Is there any shortcut for doing a clean system folder install under System 7.6? I would like to do this without having to remove the Finder or System file and renaming the system folder.

Purpose of a Clean Installation

A normal system software installation modifies and updates the existing System Folder. A clean installation disables the existing System Folder, leaving all files in place, and forcing the Installer to create a new System Folder.

A clean system installation brings the system software back to the standard configuration. This is necessary when system software has been damaged ormodified, preventing a normal installation. It is also useful in troubleshooting.

Clean Install Instructions

Follow these instructions in the order presented.

If you have a Disk Tools Disk:

1. Shut down your Macintosh computer.
2. Insert Disk Tools in the floppy drive, and turn on the computer. At the desktop, the Disk Tools floppy disk's icon should be in the upper-right corner of your screen with your hard drive's icon below it.
3. If the computer ejects the Disk Tools disk, make sure you have an Apple SuperDrive (formerly FDHD) that will read high-density disks and that you are using the appropriate Disk Tools that came with System 7.6.
4. Disk Tools Disk 1 is designed for use with all non-PowerPC machines except those with IDE drives.
5. Disk Tools Disk 2 is designed for use with all machines with IDE drives (LC 630, PowerBook 190, LC 580, Performa 640, etc.), and all PowerPC computers.

If you have an Mac OS 7.6 CD

1. Insert the Apple Macintosh CD in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Restart your Macintosh.
3. Hold down the letter 'C' on the keyboard and turn the computer on. Hold down the key until you see the "Welcome to Macintosh" message.
4. If teh computer does not start from the CD, shut down the computer, turn on the computer and immediately hold down the Command-Option-Shift and the large Delete key simultaneously. Hold down these keys until you see the "Welcome to Macintosh" message.
5. At the desktop, the Apple Macintosh CD's icon should be in the upper-right corner of your screen with your hard drive's icon below it. If any other hard drive appear above the Apple Macintosh CD, go to the Control Panels under the Apple Menu, open the Startup Disk item, select the Apple Macintosh CD, close all open windows and restart. The Apple Macintosh CD should then appear above the hard drive.

Run Disk First Aid

1. Disk First Aid can detect and repair problems with a hard disk.
2. Open the Disk Tools disk or the Apple Macintosh CD. Apple Macintosh CD users should open the Utilities or Disk Tools Folder.
3. Double-click on the Disk First Aid icon. Select the main hard drive's icon at the top of the Disk First Aid window.
4. Click on Verify. Disk First Aid will check your hard disk for any potential problems. If it finds a problem, click Repair. It will attempt to fix the problem.
5. Repeat this procedure for each hard disk attached to the system.
6. When you are finished verifying the hard disks, choose Quit from the File menu to return to the desktop.

If Disk First Aid cannot repair a hard disk, you should back up the hard disk and reinitialize it using the appropriate formatting utility for that drive. For Apple drives, use Apple HD SC Setup or Drive Setup.

Install System 7.6:

From Floppy Disk
This assumes you have started the computer using the Disk Tools diskette.

1. You have finished using the Disk Tools disk so, choose Shut Down from the Special menu. The Disk Tools will automatically eject.
2. Insert the "Install Disk 1" disk into the Macintosh and turn the computer on. The computer will start up using the system file on the Install disk.
3. The "Mac OS 7.6" welcome screen will come up.
4. Follow Step 1 in the Mac OS installer by reading the Read Me file. Click on the document icon, read the file if you have not already, then quit SimpleText and return to the Installer.
5. Follow Step 2 in the Mac OS installer by updating the hard disk driver. Click on the button with 3 stacked drives. This launches Drive Setup or HDSC Setup, depending on which computer you are using. Select your hard drive, then click on the Update Driver button. You will be prompted to quit the application and return to the Installer. (See note)
6. Follow Step 3 in the Mac OS installer by choosing the drive you are installing onto. Click on the drive button. This will prompt you to choose a drive to install onto. Select the appropriate hard drive that has enough room, then click OK.
7. To install the software, click on the Installer button in Step 4 of the Mac OS installer.
8. When the installer window appears, first select the features of 7.6 you wish to install. For further information about these features, refer back to the Read Me file. Then click on the Options button. Select the box next to "Create New System Folder (Clean Installation)" and then click "OK." This will install a new system folder and rename you current folder "Previous System Folder."
9. Insert the other disks when instructed by the Installer.

