OS X Snow Leopard Installation Process Changes Described?
- Although Rosetta and Quicktime 7 are both included on the Mac OS X 10.6 installation DVD, both are designated as optional installs by default. However, if Mac OS X 10.6 is being installed on a Mac that contains a registration a key for Quicktime 7 Pro, the installer will install Quicktime 7 automatically.
- Options to "Erase and Install" and "Archive and Install" are no longer present in the Mac OS X 10.6 installer. According to those familiar with the software, this was done for convenience, so that users do not accidentally erase and install their Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard partitions. However, "Erase and Install" remains available through Disk Utility, which is also included on the installation DVD.
- If you need to reinstall 10.6, it automatically archives and installs for you.
- A reinstallation will not affect your Mac OS X version number. In other words, reinstallation of Mac OS X 10.6 on a Mac that contains Mac OS X 10.6.1 (when it becomes available) will not overwrite any new components delivered by 10.6.1. So when the re-install is complete, you will still be running Mac OS X 10.6.1. This will save users considerable time.
Finally, the report notes that word of a Snow Leopard release as early as August 24th has been suggested, although there is no confirmation of that information at this time. Apple has previously stated that it is scheduling a September launch of the new operating system.
A new Mac OS X Snow Leopard build (10A432) has reportedly been designated "Golden Master", paving the way for manufacturing of optical media for retail distribution. Mac OS X Snow Leopard will be priced at $29 for current OS X Leopard owners, and users purchasing a new Mac on June 8th, 2009 or later can receive the updated operating system for $9.95 though Apple's "Up to Date" program.
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No way it is getting released early.
removal of the "Erase and Install" and "Archive and Install" options from the basic installer to reduce user confusion, although the options are still available via Disk Utility.
It will be just as confusing then.- A reinstallation will not affect your Mac OS X version number. In other words, reinstallation of Mac OS X 10.6 on a Mac that contains Mac OS X 10.6.1 (when it becomes available) will not overwrite any new components delivered by 10.6.1. So when the re-install is complete, you will still be running Mac OS X 10.6.1. This will save users considerable time.
I wonder how this is handled OS wise. There's probably a do not touch folder and some new package installing scheme for updates.
People familiar with Apple's upcoming Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system are corroborating reports this week that the software has achieved Golden Master status, adding some additional insight on various enhancements and changes that users will notice during the installation process when compared to Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Build 10A432 reportedly went GM a bit earlier this week and is currently on its way to manufacturing, where it will pressed onto optical media ahead of a formal availability date next month. The GM build also began making its way into the hands of some Apple Care support representatives and Apple Technicians on Wednesday.
Some of the changes and enhancements to the Snow Leopard installation process are as follows:
[LIST]
[*]Although Rosetta and Quicktime 7 are both included on the Mac OS X 10.6 installation DVD, both are designated as optional installs by default. However, if Mac OS X 10.6 is being installed on a Mac that contains a registration a key for Quicktime 7 Pro, the installer will install Quicktime 7 automatically.
[*]Options to "Erase and Install" and "Archive and Install" are no longer present in the Mac OS X 10.6 installer. According to those familiar with the software, this was done for convenience, so that users do not accidentally erase and install their Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard partitions. However, "Erase and Install" remains available through Disk Utility, which is also included on the installation DVD.
[*]If you need to reinstall 10.6, it automatically archives and installs for you.
[*]A reinstallation will not affect your Mac OS X version number. In other words, reinstallation of Mac OS X 10.6 on a Mac that contains Mac OS X 10.6.1 (when it becomes available) will not overwrite any new components delivered by 10.6.1. So when the re-install is complete, you will still be running Mac OS X 10.6.1. This will save users considerable time.
[*]There is no "Previous System" folder at the root level after reinstalling.
[*]If a power outage occurs, installation will pick up from where it left off.
[*]To prevent the Blue Screen error that plagued some users when upgrading to Mac OS X 10.5, a software compatibility check is included that has a list of known "bad" apps, and disables them. Those programs are moved to an "Incompatible Software" folder.
[*]Unlike Mac OS X 10.5, you cannot install Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on computers where the hard drive reports a S.M.A.R.T. failure.
[*]Installation initially triggers a large chunk of data to be copied from the installation DVD to the user's primary hard drive. The bulk of the installation is then managed from the hard drive, speeding up the installation process considerably. After a successful installation, that large chunk of data is automatically removed.[/LIST]
I underlined what I think is the solution to blank drives.
Guess I'll be doing a clean install! Not the end of the world I guess.
This whole $29 thing is really just making it a big hassle for the way some people normally upgrade.
That said, for the average Mac user, the Leopard-->Snow Leopard transition is a LOT easier than XP or Vista-->Windows 7.
The August 24 tidbit is really interesting, but that is really quick turnaround, no? How long between GM and release for other versions of Mac OS X?
I underlined what I think is the solution to blank drives.
The sentence before seems to contradict that idea. If you click erase and install, iThink that its clear the whole point is to erase.
Seems to confirm the idea that you are not going to be able to install it on blank drive.
No way it is getting released early.
Wouldn't that work on blank drives?
So wait... Has the OPTION to Archive and Install been removed, or does it always automatically Archive and Install when upgrading, keeping the current apps and preferences installed?
Guess I'll be doing a clean install! Not the end of the world I guess.
The option to Archive and Install has been moved from the basic installer to Disk Utility, which can be run from the installation DVD. However, if you want to keep all your apps and preferences and everything, what you want is probably Upgrade, not Archive and Install. Upgrade is the default, and will now be the only option in the basic installer.
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