Comments on: Tiger Prep

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 17:07:54 +0000

When Tiger arrives, I will install on one of my secondary drives. This system has less software installed and will allow me see if any problems arise. It all goes smooth, will move and install on main system drive.

By: Jamie Kirkpatrick

Jamie Kirkpatrick — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 13:52:38 +0000

agreed, but you’ll find that happens anyway. all the stuff in /System/Library, /Library, /usr/local gets cleaned (thats the bulk of the crap that accumulates over time) + all apps installed. I personally use a different system to organise my apps – basically anything non-Apple i put in /Users/Shared/Applications and categorise under that. This means if I reinstall all my third party stuff is already installed and I only have to run though reinstalling things like Photoshop that put stuff in /Library.

I too was pretty reluctant about the whole upgrade process but I have to say that Apple have gone out of their way to make this as easy and as clean as possible. Use archive and install so you still have access to the old system folders for a few days should you need them – trust me…it just works® :)

By: Nick Santilli

Nick Santilli — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 13:45:02 +0000

Thanks for all the great thoughts and insight!

Jamie – it’s nice to hear this from someone who’s played around already. I’ll take it into account.

But I think more than anything, I’m thinking along the lines that DCMACTECH mentioned – just use it as an opportunity to clean all the extraneous stuff out of your system that you don’t use any longer. When it comes time to reinstall apps – you’re only gonna do the ones you really use. something about regaining some of that extra HD space. Especially when you’re on a powerbook with a set HD size like me.

By: dcmactech

dcmactech — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 12:46:34 +0000

Lots of good ideas here. If you are going to back up your Home folder be sure to clear out your user and browser cache files.

Its also a good time to clean out the HD of apps, folders, files and fonts that you don’t need.

By: Jamie Kirkpatrick

Jamie Kirkpatrick — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:40:24 +0000

I have used the betas being a select memeber and all i can say is archive and install + migration assistant is all will need. Its the same as a clean install cept it preserves your user folders and imports key settings. I found it was minimal work to do the rest from there and the system is clean clean clean. trust me I have checked.

By: AJB

AJB — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 07:05:24 +0000

I think you’re on the money Nick. Of course, I’m hoping to solve the same problem with a brand spanking new PowerBook, with Tiger. Then I’ll just move my documents over, and reinstall all my apps with the most up to date versions :-)

By: David Alan Gregory

David Alan Gregory — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 06:45:10 +0000

I hammer my Mac in a similar way and ALWAYS do the ‘Clean Install’ thing. With the new Core Data function coming with Tiger, PLEASE– back up all of your documents and stuff (yes, your iTunes Library) to Optical Media. Don’t trust your backup to erasable media. The same problem that can kill your HD data can screw up your external HD.
The Backup app that comes with .mac does a great job with DVD media. You can also save your keychain and all the other goodies to media or Apple’s servers.

By: OS11

OS11 — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 06:10:37 +0000

Doing clean installs is for wimps!

There is very little reason to perform one with OSX, people who do it are simply wasting their time.

By: Vanitas

Vanitas — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 05:27:27 +0000

Mon Dieu! You’re already prepping for Tiger?! Is the plan to run out and get it Day One?

From someone who’s been around since before the System 6 days, a word of advice. Wait. Wait ’til you see the .1 release. Let the diehards find the bugs, and let Apple fix the most egregious. And save yourself innumerable headaches.

Yep, we’re all excited. But don’t be the first in line to meet the Tiger. She might still be hungry.

By: Cyko

Cyko — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 01:37:12 +0000

The Secret…..

1. Get Cocktail or something like it, and run through the system maintenance scripts, prebindings and permission rebuild.

2. Remove hard disk and place inside FireWire case.

3. Install Tiger on nice fresh hard disk.

4. At the end of the tiger intallation, it will ask if you already have another OS X system. Say “Yes” and plug in your FireWire case.

5. The apple installer will move all your old programs and info from the firewire disk to your new Tiger System.

6. Enjoy the goodlife with a nice fresh Tiger system and all your old apps living in perfect harmony.

I HIGHLY recomend this method, as you will probably be running Tiger on the new drive for the next 18-24 months. Drives are cheap enought today to warrant replacing every 24 months. You can use your old drive for back ups etc.

Peace
Cyko

By: Rubin

Rubin — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:23:54 +0000

As far as Windows is concerned, I would NEVER run an upgrade – however it’s done. But I’m pretty confident about Mac OSX and Apple, so I’ll just to a standard upgrade here… Of course, only after I’ve saved all my docs, bookmarks, etc…

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 23:19:18 +0000

I’m going to do a clean install of Tiger. I am already preparing for it, organizing, deleting, and backing up all my files..

Then i’ll wipe my hard drive, install Tiger, and throw all my documents and such back on there and re-install all my apps. It’s a bit more work to do a clean install, but its well worth it in the end IMO.

By: tink

tink — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:56:04 +0000

Definitely do a clean install of Tiger if your going to all the trouble.

Once your stuff is backed up just wait till Tiger and then do one last back up of any new Docs or Apps.

I’d then install your Docs and most important Software first then start adding the kitchen sink

By: Nick Santilli

Nick Santilli — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:53:43 +0000

Paul – good point.
But what about all the junk that’s accumulated from Apps being installed, uninstalled/removed, hacked around with…?
That stuff is in the /Library folder, not /System.

f course, I’m not too proud to ask – is that part of the clean System install process? I didn’t think it was, but of course I’ve been wrong once or twice before…

By: Paul Grandinetti

Paul Grandinetti — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:47:27 +0000

Look, Apple has thought of this already. There an option during the install of an upgraded OS that will let you install a clean System Folder and it will automatically transfer your old setting into the new Ssytem. Once this is done you can trash the Old System Folder and your done. Don’t waste your time, let Apple do it for you

By: Lonny Lundsten

Lonny Lundsten — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:32:22 +0000

A clean install is the ONLY way to install Tiger! Don’t even think of an update!!!!