Question about Migration Assistant.

[dogbone]

Lets say that I think a system would benefit from a clean install. And let's say I have a full bootable back up on a firewire drive.

So I perform the clean install then update to the latest version number and then use migration assistant to bring back all my applications and user files.

My question is...does this invalidate the purpose of a clean install. Like, if I them bring all the user installed apps and home folder does that make the System just like how it was before the clean install? Or is there still a benefit to be had.

I'm asking this not for my eMac which is only 6 months old but for my other eMac which is a 18 months old and started with Panther then got upgraded to Tiger while leaving all the apps and home folder untouched.

 

[mad jew]

IMO, yeah, it makes the process kinda unnecessary. Often slow down can occur from a bit of bloat. Migration Assistant will bring that bloat right back over.

Of course, I also don't really think a clean install is really necessary in most cases anyway. I find that doing erase and installs each time the OS is upgraded (Panther to Tiger and so on) usually suffices for me.

If you did an upgrade of Tiger over the top of Panther, then I'd think about doing a clean install of Tiger without using Migration Assistant. Well, maybe use it for files and network settings, but not for applications and their preferences.

 

[dogbone]

IMO, yeah, it makes the process kinda unnecessary. Often slow down can occur from a bit of bloat. Migration Assistant will bring that bloat right back over.

Of course, I also don't really think a clean install is really necessary in most cases anyway. I find that doing erase and installs each time the OS is upgraded (Panther to Tiger and so on) usually suffices for me.

If you did an upgrade of Tiger over the top of Panther, then I'd think about doing a clean install of Tiger without using Migration Assistant. Well, maybe use it for files and network settings, but not for applications and their preferences.

OK Thanks, I suspected as much. Can I just check with you the difference between a clean install and an erase and install. I presume an erase only erases the System and leaves all the user apps and shared folders?

 

[mad jew]

A clean install is a pretty general term which can mean a variety of things, including an erase and install. However, in general, it basically describes loading on a new operating system, replacing the old one.

An erase and install (also a format and install) will wipe everything on the hard drive, so good back ups are essential.

 

[dogbone]

A clean install is a pretty general term which can mean a variety of things, including an erase and install. However, in general, it basically describes loading on a new operating system, replacing the old one.

An erase and install (also a format and install) will wipe everything on the hard drive, so good back ups are essential.

Oh OK, thanks. I know I've got a good backup because I can take the firewire drive and boot up my entire computer fully complete on the other mac. Even though it has a 32mb ati and my clone was from the mac with the 64mb card.