Upgrading my Mac OS - do I really have to back it all up?

[val2525]

I moved all the files I wanted to save to either a USB thumb drive or up to my Dropbox account. I've never upgraded a Mac browser before - do I really need to back up the hard drive, since I've moved the files I want to keep? I already know I'll have to install some newer versions of software I have, so I wonder how important the backup is. I have 10.8.5, moving to 10.10 so I don't need to do a double upgrade at least. But I would need a cloud backup account of some sort if I have to do a full backup.

Ugh. I hate crap like this.

[SA]

I'm not computer savvy.
I've never backed up before an update.

Maybe to date I've just been lucky?.?.?.

[val2525]

So you just downloaded/upgraded then?

I saved my files already. I really don't want to go out and buy a hard drive just for this.

[val2525]

Too funny.

My much aligned by the Mac purists PC just saved my Mac azz about three times on this danged Capitan update.

LOL!

[SA]

YEP. I just upgraded the OS. I had no problems and all of my files stayed intact.

[val2525]

Mine got hung up on the final part of the install stage, which according to assorted forums is common. And assorted forums had the fix. Yay for having a backup computer. It seems to be working OK now. The dock looks like first grade graphics, though. I'm not overly impressed with that. But QB Mac 2015 is working fine (so far).

[RetroMonde]

I just noticed the El Capitan upgrade on my mac last night. I'll do the upgrade since you're supposed to keep up with them or your computer gets out of date. But is this one worth the trouble and how long does it take?

[SA]

I just pushed a couple buttons (accept, next, next). I think it took about 20 minutes. Then my computer restarted.

[val2525]

What OS do you have right now, retro? I had 10.8.5 I think so I HAD to upgrade to at least Yosemite to run QB Mac 2015. I didn't backup but I did move important files over to my dropbox account and/or a large flashdrive. I didn't have any major issues, few I had were easily fixed, but it did take longer than Liz' mac. I have a large iMac, I don't know what Liz has.

You'll lose iPhoto when you go to EL Capitan, which I'm not happy about. Also, some versions of MS office won't work right on Capitan either (google the upgrade). I have the subscription Office 360 so mine did OK, although I did notice some missing format options on Excel this evening. Nothing I can't live without, just annoying. I also had to uninstall and reinstall my printer (including downloading drivers again). Again, not complicated, but still annoying.

I can use the standard uploader again on eBay, though.

[SA]

I have a large desktop iMac also. It's been through all of the updates so it was current on everything. Maybe that's why it didn't take as long as yours Val?

[57roses]

Late here. I upgraded and things are running well for me. I read that some took many hours to upgrade.

I think you can still use iphoto, Val. I haven't tried, but it is still on my computer. I don't like the Photos edit tools as much-especially adjusting color, so I may see if I can import some back into iPhoto to do the adjusting.

I like this youtube channel :

www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjgzVRdoEaZxiF_kVbrtsA

He has a tutorial on the El Capitan upgrade. His specialty is Mac and explains things so even I can understand.

[val2525]

iPhoto is gone from my Mac. I have "Photos" instead, which isn't quite the same thing. It looks like it does more than the old IPhoto, so that might be a good thing. I only used iPhoto to download from my digital camera anyway. If Photos will read the camera (it's old) and not force me to put crap on iCloud, we'll get along fine

It does run faster. I like that!