Will update my software erase my hard drive?

will updating my software from os x 15.5.8 to 10.6 snow leopard erase my itunes and documents??

No. You should buy an external drive to use for backup.
Basic Backup
For some people Time Machine will be more than adequate. Time Machine is part of OS X. There are two components:
1. A Time Machine preferences panel as part of System Preferences;
2. A Time Machine application located in the Applications folder. It is used to manage backups and to restore backups.
Time Machine requires a backup drive that is at least twice the capacity of the drive being backed up.
Alternatively, get an external drive at least equal in size to the internal hard drive and make (and maintain) a bootable clone/backup. You can make a bootable clone using the Restore option of Disk Utility. You can also make and maintain clones with good backup software. My personal recommendations are (order is not significant):
1. Carbon Copy Cloner
2. Data Backup
3. Deja Vu
4. SuperDuper!
5. Synk Pro
6. Tri-Backup
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on backup and restore. Also read How to Back Up and Restore Your Files. For help with using Time Machine visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with all things Time Machine.
Although you can buy a complete external drive system, you can also put one together if you are so inclined. It's relatively easy and only requires a Phillips head screwdriver (typically.) You can purchase hard drives separately. This gives you an opportunity to shop for the best prices on a hard drive of your choice. Reliable brands include Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital, Toshiba, and Fujitsu. You can find reviews and benchmarks on many drives at Storage Review.
Enclosures for FireWire and USB are readily available. You can find only FireWire enclosures, only USB enclosures, and enclosures that feature multiple ports. I would stress getting enclosures that use the Oxford chipsets especially for Firewire drives (911, 921, 922, for example.) You can find enclosures at places such as;
1. Cool Drives
2. OWC
3. WiebeTech
4. Firewire Direct
5. California Drives
6. NewEgg
All you need do is remove a case cover, mount the hard drive in the enclosure and connect the cables, then re-attach the case cover. Usually the only tool required is a small or medium Phillips screwdriver.

Similar Messages

In need of a script that will update tv shows on external hard-drive

Hi everyone I have a really specific question about scripts. Okay, so my dad regularly downloads various TV shows and movies etc
and I have a neighbor named Darian who once a week gives me an external hard drive and I update a whole bunch of TV shows. Now my problem is that each time he gives me the hard drive, it takes me about 20-30 mins to update all of the TV shows because they
are in different TV show folders, I was wondering if it is possible to make a script that when run would automatically copy all of the shows onto Darian's hard drive and then all I have to do is copy the movies which is pretty quick, here's another problem,
all of the movies and tv shows are not on my computer but on my dad's computer, so when I copy the stuff I have to access his pc through the network and I always have to type his username and password to access his pc, so if someone could tell me if it is
possible, the code I need and how to run it or pretty much any help, I would be very gratful, thanks in advance (:

The best we can do is point you at the resource page and let you figure out what it is you are trying to ask:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/dd793612.aspx
Rather than ask a whole shopping list of questions rey to figure out the first step that you need to take and ask a question about that..
I also believe that it would be good for you to get a book on how to use Windows in a home network. All of what you ask can be done without any scripts. It is all part of basic WIndows and is designed to make this possible and easy for home users
but you stil need to study how the system works.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Will updating Ipod software erase videos

I ran out of space on my computer but not on my ipod so i set the ipod to manual and erased the videos on my computer. The only place I have them is on the ipod so I dont want to lose them. When I tried to add more videos to the ipod it told me I have to update.
Can I update the ipod software without erasing the videos on the ipod? thanks

Yes, your files will be safe.

I updated my software on my hard drive, synched my iPad and now am having trouble with mail. Anyone else having this issue?

I keep getting the can't locate server message, when trying to update mail, but can update mail if I log onto the server from the Internet, on my iPad, or use my mail app on my desk top. The problem seems to be with the iPad mail app. I went through the settings and powered down. That only buys me one "check mail." anybody have any suggestions?

There are other things that need your attention.
Your above posted system details show outdated plugin(s) with known security and stability risks that you should update.
*http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/
Update the Flash plugin to the latest version.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+the+Flash+plugin
*http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

TS1440 Will it erase my hard drive, photos and music?

Hi all! I'm happy to follow above procedure. Seems easy enough. But will it erase my hard drive, photos and music? I don't use iCloud... Thanks all!

