"Previous Systems" question

i was having some problems on my macbook so i reinstalled tiger, without erasing my past folders. now it's working fine but all the settings default and none of my apps work well, i have to look for them under previous systems. I had also backed up my HD on my external HDD how could i just restore everything to look, act and feel like my old system

Hello alberto:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
If you did an archive and install, you should only have one previous system folder (a very large one).
In any event, in answer to the second part of your question:
+I had also backed up my HD on my external HDD how could i just restore everything to look, act and feel like my old system+
it depends on what method you used to back things up. If you made a bootable clone, you would just restore it. If you used other methods, the answer is "it depends."
Barry

Similar Messages

Question: a Directory Called "Previous Systems"

Today I found something really interesting in my macbook: a directory called "Previous Systems"... aparently most of the applications I have in my laptop are in this directory so it means that I have duplicated programs. As I think that it's not a good idea to have duplicated programs to save some space in my HD, I'd like to remove this sheet. Question: can anyone tell me why this directory was created and can I delete it whitout damage any other component in my computer? Thanks for the help.

Should be ok to delete.
Have a look here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545,
which says
"After installation
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, you can 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, copy them over or reinstall. 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 have enough free disk space).
You can’t start up your computer using the Previous System folder, but settings, preference files, fonts, plug-ins, and other items remain available in case you need to access them (which you probably won't, if you use "Preserve Users and Network Settings")."
charlie

Trashing Previous System Folder??? Question

Did a archive/install of OS about a week ago.. It was successful.]
Fixed my corrupt issue/Everything is working great.
I've reinstalled applications that I need to...
I've checked to see that everything I want to be here now--is here.
(Music, Photos, Documents, Bookmarks, etc.)---It's all here.
My question is: Is it safe to trash the "Previous Systems" Folder?????
It's presently sitting on my HD. It's (understandably) a big file---I'd like to toss it.
Can I? Safely?
Thanks for your help.

jonnylovemac,
Apple Says:
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, you can 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, copy them over or reinstall. 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 have enough free disk space).
Based upon what you listed in your post, you can safely trash the Previous System folder.
;~)

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

What to do with Previous System Folders?

First of all, Happy New Year to all!
I just spent two days doing an "Archive and Install" on my iMac at the advice of an Apple Genius who checked out my iMac at the Apple store. He said my iMac was running very slow but couldn't find any reason for it.
The first "Archive and Install" took six hours on the 30th, and then it was several more hours to get the software back up to speed with all of the updates. But after all of that, my system ended up in the Kernal Panic screen on start up. So today I got on the phone with Apple Care and they had me boot up with the Leopard Install DVD in the drive, holding down the C key. That worked, but I was back to square one with my Archive and Install.
The second try yesterday took another 6 hours, and then it took several hours to get my software back up to speed again. The Apple Care guy told me the Install should only take an hour, so that right there tells me something isn't right. Anyway, here I am after two very long days, with my iMac at least functioning again, albeit not faster as I had hoped. It's still running slow as molasses. This post has taken me forever to write due to only being able to type three or four letters, then wait for SBOD to stop spinning, then another two or three letters. It's so frustrating.
But, my main reason for posting here is to ask two questions.
1. The two "Archive and Installs" left me with two "Previous System Folders" on my hard drive that are almost 21 GB's!! I had 74 GB's free before and now have only 53. Can I dump those folders and get my space back? I sure hope so. If so, how do I safely do it?
2. The three folders on my dock at the right end; Applications, Documents, and Downloads, used to be in nice neat folders with symbols on them indicating what they are, but now they're just plain folders with stuff sticking out of the top of them, and in the case of the Applications folder, the Address book app is sitting on top of the folder, rather than inside of it, and all I see is the Address book icon, not the folder. How do I get those folders back to normal? I hate the way they look now!
I'm very frustrated that I'm having all of these problems with my iMac, but grateful at this point that I extended my warranty before the first year was up. I'm definitely going to have to take it back in for more help. I don't think it should take four minutes for iTunes to start up and shut down, four minutes for iPhoto to shut down, or two minutes for a photo to open up in iPhoto after clicking on it, etc., etc. I have the Spinning Beach Ball of Death spinning way more than it should! I'm tired of constantly having to wait for it to stop so I can continue.
Ironically, I installed two more Gigs of RAM less than six months ago so that I would have a faster computer, but I never really noticed a difference. Although it wasn't this slow the first few months.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer my two questions up above, and thanks for listening to me while I expressed my frustration.
Deb

