What to do after an Archive and Install operation?

Hello:
Near the end of a hard drive defrag on the laptop using Drive Genius, something (I am not sure what) caused the computer to shut down before the defrag had finished. Most of the hard drive info. ended up in a folder called Lost and Found. The Directory probably got damaged.
The only solution I could see was to do an Archive and Install operation. The laptop had been backed-up, but the backup was not very current.
DiskWarrior brought the laptop back to life. Some information and apps were manually dragged over from the backup copy. I now have the unsavory task of having to sift through a thousand folders in Lost and Found folder to see if there are any large chunks of folders/files which are salvageable. If I can determine where the files belong, I will drag them there.
Meanwhile, I have a former System Folder in the "Previous System" Folder. Inside is a file named 'mach.sym' and three folders named 'etc, tftpboot and var'.
QUESTIONS:
1. How does a person reclaim the former System Folder back into the rebuilt Hard Drive?
2. Any helpful suggestions or comments .... are we doing the right things to get the laptop back into shape?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the assurance note; I will go ahead and trash the former System Folder. I assume the re-installing program dumped the former System Folder into a new folder in order to get it out of the way so that a new System Folder could be installed. I did not remember that the old folder needed to be manually hauled to the trash.
As there are now quite a few folders missing their former data files, I suspect these files are gone for good. So far it does not appear that anything absolutely critical is missing......other than my sanity for being so lax in maintaining scheduled backups!

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How do I get my addresses back after an Archive and Install procedure?

I recently had to archive and install because something was really wrong with my desktop. Now the desktop works fine but how do I get my address book application to open with all my former data in it? The address book application opens but there is NOTHING in it except apple's card and my user card? What I am asking is how to restore all my data after an archive and install procedure. Thank you in advance!

whatrulookinat wrote:
Yes I archived and installed with the disk that came with my MBP and then reinstalled snow leopard and then did software upgrades....
you shouldn't have done that. if you wanted to reinstall snow leopard (why btw?) you should have just reinstalled it over the existing snow leopard installation directly. installing an older OS version over the newer one ( like leopard over snow) is not recommended by apple and can lead to problems. it also does not let you preserve users. your old home directory should be located inside the Previous system folder. see this link on how to extract your data from it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2196
specifically, for the address book you need to copy the folder homedirectory/library/application support/address book from the archived home directory to the corresponding location on the new one.

Blank File Info panel after osx archive and install (CS5)

Hi,
After osx archive and install I get a blank File Info panel (into AI, PS, ID and other CS5 applications), how could be solved this??
Best regards, Robert

Hi,
solved by full remove/install CS5.. but how could be restored correct access rights?
Also replied me Vikas.Sharma:
Create a new text file named XMP.cfg (make sure the extension is cfg and not txt).
The only text that needs to be in that file is as below:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/XMP/Custom File Info Panels/
Restart the Adobe application and check the File Info panel again.
You need to copy that file to /Library/Application Support/Macromedia/FlashPlayerTrust (create the directory if not already there)
but, why osx archive and install isnt working fine with flash?
The only troubles (solved) are quicklook flv contents and XMP file info panes into all CS5 applications, could be solved next time by a short and fast procedure?
Best regards, Robert

Multiple iTunes Libraries after an Archive and Install

I recently did an archive and install. I have virtually no disk space left now.
For instance I have an iTunes Library in my Previous System folder that is 11.88 GB and now I also have an iTunes library in my current set up that is 11.33 GB.
I would think these folders are duplicates, so why might the newer Library be a smaller size?
In short, what files and folders can I trash in my Previous System folder so I can reclaim my Hard Drive?

post iTunes related questions >>[ Here|http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=149]
A

Nikon RAW rendering engine (SDK) missing after an Archive and Install.

