Should I do an "erase and install" on iBook G4?

I have a late 2004/early 2005 iBook G4 with an 80GB hard drive. It came running Panther, and I upgraded it to Tiger. In preparation for upgrading it to Leopard, I bought additional RAM and brought it from 786MB to 1.25GB of RAM. Then I installed Leopard. So far no problems, but I recently added some third-party, graphics-heavy software and now have only 13+GB left again on the hard drive. (It had been up to 20GB of free space even after the upgrade to Leopard.) I am poised to connect the iBook to a recently erased LaCie 250GB external hard drive and to start up Time Machine, but before I do this, in order to make the iBook run in the most efficient way, does it make sense to backup everything onto the LaCie drive and then "erase and install" the Mac HD on my iBook and start over again with a clean install. If so, how--step-by-step, please, as I am 59!--would I go about doing this? (I have the original Panther disks that came with the iBook, as well as the Tiger disk and Leopard disk.) Would I create such a back-up with Time Machine itself of with Carbon Copy Cloner or something similar (that others in the Apple discussions have written about). With which disk (Panther, Tiger or Leopard) would I start up the iBook once its disk has been erased? I really need detailed instructions if you don't mind. Thanks!

I meant that I had upgraded the iBook from 768MB of RAM to 1.25 GB.

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  • Should I have erased and installed?

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  • MBP Freezes (have erased and installed, ran disk utility, and inc fan speed

    Hi Guys, Any advice on this issue would be very much appreciated please.
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    Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/CoreVideo.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/AirPort Base Station Agent.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/Resources/lanArrow.png", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rw-rw-r-- .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/Resources/lanCheck.png", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rw-rw-r-- .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/Resources/lanDisabled.png", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rw-rw-r-- .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/Resources/wanArrow.png", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rw-rw-r-- .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/Utilities/AirPort Utility.app/Contents/Resources/wanCheck.png", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rw-rw-r-- .
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    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/AVC.plugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/IIDC.plugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/MPEGAudioDecoder.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/MPEGLayer2AudioEncoder.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/Tundra.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaPrivate.framework/Versions/A/CodeRes ources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/DVD.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSettings.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSources.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Movies.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Music.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Photos.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Podcasts.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/TV.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/AnnotationInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResources ", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/AudioSettingsInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResour ces", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/DataRefInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/HintTrackInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResources" , should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/NetworkInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/SettingsInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/QuickTime Player.app/Contents/PlugIns/VisualTrackInspector.propPane/Contents/CodeResource s", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeComponents.component/Contents/CodeResources" , should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTimeJava/QuickTimeJava.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTime3GPP.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeFireWireDV.component/Contents/CodeResources" , should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeH264.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeIIDCDigitizer.component/Contents/CodeResourc es", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeImporters.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeMPEG.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeMPEG4.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeStreaming.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeVR.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/QuickTime Plugin.plugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/QuickTime Plugin.webplugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/QTKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/QTKitIBPlugin.i bplugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/Spotlight/QuickTime.mdimporter/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/iSightAudio.plugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/QuickTime.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTAdvance d.prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTAdvance d.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTMediaKeys.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTAdvance d.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTMime.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTAdvance d.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTTransport.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTPlugIn. prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTRegiste r.prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTRegiste r.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTAbout.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTStreami ng.prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/PreferencePanes/QuickTime.prefPane/Contents/Resources/QTUpdate. prefPane/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Frameworks/InternetUtilities.bundle/Contents/ CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Resources/iTunesHelper.app/Contents/CodeResou rces", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are -rw-r--r-- .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Info.plist", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Info.plist", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are -rw-r--r-- .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/MacOS/JavaPluginCocoa", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/MacOS/JavaPluginCocoa", should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rwxr-xr-x .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/MacOS", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/MacOS", should be drwxrwxr-x , they are drwxr-xr-x .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Localizable.strings", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Localizable.strings", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are -rw-r--r-- .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources", should be drwxrwxr-x , they are drwxr-xr-x .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/version.plist", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents/version.plist", should be -rw-rw-r-- , they are -rw-r--r-- .
    Group differs on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents", should be 80, group is 0.
    Permissions differ on "Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaPluginCocoa.bundle/Contents", should be drwxrwxr-x , they are drwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "System/Library/Components/AudioCodecs.component/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
    Permissions differ on "private/var/spool/cups/cache/rss", should be drwxr-xr-x , they are drwxrwxr-x .

    According to Mactracker, your Mac could recognize 3 GB of RAM:
    http://www.mactracker.ca/
    One thing to check is your RAM usage while playing WOW. I am not a gamer, so I don't know if you can play with your Dock visible, but if you can, here is an easy way to keep track of your RAM usage.
    Go to Activity Monitor (in your Utilities folder in your Applications folder) and put it in the Dock. Then while in Activity Monitor, go to View (in the menu bar)>Dock Icon and select "Show Memory Usage".
    You want to see a lot of green in the pie chart. If you don't, you are running out of RAM and then the computer turns to your hard drive to fulfill the functions of RAM. This process is much slower, and I could see it resulting in freezes. If you find that the green virtually disappears while gaming, you could well benefit from upping the RAM by another 1 GB to 3 GB total.
    Good luck!

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    While in Time Machine, press the key combination shift-command-C. The front window will show all mounted volumes. All snapshots should now be accessible. Select the one you want and navigate to the files you want to restore.

  • Trouble with Time Machine (runs constantly). Erase and install?

    Trouble with Time Machine (runs constantly). Tried re-installation (equivalent of archive install) of Snow Leopard. Time Machine still unable to complete a back-up. Erase and install recommended at Genius Bar. Have backed up data to external HD using Super Duper. Should be a bootable backup. Last successful backup through Time Machine was 6/1/11. Not sure if I can access this back-up if I erase and re-install.
    Computer shipped with Tiger (7/2007). Have original disks. Now running Snow Leopard. So: erase HD, install Tiger, then update to Snow Leopard? Start-up from Tiger disks does not appear to work (starting up holding "C" key). Suggestions? Want very much to transfer data to new iMac, but do not want to carry bugs forward. Very nervous about erasing HD. And have the questions above about reinstalling system software.
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    Well if you can hold option and boot off the Superdupes clone and it works fine then you should be set to do what you need to do to the original boot drive.
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    Quit and reinstall OS X Snow Leopard, setup (do not use Setup/Migration Assitant!) and update to 10.6.8
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    install your programs from fresh sources, this way you don't get the "crap" from the older setup.
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