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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Reinstalling one program at a time
RobinS - Jun 16, 2006 - 1:15 pm
Is there a logical way to do this? That is to copy the Preferences (they do seem to be in various places) back to the new install so the program runs like before. I have to do this one program at a time though.
Cheryl - Jun 18, 2006 - 7:32 am
In OS X, most of your preferences are in Home>Library>Preferences. You can move the entire folder to your new Home>Library folder. I am assuming that you are using OS X.
Can you tell me exactly what you are doing and I can help you make the transition easier for you.
Cheryl
Can you tell me exactly what you are doing and I can help you make the transition easier for you.
Cheryl
RobinS - Jun 18, 2006 - 3:04 pm
Please see my original post....."I have to do this one program at a time though."
So obviously I'm not going to copy the whole LIbrary over.
So getting back to the original question: Are there definitive places where OS X puts the preferences of programs? I realize most are in the Home>Library>Preferences. I'm wondering about the other possible locations. For example I copied the Home>Library>Preferences of Opera to the new install and some things didn't work. Then I found some Preferences somewhere else. Now Opera works fine. I hope that makes sense.
So obviously I'm not going to copy the whole LIbrary over.
So getting back to the original question: Are there definitive places where OS X puts the preferences of programs? I realize most are in the Home>Library>Preferences. I'm wondering about the other possible locations. For example I copied the Home>Library>Preferences of Opera to the new install and some things didn't work. Then I found some Preferences somewhere else. Now Opera works fine. I hope that makes sense.
Cheryl - Jun 18, 2006 - 4:28 pm
Preferences are put where ever the developer of that program wants them. You have preferences in Library in the Home folder and the Library on your hard drive. There is a third Library folder in System - but that holds only the system preferences.
The best way to find files is to do a search using SpotLight (10.4) or Find. Just type in the name of the program or the name of the developer.
There are some programs that need to be installed rather than copied as there are engines that get installed in the System like Stuffit Expander. There are some programs that install a receipt in the Library folder which helps when it comes to updates.
What is easiest to do is use CarbonCopyCloner to copy specific folders on the 'old' drive, then use the program to 'install' them on the 'new' drive.
If you are doing a new install of each program, then moving over the preference (plist) file after each install is the only way if you want to save your settings.
When I had to do a fresh OS X install on my machine, all that was needed was to backup the home folder and the library folder (the one on the hard drive sitting by itself). Then I moved over the important third party files from each folder along with my personal files.
There was a clean install assistant for OS 9, but it did not get upgraded for OS X, so manually moving files over or using a back up and restore is the only way.
Cheryl
The best way to find files is to do a search using SpotLight (10.4) or Find. Just type in the name of the program or the name of the developer.
There are some programs that need to be installed rather than copied as there are engines that get installed in the System like Stuffit Expander. There are some programs that install a receipt in the Library folder which helps when it comes to updates.
What is easiest to do is use CarbonCopyCloner to copy specific folders on the 'old' drive, then use the program to 'install' them on the 'new' drive.
If you are doing a new install of each program, then moving over the preference (plist) file after each install is the only way if you want to save your settings.
When I had to do a fresh OS X install on my machine, all that was needed was to backup the home folder and the library folder (the one on the hard drive sitting by itself). Then I moved over the important third party files from each folder along with my personal files.
There was a clean install assistant for OS 9, but it did not get upgraded for OS X, so manually moving files over or using a back up and restore is the only way.
Cheryl
RobinS - Jun 18, 2006 - 5:34 pm
OK - that was explained clearly. Thanks.
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