"Adventures in Installing"

[MrsLop]

Good Morning, I would like to start  right from the beginning. I want to install with nothing from the old  System.  I hate to say it but I have corrupted the System to a point where it would be a programmers worst nghtmare to attempt to untangle the mess that
I have created.   So, now that I have  created this monster of a System Folder, there is no use in attempting to use it. I don't want to use any of the former preferences or anything from my old System.  I know that I  have a long road ahead  of me, if I choose to do this. If there were any  way to avoid doing this, I would.  I can't make  the System work the way  it is. Do any of you know what I can do to just try to install from the CD's that I have and do they  build upon one another. I have the CD's for: OS 7.6 OS 8 OS 8.5 OS 8.6 (Updater) What would I be better off doing, in your  opinion? Do I need to buy a CD OS 8.6 first? Can and should I just buy OS 9? I really don't know the  order of things with all the versions, sorry. That is why I am asking  all these questions.  
 
MrsLop

[kelly]

Myrna. This is a pretty drastic step.

It's not what I would do in your situation.

But if it makes you feel better. Even if it's going to be a problem.

You have what you need with the OS 8.5 Install CD.

Start up from it by holding down the C-Key at Start Up.

Find and Launch Disk First Aid. Select your Hard Drive and choose Erase.

Everything you had will be gone.

Then find the Install mac OS and just follow it through the process.

[MrsLop]

Morning kelly, I am reading all the  information from my  OS 8.5 first. I have been unable to  startup my System   without the use of a CD (any version).  Something, I don't know what, happened when I attempted to transfer all the stuff from my  preferneces and Systems folder to the "new". I think, that it may  have had some of that corrupt information in the folder. I ran Disk First Aid and I attempted to Update the Driver so that I could reinstall the Software. I couldn't do that. I even tried using the OS 8.6 Update to get to  my just reinstall the  OS 8.6, but it can only be used to update OS 8.5. So, I am back to OS 8.5 and reading that. The other thing is, I  don't know if I do wipe  (erase the HD) if I will  need to reenter all my hardware information and all my Mac inform- ation.  Will the System have to be told a  voluminous amount of Technical information  that I don't know about? I think, that it was  called "initializing" or or something like that. Anyway, I am back to using the WebTV to get to the TS Board and it  is very slow on Posting and reloading. I can't get to my email from Outlook or IE, for  that matter.  I really have to take my time on this and get all the help I can get to see me through. I don't know why anyone thinks it's easy. I  didn't quit until around 6PM yesterday.       Myrna

[kelly]

Myrna. If you Erase or Reformat or Initialize the Disk.

Everything will be gone.

You'll have to re-enter all that information, yes.

This is why we're not recommending it.

I have a suggestion.

Go buy this for $10 or so and see if it can fix your machine.

Norton Systemworks v1 with Utilities v6.x, AntiVirus 7.x, Dantz RetroSpect 4.3

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm...=SYM072600421BQ

Call them on the phone if you need to. Sales: 800.275.4576

Don't do anything until you get that CD.

This is a Computer Fixer CD and might fix all your problems.

PS.

Can you make your sentences a little longer?

It makes for a long scroll otherwise.

[MrsLop]

Evening kelly, It's alright. I can't do a bloody thing about the way MSN chooses to set up
things. The box is much  smaller using WebTV for  some inexplicable reason. Bulletin:  Dick and I spoke and he told me to  just try to do a clean reinstall of OS 8.5. I became really ambitious and emboldened by that  success, so I tried the OS 8.6 Updater.  It turns
out that it had OS 8.6  and the Update on it with a few extras. I printed  everything out in the How to install and some info, you know, About This.. and About That.. I printed both the OS 8.5 and OS 8.6. Now I can finally boot up from the System,  instead of fro the CD.  The fact that my Printer is finally Printing was another marvel to me. I still don't have IE or OE for email up yet. I just wanted you to  know that it worked out just fine. I can go to sleep in a much more peaceful frame of mind now. Sorry if I unnerved you in any way. You have been a mainstay to me in my "Adventures.." and I  really appreciate all you
do.   Myrna

[Gregg]

Mryna, I'm just curious here. What other programs do you have on disks?
If you do ever have to reinitialize your disk you lose everything including all installed programs: word processor, browser, repair utilities, etc. ...it's ALL gone.

The only way to get those applications back is if you have installers for them. Files (like a letter you've written) preferences (including saved e-mail), and programs can be backed up to a disk and retrieved after a disaster.

I only back up what I can't reinstall from a disk. Others back up everything. If you don't have installers for your programs on a disk, you need a copy of them that is not on your hard drive.

[kelly]

Myrna. Don't worry about me being "unnerved".

I can deal with other people's Computer Crisis just fine.

I'm glad things are better than they were.

I still think you should get Norton Systemworks 1.0

It might have fixed your problems and still could.

When you get the macs for Dummies Book.

Just start from the beginning and enjoy the read.

I think Pogue will make many things a lot clearer for you.

[MrsLop]

Evening kelly,

I have logged more hours on "fixing" the Mac than I ever dreamed possible.  It has been a thoroughly horrific job. just seemed that I wouldn't be able to locate the problems with all the "stuff" that was on the Drive.
I wouldn't have minded so much, if I had known what I was doing.

I tried to reach Cox Support by 'phone last night and today, to no avail.  It made me so ornery that I decided to have a go at "fixing" that problem, as well.

The good news is, I did a search of just about everything that was still on the old System Folder.  I found everything that I thought I needed.  I did try to control myself and not get too unnerved when doing the search.  There seems to be a bewildering array of sprockets and libraries on my Hard Drive.

I think I am just beginning to understand why Extensions cause so many conflicts.

I got my connection to Cox HSI back just a short while ago.  I have not yet decided when to tackle the
email thing.  I do have the ability to circumvent the email problem by going to Cox directly for my mail.

What a miserly system they have for Web mail.  It looks like a very tiny version of a word processor.  It took me a long time to read an email from my daughter, Robin.

I spoke with Dick, and he suggested that I try to download that fix for OS 8.6 fonts problem.  While I am thinking of it, I should probably do this now and get it done before I forget!

Thank you so much for all the links you provided.

I hope to be able to change my email back soon.  I don't think it will be tonight, though.

Have a good evening,

Myrna