Best way to pave drive

[thinktwice]

I used Super Duper to create a bootable image on a Lacie 250GB FW drive. I would like to do a clean OS X install preserving only user data email, passwords, and the like. I can't do an Archive and Install as I do not have enough space left on my HD (Mac Mini 1.83 GHz 80 GB HD). Is there an easy way to do this with Super Duper.

And yes I am a Mac newbie, Windows user since it's inception, so please be nice.

[dnanian]

Two questions, thinktwice:

- Why do you want to do a clean install?
- Can you start up from your backup?

[thinktwice]

I had big issues with kernel panics which I have now come to see were being caused by faulty RAM. I have sent the RAM back to the manufacturer for replacement. I have installed all sorts of software to try out and figure out what I like on the Mac vs PC. Now I have a good list of what I want. It seems that my Mac is running much slower than when it was new, even with 512 Mb Ram vs the 2 Gb. I have run Disk Utilities. TechTool Deluxe, Applejack, reset PRAM, reset several other things (I can't remember what they were) with Apple tech support. So I have read that maybe a fresh install will help.


Question two. Yes I can boot from the backup. I actually had to as I got to a point where the Mac wouldn't get past the Starting OS X screen. So I restored from the bootable image.

[thinktwice]

Also, iCal won't start now.

[dnanian]

OK. What I'd suggest is making sure your backup is up to date, and then clean install. When prompted during your first startup, use the migration assistant to migrate from the backup back to the internal drive.