Q: Clean install Mavericks on partition
I have searched and read several discussions related to this, but am still uncertain about just what I can and cannot do. I consider myself an experienced, knowledgeable but casual Mac user.
I have 10.6.8 on my IMac late 2009, so am able to upgrade to Mavericks. I have held off ever since it was released because "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". But now that I have an iPad, I think I need to move up. But many upgrade horror stories have kept me from doing it. Comments appreciated on the following:
I have a 500GB hard drive that has 363GB free. There are 2 partitions. One is my working 10.6.8 @ 450GB. The other is a stripped-down copy of 10.6.8 @ 50GB that I intended to keep should I need to run something that requires Rosetta. Then I had the brainstorm, which I see has occurred to others: CLEAN INSTALL Mavericks on a new partition [I know how to use Disk Utility to do reduce the 450GB and define a third partition] and leave my working 10.6.8 as is [and delete the copy of 10.6.8 as it would be no longer necessary]. I think I know the answer that, yes, this can be done. And that, in fact, a clean install is preferable.
If I do the clean install, will Mavericks ask me if I want to transfer my data files, settings, mail, prefs, etc. from the working 10.6.8, and will I be able to point it to that system to find and transfer? Or will I be faced with manually finding and moving all that stuff?
What about the apps? Same story?
What about the PowerPC and Classic [yes, I still have some sitting there] apps? Will Mavericks ignore them rather than move them?
Several posts suggested using an external HD instead of a new partition for doing something like this. I don't understand why.
Many thanks in advance.
iMac 21.5, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Posted on May 3, 2014 10:47 AM
I agree!
While in Mavericks, set up iCloud and sync to the iPad.
Primarily use Snow Leopard for most of your "casual" Mac computing.
Experiment with your usual computer while in Mavericks and see it works.
Posted on May 5, 2014 8:53 PM
