This article describes how to perform a clean system install of the Mac OS on an AppleShare IP server while preserving file and folder privileges.

Introduction

This procedure will work on Workgroup Servers and other Macintosh computers running AppleShare IP. This will not cure issues due to a damaged Users & Groups Data File or AppleShare PDS file. This is the procedure to use if your system software on a Mac OS AppleShare server has become unusable, and you want to replace it while preserving privileges and sharing information.

Note: Before proceeding with Step 1, ensure that you have a backup of your file server that can be used for recovery purposes. Many times, backup servers may be used to test the quality of a file server backup to ensure recoverability.

To backup your file server properly, the AppleShare server software must be active to retain users, groups, permissions and sharepoints.

Step 1: Startup from the Mac OS CD-ROM.

1. Start up with the "Workgroup Server Software" CD-ROM disc that came with your Workgroup Server, or a bootable Mac OS CD that contains Mac OS 7.6 or later. For full information on compatibility between versions of AppleShare and Mac OS, see the following article:
Article 16145: " AppleShare: Platforms & Mac OS Releases Supported "
You can force the machine to start up from the CD by pressing and holding the "c" key after restarting until you see the "Welcome To Macintosh" screen. You should see a desktop pattern with CDs flying in the background. At the desktop, the CD-ROM's icon should be in the upper-right corner of your screen; your hard drive's icon should be below it. If a hard drive appears above the icon for the CD-ROM, open the Startup Disk control panel, and select the CD-ROM. Close all open windows and restart the computer. The CD-ROM icon should now appear in the upper-right corner above any other drives that show up on the desktop.
2. Run Disk First Aid (in the "Utilities" folder on the CD) and repair any problems found. If Disk First Aid cannot repair the drive, you should back up your data, format the drive, and then restore the data.

Step 2: Start Clean Install

If you are installing Mac OS 7.6 or 7.6.1

1. Step through the four-step installation process until you get to the screen entitled "Software Installation."
2. Click the "Options" button at the bottom of the screen.
3. In the window that appears, click the checkbox next to "Create new System Folder."
4. Click "OK".

If you are installing Mac OS 8.x

1. After you get the welcome screen, click "Continue." The next screen should say "Select Destination."
2. For Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1, click the checkbox at the bottom of the screen to select "Perform Clean Installation."
3. For Mac OS 8.5 or 8.6, click the Options button to find the Clean Install option.
The Installer should walk you through the rest of the installation.

After the clean installation is complete, install any supported Mac OS Updates.

Step 3: Set up the File Sharing information

When the installation is finished, restart the computer normally so that it restarts from the hard drive. If you get a dialog box from the Energy Saver Control panel, be sure to set the preferences to never spin down the hard drive or put the computer to sleep.

If you have Mac OS 7.6

If you are installing 7.6, open the Sharing Setup control panel and fill out the Owner Name, the Owner Password, and the Machine name. Make careful note of the exact Owner Name and Owner Password you enter. Later on these will be the AppleShare Administrator name and password.

If you have Mac OS 8.x

The Mac OS Setup Assistant should launch when you start up. Complete that. Make careful note of your answers to the questions "What is your Name" and "What password would you like to use on your computer?" Later, this will be the AppleShare Administrator name and password. When the setup assistant asks you if you want to share a folder on this computer, select "No."

Step 4: Move the old User & Group Data File to the new System Folder

Open the System Folder, and inside the System Folder open the Preferences folder. Drag the Users & Groups Data File to the Trash. Close the Preferences folder.

Locate the folder named Previous System Folder and open it, then open the Preferences folder. While pressing and holding the Option key on your keyboard, drag the Users & Groups Data File to the desktop. (Holding down the Option key will let you copy the Users & Groups Data File instead of moving it.) Close the Preferences folder and the Previous System Folder.

The System Folder should still be open (if it is not, open it). Drag the Users & Groups Data File from the desktop to the Preferences folder of the open System Folder.

Step 5: Install ASIP

Restart and install AppleShare IP Software. Be sure to install any necessary updates prior to launching the AppleShare IP Easy Setup. Restart the computer.

Step 6: Run Easy Setup

Run AppleShare IP Easy Setup. It should detect your serial number from the previous Users & Groups Data File. Once you finish walking through Easy Setup, your server should be running with the previous user list and access privileges.