Lion recovery partition

[dnanian]

Remember, you're only copying the volume (partition) you select. That's how things are defined. A "drive" (physical) can't be selected, and doesn't even have a name...

Reinstalling Lion, as I said, preserves your existing applications and data. There's no need to run Migration - your data and apps stay in place.

[DavidCB]

Originally Posted by dnanian

Remember, you're only copying the volume (partition) you select. That's how things are defined. A "drive" (physical) can't be selected, and doesn't even have a name...

Reinstalling Lion, as I said, preserves your existing applications and data. There's no need to run Migration - your data and apps stay in place.

Thank you--now I understand about copying only the volume.

As for reinstalling Lion, I think I understand that now too--I hadn't seen from what you had said before that it preserved your existing applications and data.

David

[dnanian]

Yes. Since Snow Leopard, a reinstall (not an erase install) basically refreshes the OS under your stuff.

[edalzell]

OK, just so I am clear (foggy head this morning).

I have just ordered an SSD for my 2009 MBP. Steps I should take are:
1. SD backup
2. Install SSD
3. Install ML on SSD
4. Use SD to copy over entire drive, overwriting the OS I just installed?

[edalzell]

Originally Posted by edalzell

OK, just so I am clear (foggy head this morning).
4. Use SD to copy over entire drive, overwriting the OS I just installed?

Based on this: http://tidbits.com/article/13133 I should install ML then use the Migration assistant. Correct?

[dnanian]

No, you can simply 1. SD Backup; 2. Install SSD; 3: Properly partition/format SSD; 4: Restore backup with SD; 5: Boot from new SSD.

When you're ready to create the recovery partition, simply download and install the OS from the App Store.

[dnanian]

Alternatively, if you'd like, you can install ML on the SSD and then migrate from the backup, as explained in the FAQ.

[edalzell]

Originally Posted by dnanian

When you're ready to create the recovery partition, simply download and install the OS from the App Store.

This is the part that confuses me. I have ML on my MBP already, so if I restore from back up, I won't have the Recovery Partition. And to get it I re-install the OS?

[dnanian]

I'm sorry, you're right. If you install ML first, and restore with "Restore - all files" with "Smart Update", the recovery partition will still be there so you don't have to restore.

Or you can do it the way I said, and not install ML on the internal (just partition and format), and install ML later.

[DavidCB]

Originally Posted by dnanian

Yes. Since Snow Leopard, a reinstall (not an erase install) basically refreshes the OS under your stuff.

Thanks for the info--I am new to Lion and didn't realize that.

David

[ian4c]

Originally Posted by dnanian

No, you can simply 1. SD Backup; 2. Install SSD; 3: Properly partition/format SSD; 4: Restore backup with SD; 5: Boot from new SSD.

When you're ready to create the recovery partition, simply download and install the OS from the App Store.

Dave, I have used SD to copy my last Macbook Air to my new computer. Clearly I now don't have a 'Recovery Partition' Since I am not very bright on these things I occasionally copy my system as a backup to my SD 'back up drive' with 2 partitions. I alternate these.

Quote from you "When you're ready to create the recovery partition, simply download and install the OS from the App Store."

Since I have a fairly up to date back up + Time Machine what is the need to have the Recovery Partition. If I downloaded ML and installed it - the nest time I made a copy I would loose the Recovery Partition.

So do I really need Recovery Partition?

Ian

[dnanian]

Making a copy won't lose your recovery partition. Replacing a drive will... they're not THAT easy to lose!

[ian4c]

Now I understand Thank you for that.

So when I copy my present MacBook Air, with SD and copy it to (decided to order a MBP R 13" to day) The recovery partition will be in tact?

I'm thinking this may not be correct?

Ian

[dnanian]

You shouldn't do it that way. See Help > Frequently Asked Questions, "I've got a new Mac.."