This is something I've been meaning to do for awhile now, but I finally formatted my computer and installed a clean version of Snow Leopard. After transferring over my Documents and Pictures folders, plus reinstalling apps (basically an entire day process), I'm back in business!
This machine runs silky smooth! The difference is night and day between the old install (which I hadn't really done a fresh install from in over 2 years or so -- just transferred or upgraded new OS's right on top of old installs). No matter what machine one runs, it seems like it's kind of nice to do this every so often!
Thanks to all who offered advice and help over the past few months of my fretting over this.
My numerous related threads on this topic:
gdgt.com/discuss/is-29-snow-leopard-dvd-capable-fu...
gdgt.com/discuss/thinking-picking-one-these-up-ton...
gdgt.com/discuss/im-getting-closer-closer-throwing...
Discussion about
Wiped my computer clean this weekend and reinstalled Snow Leopard -- it's running fast now!
Recently did the same to my desktop when Starcraft 2 came out so I could setup a dualboot between Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10. Hadn't reinstalled a fresh copy of Ubuntu in probably 3 years. My Ubuntu boot time went from 2 minutes to 20 seconds.
Crazy.
Crazy.
Perhaps it's because I work with a fairly set group of apps per machine but I don't find slowdowns to be really a problem, at least within 18 months or so.
The slowest Apple notebook I have in regular use that is actually ~18 months old still goes to the logon screen from prodding the power switch in a hair over 30 seconds (which is in excess of 10 seconds longer than my slowest Windows 7 machine takes to do the same, but still).
The slowest Apple notebook I have in regular use that is actually ~18 months old still goes to the logon screen from prodding the power switch in a hair over 30 seconds (which is in excess of 10 seconds longer than my slowest Windows 7 machine takes to do the same, but still).
Yeah, I think my usage patterns are significantly affecting that. I'm often downloading new software, deleting it, downloading something else to try things out. My old application support directory looked like a wasteland of forgotten software. I think I need to reign that habit in.
About once a fortnight on each machine. I find OS X needs regular maintenance to keep it running well.
Dave,
been thinking of doing this as well. ever since i upgraded to snow leopard, my 24" iMac seems to be getting slower (it's the last version. so it's not that old). did you just use a time machine backup to restore all your data? or did you copy all your data to an external HDD then copy back once reinstalled
been thinking of doing this as well. ever since i upgraded to snow leopard, my 24" iMac seems to be getting slower (it's the last version. so it's not that old). did you just use a time machine backup to restore all your data? or did you copy all your data to an external HDD then copy back once reinstalled
I basically cloned my entire installation to an external disk using Carbon Copy Cloner, then did a clean install on my MacBook Pro. Afterward, I copied select folders and preference files from the user directory on my cloned disk to the "new" operating system.
Then I manually reinstalled / downloaded my needed applications and was back in business. It took about a half a day or so to get everything back in order and installed, but it's been completely worth it! Things are running fast and smooth.
Then I manually reinstalled / downloaded my needed applications and was back in business. It took about a half a day or so to get everything back in order and installed, but it's been completely worth it! Things are running fast and smooth.
