Continuing to clean up, or fresh install?

[Killerbob]

My nMP had it’s most recent fresh install (everything) with Sierra in 2018. Since then I have installed macOS updates, betas, etc. and on top of that all sorts of applications, including their beta versions. The nMP runs well, well except for the most recent issue with Thunderbolt Bridge in macOS 11.3 Beta, but I have had lots of these issues, and have always gotten them fixed and back to working fine.

In that I know my nMP has gone through significant and fundamental changes; 32->64 bit applications, HFS->APFS, OpenGL/CL->Metal->Metal 2, Kext->Sys Ext, I wonder if it is time to start from scratch again? It’ll for sure take me a few days to get up’n’running.

I use ONYX as the only tool for regular maintenance, and my system runs smoothly...

 

[mikzn]

Continuing to clean up, or fresh install?

I am sure you will get a lot of different opinions about the fresh install vs upgrading or cloning

My preference is to upgrade and have never had a problem - and no regrets - many softwares may require new keys to be entered and installing application files and updating them is a pain when you can avoid that by simply upgrading - IMHO

Also, many softwares store files and data in different folders in the "user library" (hidden) and these can be a pain to get back to the same state as before when doing a fresh install - for example things like the "Stickies App" and Music can be confusing and time consuming to re-configure after a fresh install which will require figuring out how to import the old data

I have avoided fresh installs - because in my experience it takes weeks to get things installed and reactaived / import old data etc. - Just my 2 cents

 

[Killerbob]

Thank you for the feedback - this is exactly the discussion I'd like to have.

In my "Reinstall NMP" document, I have:

• Run WinClone (for BootCamp)
• Run TMs (I have two)
• Ensure CCC backups are up-to-date (User Folders, Group Containers, Adobe Libraries)
• Ensure iCloud is up-to-date with:
  • NAS mount commands
  • CCC setup
  • Export Stickies to Notes
  • Info on network settings
  • Export PW and LastPass list
  • Export Chrome bookmarks

 

[mikzn]

• Run WinClone (for BootCamp)
• Run TMs (I have two)
• Ensure CCC backups are up-to-date (User Folders, Group Containers, Adobe Libraries)
• Ensure iCloud is up-to-date with:
  • NAS mount commands
  • CCC setup
  • Export Stickies to Notes
  • Info on network settings
  • Export PW and LastPass list
  • Export Chrome bookmarks

My preference would be to clone the drive with CCC onto a separate "bootable" SSD as a back up (I don't bother with Time machine - don't trust it - had issues in the past / never had any issues with CCC) - If you create a clone and want to test it turn off your wifi (before you boot it) so that any software that calls home does not deactivate your serial numbers on your internal drive - when you are testing the duplicate external copy drive

Again my preference would be to used the clone as a "back up' just in case (plan B) - and once you have a clone and "trust it" then move a head with "directly upgrading the existing drive" to (Big Sur?) unless you want to add a bigger drive / faster drive / new drive etc - IMHO much easier to do the upgrade and avoid the Fresh install and even avoid the migration option.

Adobe should be easy no matter which way you go - subscription? - just sign in and off you go - if not subsrciption then you may run into license issues. - Same with Office / Outlook ?

again just my 2 cents and IMHO - others here in these forums may disagree and have other thoughts

 

[velocityg4]

I do a lot of fresh installs. Then data restores. Unless you have multiple TB of data. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours to clean install, restore data, reinstall software and update settings.

if you want it to go fast. Have a fast flash drive ready with the OS install. Have your backup on an external SSD.

Make sure you have all accounts in order for applications. As most are downloaded now with keys in your account info.

Hopefully, for shady manufacturers with limited download windows. You saved the installer and key.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Given your device history, OP, I would be inclined to do a fresh install, do a backup right after the fresh install, and then proceed with further set up. Otherwise, I would say keep with upgrade.

Since I have a M1, I do a fresh install on major releases, as it only takes me 13 minutes from start to finish to get completely setup and rolling. If I have a bug problem etc. it is easier to narrow down the possible cause, versus having betas and numerous updates on top of each other etc.

 

[Killerbob]

Setting up a bootable CCC clone is a good idea. I just don't have a 1TB SSD for it. Maybe I can trim down and fit it on my 500GB Lacie SSD.

If I go fresh install, it'll be a completely fresh install, with no using the time machine for restoring anything. Only data files from my CCC backups (Music, Adobe Lightroom Libraries, Group Containers). All applications would get freshly downloaded and installed - I only have licensed software, so no hacking around with Little Snitch. Most utilities I have copies of the installer files (I use MacUpdater).

What I am saying is that I have copies of everything, and in case it all goes to **** and I want to restore, that is an option, albeit a tedious one.

I think I'll wait until macOS 11.3 is released though. Beta 4 is causing me some headaches with the not-working Thunderbolt Bridge, but I love the ability to use my HomePod Stereo Pair for macOS sounds.

 

[Killerbob]

If you create a clone and want to test it turn off your wifi (before you boot it) so that any software that calls home does not deactivate your serial numbers on your internal drive - when you are testing the duplicate external copy drive

You mention a good point, and it got me thinking, what actually happens when I boot up using my cloned macOS drive? I have now created an external base clone of my internal macOS drive, and I would like to test it out.

I can pull the Ethernet cable, and that will stop most network related access, but what about WiFi? If I turn it off in my original macOS, and then reboot into my cloned macOS, does the WiFi stay turned off?

 

[velocityg4]

You mention a good point, and it got me thinking, what actually happens when I boot up using my cloned macOS drive? I have now created an external base clone of my internal macOS drive, and I would like to test it out.

I can pull the Ethernet cable, and that will stop most network related access, but what about WiFi? If I turn it off in my original macOS, and then reboot into my cloned macOS, does the WiFi stay turned off?

It should if you turn off and then clone.

 

[mikzn]

You mention a good point, and it got me thinking, what actually happens when I boot up using my cloned macOS drive? I have now created an external base clone of my internal macOS drive, and I would like to test it out.

I can pull the Ethernet cable, and that will stop most network related access, but what about WiFi? If I turn it off in my original macOS, and then reboot into my cloned macOS, does the WiFi stay turned off?

I disconnect power to the router so that there is no wifi and no way for the apps to "Call Home" when you boot from the clone - as soon as it boots and successfully - I shut it down - good enough for me