Creating a bootable backup for upgrade to Lion

I've read some articles and watched some videos on how to create a disk of my drive from the disk utility. Is that a good way to create a bootable backup of my Mac Mini? I also want to have all my applications transferred over to Lion, though I know how to do that in the installation of the OS. But I want a fresh install over Snow Leopard and reinstall my apps from that bootable disk, again is that possible? If this can work, how can I know for sure if the backup works?

Spinland wrote:
Then what CSound1 said: use CCC to clone your drive to another disk for safekeeping, then install Lion and enjoy. All of your apps will still be there after the upgrade.
Have you checked to make sure your apps are Lion compatible? This guide can help you find out:
http://fairerplatform.com/2011/07/are-your-apps-lion-compatible-how-to-check/
Hi Spinland
That is not what I said exactly ......
1 Clone the SL (internal) to the external.
2 Boot from the external and install Lion on it.
3 Run Lion from the clone until you know it works (and you can identify any incompatible apps).
4 Clone the Lion external back to the internal.
5 You're done.

Similar Messages

MOUNTAIN LION, MBP RETINA : Time machine keeps saying to improve reliability, TM must create a new backup for you

Hello
I have a little network with 2 x Macpro, 1 x Macbook pro Retina, 1 x Mac Mini server and one DiskStation.
I have no problem to backup the two Macpro and the Macmini on the Diskstation
But I only have problem with my Macbook pro Retina.
I was told to start the 1st backup using Ethernet
After a few complemantary backup in WIFI I get the message :
I have done this MANY times
I have tried to repair the Backup file
THE PROBLEM IS ONLY WITH THE MACBOOK PRO RETINA IN MOUNTAIN LION
I had Apple support, answer : "no support because you are using a disk station" (I have used this diskstation since many years without ANY problem)
Looks like it is a WIFI problem !!!!
Thanks in advance for your help
Best
Cyril

Scott F wrote:
Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you.
Yes. See #C13 in [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
My Time Machine drive is a 500GB drive connected to an Airport Extreme via USB.
I hate to have to tell you this, but backing-up that way is "iffy" and +*not supported by Apple.+* See [Using Time Machine with an Airport Extreme Air Disk|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Airport.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
You really should find a more reliable way to back up. See #2 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum) for your options.
I find this message confusing. Why must TM create a new backup?
As in the first link above, because they're damaged beyond Disk Utility's ability to repair them. Exactly what that is, we mere mortals don't know. It's only on network backups, and even folks using Time Capsules see this occasionally.

Can I create a bootable usb for Lion SERVER?

I've installed Lion OS. Then downloaded Lion SERVER.
Creating a bootable USB for the ordinary OS was simple enough (stop install, show contents,restore partition etc). However, with Lion Server, install package does not appear in applications and there does not seem to be any obvious was way to stop the installation before the install package self destructs. Download from app store shows in Launchpad. Icon then changes to 'installing'. Install process is very quick and it won't stop
Has anyone else had this "problem"? Thanks!

If you have a Mac mini Server with Lion server pre-installed you can do this fairly easily using the method outlined here http://www.hotblack.co.nz/article.lsd?i=lionserver
But I have a stock iMac with Lion pre-installed and got the Lion Server on top. I too have been looking at this "problem". Even after you've installed Lion Server and try the method they suggest you do not get a Lion Server InstallESD.dmg file.
My solution is this:
Using your existing Lion Server, copy "Install Mac OS X Lion" to your applications folder. Then when you use the installer with a BLANK volume as your target you will see an Options button on the bottom left side of the Installer pane. Clicking this allows you to install Server components. Your target can be a 16GB USB stick. Interestingly when this stick reboots you actually get the Server Assistant up which can configure your server.
So essentially you have a Lion Server USB stick - again don't forget to add "Install Mac OS X Lion" to the Applications folder.
You can also snag the Server components for copying onto target volumes by shutting down before the install reboot.

