Restoring Preferences & Settings after Lion Re-Install

For reasons I regret I decided to re-install Lion, thinking that it might resolve a problem I was having with mail. It was interesting to go through the new process, using the Lion partition set aside on your hard drive... since there are no longer any DVDs involved.
However, the re-install stripped out all of my Sysytem and application preferences/settings/configurations/ etc. leaving me with a totally screwed up desktop, all my Dock icons missing except the basic Apple set. Even my apps are almost unrecognizable, since I've spent years tweaking at least a hundred of them to work "just right" for me.
I'm assuming that everything I need to restore what I had is still in Time Machine, but I need to know specifically what folders to restore. Library>Preferences is an obvious one, but what others?
Also, do I need to boot from a DVD or other external system to carry out the deed? Right now, when I give it a try, I keep getting a messgae that I can't do it because my OS X is using the folder.
I have really found this crippling, so please offer suggestions ASAP. If I had known this would happen, I certainly wouldn't have re-installed in the first place. The original install preserved everything.
All help will be appreciated; but I don't want the kind of advice that says back-up everything, reformat your hard drive and start over from scratch. I don't consider that a solution.
...Charles

Since I didn't receive any replies here anyway, I decided to see if I could do a complete system restore from Time Machine after my original Lion install (when everything was fine) and before I re-installed Lion and lost so many critical settngs, my iCal calendars, dock contents, app settings, etc.
Luckily there was a one-day window in TM for me to do that.
Those who don't use Time Machine may have a more difficult time, but I'm declaring that I've solved my own problem this time.

Similar Messages

How do I restore previous settings after archive and install?

I had to do an archive and install (with the box unchecked about users) on Friday after I had a kernel panic issue, but now I don't know if there is a way to restore my previous settings and access my previous files. I found the "previous system" folders, but it restricts my access to almost all of the folders, and I can't even find all of my music (iTunes) files or my stickies. I also can't find all of my bookmarks and internet settings. I'm totally panicked...there is a lot of information for my business that I really can't afford to lose. Please help me!

See the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107297.
The following can also apply to locating and moving data from a Previous System Folder. The "Home" folder will be /Users/shortname/ where "shortname" is the user account name you created.
Because you did not transfer the users accounts when you did the Archive and Install you may have created a new user account and password that is not the same as the one you previously used. This means the PSF has different permissions associated with it.
<font "size=+1">Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
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.

Why won't my Mac Pro sleep after Lion is installed?

Why won't my Mac Pro sleep after Lion is installed?

Tell us, what hardware add ons?
old software? that required PowerPC/Rosetta maybe.
Look for any apps, process that used powerpc and look for updates, check out RoaringApps for a table of Lion compatible programs
does it happen iwth a clean install?
how about if you do a Safe Boot?

HOW DO I USE THE BACKUP DISKS TO RESTORE MY SETTINGS AFTER A HAED DRIVE CRASH?

I RECENTLY HAD TO SET MY COMPUTER TO THE FACTORY SETTINGS AFTER A SYSTEM RECOVERY. HOWEVER
BEFORE DOING THIS I BURNED 7 BACKUP DISKS TO SAVE MY SETTINGS. NOE HOW DO I USE THESE DISKS
TO RESTORE MY ORIGINAL SETTINGS?

Hi
Put in your first recovery disc, then go into your BIOS and set the your cd/dvd drive as the first boot device, exit saving settings, your computer should restart and boot off your recovery disc.

Phone wont restore my settings after iOS5 update..

YesterdayI backed up my iPhone4 to my iTunes and downloaded and updated the phone to the new iOS5. Everything worked fine UNTIL I tried to restore my settings from my back up.
It keeps saying restore failed and not giving a reason.
ive tried 5or six times, turning of my computer etc.
My iTunes is up to date and everything.
I want all my photos and contacts back Please help!!

Same here joshrocker - after two days I finally gave up trying to restore the backup and clicked the "delete backup" button instead - I had to recover the iPhone as new with the home/power button press and hence lost all my unsaved photos and app settings - tried to restore again once I had a working phone but the most recent backup had disappeared (must have been that delete button) and the next oldest backup was prior to my upgrade from 3G to 4 so no use at all. Nothing in my waste bin so only God knows where that backup went.
I now have to go through and rearrange all my apps - no mean feat in itself.
My lost photos were a journal of my latest PC watercooling build. I am very very upset about loosing them. grrrr.
Needless to say I will not be upgrading to ANY new version of IOS in a hurry in future.
Let's face it, I never trusted Microsoft until Service Pack 2 on anything, now I have to add Apple to that list of mistrusted software writers too.

Restore default settings after using "Desktop 2 Login" app?

Hi all!
Downloaded the Desktop 2 Login app here:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/icons_screensavers/desktop2login.html
How do I restore the default settings after having run this?
Thanks in advance!

