Backup Home folder to clean install Leopard?

Daryl L · 08-18-2007, 12:14 PM

With Leopard coming soon I figured I'd do a clean install (erase and install) if/when I get Leopard. Everything I need/want to backup is in my home folder (user account, not my root acount). Since I don't collect music/video in iTunes or any other way and don't make/edit video's or pictures my home folder is only a little over 2GB in size. What is the best/simplest way to backup my home folder to both an external firewire drive and a dvd-r/w?

Also just out of curiosity after a clean install can that home folder be just copied back into the "Users" folder and detected with a reboot? Obviously 3rd party app .plists will be dealt with manually.

Christ Reynolds · 08-19-2007, 12:38 AM

I'm sure there will be no need to erase and reinstall everything. Probably a waste of time, I plan just to upgrade.

CJ

ErichH · 08-19-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryl L

With Leopard coming soon I figured I'd do a clean install (erase and install) if/when I get Leopard. Everything I need/want to backup is in my home folder (user account, not my root acount). Since I don't collect music/video in iTunes or any other way and don't make/edit video's or pictures my home folder is only a little over 2GB in size. What is the best/simplest way to backup my home folder to both an external firewire drive and a dvd-r/w?

Also just out of curiosity after a clean install can that home folder be just copied back into the "Users" folder and detected with a reboot? Obviously 3rd party app .plists will be dealt with manually.

Yes it works. I'd compare Leopard's folder first to see what's new.

Another approach is a clean rebuild. Install the apps, and then copy only the application support & preference files.

Daryl L · 08-19-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christ Reynolds

I'm sure there will be no need to erase and reinstall everything. Probably a waste of time, I plan just to upgrade.

CJ

Yes, but tech support just recently had me do an archive and install (w/preserve settings) before a suggested hardware repair so I figure come Leopard time I'd start fresh. Even if I decide to delete the "Previous System 1" folder before getting Leopard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErichH

Yes it works. I'd compare Leopard's folder first to see what's new.

Another approach is a clean rebuild. Install the apps, and then copy only the application support & preference files.

The clean rebuild was kinda my plan. Install everything new even 3rd party apps and just manually copy over my Opera, Firefox and Mail.app (e-mail folders) support and preference files along with everything in my "Download" folder. Just figured I'd backup the whole home folder just incase.

ErichH · 08-19-2007, 03:15 PM

Backing up goes without saying....Yes?

**HTF Ads**

Daryl L · 08-20-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErichH

Backing up goes without saying....Yes?

Heh, obviously.

Paul McGowan · 08-21-2007, 09:39 PM

Don't forget it.

Apple
just
works.

Daryl L · 08-22-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul McGowan

Don't forget it.

Apple
just
works.

LOL, may be but I come from 18 years of Windows. I'm not programmed to think that way.

Paul McGowan · 08-23-2007, 01:16 AM

as have we all.