Hi Deb,
This may be ten days late, and way, way too long, but you might want to try some of these suggestions, especially if AppleCare, or someone else, hasn't fixed it for you. You'll probably need to print out all this stuff. It's all stuff I've found useful in similar situations. There is no particular order to check things, but you might want check the utility "Activity Monitor" first and then try setting up a new account. That has worked for me.
Launch "Activity Monitor" (found in the utility folder inside the root Applications folder) and click on the CPU column to see if some background process or another application is running and using a large percentage of the processor's time. Also check the RAM columns to see if something is using a lot of the available RAM. If there is something that doesn't seem right, you can select it and double click the questionable item - a dialog box will appear that allows you to quit. That may solve the problem of spinning "pizza wheels" of death without a restart. At the least you'll have a good question to ask AppleCare (though they'll definitely suggest Activity Monitor.
You may also want to set up a new account in Apple Menu/System Prefs/Accounts with a different name and password. Then within that account try launching some apps from the Root Applications folder. They may now work in the new account. You can also install some apps you use most within the new account. Those apps will be placed in the Applications folder within the new home folder of the new account - NOT in the root Applications folder (the one you see when you double click the hard drive icon).
If you haven't set up a new account before it will seem strange when you first startup. Nothing is the same - the desktop, dock, etc will be like when the machine was new. But often, using the new account, and finding the sluggishness is now gone, tells you the problem was in the old account - even if you can't find what the problem was. The old account is still there. But setting up the new account will take some additional drive space if you reinstall applications.
Whatever you do, *_don't just delete the old account_* as that will also delete all your documents, videos, photos, etc. You can copy or move between accounts with your administrator password. The Library folder in the old Home folder will contain a lot of stuff you may want to keep, but also can contain the corrupt file that caused the sluggishness problem. You may want to copy the contents of different User/New Acct Home folder/Library folders a little at a time and reboot after changes. If the sluggishness reappears, then pull out the last items you put in and try to narrow it down.
If you don't want to set up a new account initially try some of these suggestions. Uninstall and reinstall the major applications that run slowly. Use the uninstaller that comes with the app. If there is none, then just reinstall and restart. That might solve the problem. Reinstall whatever apps you need. Can't hurt and may eliminate some file corruption.
After you restart, and BEFORE you launch any application, press and hold the Cmd (Apple) Key and then hit tab. You will see which apps are running in addition to the Finder. If there is stuff you didn't launch, keep pressing Cmd-Tab which will highlight each application. When selected, you can quit the application [Cmd-Q ]. Or just release the Cmd-Tab keys with the app selected and it's name should appear at the top left of the menu bar. There, you can pull down the menu and quit it (or press Cmd-Q). If it doesn't quit try to Force Quit [Opt-Cmd-Escape]. Try not to quit the Finder. Then launch the apps you need and see if they are still sluggish.
If there was stuff running and you don't know why, check your Account (Apple Menu/System Prefs/Accounts). Accounts is the first item on the System row (next to last row down). Click Accounts and when it opens, click the the account you're using (if there are more than one). Then click the Login Items tab near the top of the window. You'll see a list of apps that launch whenever you start up (sometimes in the background). If you don't recognize some of what's there you can remove them using the [-] icon. You'll have to unlock the account with your password and then re-lock it to prevent others from changing stuff.
Restart or log-out and log-in and see if the machine is faster without one or more of the removed items. There are things that are best not touched, but you'll probably know by their names. Pretty much anything you'd add will be found in the Applications or Utility folders. Other stuff is added by applications when they are installed. Make a list of whatever you remove if you have to add it back. If an application needs something you removed, you may be asked to reinstall the app.
That's it - hope it helps.
MartyP

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 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?

Missing Previous System Folder

Hello,
I have searched the forums and have not found an answer to my question, so I shall post it.
I did an Archive and Install from my Tiger Install DVD. I was downgrading from 10.4.9 to 10.4 becuase I was having problems with FInal Cut.
I took the necessary steps to save my old preferences. After the A&S I downloaded the 10.4.8 combo pack and installed that.
Now I cannot find the "Previous System Folder" that is supposed to hold all of my old prefs. I have a folder called System Folder (from old mac) but it is dated 2006.
Searches through the finder have not turned up anything.
Any ideas on where the bugger might be hiding?
Thank you

That's because for the most part Spotlight (or Finder's Find) doesn't search outside the /Applications and /Users folders.

