Back up Applications and Mail and install Leopard?

[Design Agent]

Hi,

I'm thinking to buy Super Duper to backup my MBP(Tiger) before I wipe out my harddrive clean and install Leopard, and I have a few questions.

1. Can I backup applications as well such as Word, Excel, FCP, Adobe Photosshop etc?

2. Can I backup Mail(inbox, sent, out, draft etc)

3. If I install new OS which is Leopard would that screw up applications? How stable/reliable is Super Duper?

Any thoughts and experience will be highly appreciated, thanks!

DA

[dnanian]

Hi, DA.

Yes, a full "Backup - all files" backs up your applications, your Mail, etc. Copy Protected applications (Photoshop, for example) might notice that your system is different if you do a full reinstall, so be aware of that.

A new OS might screw up applications that aren't compatible with it, of course.

I generally wouldn't recommend a clean install. Rather, I'd do a full backup of Tiger -- then TEST the backup. Once you're happy, disconnect the backup drive and put it aside.

Then, do an upgrade install of Leopard. If things are working well, you're all set!

[Design Agent]

Ok, so I made the backup to my external harddrive and installed the Leopard. How can I restore the backup? Should I just just copy manually?? Thanks!

[dnanian]

Do you need to restore? Is Leopard not working well?