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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Can You Suggest a Backup And Clean Install Process

djb21au - Jul 27, 2005 - 1:40 am

I'm a recent switcher (from Windows) enjoying a Powerbook G4. I've had some trouble installing the 10.4.2 update and might have to do a clean install. Getting help from my store on this front, but it has raised a question.

I'd like to have a procedure for backing up my Mac and doing a clean install. In other words, what do I need to backup (is the user directory enough?), how do I reformat the hard disk and then how do I reinstall the backed up directories?

I'm sure this must have been done by someone but I haven't been able to find it.

Thanks in advance,
David

skapp - Jul 27, 2005 - 4:38 am

Here are some suggestions:

You will need an external FireWire drive to do the following.

1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the external drive from the left side list.
3. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
5. Click on the Erase button.
6. After the volume remounts on the Desktop select it in the left side list.
7. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
8. Drag the external volume to the Destination entry field.
9. Select the startup volume from the leftside list and drag it to the Source entry field.
10. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.

The following is a general reference on How to Backup and Restore.

Visit The XLab FAQs and review the FAQ on backups.

Installing Tiger and Other Software is a detailed tutorial.

djb21au - Jul 27, 2005 - 8:56 pm

Thanks for your prompt reply Steven.

I'm getting myself a firewire drive for backups so will follow your instructions.

Just to clarify my understanding: the steps you have outlined are effectively 'restoring' the startup volume to the blank, formatted external drive. This would subsequently mean I could do the reverse to restore from the external drive?

Also, the external drive must be firewire - USB won't do?

Regards,
David

skapp - Jul 27, 2005 - 9:12 pm

You understood perfectly. The Restore option of Disk Utility effectively clones the startup volume to the blank external FW drive. You should be able to boot the computer from the external drive after the clone is complete (and you should test it to be sure.)

You can use a USB drive, but a USB drive cannot be used to boot the computer, so it's better to use a FW drive for that reason.

Maintaining a bootable backup will enable you to easily restore your system should you have a problem with the main startup drive. You can use other software to perform the backups, if you wish. I can recommend LaCie's SilverKeeper, Synchronize! Pro X, and SuperDuper (among others) that can be used to make both the bootable clone and maintain incremental backups, as well. Unfortunately, the Restore option in Disk Utility can only perform full backups, it cannot do incremental backups.

djb21au - Jul 27, 2005 - 9:50 pm

Great stuff. Thanks a lot. (Macosx.com is a fantastic resource).

Regards,
David