Note: You cannot update the driver if you are using a non-Apple drive, or if you have used a third-party utility to reformat your drive.

From Mac OS 7.6 CD-ROM
This assumes you have started the computer using the Mac OS 7.6 CD-ROM.

1. Open the Mac OS 7.6 CD icon.
2. Double-click the "Install Mac OS" icon
3. The "Mac OS 7.6" welcome screen will come up.
4. Follow Step 1 in the installer by reading the Read Me file. Click on the document icon, read the file if you have not already, then quit SimpleText and return to the Installer
5. Follow Step 2 in the installer by updating the hard disk driver. Click on the button with 3 stacked drives. This launches Drive Setup or HDSC Setup, depending on which computer you are using. Select your hard drive, then click on the Update Driver button. You will be prompted to quit the application and return to the Installer. (See note)
6. Follow Step 3 in the installer by choosing the drive you are installing onto. Click on the drive button. This will prompt you to choose a drive to install onto. Select the appropriate hard drive that has enough room, then hit OK.
7. To install the software, click on the Installer button in Step 4 of the installer.
8. When the installer window appears, first select the features of Mac OS 7.6 you wish to install. For further information about these features, refer back to the Read Me file. Then click on the Options button. Select the box next to "Create New System Folder (Clean Installation)" and then click "OK." This will install a new system folder and rename you current folder "Previous System Folder."

Note: You cannot update the driver if you are using a non-Apple drive, or if you have used a third-party utility to reformat your drive.

When you are finished with the installation, restart the computer. If you started from the diskette, it will be ejected, however if you started from the CD-ROM you will need to eject the Mac OS 7.6 CD.

After performing a Mac OS 7.6 Clean Install and restarting the computer, "About This Computer" under the Apple Menu will no longer display the specific Macintosh name. Instead, it will display only "Macintosh", "Macintosh Powerbook", or "Power Macintosh" depending on the type of computer it is running on.

Troubleshooting
These steps assume you are using the Clean Install of system software for troubleshooting purposes.

Verify Problem Resolution

After performing a clean installation, verify that you resolved the problem before adding anything to the new System Folder. Adding items to the System Folder before resolving your problem defeats the purpose of performing a clean installation.

Install Non-Standard Items

You can now reinstall the non-standard items from the old System Folder (now named "Previous System Folder") such as fonts, screen savers and device drivers. If possible, you should reinstall these items from their original disks.

If the original disks are not available, you may move the nonstandard items from the Previous System Folder to the new System Folder. Be careful not to replace anything that is already in the new System Folder. Only move items that are not already in the new System Folder.

1. Open each corresponding folder within the System Folder and the Previous System Folder and then compare the contents.
2. Move up to 5 items that are not already in the new System Folder and its sub folders from the Previous System Folder and its sub folders.
3. Restart your Macintosh.
4. Verify that the Macintosh is still starting up properly and that basic functions are working properly.
5. Repeat Steps 2-4 until all non-standard items have been moved from the Previous System Folder to the new System Folder.

Final Steps

• Verify your applications are performing normally. If not, refer to the application manual or contact the vendor.
• When the Macintosh behaves as expected and you are sure that all needed items from the Previous System Folder are transferred or reinstalled, move the Previous System Folder to the Trash, and choose Empty Trash from the Special menu.

Mac OS 7.6.1 System Update

If you have the Mac OS 7.6.1 Software update now would be an excellent time to complete the update.

The Mac OS 7.6.1 System Update is available through online services such as America OnLine and Compuserve, and at Apple's Web site at http://www.apple.com/swupdates .