Copy Time Machine Backup Folder to new harddrive

Is it possible to copy your Backup Folder on an existing Time Machine drive to a new larger drive and then designate the new larger drive as the Time Machine destination? Tried twice and getting copy errors.

I don't believe drag and drop will properly copy your files over. Can you use the Restore feature in Disk Utility to clone the contents over? If not, try CarbonCopyCloner.

Similar Messages

Time Machine backup onto a new harddrive.

Hi! I am trying to get my backup material from Time Machine onto my new harddrive. The problem is that i do not have the installation disk for Leopard so I cannot access the utilities menu as stated on other forums of "how to's." I live in Cambodia, so do not have easy access at the moment to MAC users and help! Can someone please give me an easy explanation for getting all of my data off Time Machine onto this new one? Again, i do not have the installation disk for leopard...thanks!

Hi thanks- so my computer originally did not come with Leopard. When my system crashed, the computer shop here installed leopard onto it. Thus the reason why i do not have the disk. I have tried the migration assistant, followed the steps, but it appears that nothing happened. so....
1. none of my files or anything actually came off the time machine onto my new computer. ???
2. Also- it appears that i have "lost" all itunes music... any thoughts/ideas on this? I have tried to ask the "mac" provider here in town, but he does not know either...
hope this makes sense!
Anything else you can help me with will be greatly appreciated!!!

I am trying to do a full Time Machine Backup to a new external disk. The backup starts, and it says "Time remaining about 4 days." That seems like a very long time, but the real problem is that the computer "logs off" after a few hours, and the b.u. stops

I am trying to do a full Time Machine Backup to a new external disk. The backup starts, and it says "Time remaining about 4 days." That seems like a very long time, but the real problem is that the computer "logs off" after a few hours, and the backup stops. The system preferences are set to "Never" for Computer sleep and Display sleep. The computer does not ordinarily log off automatically, but it has done this twice since I started the Time Machine backup.

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If all you see are messages that contain the word "Starting," you didn't clear the search box.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Copying Time Machine Backup

hi
i'm transferring Bacckups.backupdb to a new external hardrive - however, when I copy over the file structure is disrupted
So on the original drive everything is correct file structure... Backups.backupdb/MyMacbookPro/x14 dated folders
after copying to a new drive 3 of the dated folders are in the correct place and the other 11 (including 'Latest' folder) are sitting in the directory above
like this Backups.backupdb/MyMacbookPro + x11 dated folders/x3 dated folders
When opening up Time Machine it only sees those 3 dates and there seems no way of transferring the folders
i've tried an number of different things, anybody have any further suggestions?

Although the documentation says you can copy Time Machine backups in the Finder, it's very slow and sometimes doesn't work at all.
First, open the Time Machine preference pane and click the Options button. You may have to unlock the settings first by clicking the padlock icon in the lower left corner of the window. Authenticate as an administrator.
Delete the volume you're going to copy from the list of backup destinations. Then turn Time Machine OFF.
Launch Disk Utility, open the built-in help, and search for the term "Duplicate." Follow the instructions. All existing data on the destination volume will be erased. That shouldn't be a problem, because you don't want to mix backup and non-backup data on the same drive anyway.
In the TM preference pane, select the new volume as a backup destination.

