mathieufromlevis
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: Reinstall without data loss

Hi,

 

I have FileVault 2 enabled on my iMac, two accounts : one admin only to unlock the drive on boot and one regular that I use daily.

 

 

I would like to reinstall El Capitan... I did a normal upgrade from Yosemite at the time of its release but I think it's due for a clean install... but without losing my data (stored in my Home folders).

 

Is it something possible with the setup?

 

Thanks.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 4:38 PM

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mathieufromlevis

Q: Reinstall without data loss

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  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Feb 1, 2016 4:42 PM in response to mathieufromlevis
    Level 9 (54,050 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 1, 2016 4:42 PM in response to mathieufromlevis

    Mac are hardly ever "due for a clean install." It is usually a waste of time.

     

    I suggest instead you download and install EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com/

     

    Run it and post the report here. After we have a chance to analyze the EtreCheck report we might be able to suggest some easier alternative solution that will help far more.

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Feb 1, 2016 4:50 PM in response to mathieufromlevis
    Level 6 (15,637 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 1, 2016 4:50 PM in response to mathieufromlevis

    This is basically a migration to a new Mac.


    Make a couple of external backups (complete, created via Disk Utility or Carbon Copy Cloner, written to external storage, and then physically disconnect all but one copy of your backups because if it's not connected then it can't be altered or erased), then create a bootable installer (or maybe use Internet recovery if your Mac supports it, but I'd prefer to have and would recommend a local copy of the installer), then use that to wipe the boot disk and reinstall OS X onto it, and tell the OS X installation and setup process that you're migrating your data in from a previous environment.


    I've had cases where it was easier to do a clean installation rather than to haul around various customizations — usually when there are some deeply weird issues with the configuration.   But whether this is necessary depends highly on what has happened with the configuration.