Creating a Bootable Backup in ML

I've been doing a bit a reading here, but I am still unsure of what I need to do. I recetnly upgraded from Snow Leopard to ML, but I want to create a bootable (mirror) backup on an external drive. I have always used SuperDuper to do this. Super Duper claims that it's latest version will create a bootable backup of ML. My backups in the past have been a bootable mirror of my drive and not the OS alone. Am I better off just redownloading ML and creating a bootable thumb drive of ML or would I be ok mirroring my drive with ML on it as a bootable backup. I hope this was clear...
My backup system has been like this:
Two 1tb bootable HDs (mirrored) that I swap out every week - the one not in use goes into a fire safe
One 2tb for TM
Cloud backup for important stuff.
Thank you!!

The Lion Recovery Disk Assistant is an app. When you Open it, you have the opportunity to create a Recovery HD on a thumb drive for whichever OS X you're currently booted into. Just the Recovery HD and not the entire installation of OS X. The Recovery HD is created and hidden when you install OS X. SuperDuper! doesn't clone this. Here is some reading for the Recovery HD in Mountain Lion. It's the same for Lion. If the Recovery HD isn't on your system, you won't have the ability to boot into it for recovery purposes. So the Recovery Disk Assistant gives you this ability via a thumb drive.
The main difference between creating a Mountain Lion Recovery HD and Lion Recovery HD is the Reinstall Mac OS X option in the Utilities menu. The Lion Recovery HD ONLY downloads and installs Lion. The Mountain Lion Recovery HD ONLY downloads and installs Mountain Lion.
For example, if you create the thumb drive while in Mountain Lion, its Recovery HD is put on the thumb drive. And when you boot from that thumb drive, you get the Utilities menu of selections with the ability to download and install Mountain Lion. So, you can't use that thumb drive to download and install Lion. Hope this makes sense.

Ask for refund for upgrading to lion, since lion always freezes at start up.

I want to know if I can get a refund for upgrading to lion. I have been really frustrated with this upgrade. Ever since the upgrade, I have not been able to start up normally. It always freezes at start up. I don't want to waste my time on fixing this issue any more.

No refunds that I know of.
Downgrade Lion to Snow Leopard
1. Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.
This will erase the whole drive so be sure to backup your files if you don't have a backup already. If you have performed a TM backup using Lion be aware that you cannot restore from that backup in Snow Leopard (see below.) I suggest you make a separate backup using Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.1.
If you have Snow Leopard Time Machine backups, do a full system restore per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions. If you have subsequent backups from Lion, you can restore newer items selectively, via the "Star Wars" display, per #15 there, but be careful; some Snow Leopard apps may not work with the Lion files.
After seeing what you have to do to return to Snow Leopard you might rethink your position of not wanting to fix the problem you have with Lion which probably arose from existing problems with your Snow Leopard system. The fix is pretty easy. Back up your data, erase the drive, reinstall Lion, restore your files.
Install or Reinstall Lion from Scratch
If possible backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive.
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Erase the hard drive:
Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Install button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

I got the message: Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you. I got the message: Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Ma

I got the message:
Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you.
Here's what the text of the system.log says when I filter for backupd:
Jan 9 11:37:14 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2618]: Starting standard backup
Jan 9 11:37:14 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2618]: Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/TimeMachine
Jan 9 11:37:33 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2618]: Recovery backup declined by user.
Jan 9 11:37:33 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2618]: Backup canceled.
Jan 9 11:48:20 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2859]: Starting standard backup
Jan 9 11:48:20 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2859]: Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/TimeMachine
Jan 9 11:48:42 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2859]: Recovery backup declined by user.
Jan 9 11:48:43 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2859]: Backup canceled.
Jan 9 11:51:07 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2917]: Starting standard backup
Jan 9 11:51:07 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2917]: Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/TimeMachine
Jan 9 11:51:34 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2917]: Recovery backup declined by user.
Jan 9 11:51:34 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2917]: Backup canceled.
Jan 9 11:53:50 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2987]: Starting standard backup
Jan 9 11:53:50 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2987]: Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/TimeMachine
Jan 9 11:54:07 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2987]: Recovery backup declined by user.
Jan 9 11:54:07 justin-steeds-macbook-pro com.apple.backupd[2987]: Backup canceled

Since this is a MacBook Pro hardware community, you might get better results by asking your question at the Time Machine forum, located within the Lion discussion group.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/mac_os_x_v10.7_lion

Time Machine must create a new backup for you

getting this error message Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you. don't want to lose the history off my backups how can i fix this without losing any backups.

