Of course you need the dvd installation disk from Apple to start the process. Put the dvd in. This is what you'll see:
I suggest you read the file called "Welcome to Tiger." It gives you a good overview of the new features.
The file called "Read Before You Install" is essentially the same as this chapter, but in less detail. It is probably, however, more up-to-date, plus it has some technical details that I haven't included here.
It's always a good idea to read the "Read Me" files before you do something like install a brand-new operating system that can potentially destroy everything on your Mac. So I suggest you read it. In fact, I suggest you
print it before you start to install so you can have it to refer to.
To start the installation process , double-click the file "Install Mac OS X." This will restart your Mac and make it boot up with the install disc. If you are upgrading a Mac running some version of OS X, you will be asked for the Administrator name and password.
Or you could do this: Insert the dvd into your Mac. Then
restart and hold down the C key , which will force the Mac to boot from the dvd.
The first thing you will be asked to do is choose the language in which you want to see all the menus and dialog boxes. Choose it and then click the button to continue.
Become familiar with this first Installer screen because you may need to come back here again someday. Check out the Utilities menu and all the options available there. This is a wonderfully useful troubleshooting stopwhen things go really wrong with your Mac, restart from the Installer DVD and use one of these utilities. They are explained in a little more detail on page 14.
If you decide you need to quit the installation process at this point
after you restart with the disc but
before you actually click the "Install" buttonyou can do so: From the Installer menu next to the Apple icon in the menu bar, choose "Quit Installer." A dialog box appears with buttons labeled "Restart," "Startup Disk," and "Cancel." Read the following before you make your choice.
Once you quit, your Mac will restart with the install disc again because it always looks first in a disc drive to see if it can find an operating system. So you need to force it to restart from the internal hard disk on your Mac. You can do either of the following:
When you click the "Continue" button in the Installer screen, you will be asked (as usual) to agree to the software license agreement. If you don't, you can't install the operating system.
Once you agree, you see a screen where you can choose the hard disk to install Tiger on. If you have more than one choice, your Mac will usually choose the best one, but make sure it's the one you want. It must be an internal hard disk.
This screen has a
very important button! Click the
Options… button! You have several options for the installation process.47 about Classic.
2a. Archive and Install
If you choose this option, the Installer will save your existing operating system and its related files into a folder called "Previous System." Then it will proceed to install a brand new operating system, but all of your own documents and applications and files will be left intact in case you need to copy them over later. You will not be able to start up your Mac from the "Previous System" folder.
This is a good choice if you're not sure about replacing your previous operating system. For instance, maybe you're not sure if you have copies of all the fonts in the various font folders or preferences that you need for different applications. By leaving the "Previous System" on your Desktop, you can work in the new system for a while and until you're sure you haven't forgotten anything important. Eventually, delete the "Previous System" folder.
2b. Preserve Users and Network Settings
Once you choose to "Archive and Install," another option is available
if your previous operating system was OS X:
Preserve Users and Network Settings. If you created multiple users on your Mac, this option will save them so everyone's Home folders and preferences will be intact.
Even if you have no extra users on your Mac, this option is still handy because you won't have to go through the Setup Assistant during the installation processthe Mac will pick up your Internet settings and automatically apply them. By the time you see your new screen, you will be connected to the Internet as usual.
3a. Erase and Install
If you have backups of all your important files and applications, you can choose
to completely erase your hard disk and install a brand-new version of the operating system instead of updating the old one. This is called a "clean install." This is particularly great if, as I mentioned, your Mac is starting to act a little peculiar and you'd like to just start over, fresh and clean.
Of course, if you do a clean install,
every single thing on your entire hard disk will be destroyed! So make sure you have backups of anything you want to keep. My favorite method these days for temporary backups is a little FireWire drive. I have one right now from SmartDisk.com, a little FireLite that fits in a shirt pocket, plugs into the FireWire port on the back of my flat-screen monitor, and holds 40 gigabytes. I love it.
3b. Format disk as
Once you choose to "Erase and Install," your Mac asks how you want to (re)format the hard disk. Your two options are "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)," which is most likely what you want, or "UNIX File System." If you want the UNIX File System, I highly doubt that you are reading this book. Trust your Mac that it is correct in already choosing Mac OS Extended for you.
Make your choice of installation option, and then click the OK button. The "Destination" screen confirms the option you just made, so click the "Continue" button.
The next screen you see is the "Easy Install." But you can customize your installation, which lets you delete unnecessary printer driver files and language files. This can be useful if you don't have a lot of room on your hard disk. If you need
lots more room, this won't help, but if you're close, try it.
Now, you can only customize this
if you did not choose to upgrade! That is, you can only customize the installation if you previously choose to "Archive and Install" or "Erase and Install."
If you chose one of those options, or if the Installer tells you there is not enough room on your hard disk to install, click the button to "Customize."
Now you're ready to actually start installing. Click the "Install" button to continue. Actually, this button will say "Upgrade" if you chose to upgrade the previous system.