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␡The Installer refuses to update or reinstall Mac OS X, or you need to install an older version, and you don't want to reformat the drive. This option is especially helpful when reinstalling Mac OS X from the disc would be a downgrade from the existing OS version (say, because you updated to Mac OS X 10.4.1 via Software Update after installing. Experience Telegram on your mac in a swift and seamless way.
Chances are, you were using Mac OS X even before you bought this book, since few Macs sold in the past few years can boot into anything else. And even if you own an older Mac, the fact that you're reading this volume means you've probably already installed Mac OS X on it!
For that reason, I provided an overview of Mac OS X (in Chapter 2) before this description of how to install the operating system, believing that most of you are already up and running in Mac OS X. Even if that's the case, though, you may someday be called upon to install Mac OS X on an older Mac that's still running Mac OS 9. Or, even more important, you may need to re-install Mac OS X (to fix problems). Finally, as new versions of Mac OS X are released, you will need to upgrade your OS. For all of these occasions, this chapter explains what needs to be done (and why) and offers solutions to a variety of potential problems.
I start off by providing background information on installing Mac OS X for the first time, moving on to give more general information about installing, reinstalling, and restoring Mac OS X software. You'll also learn about upgrading Mac OS X and find recommendations about how best to back up Mac OS X.
What You Need to Install and Run Mac OS X • 125
Installing or Reinstalling Mac OS X • 128
Restoring Mac OS Software • 148
What About Mac OS 9? • 149
Selectively Installing Mac OS X Files • 151
Upgrading Mac OS X • 155
Updating Mac OS X • 158
Downgrading and Re-upgrading Mac OS X • 166
Uninstalling Mac OS X • 168
Understanding Image, Installer Package, and Receipt Files • 169
Backing Up and Restoring Mac OS X Volumes • 181
Creating an Emergency Startup Volume • 197
Troubleshooting Tips and Hints: Installing Software • 203