05-27-2009, 11:51 AM

Everything on my macbook (itunes, firefox, crash reporter) is crashing, and I figure it's time to archive and (re)install. I already tried repairing permissions and all that.

What programs will I lose? I have ableton live, microsoft word (which I don't have the install disc for), and photoshop.

Will I be able to save these via time machine? Will they automatically be included with Archive and Install?

Thanks for any help.

05-27-2009, 12:39 PM

please, I will offer you my first-born!

05-27-2009, 01:15 PM

Before you do that, create a new user account. Log in with the new account and see if the problem persists.

It's very rare that a UNIX-based OS needs to be reinstalled. This is a bad habit that a lot of people carry over from Windows and is almost never necessary.

05-27-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Before you do that, create a new user account. Log in with the new account and see if the problem persists.

It's very rare that a UNIX-based OS needs to be reinstalled. This is a bad habit that a lot of people carry over from Windows and is almost never necessary.

I certainly agree that it shouldn't be necessary. Any advice? I can't even do a software upgrade, because Software Upgrader keeps crashing.

05-27-2009, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by maiadonohue

I certainly agree that it shouldn't be necessary. Any advice?

As I said, create a new user account (System Preferences => Accounts). Then, log in with the new account. See if the problems persist and report back.

05-27-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

As I said, create a new user account (System Preferences => Accounts). Then, log in with the new account. See if the problems persist and report back.

Oh, must have had wax in my ears. Ok, I just tried that, and everything was still crashing in the new account.

05-27-2009, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by maiadonohue

Oh, must have had wax in my ears. Ok, I just tried that, and everything was still crashing in the new account.

Let's have you do an Apple Hardware Test, just to make sure we're not chasing our tail:

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

05-27-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Let's have you do an Apple Hardware Test, just to make sure we're not chasing our tail:

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

OK, I ran the AHT (extensive) and the hardware is fine.

Thanks so much for helping, really!

05-27-2009, 02:19 PM

Have you booted into Single User mode and run the fsck command yet?

(this process is detailed in step 9 of this guide: Basic OS X/Mac Troubleshooting)

05-27-2009, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Have you booted into Single User mode and run the fsck command yet?

(this process is detailed in step 9 of this guide: Basic OS X/Mac Troubleshooting)

Yep, I tried that a little earlier. No trouble.

05-27-2009, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by maiadonohue

Yep, I tried that a little earlier. No trouble.

Well, unless anyone has any other ideas, I'm fresh out.

If you do an Archive and Install, you will lose nothing. Basically, the old OS is moved to a backup folder during the process and a fresh install is done. All applications are retained, as are documents and data. Anything that has deep hooks into the OS (things like drivers and filesystem add-ons) might need to be reinstalled, but most apps should be fine.

05-27-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Well, unless anyone has any other ideas, I'm fresh out.

If you do an Archive and Install, you will lose nothing. Basically, the old OS is moved to a backup folder during the process and a fresh install is done. All applications are retained, as are documents and data. Anything that has deep hooks into the OS (things like drivers and filesystem add-ons) might need to be reinstalled, but most apps should be fine.

Hey, you've been very helpful all the same, and thanks for being patient and sticking with me throughout the day.

Cheers
Maia

05-27-2009, 04:00 PM

Is you MacBook a firewire unit. If so, i would track down a mate and use their Mac to run the combo updater onto yours over the firewire while yours is in Target mode. That way u should still have all your files available.

05-27-2009, 06:14 PM

I would suggest downloading the Combo update from Apple first (save it to a USB stick for the future) and re apply the Combo update as a first step. After the update repair permissions via Disk Utility. I would also Verify the disk using Disk utility to ensure the HD is in good shape.

Re applying the combo update will not affect any program I believe. I keep my updates on a USB stick so recovery is very close at hand.