You really can't.
That's not one of Apple's clearest messages; it means your backups are damaged beyond OSX's ability to repair them. See #C13 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting for details.

Getting this error: Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you.

I keep getting this error on my new Macbook Pro w/ Retina.
"Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you."
Connected to a wifi network and QNAP storage system. There are 5 computers on this network, and each backs up just fine. The issue is isolated to this one machine.
This error shows up every week or so.

A third-party NAS is unsuitable for use with Time Machine, especially if it's your only backup. I know this isn't the answer you want. I know Time Machine accepts the NAS as a backup destination. I know that the manufacturer says the device will work with Time Machine, and I also know that it usually seems to work. Except when you try to restore, and find that you can't.
Apple has published a specification for network devices that work with Time Machine. None of the third-party NAS vendors, as far as I know, meets that specification. They all use the incomplete, obsolete Netatalk implementation of Apple Filing Protocol.
If you want network backup, use as the destination either an Apple Time Capsule or an external storage device connected to another Mac or to an 802.11ac AirPort base station. Only the 802.11ac base stations support Time Machine, not any older model.
Otherwise, don't use Time Machine at all. There are other ways to back up, though none of them is anywhere near as efficient or as well integrated with OS X. I don't have a specific recommendation.
If you're determined to keep using the NAS with Time Machine, your only recourse for any problems that result is to the manufacturer (which will blame Apple, or you, or anyone but itself.)

Why do I get this message every time I travel with my laptop and then return home: To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you.

Why do I get this message every time I travel with my laptop and then return home: "To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you."
I get this on my new MacBook Air, but never got it on my old MacBook Pro.
Thanks!

See #C13 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Here is my plan for upgrading to Lion

I assumed that there was going to end up being a huge thread about problems with upgrading to Lion. And I have too much at stake (Adobe, Microsoft products, etc) to be helping beta test such a major upgrade.
And I am really amazed out how many people are desperate to go back a version...back to Snow Leopard in order to restore their working applications. So if it was so critical that Lion work the first time with your installed apps, why did you have such terrible backup plans in place?
So here is my foolproof (hopefully) solution to protecting against an upgrade meltdown.
It's VERY simple.
Purchase another hard drive for your Macbook Pro (Sorry, won't work with Air,...I know.)
Clone it and then install it into your Mac, or restore from your Time Machine. (Or just verify that it boots and works ok)
Go to the online Mac store and purchase and install your Lion upgrade. If it works for you....fine. If not re-install the other drive and wait a few months for the bug updates to arrive.... and then try again.
Before you complain about purchasing another hard drive. Don't be so cheap. If you can afford a Mac, you can afford $60 for a new hard drive. Isn't your sanity worth it? Then buy an enclosure and and use it as a backup drive.
Is this concept so tough?

You don't even have to buy an internal drive, an external works just as well and then there's no fuss about installing it.
You can use SuperDuper! or CarbonCopyCloner and make the external bootable to test it.
Well, that's what I did before upgrading

Buy two OS-Software licences for upgrading to Lion?

if I like to upgrade to Lion - do I really have to buy Leopard as well as Lion - only to install Lion?
I bought Leopard already and thought I could upgrade easily and free to Lion.
Actually I have installed Leopard 10.6.8 and now it seams that I have to buy Lion to be able to upgrade.
Is anybody there who can help me?

10 6 8 is Snow Leopard NOT Leopard...
The Upgrade to Lion is Not Free...
To Purchase and Install Lion...
http://www.apple.com/macosx/how-to-buy/
Check that your current Mac meets the System Requirements for Lion...
Lion Specs:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html
Would Also Recommend that you do a Bootable Clone Backup of your current Hard Drive Before attempting any Major Upgrade...
By far the easiest way to make a Backup, is to use something like
SuperDuper http://www.shirt-pocket.com/
or CCC http://www.bombich.com/
Also... For Lion... Check the Compatibility of Third Party Applications you may be using...
See Here:
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

Creating a bootable backup - instructions?