You haven't updated Leopard to 10.5.8?
If you want to upgrade further:
Start by checking if you can run Snow Leopard:
Requirements for OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575
Whilst Apple have withdrawn Snow Leopard from their stores, you can still get it from Apple by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE (if you are in the USA) and they will supply the SL DVD for $20 for a single user, or $30 for a family pack that covers up to 5 Macs. You can also purchase the code to use to download Lion from the same number (Lion requires an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and 2GB of RAM, running the latest version of Snow Leopard), or you can purchase Mountain Lion from the App Store - if you can run that:
http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/
If you are outside the US call your national Apple Helpline:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57
If you're in the UK, use this number: 0871 508 4400
When you have installed it, run Software Update to download and install the latest updates for Snow Leopard.
To use iCloud you have to upgrade all the way to Mountain Lion:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4759

Should I erase my hard drive before updating to Yosemite?

I am planning on updating to OS X 10.10 Yosemite on my late 2009 3GHz 4GB RAM iMac soon from 10.9.5 Mavericks, and I've always heard it is best to erase the hard drive and wipe it clean when installing a new version of the OS. Is this still true?
And since the OS no longer comes on an install CD disc, is it still recommended to erase the HD before installing fresh? If so, how is this best accomplished without such an install CD? Copy the downloaded installer to a flash drive or CD/DVD or external hard disk?
Or has the Mac OS progressed enough that simply using Software Update is now the best and recommended way to upgrade OS X?
Any best practice recommendations would be most appreciated. And as always, I backup all of my important stuff before I perform such an install (though I do not use Time Machine as yet).

You don't say how you are backing up, other than that you don't use Time Machine (which is not a bad thing, given the reports of problems with the reliability of Time Machine backups). I'd suggest that you buy Carbon Copy Cloner and use it to make a complete, bootable backup of your system on a second hard drive.
4GB of RAM is borderline skimpy. You may need to at least double what you have installed now: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/DDR3_21.5_27
Download DiskmakerX: http://diskmakerx.com/, and get an 8GB flash drive. You can use DiskmakerX to put the Yosemite installer on the flash drive.I'd also suggest that you try to re-download the Mavericks installer before you do any other steps, and store it in a safe location outside of your Applications folder. You may want to revert or re-install at some point. You can also make a flash drive for Mavericks, if you have succeeded in downloading it.
"Install OS X Yosemite.app" (or or any installer later than Snow Leopard) is downloaded to your Applications folder. When the download is complete, the installer application launches. It is at this point that you quit the installer and copy (not move) it to a safe location outside of your Applications folder, perhaps in the folder of backups you (should) maintain for stuff like system updates and installers. You need to do this is because "Install OS X Whatever.app" very unhelpfully deletes itself after the installation is complete.
Make your flash drive installer at this point. When you are done, locate the copy of the Yosemite installer that is still in your Applications folder, launch it, and upgrade the system on your internal drive. With a cloned, bootable backup, you can easily revert to Mavericks if Yosemite doesn't run well.

With Lion, How Can I Erase the Hard Drive and Reinstall The System Software?

I plan on buying a used iMac with a Core 2 Duo so that I can run Lion. Since Lion can only be purchased at the Mac App store what if I needed to erase my hard drive and re-install the system software. How can I do this without a DVD with the OS on it like I have for Snow Leapard. I suppose that I could boot from my Snow Leapard DVD and do the erase. Then, I supposed I would be able to download Lion again from the Mac App Store without paying for it again. But, how would you erase a hard drive and reinstall the system software when purchasing a new Mac with Lion already installed and no DVD at all with the OS on it?
-- Kaydell

When someone purchases any Apple computer with a DVD Drive, they should have recieved two DVDs... One contains the Operating System (up to Snow Leopard, Lion no longer ships on DVD) and the other contains the SYSTEM SOFTWARE (i.e. iLife and iWork). To install the software, they just insert the DVD with the SYSTEM SOFTWARE into any compatible Mac and run the installer. There is no need to erase the hard drive to install SYSTEM SOFTWARE. Maybe a friend can let you borrow the SYSTEM SOFTWARE DVD. The other option is to purchase the software via the App Store.
FYI... App Store purchases are linked to the PURCHASER'S APPLE ID. So if you buy a used Mac from a friend and that Mac already has Lion installed on it,that Lion purchase is linked to YOUR FRIEND'S APPLE ID, not yours. So if you want to download Lion again, you will have to enter your FRIEND'S APPLE ID AND PASSWORD. You can always have your friend re-download Lion and make you a DVD copy.

I had to erase my hard drive and now when I try to sync the I phone or Ipad it says I will loose my data on the iphone or ipad . how can I sync the phone or I pad without loosing my music ?

