Preparing for Mountain Lion - what folders and files should be saved?
Hi gang,
Although some of you make think this is obvious, it really is not. In preparation for Mountain Lion, I curious what folders and files (other than the obvious) should I move off to another drive? I'm going to do a clean install this time around. I'll probably do an upgrade first to understand any gotcha's when I upgrade my wife's MBP later, then do a clean install.
I'm going to move the documents, my Aperture and iPhoto libraries, but I'm unsure about the iTunes folder and my movies and such. Most of my software has come from the App Store, so I don't need to worry aobut those, and the few other programs I have the software for (iWork, iLife, but we'll probably need new versions of those.
I just preparing a list to make sure that I get everthing.
Thanks, Mark
When doing a clean install OS upgrade I like to swap out the time machine drive, storing/retiring the old time machine as a backup of the old system while keeping it's Time Machine history.
So personally what I do is:
#1 clone my boot drive to an external (at this point I have two backups Time Machine + a clone)
#2 wipe the boot drive and install new OS on it (at this point I still have two copies of my data TM + clone)
#3 verifiy the old time machine is accessible from the new boot drive (sometimes due to ownership/permissions/filevault this is a problem so check even if migrating from clone)
#4 selectively migrate files from clone or TM to new install
#5 Start a new time machine of the new OS drive (sometimes I'll wipe the clone at this point and use it, prefering to keep the old TM as a archived backup)
One note, I've burned myself at least once forgetting that I'd excluded some parts of my old drive from Time Machine drive (usually Podcasts, Movies), so pay attention to that before relying on it.
Similar Messages
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Making Bootable OS Disc For Mountain Lion - What AM I Doing Wrong?
So here's my delema, I have purchased the Apple Mountain Lion Application (.dmg), and want to make a bootable DVD as a backup for possible re-installation. I know there is the "Recovery OS" option on my new 21.5" iMac ... but I still like to have a bootable disc as backup.
After burning the Mountain Lion .dmg, called "InstallESD.dmg" to a standard DVD .... and starting up the iMac (holding down the "option" and "C" key on the keyboard during start-up .... all I was presented with was the start-up screen showing the iMac Hard Drive icon or the iMac "Recovery" icon .... and NO BOOTABLE DISC, as a third option.
So what am I doing wrong? I have this same basic problem creating "bootable" start-up discs for my "DiskWarrior", "Data Rescue", and other software that I would like to have the option to boot off a physical disc. I know there is a way to make USB flash drive bootable drives, but again, I'd like to be able to run these "bootable" programs off a burned disc as well.
Here's what I first did:
1. Got the original Apple Mountain Lion "InstallESD.dmg"
2. Originally made and burned the Apple "InstallESD.dmg" on DVD, and got this:
With the following burned contents below:
Of course, launching this as a "bootable" disc did not work
So what what is the proper way to get the "InstallESD.dmg" installed so it opens up
upon Mac start-up along with the other start-up Hard Drive grey screen options?
This is what is available for content on the "InstallESD.dmg". Should any of this be
burned separately on the "Bootable" DVD, instead of the closed "InstallESD.dmg"?
Exactly what should be opened and burned onto a DVD to get the Mac to
recognize the "bootable" DVD contents .... and to show up as a "launchable" option
along with the standard Mac grey screen start-up icons?
Also, exactly what keyboard keys should be used to launch a "bootable" disc
on start-up? It always used to be "Option" + "C" key .... has this changed in
Mountain Lion?
Any assistance will be appreciated.
ThanksYou can't use that setup to burn a bootable DVD because a DVD is not writeable once created. Use, instead, an 8 GB USB flash drive:
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/
Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button.
Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move
the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You
must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes
installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
a. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
b. After DU loads select your flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left
side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
c. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the
partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until
the process has completed.
d. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side
list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
e. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the
button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
f. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash
drive size.
3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
a. Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
b. Open Disk Utility.
c. Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
d. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
e. Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
f. Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
g. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion. -
If I move to Mavericks from Mountain Lion, what features and functions will I lose?
I have read about the problems some users are having with interrupted downloads, slow running etc. Apple trumpets its new features but doesn't seem to mention which ones will disappear. I believe USB sync will be lost for some apps: fine if you have internet coverage but not a valid assumption in many parts of rural Queensland.
I'd like to hear what other backward steps may be involved in the "upgrade".Apple - OS X Mavericks
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Mail application is still there. All of my emails and folders are gone since iCloud. How can I get them back using Snow Leopard? Or can I? Do I have to wait for Mountain Lion?
I need to check a few other things...
Click on 'Mail' in the upper left corner next to the Apple ()
Click Preferences
Click the 'Accounts' tab
Make sure your iCloud account is highlighted in the column on the left.
In the account information section what does it say next to:
Incoming Mail Server?
Outgoing Mail Server?
Also, did you use MobileMe before the iCloud? -
I have installed mountain lion on my early 2009 macbook (not unibody) and it is terrible, it's like owning a windows pc again (almost) What can I do? I paid for mountain lion, is there any way of giving it back and getting a refund? obvisoulsy after unintalling it. I couldn't see any reason why it would be bad for my particular macbook, and it downloaded without a problem.
In what way is it terrible? Mountain Lion is pretty stable. If you are having problems, most likely they are unique to your particular system and can be fixed. If you don't like some of the new features, that does not constitute reason for a refund.