I apologize if this is not the correct place to post this, but I could not find a relevant thread.
I am a Nikon shooter and use Expression Media 2 to catalog all of my images. I use it because it is the only app I have found that retains the file settings that the camera embeds. For example I could set my camera (a D300 BTW) to shoot in B&W and when it is placed in EM2 it retains the B&W characteristics. Other apps will render the very same image in color, ignoring what the Nikon D300 has placed in the file.
I don't know why EM2 is the only app I have found that does that, but it does.
Here is my problem:
I'm on an Intel iMac. I had to do an "Archive and Install" and I have lost the Nikon RAW preview (it was ok before). When I select "Manufacturer" in the rendering prefs I now only get a small thumbnail view. The Apple engine works fine but it's slower than the Nikon engine and does not keep the file parameters.
I hope that is clear.
Can you help me get the "Manufacturer" engine working again?
I checked in the "CoreServices" folder in my previous systems folder but it doesn't seem to be there. Am I looking in the right place? I even did a search with no results.
I was advised to post in this Discussions Forum from an Apple Tech.
Thanks!!!

Thanks for your response. Yes I had that checked but...It's working now!!! I don't understand? I did nothing but work on a web site from the time I posted until now. I'm the kind of guy that likes to have an explanation and it will drive me crazy because I don't know what happened.
...pass the peanuts.
Thanks again.

Lost files after doing Archive and Install

After I did Archive and Install I went to the home screen and all my files were gone. Where are they save? I'm not talking about my applications, I'm talking about documents and iTunes music,etc.
Please help.

I assume you did not check the option to preserve users and network settings when you did the Archive and Install. You will find everything in the Previous System Folder.
See How to get files from a previous home directory after Archive and Install.

IPhoto 7.1.1. not launching after an archive and install of OSX 10.4

Dear everybody,
after some bad hassles with kernel panics on start up I had to do an archive & install as a last resort.
Turned out to be pretty easy and worked fine - as recommended I started trying all 3rd party hard-ware, but instead of that IPHOTO (fully updated) seems to have troubles launching. It shows up for a second in the dock jumping, then vanisches again. Command-option-clicking doesn't open it, either.
Should I uninstall/drag to trash my iPhoto application and do a customized re-install from DVD?
Will this affect the iPhotoLibrary file that is containing all my pictures? Furthermore, will re-installing cause any changes in my preferences?
Can I do a reinstall by dragging an older version/update onto the newest?
Thanks for any help!
BTW, I did update 10.4. to 10.4.11 before trying to launch iPhoto.
Cheers!
Keywan

Dear Terence,
I followed your guide:
-Ensure that you have the latest version of the OS and Quicktime.
Ensured
-1. Repair Permissions using Disk Utility
Minor issue - repaired.
-2. Delete the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file from the home / library / preferences folder. You'll need to reset your User options afterwards.
Don't have that file! Only a com.apple.iLife08.plist in theat directory. I did not delete it, otherwise other iLife apps are also troubled.
-3. Create a new account (systempreferences -> accounts) and see if the problem is repeated there. If it is, then a re-install of the app might be indicated. If it's not, then it's likely the app is okay and the problem is something in the main account.
Did that - still no launching of iPhoto.
-If none of those work, Post the Crash Log.
No crash log present.
More ideas?
I'll try the next answer now.

Restoring after archive and install

after using 'archive and install', what is the proper procedure for restoring applications, plugins, etc?
1. manually copy?
2. migration assistant?
3. reinstall using disks/installers?

If they are only in the former system you forgot to to preserve your user settings.
How to Archive & Install:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

Running Time Machine after 'Archive and Install'

I had a strange problem with my iMac with finder and dock crashing on booting and not being able to open any files. It's been off to an Apple centre for repair, they've done an archive and install to replace the OS, and I apparently now need to run Time Machine to restore my system (don't have the computer back yet).
Am I right in thinking I'll just plug in Time Machine hard drive, insert my Leopard CD and then use Utilities > Restore System?
What's worrying me is I'm going to reintroduce the problem that was fixed by the Archive and Install in the first place! Any help or thoughts very much appreciated,
Andrew

AndyAsb wrote:
I had a strange problem with my iMac with finder and dock crashing on booting and not being able to open any files. It's been off to an Apple centre for repair, they've done an archive and install to replace the OS, and I apparently now need to run Time Machine to restore my system (don't have the computer back yet).
as mentioned you don't have to do that after an archive and install.
Am I right in thinking I'll just plug in Time Machine hard drive, insert my Leopard CD and then use Utilities > Restore System?
What's worrying me is I'm going to reintroduce the problem that was fixed by the Archive and Install in the first place!
that's very likely to happen if the problem was not hardware. did they do anything with the computer besides doing an archive and install? if not, you most definitely should NOT do a full system restore from TM as this would bring your problems back.
Any help or thoughts very much appreciated,
Andrew

