08-02-2011, 02:41 AM
I just did an archive and install of OS 10.4 on my PowerBook. It will save the old system in a folder called "Previous Systems". In my case it kept all my AirPort logins, but lost all my printers. It also lost a couple of the system plugins like Perian and Flip4Mac. Otherwise the system came back exactly as it was before.
That said, you should always have a backup of your personal files (User folder) before you do anything major to your drive.
There are two basic types of reinitializing a drive. The easy one just erases the directory. The more detailed one does a sector by sector check of the drive. Disk Warrior is primarily a directory repair program. TechTool can do this too, but I think can also check the drive for damaged sectors (I have not used either for a couple of years, so may be out of date on features).
From what you've said it sounds like an archive and install will be the fix you need.
Good luck.
- Winston
That said, you should always have a backup of your personal files (User folder) before you do anything major to your drive.
There are two basic types of reinitializing a drive. The easy one just erases the directory. The more detailed one does a sector by sector check of the drive. Disk Warrior is primarily a directory repair program. TechTool can do this too, but I think can also check the drive for damaged sectors (I have not used either for a couple of years, so may be out of date on features).
From what you've said it sounds like an archive and install will be the fix you need.
Good luck.
- Winston