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# Backing Up Home Directories Only (Using Synk Standard or Synk Professional)

This backup strategy is generally the best one for most users. It strikes a good balance between ease of use, speed, and required disk space.

## What files should I back up?

Rule #1: Stay home.

OS X is a UNIX-based operating system that relies on the specific structure of its files. Many files are in hidden directories and can only be accessed from the command line in the Terminal application.

The safest way to work in Mac OS X is to store all of your data files in your home directory. The old "Macintosh way," with folders and files and aliases all over the hard drive is no longer practical.

If you're not sure if your documents are saved in your home directory, they probably are. The "Desktop," "Documents," "Pictures," and other similar folders created for you when you first used your computer are all in your home directory.

## But what about system files?

Rule #2: If you do not know what a file is, you do not know how to restore it properly.

There are tens of thousands of files spread across many folders in OS X. The safest and most practical way to restore these files is from the original System Install CD.

After you have re-installed your system, you will need to apply the various updates. The best way to do this, if you have a broadband internet connection, is to just let the Software Update application download and apply the appropriate updates. While it is possible to keep copies of all of the updaters (see below), Software Update will know which updates are already merged into later updates. For example, you may have originially updated piecewise from 10.4.0 to 10.4.1 to 10.4.2 and so forth, but Software Update can download a single update that will take you all the way to the most recent version. This update will usually also includes all security updates and so forth along the way, saving you time and energy reinstalling them.

## How do I back up applications?

Rule #3: Fresh is best.

How to restore applications depends on the specifics of each application. Some need to be re-installed from the original disks. Others contain all they need within the application itself. Synk, for instance, can be dragged from one volume to another and will repair its installation automatically as needed.

You are safest re-installing the applications from their original install media, but keep the following in mind:

- Application support files that are common to all users of your computer are stored in the Library folder at the root level of your startup disk. Backing up this directory should not be necessary but you should verify that your applications are not storing important data in this folder.
- Some older programs may store data within the Applications folder. If at all possible, change the offending application's preference settings to relocate data files into a folder within your home directory.

## Backing Up

For the best backup security, you either need a second partition or a second drive available that is large enough to contain all the data in your home folders.

- The backup volume must be mounted on the desktop. Create two folders on the backup volume named "Homes Backup" and "Archive."
- Synk Standard: Click on the "Folder" button in the "Source" area of the Folders tab, and choose the "/Users" directory. Leave "Backup" as the action. Choose the "Homes Backup" directory you created for the "Destination" slot. Synk Professional: Select source #1 from the table of sources in the Folders tab, click on the "Folder" button in the details area, and choose the "/Users" directory. Select source #2 from the table of sources, and choose the "Homes Backup" directory you created for this source. Choose "Backup from Source 1" as the action.
- In the Archive tab, enable archiving and instruct Synk to use your new "Archive" folder as its archive.

The first run may take quite a while, as it must copy every file, but subsequent runs will only copy modified files. You should also enable ZeroScan in the Settings tab to make the updates to your backup lightning fast!

## Restoring

If you have accidentally deleted or damaged a file, you can find the most recently backed up file in your "backup" home folder. Earlier versions will have been archived in the "archive" folder.

To restore a damaged system, simply restart from your Mac OS X install CD and initialize and re-install your system and applications. Make sure to choose "Software Update..." from the Apple menu to bring your system software back up to date.