Clean install necessary?

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Level 1

23 points

Clean install necessary?

I have had a new iMac since the 2nd week of June 2011 (last month), by far the best computer I have ever owned. Though I am enjoying Snow Leopard, I am considering upgrading to Lion.

I have very little data on the iMac so far, and have not even imported and photo or video files or other personal data as yet, so really nothing to back up. I have only installed a few 3rd party apps such as Skype, AppFresh, ClamXav, Firefox, and I had ordered it with the iWorks suite preinstalled.

My question for all of you Apple veterans is, do i really need to do a clean install of Lion, or would it be acceptable to just download it from the AppStore?

My SN is totally up to date, including the most recent SN Supplimental Update, and the large iWorks update.

Thanks so much for your help and input!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 27" 2.7GHz Quad i5 12GB mem 1TB

Posted on Jul 26, 2011 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 26, 2011 11:48 AM in response to Narnian7

Before upgrading to Lion take in mind that all your PowerPC applications will not run. Take a look at this post:

http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/15/how-to-check-if-applications-are-incompatible-wit h-mac-os-x-lion/.

For example I have an Epson scan and its application would not run on Lion.

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Answer 2

Jul 26, 2011 11:53 AM in response to Narnian7

Personally I have always thought the "clean" install, I hate that term because it never really is clean when you install all of your old junk again, is highly overrated. So far in all the years I have been running OS X I have yet to do one. I see them as a total waste of time.

Allan

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Answer 3

Narnian7 Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2011 11:54 AM in response to satelite35

Thanks. I have a brand new Intell iMac, so I believe everything on it will run in Lion.

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Answer 4

Narnian7 Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2011 11:56 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Allan...Thanks. So far, one vote for "Clean install NOT necessary".

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Answer 5

Jul 26, 2011 11:59 AM in response to Narnian7

I agree everything should run on Lion. It is old timers like myself that had to do a bunch of housecleaning before Lion because of old stuff.

Allan

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Answer 6

Narnian7 Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2011 12:09 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Allan...if I do just the download from the AppStore with Snow Leopard installed as it is, will I have to manually re-download things like Skype, AppFresh, ClamXav, Dropbox, etc., or will they still be there, just now under the Lion OS?

Thanks!

(I know these are real rookie questions, but I am just a beginner, but willing to learn all I can).

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Answer 7

Jul 26, 2011 12:55 PM in response to Narnian7

I didn't have to download anything after I upgraded to Lion.

Just in case anything might bo wrong, I would highly recommend a backup, preferably a bootable clone, before the upgrade.

Allan

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Answer 8

Narnian7 Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2011 1:12 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Is a Time Machine backup via my external hard drive sufficient?

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Answer 9

Jul 26, 2011 1:15 PM in response to Narnian7

Yes. It can be used.

I like the clone solution because it is faster.

I use both Time Machine and SuperDuper to back up everything twice. A paranoid habit I developed after working in IT since 1981.

Allan

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Answer 10

Narnian7 Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 26, 2011 1:22 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Thanks again...guess I'll have to learn about cloning :-)

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Answer 11

Jul 26, 2011 1:32 PM in response to Narnian7

Yes, clone, backup and (if using Time Machine or Time Capsule) make sure every thing is backed up good and proper.

If you do install Lion try not to use the same disks for Time Machine just to be sure your Snow Leopard time machine backups are neat and sweet in case they are required.

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Answer 12

Jul 26, 2011 2:24 PM in response to Narnian7

Hi there,

I too was browsing before deciding on upgrading my iMac to leopard. I did back ups and just upgraded, no clean install. Everything worked seamless. Didn't lose any data and all my apps are still there, emails, etc. It was the simplest upgrade I have EVER done. 🙂

There's my vote for clean install NOT required! 🙂

I DID however, make a bootable DVD of Lion once I downloaded it and before I installed. Just in case!

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