Anyone?

Backup Restore after Lion clean install sets invalid user

I was recylcling an iMac ready for a new staff member and at the same time upgrading it to 10.7 Lion. So I erased the disk and did a clean install of Lion from the Apple USB drive and then did a partial restore from a Time Machine backup disk - partial because I did NOT RESTORE ALL USERS and happened to exclude the user that was previously set as the default login.
On completion of the restore the computer hangs with a blank screen but is running as it beeps if you type anything - had to force down and restart.
On restart it came up with the usual user list and I successfully loggged in as the admin user so I could create a new user.
Whilst setting the new user login options I noticed that the restore had set the login user to the user who was previously set as the default login but that user had NOT been restored an no longer existed so I assume it could not boot into that user after the restore and hence the hang.
The restore utlity needs to check before setting the l;ogin info not just blindly copy it.

File a bug report or enhancement request with Apple. Alternatively, turn off auto-login before restoring from TM.

How do I restore locally saved emails from back-up after Lion re-installed

Since upgrading (?not sure this is the correct word) to Lion I've experienced periodic crashes- my 24" iMac (2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo with 4GB memory) suddenly shut down using iPhoto, Safari, and/or Pages. Applecare expired so I took it into a Genius bar: after running numerous hardware diagnostic tests I was told it was not a hardware problem, and a complete reinstall of Lion and all Apple software was recommended. I agreed- after all I had back-ups on a My Book which I thought I could easily use to restore my personal data. I was directed to drag files between Finder windows rather than try to restore from backup via Time Machine. All was well & good until I tried to restore my numerous mail folders and locally-saved emails. Evidently Mail is a hidden folder... I've been told by my helpful user group buddies how to see the hidden Mail folder on my iMac, but not on the My Book. Trying to restore from back-up via Time Machine is not an option, as I guess it doesn't recognize the newly installed system. Also tried going into Mail and importing, but when I navigate to the backup there is no visible Mail folder. Another suggestion was to try 3rd party software i.e. Back in Time or BackUp Loupe. I keep thinking there's some secret key combination, some easy way I just don't know of to retrieve my Mail data from the backup... is there???

Mail is in the username/Library/Mail
In the Finder- Library his hidden by default. If you use the drop down menu Finder>Go hold the option key down to make visible the Library.
or Go to Folder
~/Library/Mail

Unable to restore older dates after Lion install in IMAC

I see the pink bars on the time machine page going back to 2008. However, only the last 4 days are "filled in". I recently upgrader to Mac 10.7 Lion from SL. There was no problem doing the restore on my MacbookAir. I am unable to use the non-pinked tabs, How do I access the older Mac restores??? Any help would be much appreciated.

I´ve the same problem with FW 30, but I made my backup in the same language (german)as I got the new FW. When I start the backup it starts normally but stops by 50%. Fortunately I can restore it to my N82 and make from there a bluetooth restore. But it schould´nt be the normal way.

Safest way to restore a user after a clean install?

After wrestling unsuccessfully with an issue with my Tascam US-800, I'm thinking a clean install of Lion is my best solution. It's been a long time since I've done a clean install, and I'm wondering what the best way is to restore applications, virtual machines, settings, etc., without reintroducing the strange driver issue that makes the Tascam quit working after a random amount of time.
I'm in the middle of a number of projects at the moment, and would like to make this as quick and painless as possible, but I don't want to do it all only to import the original problem.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Use Carbon Copy Cloner AND Time Machine.
Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.bombich.com/software/updates/ccc-3.5.html
Create an OS X Lion Install disc
OS X Lion Install to Different Drive
How to create an OS X Lion installation disc MacFixIt
Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard
http://www.apple.com/support/lion/installrecovery/
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20080989-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-lion-ins tallation-disc
http://www.coolestguyplanettech.com/how-to-make-a-bootable-osx-10-8-mountain-lio n-disc-or-drive-from-the-downloaded-mountain-lion-app/
How to clone your system:
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone-backup.html
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone.html
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.macperformanceguide.com/blog/2012/20120711_2-MacPro-internal-clone-ba ckup.html

Reloading apps after Lion clean install

I plan to do a clean install of Lion but I am not 100% how I would get all of my apps re-loaded. I have some install disks for some of the apps, so no problem, but I do not have the install disk for others. Can I do a Time Machine back-up of the apps in SL, then "re-install" from Time Machine in Lion? My guess is no, as some of the app installers may place things in various directories that I would not get by doing a Time Machine "re-install", I would like to confirm this.

I would backup either by TM or some other method. After installing Lion you can restore your Home folder and applications via the Setup Assistant.

