanks.

Please read responses from other forum members more carefully – I fully understood what you said in the original post and did provide a useful suggestion.
You should identify the operating system you are using on any post. I'm guessing you are a Mac user, since we have already explained about Window's system tray, which is now called the 'notification area' on Windows 7. The following link has information on how to setup Adobe Bridge for both Windows & Mac systems so that it doesn't automatically launch at startup. This is most likely the cause of the problem you are experiencing! NO, you will not see the Adobe Bridge application because it is running in the background!
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/creativesuite/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-736 da.html
In the Adobe Bridge Edit>Preferences>Advanced dialog box, unselect the option for 'Start Bridge At Login.' Restart your system, since there does not appear to be a graceful way on a Mac to "stop" Bridge when it is running in the background. From hence forward, Bridge will NOT automatically launch, nor prevent you from loading software updates, etc.
If this does not resolve the software update problem please let us know – We will try to provide further assistance.

Installed new SSD. How do I get my files back from Time Machine?

Hi all, if you take the time to read my issue, thanks a lot. I appreciate any help you can offer, and sorry if anything is unclear...
The 1tb drive eventually failed on my 2009 27", quad core i7 imac. I had USB backup using time machine to an external 2 tb disk.
Repair guy took my mac to his shop, and installed a new samsung 1tb SSD.
He had trouble reinstalling from my time machine backup - so he's just installing Yosemite (I was using 10.8.x?) and giving it back to me with a fresh install of Yosemite.
When he tried to use time machine to restore my system to how it was, he started the process, and it said that it would take 13 hours, so he left it overnight.
When he returned, he found a white screen with a frozen mouse pointer. He did a hard reboot, and then could not access the drive at all - the system would not allow him to read the drive and he had to take the drive out, reformat from another mac, and then install Yosemite again.
Now he has suggested that I simply drag and drop all my folders from the USB time machine backup into my computer, and seems to think this will get things back to how they were. I'm not sure that it works like that though...I'd expect certain applications need to be installed, settings changed, permissions granted, passwords entered...that kind of thing.
Now I have a choice - whether to
A) reinstall my applications one at a time, and then copy the data from my backup drive.
B) manually drag and drop all the files from the most recent backup folder into the "computer" folder. (This was his suggestion)
C) attempt some kind of migration using the Migration assistant. (I believe this is what the guy tried- he started it off, it said "13 hours remaining) he left it running overnight, and came back to a static white screen with frozen mouse, he powered down, then when he switched it back on, the screen did not load any OS (not sure whether it had booted into some kind of BIOS, but he said it was so unresponsive that he had to remove the drive and reformat it from another computer).
D) Try some other application for intelligently restoring my apps and data from the Time Machine backup.
To be honest, my main concern is screwing things up badly! I'm veering towards reinstalling my apps, even if it means fixing up preference settings and typing in codes etc... I would rather take a slow and steady approach rather than a "risk having to take it back to the shop/take it apart" approach.
Also, is migration different from restoring from time-machine?
Perhaps you could advise me? Many thanks

Restart the computer and hold the Command & R keys.
Thanks - I didn't know how to do that!
I did that, and it went through the steps for restoring from the time machine backup. I didn't click on "restore" just yet... My concern is that when the guy in the shop tried that, it resulted in the serious failure that required the drive to be removed and formatted from another computer.
I'm wondering what might have caused that - is it possible that the external drive had a failure, or (more likely) that the drive caddy it sits in briefly lost power or something?
Also, can you tell me if simply drag-dropping the files from the time-machine backup would result in everything returning to its initial state? Or is that (as I suspect) a bad idea?
Right now I have a fresh Yosemite install which works. I'd rather have that, and slowly restore my files and apps manually than risk getting the same result as the guy in the shop. Do you think that restoring from the restore partition is worth trying again?

I normally dont need a login when I install new program, but I try to Install a new flash player im asked to write a login and I have no clue? when I search for help it suggest to put in the original installation cd but that doesnt work. Please help!

When Trying to install the newest Flash player, Im asked to fill in my login.
I have no clue what my login is. (It happened very rarely that I was asked to fill in this when installing a new program, and the login I have used before are not valid now.
When I search for help, I am suggested to put in the original installation Cd.. and press the "C" button when I hear the starting sound... but when I do this nothing is happening.
Please Help me If you have an idea for a solution to this problem!
/ Joel

You need the admin password you created when you first set up the machine. Just about every installer running under OS X will require you to authorize the installation by entering an administrator password - even software update requires this. You really should not forget your admin password, as it is required for many things in OS X since, unlike Windows, you often need to manually type in the admin password to proceed with an install or update (whereas Windows will take admin authority, if you are logged in as an admin, by simply clicking continue or yes).
If you cannot remember your admin password, you can reset it from the recovery CD that came with your mac - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274

Luupgrade to install new OS uses corrupted /var/sadm/install/contents file

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