Resetting Sync Data

Anytime your computer is connected to the Internet, you can reset your .Mac Sync data a process that's essentially the same as using the replacement synchronization option presented the first time you sync a computer with .Mac. Resetting your data either replaces all the data on your computer with information stored on your .Mac account, or vice versa. It's a useful option if you accidentally delete some critical information on your Macintosh, botch an import into your Address Book, or just decide you want to undo changes made on .Mac during your last sync.

To Reset Your Sync Data

1.	From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences. The System Preferences application launches, and the main System Preferences window opens.
2.	Click the .Mac icon. The .Mac pane opens, with the Account tab selected.
3.	Click the Advanced tab. The .Mac Advanced preferences load, showing all computers registered to be synchronized with your .Mac account.
4.	Click the Reset Sync Data button (Figure 8.18). Figure 8.18. The Reset Sync Data button allows you to "take back" the last synchronization you've done, by replacing the synchronized data with a copy. A dialog slides down, asking for specifics on which information to reset and what to use as the replacement source, indicated by two arrows (Figure 8.19). Figure 8.19. When you click the Reset Sync Data button, a dialog slides down, presenting you with some options on what data to replace and where.
5.	From the Replace pop-up menu at the top of the dialog, choose one of the following to reset (Figure 8.20): All Sync Info. This replaces all information. Bookmarks. This replaces just your Safari bookmarks. Calendars. This replaces just your calendar information. Contacts. This replaces just your contact information. Keychains. This replaces just your keychain information. Mail Accounts. This replaces just your Mail account information. Mail Rules, Signatures, and Smart Mailboxes. This replaces just the Mail rules, signatures, and any Smart Mailboxes (mailboxes created using a Spotlight search) you've created. Figure 8.20. The Replace pop-up menu allows you to choose which data you want to replaceincluding replacing all data.
6.	Click one of the arrow buttons to choose whether information is to be replaced on the computer or on the .Mac account. Clicking the left arrow replaces information on the computer with information from the .Mac account. Clicking the right arrow replaces information on the .Mac account with information from the computer.
7.	Click Replace. The information is replaced as specified during the next synchronization.