Restore to boot disk but without user directories/files

[nikhil]

Hi,

When I created a backup of my Mac HD drive, I had a ton of user files/directories on it.

I've since gotten other drives that hold copies of those.

I now am zeroing out my Mac HD drive and want to restore from the backup firewire drive, but only want to get the OS and the applications/etc., and leave out all the user files/directories.

What is the best way to do this?

Thanks,
Nikhil

[dnanian]

Why would you want to just restore the OS and no the User files, Nikhil? Typically, you'd do this by archive-and-installing with the OSX install disc...