Copying Time Machine backups

If you find you need more space for Time Machine backups, or want to change locations (local to network, or vice-versa), your best bet is to simply start a new set of backups in the new location. Keep the old ones "on the shelf" until you're sure you don't need them. (If you're backing-up to a locally-connected disk, it's best to give it a different name.)
You can always browse and restore from the old backups, via the +*Browse Other Time Machine Disks+* option (hold down the Option key while selecting the TM icon in your menubar, or right-click the TM icon in your Dock).
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But if you want, in many cases you can copy your Time Machine backups to a new location. It's not quick, and sometimes not easy. And there are some restrictions:
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If your backups were made to an internal or directly-connected USB or FireWire disk or partition, you must copy all the backups for all the Macs that were backed-up to the same disk/partition that way.
You can only copy a complete set of backups, not just some individual backups.
You cannot merge two or more sets of backups, even for the same Mac.
On Leopard, you cannot change from local to network, or vice-versa.
You cannot convert case-sensitive backups to case-ignorant, or vice-versa.
You cannot copy anything from corrupted backups.
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Because of the last two items, be sure your backups are ok by Repairing them, per #A5 in the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip.*
While you're using Disk Utility, determine whether the backups are case-sensitive; you'll need to know that below.
When you select a volume in Disk Utility's sidebar, the Format is shown towards the lower left. If your backups are in a +sparse bundle,+ double-click the sparse bundle to mount it, then select the +Time Machine Backups+ (or +Backup of <computer name>)+ partition that will appear, indented, below the sparse bundle.
The Format is either +Mac OS Extended (Journaled),+ meaning case-ignorant, or +Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, journaled).+
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The method of copying is different depending on how the backups were made; whether you're changing from local to network, or vice-versa; and, in some cases, for Leopard vs. Snow Leopard
Part of the complexity below is because Time Machine stores it's backups differently depending on how they were made:
+*Local backups+* (made to an internal disk or a USB or FireWire disk connected directly to a Mac) are stored in a folder named "Backups.backupdb", at the top level of the drive/partition.
+*Network backups+* (made over a network, whether via WIFI or Ethernet) are also stored in a folder named "Backups.backupdb," but it's on a partition inside a special container called a +sparse bundle+ at the top level of the drive/partition.
You cannot just switch from one method to the other.
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Note that below, a "volume" is either an entire disk drive or a partition on a disk drive.
Before starting to copy, turn Time Machine off, via TM Preferences. When done, select the new destination.
Copying backups will take a long time under the best of circumstances; even a small set of backups will contain +several hundred thousand+ files; a large one may number in the millions.
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*_C O N T E N T S_*
*1. To copy LOCAL backups from one volume to another LOCAL VOLUME*
*2. To copy NETWORK backups to another NETWORK location*
*3. To copy LOCAL BACKUPS to be used on a NETWORK*
*4. To copy NETWORK backups to be used LOCALLY*
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_*1. To copy LOCAL BACKUPS from one volume to another LOCAL VOLUME_*
*_Using SNOW LEOPARD:*_
a. Format the new drive/partition, with either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme,* and the exact same Format as the old backups. See item #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* if you need detailed instructions.
b. Connect both drives to your Mac, via separate ports if possible.
c. Right-click the new volume on your desktop or Finder sidebar and select +Get Info.+ If the +Ignore ownership on this volume+ box is checked, click the padlock at the lower right and enter your Admin password at the prompt. Then remove the check mark from the box and close the window.
d. Drag the Backups.backupdb folder from the old volume to the top level of the new one. Enter your Admin password when prompted.
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*_Using LEOPARD:_*
You cannot copy local backups properly from one volume to another via the Leopard Finder. But you can duplicate the backups to a different volume via the +Disk Utility+ app (in your Applications/Utilities folder).
Note that you must duplicate an *entire volume* to another *entire volume* -- if you have other items on the old volume, they will be copied, too (this is a bad idea: see item #3 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip).* Also, any data already on the new volume will be erased.
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a. Format the new drive/partition, with either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme,* and the exact same Format as the old backups. See item #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* if you need detailed instructions.
b. Connect both drives to your Mac, via separate ports if possible, then open a Finder window. Make sure both volumes are shown in the sidebar (if not, from the Menubar select +Preferences > Sidebar,+ and check the box to show +External disks+ in the sidebar). Leave the Finder window open.
c. Start Disk Utility, select either volume (indented under the main drive line), and click the Restore tab.
d. Drag the old volume to the Source box, and the new volume to the Destination box.
e. Check the +Erase destination+ box, then the Restore button. This will take a long time.
