Member Avatar for gn0m3

A two part question.

1) I have 2 folders on my G4, one under the hard drive the other on the desktop. If i perform an Archive and Install will these folders be backed up??

2)Can i use a live CD like knoppix to boot off so i can copy the folders i need to save?

Thanks,

gn0m3

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by John A

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Short answer for (and following up on ): Archive & Install is not a substitute for a proper backup. The installer archives old system files into a “Previous System” folder and offers a “Preserve Users and Network Settings” option that brings user accounts/home folders forward into the new install—but that behavior is intended to preserve your setup, not to create a safe, separate backup copy you can rely on if something goes wrong. Always make an independent copy of any folders you care about before reinstalling. Macworld explanation of Archive & Install. (macworld.com) (sweetwater.com)

Yes — you can boot a Linux live CD like Knoppix to copy files off the G4, but there are caveats. Linux can read HFS+ volumes; journaled HFS+ is mounted read-only by default. To copy safely: boot the live CD, find the Mac partition (for example with fdisk -l), mount it read-only first, and copy your folders to an external drive. If you must write to the HFS+ volume from Linux you need HFS tools (hfsprogs) and either disable journaling in OS X beforehand or use the force/write options from Linux — both approaches carry risk of corruption, so prefer read-only copy. Example (do these as root from the live CD):

sudo fdisk -l
sudo mkdir /mnt/mac
sudo mount -t hfsplus -o ro /dev/sdXN /mnt/mac
# then copy to an attached USB drive
sudo cp -a /mnt/mac/Users/you/Folder /media/usb/

See Ubuntu’s HFS+ notes for details and risks. (help.ubuntu.com)

Better, safer alternatives (if available): use FireWire/Target Disk Mode to make the G4 appear as an external drive to another Mac and copy files with the Finder, or pull the drive and attach it to another computer with a USB/SATA adapter. Both avoid risky HFS+ write operations from Linux. After copying, verify the copies (open a few files) before you touch the installer; then proceed with Archive & Install if desired. Apple’s guide to Target Disk Mode is a good reference. Apple: Transfer files using Target Disk Mode. (support.apple.com)

Summary of practical checklist: 1) make an external copy first (prefer Target Disk Mode or a Mac if possible); 2) if using Knoppix, mount read-only and copy; 3) avoid forcing HFS+ writes unless you accept data-corruption risk; 4) only run Archive & Install after you have verified backups.

Member Avatar for John A

I'm not really sure what you're trying to do.
>I have 2 folders on my G4, one under the hard drive the other on the desktop.
Actually, all your files are on the hard disk. So if you back up your hard disk, both folders will be backed up (assuming you have only one hard disk).

As for booting from a Knoppix live cd, you can probably access your files, but you might need some special drivers to access HFS+ filesystem.

Good luck!

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