canyonwalker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
canyonwalker) wrote2023-10-26 08:47 am
canyonwalker) wrote2023-10-26 08:47 am
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Upgrading to MacOS 14... and Back to 13.6 Again
My two Macs, work and personal, were pestering me for upgrades yesterday. MacOS "Sonoma" is up to version 14.1. I was running the latest version of "Venture", 13.6.1. On my work machine there's company software that forces me to take upgrades after a certain period of time, so I figured I'd get ahead of that nagging by upgrading the OS now. What a mistake!
For some reason I decided to upgrade my personal computer first, even though there's no requirement on taking upgrades for it. I think I was thinking it'd be lower risk. At least I had the presence of mind to make a Time Machine backup before applying the OS upgrade. That turned out to be critical when I chose to downgrade away from Sonoma and had to wipe my disk and restore from backup!
The big thing I didn't like is that MacOS Sonoma screws up Adobe Photoshop Elements. My 2022 Elements at least doesn't crash, like I read some accounts of online, but there are problems with none of the color pickers displaying properly. That's a small thing but also kind of a big thing... as one of the main things an image editor is used for is to modify colors!
Support channels on this problem were useless. Both companies just finger-point at the other. Adobe fanbois state, "Why should Adobe fix something Apple broke?" while Apple says Adobe was provided advanced access to the new OS months ago to qualify its apps and prepare updates if necessary. Adobe's only update right now is, "We've just released Elements 2024 >> CLICK HERE TO BUY! "
First, I tried simply restoring the backup. That's what most sites say works. It does not work. It does not support rolling back the OS, at least not between major versions. Apple says you have to reinstall the older OS— which requires erasing your disk.
I considered the risks of wiping my disk. I do have that Time Machine backup (actually I have several)... but would it work? I reassured myself that this is a normal process. Copying via a TIme Machine backup is one of the standard ways of migrating to a new computer.
I held my breath as I pressed the button to erase the disk. It asked me if I'm sure. Then if I'm sure I'm sure. Then if I'm sure I'm sure I'm sure. There were so many confirmation prompts I had to take at least one breath in there somewhere. 🤣
The reinstall took a few hours. I left my computer sitting overnight to finish. This morning the new— I mean, old— OS was installed and the computer was at it's, "Hi, I'm your new computer, let's get your stuff copied over!" state. I chose my Time Machine backup and left it to chug along for about 20 minutes. Success!
For some reason I decided to upgrade my personal computer first, even though there's no requirement on taking upgrades for it. I think I was thinking it'd be lower risk. At least I had the presence of mind to make a Time Machine backup before applying the OS upgrade. That turned out to be critical when I chose to downgrade away from Sonoma and had to wipe my disk and restore from backup!
Why I Didn't Like Sonoma
What was wrong with Sonoma? Two or three things, some little and one bigger. The little things are UX nits I don't like. The highlighting of title bars is different. And the lock screen includes a digital clock in a ridiculously large font. If you've updated an iPhone anytime recently, you know what I'm talking about. Even stupider that clock's font can't be reduced (on the desktop) though it can at least be removed. Though then the login prompt stays down at the bottom of the screen for no good reason.The big thing I didn't like is that MacOS Sonoma screws up Adobe Photoshop Elements. My 2022 Elements at least doesn't crash, like I read some accounts of online, but there are problems with none of the color pickers displaying properly. That's a small thing but also kind of a big thing... as one of the main things an image editor is used for is to modify colors!
Support channels on this problem were useless. Both companies just finger-point at the other. Adobe fanbois state, "Why should Adobe fix something Apple broke?" while Apple says Adobe was provided advanced access to the new OS months ago to qualify its apps and prepare updates if necessary. Adobe's only update right now is, "We've just released Elements 2024 >> CLICK HERE TO BUY! "
Downgrading: Wipe, Reinstall, Restore
The process to roll back to the older OS turned out to be harder than many support sites but not crazy overall. That backup I made immediately before upgrading turned out to be my salvation!First, I tried simply restoring the backup. That's what most sites say works. It does not work. It does not support rolling back the OS, at least not between major versions. Apple says you have to reinstall the older OS— which requires erasing your disk.
I considered the risks of wiping my disk. I do have that Time Machine backup (actually I have several)... but would it work? I reassured myself that this is a normal process. Copying via a TIme Machine backup is one of the standard ways of migrating to a new computer.
I held my breath as I pressed the button to erase the disk. It asked me if I'm sure. Then if I'm sure I'm sure. Then if I'm sure I'm sure I'm sure. There were so many confirmation prompts I had to take at least one breath in there somewhere. 🤣
The reinstall took a few hours. I left my computer sitting overnight to finish. This morning the new— I mean, old— OS was installed and the computer was at it's, "Hi, I'm your new computer, let's get your stuff copied over!" state. I chose my Time Machine backup and left it to chug along for about 20 minutes. Success!