Backing up OSX applications

[ffutures]

I've been running into some problems with my iBook (including several crashes) that make me feel that the system is getting a little flaky. The trouble is that it's running OSX-10.4 and can't use anything later, so the only way to fix things will be to wipe the hard disk and reinstall OS-X. I don't have a backup that's recent enough to be even slightly useful, because I don't keep anything important on the laptop.

The main problem this gives me is a few relatively small applications that I don't have master disks for - mostly shareware I've registered etc., like a webcam app I use for my digital microscope.

The applications I want to save are not involved in the crashes, as far as I know.

Is there any simple way to back up individual applications and reinstall them? Can I just copy them to a memory stick or DVD-R and put them back later? Or is it more complicated?

Comments

[thermalsatsuma.livejournal.com]

Hello - a recent lurker here!

All you should need to do is copy the application from the application folder to a back up disc or drive, and then copy it back again. Everything is contained within the package, unlike with Windows programs that leave configurations and registry settings in unexpected places.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I was hoping it worked like that.

[robertprior.livejournal.com]

It doesn't, always. The library folder, either the system library or your own, can often contain stuff — templates in iWork, for example. Often things like registration codes are stored there or in a prefs file.

[ckd]

Make sure you also backup the Library folder in your home directory, though; that often has prefs/license codes/settings for the apps.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

OK - just hope there's nothing in there that is part of the problem.

[nelc.livejournal.com]

Sometimes applications store stuff in the documents folder, especially games, for reasons that are obscure to me. So it might be worth casting a glance that way.