If that does not suit you, you will have to discuss a refund with Apple, as they are the only ones who can say. Note that the App Store terms do say that all sales are final, so you are not guaranteed a refund, especially since whatever problems you had are not due to defective software. -
Hi - for any photo, info in mountain lion shows a different file size than Photoshop does. I've tested with both CS3 and CS6 on 10.8.2 and get the same problem. This doesn't happen with CS3 and OSX10.4 or any previous versions of Photoshop and OSX. Anyone know why?
this one is actually a really rare symptom of a flaky connection to the ipod on a Windows PC. there's more going on in terms of hardware on nanos and 5th gens than in the earlier models ... so if the connection is flaky to precisely the right/wrong degree, itunes will see the ipod, but misidentify it as an earlier version of ipod.
tracking down the cause of the flakiness can be tricky ... as you already know ...
just checking. have you tried connecting with a different (known-good) USB cable? does that seem to have any impact on the rate of occurence of the problem? -
I get the message"The product distribution file could not be verified. It may be damaged or was not signed." and cannot download mountain lion. what is the probem?
http://blogs.picpacwrack.net/2011/11/you-need-command-line-on-mac-too.html
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Just installing a few updates from the Mac App Store for mountain lion on my 2010 MacBook Pro, during this it made a noise and then the screen and keyboard went off, like it is off. What happened, is it off...or should I just wait it out?
What kind of noise?
The only things I can think of that make noise are fans and disks. Fans usually will not cause the computer to shutdown as you describe. My guess is your disk drive died. I hope you made a backup prior to start the ungrade.
Allan -
My wifi network is 802.11n but there are times changing for 802.11g, and have to restart ... after the update for Mountain Lion... Help!!!
Several problems with Mountain Lion, APP STORE (login/logout error), WIFI(802.11n for 802.11g), MAIL (horrible)... Apple, what is happening?Do a factory reset .. nothing will be deleted from your backups and you will be able to get access to them again.
The Factory Reset Gen1-4.
Unplug your TC. Hold in reset. and power the TC back on.. without releasing reset for about 10sec. When the status light flashes rapidly; release it.
Be Gentle! Feel the switch click on. It has a positive feel.. add no more pressure after that.
TC will reboot after a couple of minutes with default factory settings and will wipe out previous configurations.
No files are deleted on the hard disk.. No reset of the TC deletes files.. to do that you use erase from the airport utility. -
What are the real minimum requirements for Mountain Lion?
What are the real minimum requirements for Mountain Lion. Currently running Snow Leopard. I have a late 2006 Model: iMac6,1. Specs: 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo, 3 GB 667 MHz DDR2, and the optional nVidia GeForce 7600GT c/w 256MB GDDR2. The advertisement is stating a 2007 model as the minumum, however the fastest 2006 Gen Plastic iMac should be faster then the slowest 2007 Gen Aluminum iMac7,1?
From a previous posting from some else, I saw it was the 32bit versus 64bit video card driver being the issue. I was wondering if the optional video card I have installed also was limited to the 32bit issue. 64bit drivers exist for the 7600 GT GPU.
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Merging files in Preview for Mountain Lion
I would like to merge some jpgs into a single file using preview. I am currently using Mountain Lion. This was possible to do so on previous versions on Preview yet I can't seem to figure put how to do it here. Is this stilll possible using Preview for Mountain Lion? This was a very useful feature.
Help. Anyone?
Many thanks in advance.I don't know about your Preview problem and I am interested to see responses about it.
When you say no iPhoto in Finder. Do you mean iPhoto is not listed in the Applications folder? If you do a Finder search on iPhoto is it found. Mine is in "Bobs HD>Applications -
I downloaded Os X Mountain Lion last night and now my Logic Express doesn't work. What do I do now?
ThanksUpgrade to Logic Express 9.1.7; it's the mimimum version required for Mountain Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5421 -
I have an earlier model imac, the 2006 24inch and im running mac os x 10.5.8, i want to update my system to the newest mountain lion, what should i do first?
To clarify;
Snow Leopard 10.6;
Lion 10.7:
Snow Leopard DVD:
You can get it only by phone now from Apple.
In the US, call 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask for a sales assistant. Last quoted price was $19.99 for the single-user and $29.99 for the family licence.
For other countries, check here; http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57
Don't forget to ask for Sales; the tech support guys can't help.
When you've installed SL it will be 10.6.3. You need to update that to 10.6.8 with the combo installer from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
Lion is only available by phone also - same number and they'll give you a download code to use in the Mac App Store. -
Hi, how do I create a standalone installer for Mountain Lion, ie, download once and then no more broadband required, thanks?
Context is that my other computers are not mobile and I do not have broadband worth troubling for a 4GB download - so will go to Apple Store with MacBook Pro for first download.The easiest way is to download the installer but do not open it.
Next, make a copy of it and store it where it won't get lost.
Then take one of the copies and place into the applications directory and open it to begin the installer.
This has saved me the trouble of ever having to download the installer twice, plus you can mess around with the installer and try different options without having to worry about not having a clean install file if needed.
Best wishes -
When clicking 'buy' for Mountain Lion in the App store I get the message "product distribution file could not be verified, it may be damaged or was not signed' Anybody know why I get this message. Thanks
Make sure your Mac qualifies for Mountain Lion > Upgrade your Mac to OS X Mountain Lion.
If you have anti virus software installed, disable that before downloading apps.
Turn off the Firewall in System Preferences > Security (or Security & Privacy) > Firewall
Try deleting the cache, cookies, and preference files (plist) associated with the App Store.
Quit the App Store if it's open.
Open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder
Type this exactly as you see it here:
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.appstore/Cache.db
Click Go
Move the Cache.db file to the Trash.
Now here:
~/Library/Preferences
Click Go
Move these files from the Preferences folder to the Trash.
com.apple.appstore.plist
com.apple.storeagent.pllist
Now here:
~/Library/Cookies
Click Go
Move the com.apple.appstore.plist file from the Cookies folder to the Trash.
Empty the Trash, try the App Store.
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