Reformatting Drive, Reinstalling OS 10.4

Question

I'm wiping several machines clean and then re-installing the OS on the clean drive. No crashes, just some weird behavior, slow performance and, well, it's time. Haven't done this in a while. So some pointers, refreshers, please?Of course all relevant user data, docs, etc. will be backed up and restored as it was. I'll install the OS from the original disks.
*Reinstalling OS* - I'll install from the original disks (for 10.4), but then that version will be behind 10.4.11. Do I just go out to s-ware update and get the latest updates?
*System & Library* - Do I have to back these up or will these just get restored from the OS install?
Applications - I know it's not as simple as the really old way, where you can just grab apps from one drive and copy to another (sometimes it still works). But should I backup and restore the applications directory as well?
*Users and Preferences, etc* - I'll copy the Users and associated files, but aren't preferences not part of that? Any way to capture that?

Answer 1

Lee:
I suggest that you begin with making a backup/clone of your Users or Home Folder. You can do this using SuperDuper, or just dragging and dropping. This will copy your data including your library with preferences etc. It will not copy you third party applications.
Next follow this procedure to Reformat, the re-install:
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
• Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) 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 Apple Partition Map (PPC Macs) or GUID Partition Table (Intel Macs)
• Click OK
• Select number of partition 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.
Installation Process
Open Installer and begin installation.
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Optional: Check box to install X11 (Tiger).
Proceed with installation.
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 10.4.11 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.
Good luck.
cornelius