My 3G won't restore to backup after new software install

I tried downloading the new operating software for my 3G and had minor problems. After reading online that it is best to go thru the restore process versus updating, my husband and I both followed the procedure online. We both backed up our phones and then restored them to factory settings. This installed the new software on the phone. After that, we restored to back-up. My husband did this with no problem. I have had so many problems. Basically, my phone will restore to factory settings with new software, but when I try restoring to back0up, the phone just freezes up and continues to the reboot screen over and over and over until you hold the nap and home buttons to shut down phone. I keep getting error messages such as "your iphone cannot be synced. the required disk cannot be found.
HELP!!! I called apple and after 4 calls, the only solution was to take m phone into an Apple store for service. The problem is I live over 150 miles from an Apple store.
Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I have even tried just running on the restored phone with nothing on it for 2 days and tried backing up today and had the same problem again. Currently, I have no contacts, no emails, no photos, no music, no anything and I live and die by my phone.
Please help!!

Hello Jiggyt721
Start with the troubleshooting options in the article below to see if you can get your backup back on your iPhone.
iOS: If you can't back up or restore from a backup in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2529
Regards,
-Norm G.

How can I fix problems after Lion OSX install?

Just a couple of weeks after installing Lion, I am now experienceing the following problems:
Tremendous slowdown in system use without any obvious reason
I can't upload videos directly from iMovie to YouTube. It completes the upload, but I never see the video on the YouTube site, even after several days!
I can't change my Desktop background. Whether I attempt from my pictures folder, or using System Preferences, after I highlight the picture I want to change to, nothing happens

Try reinstalling:
Reinstalling Lion Without the Installer
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alterhatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

HT1386 All of a sudden only about a 4th of my content will sync onto my ipod. I've tried restoring the settings, updating itunes, and installing on another computer. Now i only have about a 4th of the music I had on there before and there's still plenty o

All of a sudden my ipod erased everything when syncing. (this seems to occur most frequently after adding music to my library). At first I thought it was the ipod and exchanged for a new one ( i"d had the first one for a year and a half until this happened. After recieving the new ipod i still have the same problem. I've restored the factory settings and everything is up to date and yet I've only been able to sync around 9000 songs tops compared to the 40,000 I had before. I even tried syncing from a different computer and still only some of the music syncs. Besides a few newbies here and there all the content is the same as what I had before. Any suggestions?

I´ve tried every possible solution listed, those that have worked for others...nothing has worked. My library has about 2777 songs of which at first only 1370 loaded. After syncing w/o music, which deleted all music from my iPhone, I then selected Sync Music again and synced...well this time only 391 songs were added!!! It skipped the other 1400 I already had in! I´ve come to notice that these 391 songs are the ones purchased directly on the iTunes Store, but previously I had ALL my CD´s ripped and loaded to my iPhone.
I don´t know if this has something to do with the new iTunes version, but please, please, someone give me some light! I don´t want to go and convert all 2400 songs from MP3 to AAC..!! It´s not practical!
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Mario

Help with iTunes database and Time Machine after Lion clean install

I did a clean install of OS X Lion and think I've given myself problems with my Snow Leopard Time Machine backup and with my iTunes Library database files.
My iMac (2007) had become very sluggish so I opted for a clean install. Before the install of Lion my Snow Leopard 10.6.8 internal 1TB HD was at about 600GBs. I was using Time Machine to backup to an external 1TB drive. I had my iTunes 10.? library on the same drive.
For the Lion install I partitioned my internal 1TB HD into two partitions - a 250GB Lion boot partition and the rest for Lion data files.
Now I have two problems - 1. I can't work out how to re-connect my Time Machine backups, since they were related to a much bigger original drive, and 2. I can't seem to find my iTunes database files.
I also don't want to restore any application files at this stage, as I'm determined to do a fresh install of only the applications I need as I go along, and hopefully avoid the issues of sluggishness I had with Snow Leopard.
I have all my iTunes files in their pre-Lion external HD folder, but that folder does not seem to have the iTunes Library.XML or iTunes Library files. I didn't delete them so I'm hoping they were in my iTunes folder on my SL boot drive. But that drive was deleted during the install, so I'll be depending on Time Machine to restore the database.
Can anyone suggest a way to deal with Time Machine for my Lion install, and a way to restore my iTunes database? I'd like to keep as much of the Snow Leopard Time Machine data as I can, while continuing to do Time Machine backups from my Lion installation.
Anyone know where iTunes stores those database files, if not in the external drive iTunes folder? Spotlight search doesn't find the files, but is there a way to search my old Time Machine backups without having the Time Machine backups folder re-connected in Lion?
Thanks.

My iTunes folder is organised like this if it helps:
And iTunes uses them from the Prefrences like this:
Regards,
Colin R.

Restoring Preferences & Settings after Lion Re-Install

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for