AppleCare / First Restore
 

For security purposes, I'm doing an erase and install per recommendations from the Apple forum for an upcoming Applecare visit (logic board replacement).

I've read through various threads on what I need to do to restore my system exactly and I'm confused.

On page 26 of the Users manual under Restore, it says to drag and drop files. Which ones would those be?

I've also read I can do a restore-all from the back up drive.

I've also read I can do a backup-all files from the back up drive.

Will all programs maintain each users preferences (Safari bookmarks, desktop pictures, etc.?).
I also have a Time Machine backup on a separate drive.

My Superduper backup is on a separate drive partition (182GB used; 48GB free).

I realize I may appear a bit dense here here but one doesn't think clearly during these times of duress! Also I'm a relatively new Mac user.

Thanks!

You should make a full backup to your backup drive and carefully check to make sure you can start up from it (if you can't, see the FAQ).

When you get back the Mac, start up from the backup and "Backup - all files" with "Smart Update" back to the internal drive. No drag and drop is necessary.

Thank you for the quick reply and patience for what seems to be a commonly asked question.

"Backing up" is a bit counter-intuitive for this operation! My first selection would have been "Restore-all" files but maybe that's my old Windows background nagging at me. Can you explain the difference or point me to a location that will?

Maybe Restore is done from the internal drive and Backup from the external?

Restore works fine too. The only difference is that "Restore" doesn't copy any side-by-side Time Machine backup data on the same volume. If you haven't done that, they're equivalent in all but name.

Same volume meaning if I had SD and TM on the same external drive/partition?

Same partition, not same drive.

Thank you for your help. I will report back my outcome. I'm sure it will be successful with such a great program as SD.

So do I do the "Erase Mac HD..." option or the Smart Update option? The Mac HD only has 10.5.1 while the SD clone has 10.5.6.

Smart Update should work fine.

Thank you. In process. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Worked like a charm! Thanks for a great product and support! It took ~4 hours to copy over 183GB via USB. I'm guessing if I had a FW drive it would be faster.