re-install OSX: format HD or just install over?

zozo
Posted:
in macOS edited January 2014
I'm going to be installing Panther sooner or later and wondering if to reformat my HD and re-partition, or just do a simple re-install ontop of 10.2.8?



I havent had any HD problems, hardly ever use any disk tools (to think I used to be a Norton Utils and disk Defrag maniac with Classic), etc.



Does it really make a difference to format?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    scottscott Posts: 7,431member
    Well if you want to start clean go a head and "zero" the drive. It'll take some time but why not?
  • Reply 2 of 7
    whytoiwhytoi Posts: 43member
    I updated my copy of 10.2.8 with 7b85. Worked well and without problems.



    I would recommend this route to save the trouble of reformat, reconfiguration and reinstallation of apps. Situations where I would differ is if the intended drive have had past OS problems, have had beta OS versions, or if it hasn't been clean installed since 10.1 days. I think it's reasonable to clean install every alternate point update.
  • Reply 3 of 7
    ti fighterti fighter Posts: 863member
    I alwase like reformatting, mac or pc. its just cleaner.
  • Reply 4 of 7
    709709 Posts: 2,016member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Ti Fighter

    I alwase like reformatting, mac or pc. its just cleaner.



    Absolutely. Especially for a whole *new* system like Panther.



    /OT/ Hey Ti Fighter, stick your head over in this thread and bask in some deserved praise.
  • Reply 5 of 7
    murbotmurbot Posts: 5,262member
    I'll probably do it, just to that "fresh, just stepped out of the shower" feeling.







    Zeroing the drive seems a bit much though - I only do this when I sell a machine, to keep personal files from being recovered with a disk utility. *shrug*
  • Reply 6 of 7
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    The regular "update" method always seems to cause problems and slow-downs with a number of people (many of whom have posted their experiences here on AI). If you don't want to completely reformat and lose all your data, the *best* method by far is to use the "Archive and Install" option. This installs the system cleanly, putting your old system in a new folder called "Previous Systems". Then, you can go about putting your personal files and setting back in place without the hassle of making and copying CD or DVD backups.



    You really shouldn't need to reformat unless you just want that extra clean feeling.
  • Reply 7 of 7
    zozo Posts: 3,117member
    well, I reformatted and now feel much cleaner thanks ;-)



    works well, except the "icon on left side of desktop" problem.
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