Although rare, there are times when it is necessary to reinstall your Mac OS X operating system. With all of the different installation options this process can seem overwhelming and complicated; this article should help you make sense of the entire installation process.
NOTE: The steps in this article apply for version of Mac OS X up to and including Leopard. Snow Leopard has a similar process but will "Archive and Install" by default. To preform an "Erase and Install" on Snow Leopard you must erase the drive using Disk Utility before running through the installer.
STEPS
Follow these steps carefully to prevent loss of data if you are reinstalling.
BACK UP BEFORE YOU REINSTALL
Before performing any type of reinstallation, be sure to back up your personal files. Even when using the _Archive and Install_ feature there is always a chance of data loss.
Decide on a backup location.
External Hard Drive: this is the preferred method as a hard drive is capable of holding large amounts of data.
CDs/DVDs: this is only an option if the computer is currently bootable and has a disc burner. CDs and DVDs are limited in their capacity, however, they are readily available.
On-line Storage: if you have an FTP server or MobileMe account you may be able to back up your files on-line.
Decide what to backup.
Personal Files: your personal files are located in your home folder. These include documents, pictures, movies, etc..
Applications: it is generally not recommended that you back up applications, as people have a tendency to back up all of their applications including ones they no longer use. The reinstallation may be an opportunity to get rid of some of the unused applications, as you can easily reinstall them as they are needed. Unless, of course, they only exist on the Root Drive.
System Files: system files should not be backed up as they will be reinstalled during this process.
Enable the Root user on your computer. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Open Directory Utility in /System/Library/CoreServices.
Click the padlock icon and enter your Administrator login.
Select the "Edit" menu, and choose _Enable Root User_.
Choose a password for the root user and click "OK".
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
From the Finder's Go menu, select _Utilities_.
Open the _Directory Utility_.
Enter your administrator password and click "OK".
Select the "Edit" menu, and choose _Enable Root User_.
Choose a Root user password and click "OK".
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and Earlier Versions
From the Finder's Go menu, select _Utilities_.
Open the _NetInfo Manager Utility_.
Find and click on the lock icon on the Manager window.
Enter an administrator password and click "OK".
Select the Security menu, and choose _Enable Root User_.
Choose a Root user password and click "OK".
Log out of your current account.
Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Select "Log off ".
Log in as the Root user.
On the log in screen click "Other".
Enter "Root" as the new name.
Enter the password you created.
Using the Root user, drag the files and folders you decided to preserve to your backup location.
Personal files can be located by opening "Macintosh HD" and clicking the "Users" folder.
SELECT AN INSTALL TYPE
Mac OS X has three main reinstall types.. Before you proceed it is important that you understand the differences between each. Choose carefully which type you would like to perform.
ARCHIVE AND INSTALL
Available in Mac OS X 10.2 and later, an _Archive and Install_ will automatically move existing system components to a folder called "Previous System". The _Archive and Install_ will then proceed to reinstall Mac OS X.
The _Archive and Install_ will also preserve user account information and personal files. however, before proceeding with usage of the computer all software updates will need to be completed unless you are on Snow Leopard in which case the updates are preserved.
ARCHIVE AND INSTALL (NOT PRESERVING USER however, it also moves the user accounts and network settings to this location.
If you follow this type of installation, you will need to recreate your accounts and reconfigure your network settings; however, your personal files are preserved on the hard drive and can be retrieved.
ERASE AND INSTALL
The _Erase and Install_ - as its name implies - will completely erase the contents of the hard drive before reinstalling Mac OS X.
REINSTALL MAC OS X
Insert your Mac OS X Install DVD or Installation Disc 1.
Restart the computer and hold down the letter "C" as the computer starts up.
Continue to hold down the letter "C" until you see a grey screen with an Apple and a small spinning gear.
Select your language on the _Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer_ screen and click "Continue".
Click "Continue" on the following screen.
After reading the _Software License Agreement_, click "Agree".
Select the volume to which you are going to install. "Macintosh HD" is the default name.
Click the "Options" button in the bottom corner of the window and select your installation type.
Click "OK" and then "Continue". You will be presented with a confirmation window at which point you can click "Install" to proceed.
AFTER THE INSTALLATION
After any type of installation there are a number of steps you should take to bring the computer back to a usable state.
CONNECT TO THE INTERNET AND RUN _SOFTWARE UPDATES_.
Click the Apple icon in the top left of the screen.
Select "Software Update"
Install all available updates.
RUN A QUICK _REPAIR DISK PERMISSIONS_.
From the Finder's Go menu, select _Utilities_.
Open _Disk Utility_.
Select "Macintosh HD" on the left hand side of the window.
Click "Repair Disk Permissions" and allow the scan to complete.
RESTORE ANY FILES THAT YOU BACKED UP to the location of your choosing.
REINSTALL ANY SOFTWARE affected by the reinstall.
VIDEO
youtube on an iMac
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
A location to backup important files.
Your Mac OS X Install & Restore CD/DVD or a retail OS X Installation Disc.
TIPS
Although the _Archive and Install_ is the preferred method, some third-party applications, such as Microsoft Office, may need to be reinstalled as a result.
Always complete any official _Apple Software Updates_ after reinstalling the operating system.
WARNINGS
Before performing any type of reinstallation, always back up your files. Even when performing an _Archive and Install_, errors during the installation process could result in a loss of data.
When performing an _Archive and Install_, use the installation CD for the current version of the operating system that installed on the computer. For example: If your computer came with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) but you upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), _Archive and Install_ using the Leopard CD's.
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