Copy Newer, Copy Different ... one more question

[arnaud]

Hi Dave, hello everyone.

I have searched the forum about this specific topic, learned some things (*) , but need to ask my own personal unique question ;)

I have, what I believe to be, internal drive problems on my powerbook. So, a few weeks ago I've made one last (Smart Update) back-up before sending it to AppleCare.
Before sending it, I've erased, formatted and installed a brand new OSX, from scratch.
From there, I installed my apps back, with new settings and prefs, etc...
and... it's still running (although I still think the drive has problems).

NB: I have NOT put back everything from my backup to my internal drive.
So, some of my most important files are on the backup, not on my powerbook (since it was supposed to go to Applecare).


Obviously I have since made backups of this NEW install on another external drive.
That leaves me with (on two different external drives) :
-one old and complete backup of my very old OS and all of my files
-one new and partial backup of my brand new and clean OS.

Am I clear ? :)

What I would like to do know, is to backup this clean and new OS on this first external drive WITHOUT erasing these important files.
Obviously, it's not a "smart update" thing ;)
I have to choose between Copy Newer or Copy Different.
From what I've read on the forum, it seems Copy Newer is better.

My two questions :
- Dave, do you confirm that I can do what I'm trying to here and that it won't erase my files?
- What option would you choose ?
(and basically what would you do ?) :)


(*)
<http://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102&highlight=copy+newer>
<http://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?t=877&highlight=copy+newer>
<http://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716&highlight=copy+newer>

[dnanian]

I'd make a new, complete backup to another drive, partition or sparse image, Arnaud. You've sort of managed to get yourself in a pickle by mixing up files and images all over the place.

You CANNOT use Copy Newer or Copy Different and expect to get a bootable backup, unless you isolate that update to just your User files, and even then you're going to get a mix of the two sets of files... probably not what you want (but maybe it is).

[arnaud]

Ok, so I was completely wrong.

Basically, the best thing for me to do now, is to get all my files from the old backup, copy them (drag&drop) on my internal drive, check that I copied back everything, check and re-check again, then say goodbye to the old backup, say a prayer, and do a brand new backup.

Am I right now ? ;)

Thanks again Dave.

[dnanian]

That sounds about right, Arnaud!

[arnaud]

:) Thanks again !

[arnaud]

Me again Dave, for one last question.
Could you tell me/us why a Copy Newer Files backup would NOT make a bootable copy ?

For educationnal purposes :)

Thanks

[dnanian]

Because it'll copy a mix of OS, cache, settings and other files that won't necessarily be reasonable for booting.