Mac OS Help (Upgrading from Tiger to Leopard)

[sheruken]

I switched from Windows to Mac just a couple years back. And havent used windows since (unless i have to using bootcamp).. But, recently I bought Mac OSX Leopard version 10.5 - family pack. And am planning to upgrade.

So should I just upgrade it, without really formatting my drives? Will the upgrade be smooth? Will I have to install all my softwares and re-arrange any of my folders on my drive? What about my windows partition? Will I have to re-install windows on it again?

I know it is recommended that I back up everything first, format my drive and completely install OS 10.5, then transfer everything back. And reinstall Vista, but if someone has done direct upgrade without any issues, I'd like to do that.

So please let me know.

Thank you..

 

[CDailey]

When I installed 10.5, I did a complete format/reinstall. My buddy just did reinstalled the OS and had no issues. Everything stayed the same, except he had 10.5. Either way you should be fine. Remember that it will take a lot longer to format/reinstall though.

 

[Eric.]

Generally, and this applies to any OS, upgrading can be a little flaky. I think I heard of several problems upgrading to Leopard. You should really back up everything anyways even if you upgrade, in case something does go wrong and you have to reformat and do a clean install. I'd go for a clean install if I were you.

I couldn't tell you whether the Windows install will work alright. It depends on how the bootloader works. With a Windows/Ubuntu dual-boot you have to restore the bootloader if you install Windows last or do a reinstall/upgrade of Windows while the Linux install is there.

Boot camp is more or less software installed on the Mac OS side, right? If that is the case you would probably just need to set it up again to tell it there is a Windows installation.

Take all of this with a grain of salt, I haven't touched a Mac since I was around seven. I've decided to get a Macbook Pro this year, however.

 

[Sage]

Clean installs are always nice. I always backup everything, then do an Archive Install (it’s like a clean install, but in addition a folder will be created that has your old stuff in it, so that you won’t even have to use your backup – but still do a backup just in case).

 

[sheruken]

Clean install it is then.. I have 2 machines anyways, so I can try either and see which works best. I'll post the results soon.

Thanks a lot. Much appreciated.

 

[Eric.]

Clean installs are always nice. I always backup everything, then do an Archive Install (it’s like a clean install, but in addition a folder will be created that has your old stuff in it, so that you won’t even have to use your backup – but still do a backup just in case).

Ah, that's convenient. Just like Vista (except it isn't an option when Vista sees another Windows, it just does it anyway...)