Repairing Snow Leopard - what files do I need to take care of?

[Mr.Amokk]

Computer: Mac Pro 8 Core
System: OS Snow Leopard
DAW: Logic 8
Time Machine: Yes but disk full. Latest backup a few days ago.
Problem: Mac is shutting down and rebooting randomly.


I want to repair/ re-install Snow Leopard. I never had to do something like that before on a mac so I really don't know what to take care of. Of course I could have googled some things, but I'm mainly afraid of losing audio stuff like sessions, plugins, mp3s and what not - therefor I'm asking you guys

Also do I need to backup the desktop/ will it be set back to default?

Thx

[sonicdefault]

Originally Posted by Mr.Amokk

Computer: Mac Pro 8 Core
System: OS Snow Leopard
DAW: Logic 8
Time Machine: Yes but disk full. Latest backup a few days ago.
Problem: Mac is shutting down and rebooting randomly.


I want to repair/ re-install Snow Leopard. I never had to do something like that before on a mac so I really don't know what to take care of. Of course I could have googled some things, but I'm mainly afraid of losing audio stuff like sessions, plugins, mp3s and what not - therefor I'm asking you guys

Also do I need to backup the desktop/ will it be set back to default?

Thx

Have you used the OS disk to boot your system?

If you think you're having an HD problem, I suggest booting from the OS disk and then copying your entire HD to another drive.


-SD

[BurnStudios]

shutting and re-booting sounds like a power supply problem.. not an OS problem.
grab a voltage meter and check the 12v rails on the psu, ideally under a load.

[Mr.Amokk]

Well I can boot the Mac regualary.

Sometimes all of a sudden it shuts down like 2x again before it runs stabil, other times it's just working right away.

Then when I run Logic and select a WAV sample in Battery, it will shut down and reboot. Sometimes it won't even get back up and the screen just stays all black. Than I turn it off manually and start it again by pressing "power on".

What it NEVER does is shutting down somewhen in the middle of a stabil period.
It always happens around the first 1-2 minutes after I turn the mac on.
Once it's running for longer than 3 minutes it won't crash.

I'm not sure if it's an HD or a power-supliment problem.

[sonicdefault]

Booting from the OS disk is an easy way to confirm it's a hardware issue. If this is the case, you should of course consider your warranty coverage.

The last mac I owned had a problem with powering up and I had to resort to taking it to the Apple Store for repair. Fortunately, it was still covered under warranty. Apple does recommend backing up your system before sending it for repair.


-SD

[sonicdefault]

By the way, I have another mac in the other room which has a power supply problem. However, the one I just mentioned which was sent for repair had a thermal problem related to the motherboard. I say this because I originally considered it may have been a power supply problem as well.

You may have already considered conflicts with any peripheral devices you have connected, as well as making sure your RAM is seated properly, etc.


-SD

[saovi]

Originally Posted by Mr.Amokk

Computer: Mac Pro 8 Core
System: OS Snow Leopard
DAW: Logic 8
Time Machine: Yes but disk full. Latest backup a few days ago.
Problem: Mac is shutting down and rebooting randomly.


I want to repair/ re-install Snow Leopard. I never had to do something like that before on a mac so I really don't know what to take care of. Of course I could have googled some things, but I'm mainly afraid of losing audio stuff like sessions, plugins, mp3s and what not - therefor I'm asking you guys

Also do I need to backup the desktop/ will it be set back to default?

Thx

My first thought is to wipe the drive and reinstall SL from scratch. You may want to wipe your Time Machine drive too if its trying to randomly backup your files onto a drive that is maxed out. Another idea would be to take to your local Mac tech to see if the problem is hardware-based. Good luck either way.