Files missing from library after archive and install

Hi forum folk
any help you could give would be much appreciated.
I can't seem to verify my permissions on HD. I have run disk utility both from finder and from my OSX startup disk and consistently get the error message "Disk Utility has lost its connection with the Disk Management Tool and cannot continue." I then reinstalled the operating system all together making sure to archive and install as well as archive previous network and preference settings. This means I am running 10.3.4 at the moment (and I can't verify any of the software updates at the moment). After reinstalling I still cannot verify my permissions, so now I am trying to back up all my files so that I can reinstall the OSX again, erase everything, and start from scratch. But I'm running into some very strange problems while doing this. select files are missing from ~/library. there is no Safari file, for example. I tried looking in HD/previous systems/library where my library files were saved before I reinstalled the operating system but there is no such folder in there either. this means all of my bookmarks are gone. additionally, under library/preferences (in both the old and new library folders) there is no file named com.apple.itunes.plst. so all of my itunes playlists are gone as well. these are the only missing files I have found thus far and i can't explain why they selectively would not have been saved after the archive and install. Everything else seems to be intact. Any ideas?
thanks
jb
powerbookG4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) running 10.3.4 at the moment - can't verify permissions on 10.3.9

jbeep:
my HD has a capacity of 8.85 GB available. When I reinstalled panther I had little more than 3 GB available (I deleted a bunch of unneeded things since then)
Thanks for this update. What is the total formatted capacity of your HDD? I ask because I suspected that you might be cutting it pretty close. The rule of thumb is that you should have 10-15% of your total capacity available as free space. My personal rule is 15%-20%. This allows for more efficient perfomrance of OS X.
I am in the process of backing up everything on my seagate combo USB 2.0/firewire 200 GB external (I am using the firewire cord)
Having an up-to-date backup is one of the primary rules, often observed more in the breach than not. Since you have an HDD that supports Firewire, I suggest that you make a bootable clone of your entire HDD using SuperDuper. You can then use this backup as an emergency boot drive. However, it must be Firewire, as PPC Macs don't boot from USB devices.
I also have heard that it is advisable to reinstall the OS "every now and again" and I hadn't done this for at least two years. was I ill-advised?
Most experienced Mac users never re-install, except under dire circumstances. Since installing my new HDD in this computer I have never re-installed. Re-installation is the utlimate intrusive measure, and it exposes one to all kinds of issues, from lost data, to flawed installaton, to installations that fail midstream. Re-installation is not an effective maintenace procedure. Here are some helpful links in terms of maintenance:
Mac OS X 10.3/10.4: System maintenance
Macintosh OS X Routine Maintenance
Maintaining OS X.
I'm going to restart now and try and verify my permissions again using the procedure on the above link. I'll let you know what happens.
Instead of verifying permissions, just go ahead and Repair Disk Permissions. Verifying permissions does nothing, and wastes your time, as it is difficult to tell whether you need to repair, and you have to repair anyway.
Do post back with an update of your progress and any further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

Blank iTunes library after Archive and Install

My PowerBook G4 suffered a catastrophic crash and after advice from Apple support, the only way I could restart it was to perform an Archive and Install. Before this, I couldn't start the machine and therefore couldn't back anything up. Everything seems to be all right after the Archive and Install except that my iTunes library is completely blank, and the old library is not anywhere on the hard drive. All of the songs are still on my iPod - is there any way to get them back into the library? I don't want to connect the iPod and lose everything I have now.
Thanks!
PowerBook G4 867 Mhz Mac OS X (10.2.x)

From the Keyboard Shortcuts in the iTunes Help menu:
iPod shortcuts
Prevent iPod from automatically updating when you connect it to your computer
Command-Option as you connect the iPod to your computer (hold the keys down until the iPod appears in the iTunes Source list)
After that, use an application like Senuti or iPodRip (latest versions on versiontracker.com) to transfer the contents of your iPod to the computer.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

Quicken 07 remains after Archive and Install?