I am looking to create a bootable back-up of my MBP so I can expirament with going from 10.4.6 to 10.4.10. (I am wary due to the processor whine issue.) I would like to be able to go back to 4.6 if I can't quiet the whine under 4.10.
Can anyone guide me to a step by step guide on how to do this? I plan to get an OWC Firewire drive.
Thanks!
Mitch

When you get the OWC drive - good choice - connect it to your computer and make sure that you use disk utility to partition the drive using GUID - it's in options under the partition tab.
Download SuperDuper. This is free for making a clone of your hard drive, twenty something if you want incremental backups (faster). For your purpose, free is fine.
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html
As long as your hd is partitioned using GUID (format Apple OS Extended (journaled) Super Duper will create a bootable clone.
Best of luck.

Can I create a bootable DVD for my Macbook running 10.5.8?

I'm trying to install a larger hdd in my 2007 MacBook 13" 2.16 Core Duo. I used SuperDuper to create a disk image on an external USB drive but when I reboot with the alt/option key depressed, it only finds my internal disk. I'm guessing I can't boot this old laptop from a USB disk, so now I'm wondering if I can create a bootable DVD or CD for it. Or do I need to upgrade my OS?

Hi, if tryly a PowerMac, (PPC instead of Intel), you may need a Firewire Drive to be bootable, most PPC Macs cannot boot OSX from a USB drive.
So we know more about it...
At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 6 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

"....To Improve Reliability, Time Machine Must Create a New Backup for You"

I bought the new Apple 2 TB Time Capsule thinking it would be a great way to get a powerful wireless router and handle file backup for both me and my wife's iMacs. She is running an up-to-date version of Snow Leopard and I am on the most recent update of Mountain Lion. The Time Capsule was installed and running by the first of August and we had no problems until this monday (7 weeks later) when I got the message that "Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability Time Machinge must create a new backup" My wife's back up was still ok but I had to go though the 5-6 hour process of re-copying all my files(using an ethernet connection) to the device. All went smoothly for a few days until I got the same message again about creating a new backup. Also my wife cannot enter her time machine files even though the computer is still being backed up. We have a stable internet service and both computers recieve a strong signal from the router. Is it possible that the Time Capsule Drive is defective? Is there any sort of maintenance such as zpping the PRAM that would help? This is really frustrating as it looks like the timemachine backup is totally unreliable and not worth fooling with. Is there any way to use the storage capability of the time capsule without going through time machine?
Thanks,
Reid McCallister

hi
rest assured you are not alone. i have the same problem and i hate it with a passion. in fact, i am the victim of this message as of 20 minutes ago and doing a full backup as I am typing this. I am so overly ****** that I actually posted here and will be calling or emailing apple next because I cannot take this anymore. the problem lies in time machine and unfortunately, there is no fix for that. time machine is the best idea of apple with the worst implementation ever. you have no obligation to use time capsule to benefit from time machine as this would not be legal anyway. i will give you 2 temporary solutions and let you decide which one works best for you:
1) open time machine preferences and turn automatic backups off. create a new full backup from scratch and only backup manually whenever you remember, preferably every day. the automation process is the problem that lies within time machine. also make sure that your system does not go to standy or sleep whatever that may be called. Power nap, despite all claims, is not compatible with time machine. install CAFFEINE, an app that keeps your mac awake and prevents from going to sleep while back up is in progress. use it like this and pray it will all go fine for a long time. you may wish to duplicate the first full backup to save time in case this should happen again so you have a base to start on
2) install CCC (carbon copy cleaner) I have not used it myself yet, but probably will be installing it after finishing this post. it is claimed to be better, yet it is yet to be seen by me personally.
unless time machine can be trained without any addons to use a specific wifi only for backup, these issues will persist.

How to create a bootable CD for v10.7.1

how to create a bootable CD

Make Your Own Lion Installer
1. After downloading Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Lion application. After Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing Lion.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
3. Locate the saved Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the InstallESD.dmg disc image file into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable Lion installer that you can use without having to re-download Lion.

Creating a bootable backup for upgrade to Lion

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