Are Itunes playlists stored in Previous System folder

I re-installed Leopard and my old files are stored in a folder called previous system. I tried to find back the playlists that I had running under Itunes, but I can not find them in this previous system folder. Therefore my questions: Are they backed-up into this folder and if so, where are they located.
Thanks in advance.
Jan

Unless you made a separate backup, playlists are referenced in the iTunes Library file and the iTunes Library .XML file: iTunes: How to backup and restore playlists
The iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?

Delete Previous System Settings?

Ok, I posed this question in another Mac forum and they didn't seem to have an answer. Below are both of my posts, I clarified myself in the second one just in case the first one was a little confusing.
Ok, here's my situation. After I updated to OSX 10.4.8, my MBP started making the whine again, it has always done it even after getting the logic board replaced twice, albeit it's much softer than it was. Nevertheless, I'd taken care of the issue by using the PhotoBooth trick, but since all the the updates, I keep having to reinstall the IOUSB Family to keep the trick working. Anyway, after I updated OSX and the noise came back, I went to reinstall the old IOUSB and I installed the wrong one, so then my keyboard, trackpad, and mouse would not work anymore. I used the install disc and installed 10.4.6 but it kept my previous system and said that it would revert back to all previous settings when I updated the latest version of OSX. My question is, when I update to 10.4.8, will I my keyboard, trackpad, and mouse stop working because of my mistake with IOUSB, and if that's the case, can I just delete the "Previous Systems" folder before I update OSX?
I'm not sure that I fully explained myself in the first post. My computer is working fine right now, but when I did a restore to 10.4.6, it kept my previous system settings so that, when I update to 10.4.8, it will restore the settings I had the last time I had 10.4.8 installed. I'm concerned that it saved the USB information that wouldn't allow my keyboard, trackpad, and mouse to work.
There is a folder under "Macintosh HD" that say's "Previous Systems," if I were to delete that folder, would I eliminate a problematic update to 10.4.8, or would I create more problems for myself?

IL_Dem87:
If you elected to "Preserve User and Network Settings" when you did Archive and Install your Preferences will be saved along with your data, third party apps in the Applications folder and others (see linked article). If you do not care about your data you don't have to migrate it and can just delete the Previous Systems folder. You can then restore from your backup of your data.
Good luck.
cornelius

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)

OS re-install; previous systems; recovered files #1, #2....

Hi,
A while back I was one of those people who had problems with the Intel iMac hanging and never being able to boot up again after installing system updates.
I reinstalled the operating system twice...(and since then learned to download the system update from the site first and installing locally).
Couple question:
1) I have a two "Previous System" in my Macintosh HD, from the two re-installations, naturally. Is it safe to delete these folders?
2) I notice that I often have "Recovered Files" appearing in my trash bin. They just appear, and if I don't empty it out, they start piling up like Recovered files #1, #2, etc. Why is this happening?
3) Oh and a side question...the scroll on my Mighty Mouse doesn't work anymore. Any idea how long these are covered under warranty...and to answer my next question, should the warranty be short...is there another recommended mouse that has the same funcionality as the might mouse that can load the dashboard and zoom out to see all open windows at once?
Thanks!

1. Yes, you can delete the PSFs.
2. This will explain the recovered files in the Trash.
3. If you don't have an AppleCare warranty the mouse is covered for 1 year. Any multi-button mouse can replace it. One of the very best (but expensive) is the LogiTech MX Revolution. It retails for $99 but can be found cheaper if you shop. Get the shareware utility SteerMouse (VersionTracker or MacUpdate) to use with it to program the various controls. Avoid using the LogiTech software which can be problematic.
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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.

Deleting "Previous System" & Old Versions of iTunes

Two questions:
1. I've moved all my music to my iPod. I want to download the latest version of iTunes so my PB is compatible with the new iMac to be delivered soon. Is the latest version of iTunes an upgrade or a total replacement? In other words, can I delete everything on my hard drive related to iTunes 4.7 before downloading iTunes 6?
2. Can I safely delete all files under "Previous System"? (I can't remember why it was created. It might have been created when I first got my PB, had a problem, went into an Apple store, and they were troubleshooting.)
Thanks in advance.

You can delete any itunes stuff as Itunes 6 is a complete installation. However there is no need to as these folders will immediately be replaced by the new installation.
The Previous System folder can safely be deleted. At som point you have done an archive and install of your OS. The "Previous System" folder is left behind, just in case you neglected to save something.

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.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
The reward system helps to increase community participation. When a community member gives you (or another member) a reward for providing helpful advice or a solution to their question, your accumulated points will increase your status level within the community.
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.

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

"Previous Systems" question

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