Will the Quicken 07 application AND all my accounts remain after doing Archive and Install? I mean, will they be up and ready to use or need to be located in a folder and re-installed?

On an "Archive and Install", you have the option to save user data and network settings. This will copy all your user data into the home directory on the new install, and make the install process as seamless as possible. Applications are copied over as well, I believe, but if they're not they are left in the "Previous System" folder and you can copy them over manually and test them out. I believe "Quicken" is one of those applications where you just drag it to the applications folder to install it. As such, it should migrate to the new system easily and be up and running without the need to reinstall it. Most apps that require reinstalls are those that put extensions and plug-ins into the system folder (Adobe CS3, for example). Some things to keep in mind:
Corrupt preference files can cause applications to run funny or not at all. If an app doesnt behave normally then remove the preference file for that application from your user library. Corrupt preference files can happen during an install, so its good to be aware of the possibility they might crop up.
In a similar manner as corrupt preference files, sometimes the install process can change the permissions on files and folders, which will result in the same funky behavior. Using Disk utility to fix permissions BEFORE and AFTER the install will greatly reduce the probability of this being an issue.

After Archive and Install, there is less room on disk

I recently had to do an archive and install from my Mac OS X Disc 1 & 2, and I new it would take up between 10 and 15GB of Disk space, but I can't figure out how to clean up the disk so I have the amount of space I had before the archive and install. I recently had 59.8 GB, after the archive and install I have 50.08. Any suggestions?

Hi Tha Shiz, Welcome to Apple's Users Help Users Forums.
When you do an A & I you create a 'Previous System Folder.' I suspect that's the difference.
You can keep that for a while till you are sure that everything is OK.
Joyous Computing, JP
Message was edited by: Jpfresno "You can ..."

I'm a Pro Tools user, who just did an "Archive and Install" installation of 10.5.8 over my 10.4.11 on my 2 Ghz G5, now Pro Tools won't launch. I checked the extensions folder and sure enough, the digidesign extensions were left behind. Can I revert back

I'm a Pro Tools user, who just did an "Archive and Install" installation of 10.5.8 over my 10.4.11 on my 2 Ghz G5, now Pro Tools won't launch. I checked the extensions folder and sure enough, the digidesign extensions were left behind. Can I revert back to the "Archive" of my 10.4.11 System from the "Previous Systems" folder? If not, what's the point of creating the "archive"?

Did you select "Preserve User Settings"?
Archive and Install installation automatically moves existing system files to a folder named Previous System, then installs Mac OS X again. (See tip 3.) You cannot start up your computer using a Previous System folder, nor can you "re-bless" the Previous System folder. (See tip 1.)
You can choose to preserve your user and network settings before installing. This option automatically moves existing users, Home directories, and network settings. This also skips the Setup Assistant after installation.
Note: Because the "Preserve user and network settings" option moves, not copies, existing users, Home directories, and network settings, from the Previous Systems folder to the newly installed System, these items will not exist in the Previous Systems folder after the Archive and Install is complete.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1710
Read this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2196
BTW, it is never recommended to do a major OS change without having a full, bootable backup.

Can't "archive and install" or reinstall Snow Leopard and other problems

My laptop has been doing some funny things lately. I began noticing it mostly with video content. Especially when playing a DVD. The audio comes across as choppy. The video gets choppy. Now I have noticed that the mouse (track pad) seems jumpy. The arrow jumps across the screen when not intended to etc.
So, I thought I would do what was once called an Archive and install. I realize that Snow Leopard doesn't give that option, but it essentially does that if you choose to reinstall the OS.
This laptop is Model MacBook 2,1. It shipped with Leopard. I bout the SL upgrade and am trying to use that disc to reinstall the OS.
I get this message with a yellow triangle and exclamation point after I insert the disc and click the "install" button:
Mac OS X 10.6 cannot be installed on this computer. This disc requires that Mac OSX 10.5 or later already be installed on your computer."
I am confused because I am running 10.6.2
Any help??
Thanks.
Message was edited by: Daniel Peck

You get the message if you use the special, reduced price Leopard to Snow Leopard upgrade disc. The retail Snow Leopard disc doesn't require any OS to be preinstalled; the upgrade one requires that Leopard be installed for licensing reasons.

What to do after an Archive and Install operation?

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