Can you resume using a Time Machine backup?

Hi everyone,
I recently migrated to a new MBP using Migration Assistant but now Time Machine wants to do a full backup of the new system. I don't have enough room on the external hard disk I use - how do I get TM to resume updaing the existing backup?
The external disk is a WD MyBookWorld which has a separate area for TM backups so I can't see any files in Finder.
As far as I know I named the new MBP the same as the old MBP...
Thanks

If you transferred you data from the WD MyBookWorld HDD, your 'new' MBP should have no more user data than before. It should not be able to exceed its (the WD) current capacity. (Am I missing something here?)
If your 'new' MBP had a HDD with a capacity greater that the WD MyBookWorld HDD, then you should get a HDD with a capacity equal to or greater than the internal drive in your MBP. Otherwise it is simply a matter of time before you exceed the capacity of the Time Machine HDD.
Though you have named the new HDD the same as the old one, Time machine looks at the 'name' in SYSTEM PROFILER>HARDWARE>SERIAL-ATA. That will be different than your old HDD>
Ciao.

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I am out of space on my Macbook Air and have a Time Machine Backup. I want to complete reset my mac, but wonder if I can pick and choose what I restore to my computer? Can I also use my time machine backup and external storage as well?

I am out of space on my Macbook Air and have a Time Machine Backup. I want to complete reset my mac, but wonder if I can pick and choose what I restore to my computer? Can I also use my time machine backup as external storage as well for the files I don't need everyday?

If you are using "Restore from Time Machine Backup" option from OS X Recovery, you can only choose from the broad categories presented.
... Can I also use my time machine backup as external storage as well for the files I don't need everyday?
To be clear, if you are asking if you can use the volume containing your Time Machine backup to store additional, non-Time Machine files, the short answer is yes.
It's not a good idea though, since the Time Machine backup will eventually fill all available space, after which it begins to remove old, "expired" backups to make room for newer ones. The presence of additional files doesn't change that fact, and Time Machine will not erase them, but you will encounter a dilemma should you want to store additional files on that volume when there is no remaining space. You will have to make room for them on your own, by deleting existing files. Furthermore, since Time Machine cannot back up its own volume, those additional files will not be backed up by Time Machine.
The easy solution for what you describe is to purchase additional external storage. External USB hard disk drives have become very inexpensive; about $55 will buy a perfectly suitable 1 TB drive.
You can also choose to replace your MacBook Air's internal storage with a larger capacity one. Look for a suitable replacement from OWC / MacSales:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Air-Retina
That gets a little more expensive but it is the optimum solution.

With a new Mac, can you join your previous Time Machine backups?

I'm sure this has been answered elsewhere, but my searches couldn't find a specific answer.
So here' the deal. I got a new rMBP to which I transferred data (via a Time Machine backup) from my old Macbook Air.
Am I correct that on the new computer there is no way to "rejoin" the previous backups and that a new Time Machine backup "thread" must be started?
Assuming that's the case, I'm guessing you also should delete the old TM backup files since they'll be useless).
Thanks.

*No, what I want is the ability to continue backing up to my existing Time Machine drive when I upgrade to a new computer.*
I think your scenario is possible with one single possible problem - the first time you plug the TM hard drive to the new computer it will want to copy the entire hard drive. If your TM can't hold the old computer's backup files and the entire contents of the new computer you have a small problem. But it it can then you wind up with two backups, one from each computer. However, when you need to restore from your TM files, my understanding is, you can pick from any computer's backup files. In other words, you don't lose anything. It just isn't as smooth as what you want. After a couple weeks have gone by and you are sure your computer is working fine and is stable, you can erase the folder containing the old computer's TM files because you've already developed a couple weeks of your new system.
If your TM drive isn't big enough to back up the new computer, I'm not sure what your options are other than to buy a new bigger hard drive, clone the TM files onto it and then do as I suggested above.
Remember, TM is a version 1 product and we've plenty of proof that Apple is listening to us. Use feedback to describe your scenario and how you want it to work. Version 2 may well incorporate some of your desires.

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Sorry the account feature is irrelevant.. You do not want to use it.. you can migrate your data to your computer.. The account feature is not needed, required, useful or anything to do with restoring your files..
You use account access to stop everybody being able to see your files.. the problem is.. it is not itself secure.. so if i get hold of your TC I can delete your accounts with a soft reset and access all your files.. so it is useless.. don't bother using it.. ignore it.. !!
If you wish to have secure backups use the Time Machine Encrypt backup feature.

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Thanks
Richard

Thanks Kevin for the suggestion posted on MacOSXHints how to "Repair Time Machine after logic board changes".
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080128003716101
It seems as though I am not alone with my frustration with the way Time Machine uses the MAC address of a computer to tell one system from another. This means that if you have your Mac repaired with a new logic board, or replace your system with a new one, you can't resume backups where you left off. Reading through the readers who used the fix using Terminal, it appears that the fix does not always work. I contacted Apple again, but they were no help. Surely Apple should come out with a solution as more and more people use Time Machine/Time Capsule.
It is CRAZY that after a change computers or a switch in the computer logic board that you cannot resume your Time Machine back ups.

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Time Machine has been working just fine, but in the last week or two it has given up the ghost. I reset the connections to the drive, and it will basically save a few bytes of data and then hang.
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Since then, Apple has posted (as you have noted) that they DO NOT support Time Machine backups to AirPort Disks. As far as I know, they have not changed from that position and those who do these backups find that they become corrupted over time. Sorry, but it sounds like you just confirmed that for yourself.
1) Has one of the recent updates either on the AE (firmware) or OSX disabled this function?
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2) Are there any changes I can make to get this working again?
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Your other options would be to either use a Time Capsule (which interestingly does support TM backups to AirPort Disks) or a non-Apple solution like the Drobo FS or HP MediaSmart server.

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Jane Doubleday wrote:
I've got an Intel mac otherwise I wouldn't have bought Snow Leopard.
Please update your profile info, then Jane - we can only go on the info you give us.
Glad you're sorted though

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Time Machine must back up to a hard drive that has been formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Your drive is likely formatted in FAT 32.
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That means there is a directory on your HD called something like backups. backupdb
It thinks you're using the drive for TM. Delete this directory and it will then load.
Regards,
Captfred

I just hate Lion OS. Can I go back to snow leopard using my time machine backups?

I just hate Lion OS. Can I go back to snow leopard using my time machine backups? it's a big mess... no more rosetta or Isync ot network usefulness for me... how do I go back to snow leopard using my time machine backups without losing the files i created after the "Lion upgrade"? I want to restore my whole Macbook, but fear to lose these recently created files, some help?

mauijiminar
Don't patronise him. This is Apples fault. Next time dont comment if you have nothing good to say!

Can you unplug the external hard drive you are using for time machine

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Yes, that will work fine. It will back up normally once you plug it in again. I do this with my MacBook.

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"Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine. As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it. Try spotlight to locate it. If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb". If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
Ciao.

HT4718 I have an external hard drive that I used as Time Machine Backup. I have not used it for a while and now, when I plug it in computer says: This disc is not readable. I want to recover the backups and not erase and reformat the disc. Thank you in

I have an external hard drive that I have used as Time Machine backup, but not for a while. Now when I plug it in, computer says this disc is not readable.
I want to keep the backups on it and not erase and start over.
Thank you in advance.
Gregor

It sounds like something went wrong with the drive. Did you drop it? How long has it been sitting around unused?

Can you resume using a Time Machine backup?

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