I had to erase my hard drive and reinstall ox snow leopard. when i try to sync my Iphone or Ipad it says that my device was synced with another computer and I will loose my songs on the Iphone or ipad and it will be replaced by the library that is on my computer now. The library is empty since I had to erase the hard drive. Can anyone help?

1) ensure iTunes is authorized for your iTunes store account(s)
2) connect your device and right-click or control-click it in the iTunes Source list, then choose transfer purchases from the shortcut menu that appears.
3) sync the device
iTunes will wipe the iPhone/iPad but, since you transferred your purchases in the previous step, your content will be in your library and you can re-populate the iPhone/iPad with it.
above works for purchases from the iTunes store. for everything else, check out this post by Zevoneer.
also, there are PhoneView and iRip.

I need to erase my hard drive and start anew, will time Machine(external drive) and all the discs I got with my computer be enough to restart things

I need to erase my hard drive and start anew, will time Machine(external drive) and all the discs I got with my computer be enough to restart things. And secondly does RAM memory cards go bad. Here's the info on my IMac:
Model Name:          iMac
Model Identifier:          iMac6,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          4 MB
Memory:          3 GB
Bus Speed:          667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          IM61.0093.B07
SMC Version (system):          1.10f2

I need to erase my hard drive and start anew
Why do you feel you need to do this? That is such a 'Windows thing' to do!
And secondly does RAM memory cards go bad
Very rarely, but nothing in life is guaranteed (except death and taxes)! If you purchased RAM from a reputable source like Crucial or OWC it will carry a lifetime warranty.

If I erase my hard drive on my MacBook Pro to restore my server, will microsoft word get deleted?

My computer recently has been having issues, I was told to try and reinstall my server after my computer continued to freeze up and dash marks across my screen show up. I was going to erase my hard drive (I already saved all my files and pictures) but I am wondering if there is a way I can do this without microsoft word being deleted. Thanks for your help!!

No, there isn't. You'll need to reload it afterwards, either from backup or from the original source.
(103930)

How do I properly zero out or erase the hard drives in my early 2009 Mac Pro 4,1 tower?

How do I properly zero out or erase the hard drives in my early 2009 Mac Pro 4,1 tower?
I assume there are already instructions on Apple.com someplace but haven't seen them yet… I have to one terabyte drives one the operating system the other is blank I want to start fresh I want to zero out both drives but I didn't want to make any mistakes
I know I can use disk utility to 0 Out Dr., #2 that means I will have to take out the operating system hard drive out of my 2008 Mac Pro and put it into my 2009 Mac Pro to use the disk utility to zero out drive one the OS drive in my 2009 Mac Pro am my correct
I just need a little bit a help I want to go slow so I don't make any mistakes with the sleds or with the erasing process which journaled to choose encrypted or not etc. etc.
Furthermore is there instructions on the site on how to change the hard drive into a different sled because the sleds and my 2009 are different than my 2008 any advice
Thank you

I'm doing this because my friend told me that zeroing out the drive can nap bad sectors and also later for some kind of diagnostics usage of the drive or something like that he wasn't really clear
My friend was really specific he said choose the option that writes zero's once over the drive that is plenty good enough I was inclined to use the maximum seven write ...I just want to make sure the drive has no bad sectors and that's it's it's zeroed out for possible future diagnostics usage or something that he said was usable later
he also advised me to run a test on it but I don't have the software you mentioned or the software that he has… So I may have to take the drives over to his house unless you have some kind of free software that's easy to use that you could suggest that will not only zero out the drive but test the drive completely
I am completely new to Mac I'm no dummy but at the same time I'm not super technically capable I mean I can surprise myself I'm pretty good but I need a good teacher… How expensive is this lifeguard software?
Thank you

How do I erase the hard drive on my 2007 Macbook with operating system 10.4.11 ?

I am going to recycle my old Macbook and want to erase the hard drive. When I go into utilities-disk utility-click on Macintosh HD-and the Erase tab, the only active button is Erase Free Space. The Security Options and Erase button are not active. How can I erase the entire hard drive? The operating system is 10.4.11.

You have to boot to another drive. You cannot erase the drive to which you are booted. Typically you would use the system installer discs that were provided with the computer originally.
Alternatively you can use another computer which is running OSX and put the old one in Target Disk Mode. The old one will simply be seen as a normal hard drive which you can erase.
How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements. [What to do if your Mac doesn't enter FireWire Target Disk Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75414], also read about [Open Firmware Password Protection|http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/openfirmwarepassword.html] which can disable Target Disk Mode.

