How best to reintroduce files after clean MacOS install
I'm having seriously annoying issues with my new MBP. Processes crashing extremely frequently, so that I now have to close about 7 or 8 crash reports before I shut down at night. Issue here: "normalizerd quit unexpectedly" constantly happening(!!)
I've spoke with Apple support countless times but had no resolution.
The fact this is a new device and it also happened with my previous device, I am linking this to files on my device that were brought across via Migration Assistant when I was transferring data to this new laptop.
I've created a new, test account to see if the same crashing appears - it doesn't. So I am going to do a clean MacOS install.
However, I am wondering - what is the best method of reintroducing files that I need to have on my device after the formatting is complete? I will be putting minimal files back onto the laptop, but there are some I simply have to bring across.
Is Migration Assistant the best? Or backup to Dropbox / Drive etc and download after formatting?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
"I've created a new, test account to see if the same crashing appears - it doesn't. So I am going to do a clean MacOS install."
If a new user account works fine, then there is nothing wrong with the system installation, and a clean OS install is unnecessary.
The problem is something in your original user account.
Either migrate to the new user account, or go back to the old account and find the problem in your user Library. It may be a Login Item or Launch Agent that is loading an unstable or incompatible process; corrupt caches or incorrect settings in preference files.
Test by removing files from your user Library, (restart/relogin if necessary), then check whether the problem remains. If it is fixed, put back half the files you removed, and test again. If not, remove the remaining half.
For your specific problem, you may want to remove things relating to CUPS, the printing process, Adobe CC or Preview. Anything in <user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe can be entirely removed: the apps will just revert to their default settings.
Anything named Adobe in <user>/Library/Preferences is also fair game, and the same for things with cups or print.
The same for <user>/Library/Caches.
The thing about migrating to a new user account is that it fixes the problem but doesn't solve it, and if it happens again, you'll have to move to a third new account, and so on.
What’s “best” is up for you to decide.
Migration assistant can allow you to be “selective” but will it be granular enough for you? Only you can answer that.
manually copying files over is very granular, but again, is it the right choice for you? Again, the answer is the same; you must decide if the time required is worth it and you also need to decide how you’re going to handle archival storage. Leaving it on an old macOS drive isn’t practical.
Backup to DropBox is no different than backing up to an External USB drive. You have to decide if this strategy is applicable to your needs, but asking about “DropBox” is like asking whether a socket, wrench, or a locking plier is best to remove a fastener; they’re all tools and will work best depends on your requirements.
Personally, I build a strategy around “data availability” so that i can be working with my data no matter the platform (Mac, Windows, and FreeBSD). for me, this involves utilizing the cloud as a key component in data storage
Also have a look at the following for more information:
- Offsite Backup Strategy for Multiple Macs
- External hard drives keep failing
- How would I architecture Network Attached Storage?
- How can I backup a VirtualBox VM with TimeMachine