I need to do a "clean install" How do I retain my

[zmix]

I intend to purchase a new hard drive and do a clean install of OSX 10.4, but I shudder to think that I won't be able to restore all of my passwords, iChat stuff, e-mails address books, etc.

 

Is there a method? I have used 'carbon copy cloner" in the past to duplicate my current system on a new drive, but now I need to start from scratch, as I was informed that some of my system problems are due to updating from earlier OSX versions....

 

Any advice?

[dj_sina]

if you got a G5 or a Mac Pro

 

you could put your old hardrive in an external casing (50 aus Bucks) and copy all your preferences back into your library... or you could copy everything except for the system core...

[gsilbers]

yes copy everything you think u need and the pref folder from user and system .

 

then import the ones u need. some will work other wont. specially if u have native instrument stuff. youll have to reintall a lot of stuff and reset your prefs.

 

its a pain.

[David Nahmani]

I would definitely use CCC to create a clone, and use that as a backup.

 

Then do your clean install, and when the OS X welcome screen comes up go through the moves, at one point it will ask you if you want to import your account data from another drive. Point to the drive and OS X will take care of the rest.

 

If that doesn't work, you can archive your user account and restore it on the new install... I can guide you through that if necessary.. but OS X should be able to do it for you.