Upgrade iMac Tiger to Leopard...advice please?

[CalamityJanet]

I just got my new MacBook Pro with Leopard and I want to use Time Machine to back it up regularly. My iMac is using Tiger and I want to be able to sync the two Macs and back them both up to my new LaCie external HD. I decided that the first thing I want to do is upgrade the iMac to Leopard. All my reading indicates that I should start with doing a bootable backup to the EHD...just in case. But I also read that one of the first things the installation will do is a bootable backup. Do I really need to worry about doing one before starting the installation? If so, do I need some software to do the first backup?

I also need to decide what kind of installation to choose...Upgrade, Archive and Install, or Erase and Install. I have about 12,000 photos in iPhoto and most of them are backed up on DVDs. I have a large iTunes library that is mostly imported from CDs, maybe 10% is purchased from iTunes store that I haven't bothered to backup. Other than that my iMac is pretty clean...not a lot of other programs to worry about except PSE4 and all the plugins etc. I've been way too negligent about backing up and reading about Kimi's Katastrophe has pushed me to stop procrastinating.

I saw that Wendy recommended MacMentor as a good resource for newer Mac users so I registered there on Tuesday. The administrator has not activated my account yet so I can't post there for help if I start this upgrade and things go wrong. I really want to get this behind me so I can move on to some fun stuff. You other Mac users on this forum have never left me hanging so I thought I'd ask for some guidance here. Can anyone help get me started? I feel like I'm going in circles and getting nowhere because of my inexperience and fear of screwing this up!:o:(

PS. Tricia, you were right about the limitations of the MacBook Air and you kept me from making a big mistake! This MacBook Pro was definitely the way to go. I LOVE IT! :D

[frank abramonte]

Post your question here:

http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=235

[CalamityJanet]

Thanks for the link, Frank. I just spent about 30min over there and I discovered 2 things:
1. Most of the discussions there are over my head and beyond my limited knowledge and
2. I'm more afraid of trying this upgrade than i was before I saw all the complaints by others who seem to know what they're talking about.

I'm going to hold off for a bit. I called AppleCare and talked to a very nice guy who told me that the book about Leopard that I bought for $30 is full of misinformation, so my attempt to educate myself that way has added even more confusion. :confused: Apple guy told me that you can't do a bootable backup in Tiger, and that just doesn't sound right to me....but what do I know?:(

[frank abramonte]

Janet, simple. Register, which is free without obligation and ask your question. Ask for an easy to understand answer. I am positive you will receive an answer that even the most novice can understand. The contributors in this discussion group are very helpful and understanding.
After you register no one will bother you with junk mail. I've been a member for about 4 years and have received many easy to understand answers on various subjects.

[Teacher617]

Hi Janet,

I have not yet upgraded to Leopard, so I'm afraid I don't have any installation advice on that count. Do be aware that it's possible for some 3rd party applications (not Apple-native) to need updating. Look at their websites to see if they're "Leopard-ready." Same goes for your printer drivers.

The different installation types:
1. Upgrade - installs Leopard on top of what is already on your computer and just upgrades anything in the system files that is new.
2. Archive & Install - You will have 2 system folders on your hard drive after this installation, one with all your previous system files; the new one (and operative one) with all the Leopard files.
3. Erase & Install - Wipes your hard drive clean and starts completely fresh. Backing up is an absolute necessity.

Do you happen to have a dot Mac account? Back-up is simple with that.

Regarding sites to check for support - my opinion only, of course:
1. Apple Discussion Forums - sometimes you get a response; sometimes you don't. They're no longer moderated by Apple.

2. MacMentor - good folks there, but don't always get someone who knows how to help. With basic Leopard installation issues, you should be able to get your questions answered.

3. Mac Owners Support Group, www.macosg.com - Excellent group of knowledgeable people; very helpful and friendly; you'll get an answer quickly and if it doesn't make sense, they're happy to revise. I've started to see some of these folks over on the MacMentor forum.

Tricia

[ljameso1]

Janet, How close are you to an Apple store? Bringing everything and telling them you're overwhelmed may get something useful like them doing it for you. At the very least buy an ehd and copy all files to it. Then no matter what happens you'll have something to go back to. I haven't upgraded to Leopard because my imac is too old, but when I upgraded to Tiger a few years ago, the very nice people for apple stayed on the phone and talked me thru it.