[Grammar] If the OP intended to back up the operating system, s/he would have said so.

[Matthew Wai]

I am starting this thread because I don't want to hijack this thread.

1. 'If he thought it was important, he would have told you.'── written by Barb_D in this post.
2. 'If the OP intended to back up the operating system, s/he would have said so.'── written by me in this post.

Both are mixed conditional sentences where the if-clause and the main clause refer to the present and the past respectively. #1 must be correct. How about #2?

 

[Tdol]

They are. However, what was/is the time of the intention?

 

[Matthew Wai]

When I wrote #2 on another forum, I was referring to the OP's intention at that time rather than an earlier time.

'I don't think the OP intends to back up the operating system. If the OP intended to back up the operating system, s/he would have said so.'

 

[Tdol]

For an earlier time, I would still use the past perfect.