Is there any way to use archived system?

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Level 2

468 points

Is there any way to use archived system?

Hi, i was using OS10.4.9, but Safari and the Help utility stopped working. So I was told to reinstall 10.4.0 using archive and install. However this didn't fix the problem--still no safari or help--so I'd like to go back to my archived system. Isn't this the purpose of an archive?
How can i do this and delete or archive the current 10.4.0 system?
Thanks.
-wayne

G5 dual 1.8 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jun 4, 2007 7:34 PM

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Answer 1

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 4, 2007 7:44 PM in response to wayne mitzner

wayne:

The Archive and Install feature saves your settings, preferences and data, as well as third party apps that are in the Applications folder. However, it does not archive the OS itself. To be able to go back to the old OS, you will have had to backup/clone your entire HDD to an external Firewire HDD, then you would be able to clone it back.

If you are unable to get the wrinkles in your current installation ironed out you may need to backup, at least, your Users Folder, and then do a complete re-install. Before you do that, however, if you don't mind repeating it, what are the specific problems that are troubling, and what measures have you taken to remedy them up until now?

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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Answer 2

wayne mitzner Author

Level 2

468 points

Jun 4, 2007 8:06 PM in response to cornelius

thanks for the info. That's what I was afraid of. I went from 10.4.9 to 10.4.0, but i guess i cna use the combo update to get back. The reason is that Safari stopped working. A blank page opens with a highlighted URL, but nothing happens. No page ever appears. The network is fine and I can ftp and use Firefox, but no Safari. Also the Apple Help doesn't work either. So I was told to reinstall the system. But still no Safari or Help. I tried everything, from fixing permission, resetting the nvram, the Pram, and used all the cleaning on onyX. Now also reisntalling Tiger didn't work.
Any other ideas?
Thanks
-wayne

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 4, 2007 8:19 PM in response to wayne mitzner

wayne:

I'm just about shutting down for the night. However, with reference to the Help menu, look over Dr. Smoke's FAQ Troubleshooting Help Viewer and see if you find anything helpful. Tomorrow I will return to this topic and respond to the Safari issue. I suggest that you just go ahead and download and install Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (PPC). Remember to Repair Disk Permissions before and after installation.

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

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Answer 4

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Jun 4, 2007 8:30 PM in response to wayne mitzner

Did you try running Safari and/or Mac Help in a different user account? That's usually the first thing to try when an app starts to misbehave.

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Answer 5

wayne mitzner Author

Level 2

468 points

Jun 5, 2007 4:32 AM in response to Király

thanks for the advice, but unfortunately it doesn't work in anyone's account.

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Answer 6

wayne mitzner Author

Level 2

468 points

Jun 5, 2007 5:06 AM in response to cornelius

cornelius, thanks so much for your thoughts. Unfortunately, the problem is still there (though I'v become a bit smarter). I did the 10.4.9 update and then did all the suggested repairs for the Help Viewer , a la Dr. Smoke. No fix. BUT on the Troubleshooting page, he did say that Safari and the Help Viewer use the same code, something called Web Kit. Aha, so that must be where the trouble lies. And I'd bet that Camino also uses it and Firefox doesn't!
So do you know what the WebKit is, how it can be reset or reloaded?
Thanks again.
-wayne
P.S. I'm going to be out of town for a day and a half, so will not be at my problem desktop. I can use Timbuktu to control it, but may not be able to try all possible things to try.

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Answer 7

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 5, 2007 7:21 AM in response to wayne mitzner

wayne:

Did you try Kiraly's suggestion of checking out Safari and Help in a different user? If you did, what did you find out?

You can try removing the .plist to the desktop and see how it works. Go to Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.Safari.plist. Select the .plist and drag it to the desktop. Restart. The computer will create a new .plist. Open Safari. If it works as it should you can the Trash the .plist.

Please post back with an update on where you are in the process.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 8

wayne mitzner Author

Level 2

468 points

Jun 5, 2007 7:50 AM in response to cornelius

Yes, I tried Kiraly's suggestion, but all users have the same problem. I also removed the .plist for safari, restarted, but this did not help. Nor did reinstalling Tiger fix the problem. I'm a long time Mac user, and have seen lots of problems, but never anything like this.
Any suggestions?
-wayne

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Answer 9

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 5, 2007 7:59 AM in response to wayne mitzner

wayne:

Were you able to get the Mac Help menu to work using Dr. Smoke's suggestions?

In terms of Safari, I don't know what else to suggest. You can use Pacifist to remove it and then extract it from the install disk and re-install it. I don't know if it will do the trick, but it might be worth a try. I don't use Safari anymore. I use Firefox, which you do, and Camino, which looks and feels like Safari, but is more powerful and more stable.

Please post back with update.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 10

wayne mitzner Author

Level 2

468 points

Jun 5, 2007 8:53 AM in response to cornelius

Unfortunately Dr. Smoke didn't help, and I tried all of his resetting,etc, tricks. Still no MacHelp. But interestingly, he did say that both Safari and MacHelp use a software routine called WebKit, so this is what must be corrupted. Camino apparently must use this as well, since has the same problem as Safari.
I guess Firefox doesn't use WebKit, since it does work. But even though I can use Firefox, I'd still like the MacHelp to function. Maybe it's time to get on the phone with Apple.

Do you think an erase and install would solve the problem? Does this erase all documents on the drive too or just all system files? That's a bit extreme if so.
-wayne

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Answer 11

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 5, 2007 9:21 AM in response to wayne mitzner

wayne:

Does this erase all documents on the drive too or just all system files?

Erase and install erases the entire volume and re-installs. You would want to be sure you have a good backup before going to this extreme.

If you have AppleCare I suggest that you call Apple and see what they suggest.

Do post back with update.

Good luck.

cornelius

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