Will recovery disks work on new hard drive

I just installed new hard drive on hp laptop with Windows 7 64 bit. I used the iso file installation disc. Now I would like to use the recovery disks I made 2.5 years ago to load the original software and drivers as when the pc was new. When I put Disc 1 in the drive the pc does nothing. I've been reading online that you have to change the order of the drives in the BIOS so the pc will boot from the dvd drive.
Then further research online, I read that recovery disks will not work on a new hard drive, and on a smaller drive than was previously installed.
I did do a full system backup from old hard drive, so I have those 3 discs. I have not tried that. Basically all I use pc for is web browsing,email and an occassional movie.
I guess I just want it to seem like a new pc with all the original software and drivers.
I downloaded hp support assistant, however it states that new updates are not needed. That can't be right.
I went to hp download page, but not sure which drivers/software to download.
This is wearing me out. Please help if you have any suggestions/advice. Thank you!

Paul, thank you for answering. I have a HP Pavilion DV7-4270us.
From my research, I don't believe the operating system is on the recovery disks. I am very hesitant to work with the recovery disks again. Anyway my new hard drive is 500 GB which is smaller than the old 640 GB that was previously installed from the factory. So the recovery disks may not work on a smaller drive.
At this point, I would like to get back HP Media Smart and Synaptics click pad working. I have downloaded the driver for the clickpad, but it does not operate like it used to. No settings to choose from etc. I downloaded the Media Smart Software package and driver, but the software package is not there. I was just reading online, and found a link for the Simple Pass Identity Protection fingerprint reader. I downloaded it, and seems so far to work. Also, on the keyboard the light on the keyboard button for (volume on and off) remains lit all the time. It used to light up only when the volume was off.
Man, you sure can run into all kinds of problems when you install a new hard drive. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks, Ken.

Erasing my hard drive with recovery disk not working

So recently I was infected with Security Central malware and ran an anti-malware removal program, which worked for a week or so. Yesterday it came back and after attempting to run the anti-malware program again, it cannot find any, though Security Central is still affecting my computer.
What the malware is doing is not allowing me to open ANYTHING. Not a Word file, Internet, application or program. I cannot run a disk either. I decided, because my Toshiba laptop has a number of other problems with slow performance, to backup everything to an external hard drive and erase my hard drive and run the recovery disc.
I ran it in Safe Mode to move all my stuff onto the external hard drive and then inserted the recovery disc. Because of the Securty Central malware, it will not run in normal mode and my laptop says it cannot open the disc in Safe Mode.
All I want to do is erase my hard drive and start over but I cannot seem to do it. I'm not crazy tech-savvy and I know there must be a way to do this but I've tried everything I know how to do. Help??? Thanks!
BTW: my computer is a Toshiba Satellite M115-S3094

Corrected instructions for Recovery and Applications/Drivers Media Document ID: 98082279
CAUTION: The Recovery process reformats the computer's hard disk drive, which completely erases its contents -- including all applications, all documents, and all other data stored on the drive. Be sure to back up your documents and other data before following the instructions below.
Follow these steps to erase the current contents of the hard disk drive and to re-install all of the software that was installed on the computer when it was manufactured:
1. With the computer on, insert the first Recovery disc into the optical drive.
2. Shut down the computer (click the Start button, click Shut Down, select Shut Down, click OK).
3. Press the computer's power button to turn the computer on, and then immediately press and hold the F12 key. Release the F12 key when the menu of boot options appears.
4. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the CD/DVD option. Press the Enter key to select it.
The computer will restart, and will boot from the Recovery disc.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to start the Recovery process.
CAUTION: Once the Recovery process has begun, do not interrupt it.
The computer's hard drive will be formatted, erasing its contents. All of the software that was installed on the computer when it was manufactured will then be re-installed.
6. Once the Recovery process is complete, remove the Recovery disc, and press any key to restart the computer.

How do I restore my operating system from Snow Leopard back to Mountain Lion on line after erasing my hard drive?

I had to erase my hard drive. I loaded Snow Leopard with the disk I got with my computer, but I purchased Mountain Lion several months ago and don't have support any longer. How do I get back to the Mountain Lion operating system, on line?

Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.
You must perform the last step - updating to 10.6.8. Until then you have no access to the App Store. When you can sign into the App Store using the same Apple ID with which your purchased Mountain Lion, click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. Locate your Mountain Lion purchase line then click on the Install button on the right to re-download.

Will update my software erase my hard drive?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for