f. When the duplication is complete, note that Disk Utility has *+changed the name+* of the destination volume to be the same as the source. You do not want to leave it that way, so immediately rename one of them. In the sidebar of the Finder window opened above, right-click the one you want to rename. When done, look back at the Disk Utility display to be sure you renamed the right one, then quit Disk Utility.
+Go to Top+
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_*2. To copy NETWORK BACKUPS to another NETWORK location_*
*SNOW LEOPARD or LEOPARD*
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If you're copying to a Time Capsule, configure your Time Capsule for your network. (See the documentation that came with your Time Capsule for information about setting it up on your network.)
If you're copying from one Time Capsule to another Time Capsule, give the new one a different name. Then use one Ethernet cable to connect your Mac to the Ethernet port on the existing Time Capsule, and use another Ethernet cable to connect from the existing Time Capsule to the new one if at all possible. If not, leave your Mac in the same room as the Time Capsules.
If you're copying to a USB drive to be connected to a Time Capsule, Airport Extreme, or another Mac on your network, connect it directly to your Mac and format it with either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme,* and either +Mac OS Extended (Journaled)+ or +Mac OS Extended Case-sensitive, journaled)+ Format. See item #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* if you need detailed instructions.
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a. Configure Time Machine to back up to the new network location, but don't start a backup.
b. If possible, connect the old and/or new drive(s) directly to your Mac (or a Time Capsule via Ethernet).
c. Open a Finder window for each network location by double-clicking on each. Note the amount of free space on the new one.
d. Drag the +sparse bundle+ from the old network location to the new one.
Note that the copied sparse bundle will have the same +*maximum size*+ as the old one. (Just to be contrary, though, +Time Machine Preferences+ will incorrectly show the new volume size.)
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*SNOW LEOPARD: 10.6.3 and above:*
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That's not a problem; Time Machine will increase it automatically on the next backup. You're done!
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*SNOW LEOPARD: 10.6.0 through 10.6.2:*
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1. Drag the sparse bundle to Disk Utility's sidebar and select it, but don't mount the +Time Machine Backups+ or +Backup of <computer name>+ partition.
2. Click +Resize Image+ in the toolbar (or +Images > Resize+ from the menubar).
3. Enter the size desired (that you noted in step c above) and click Resize.
4. Double-click the sparse bundle to mount the +Time Machine Backups+ or +Backup of <computer name>+ partition.
5. With the sparse bundle still selected, click the Partition tab towards the top of the window.
6. In the diagram that appears, drag the lower right corner of the partition all the way to the bottom, and click Apply.
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LEOPARD:
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1. Drag the sparse bundle to Disk Utility's sidebar and select it, but don't mount the +Backup of <computer name>+ partition.
2. Click +Resize Image+ in the toolbar (or +Images > Resize+ from the menubar).
3. Click the disclosure triangle below the slider, and select +Resize Partition and Image.+
4. Move the slider to the desired size and click Resize.
5. Double-click the sparse bundle to mount the +Backup of <computer name>+ partition.
6. With the sparse bundle still selected, click the Partition tab towards the top of the window.
7. In the diagram that appears, drag the lower right corner of the partition all the way to the bottom, and click Apply.
+Go to Top+
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_*3. To copy LOCAL BACKUPS to be used on a NETWORK_*
*SNOW LEOPARD only; you cannot convert Local Backups to Network on Leopard.*
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If you're copying to a Time Capsule, configure your Time Capsule for your network. (See the documentation that came with your Time Capsule for information about setting it up on your network.)
If you're copying to a USB drive to be connected to a Time Capsule, Airport Extreme, or other Mac, connect it directly to your Mac and format it with either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme,* and either +Mac OS Extended (Journaled)+ or +Mac OS Extended Case-sensitive, journaled)+ Format. See item #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* if you need detailed instructions.
a. Configure Time Machine to back up to the network location, and start a backup.
b. As soon as the +sparse bundle+ is created, cancel the backup (that may take a few moments).
c. If possible, connect the new drive directly to your Mac (or a Time Capsule via Ethernet).
d. Use the Finder to mount the new sparse bundle.
e. Double-click it to mount the +Time Machine Backups+ partition inside it.
f. Click the +Time Machine Backups+ partition to open it, and delete the Backups.backupdb folder inside it.
g. If the old backups are case-ignorant (per the yellow box above), you must change the new sparse bundle to be case-ignorant, too:
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1. Select the +Time Machine Backups+ partition in Disk Utility's sidebar and click Erase.
2. Select the +Mac OS Extended (Journaled)+ Format, and click the Erase button. That may take a few moments (to unmount, erase, and mount the partition again).
3. Via the Finder, do a +Get Info+ on the +Time Machine Backups+ partition.
4. Click the padlock at the lower right and enter your Admin password at the prompt.
5. Remove the check from the +Ignore ownership on this volume+ box and close the window.
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h. Via the Finder, drag the Backups.backupdb folder from the old volume to the new +Time Machine Backups+ partition. Enter your Admin password when prompted. After a few moments, you may also get a prompt saying that you'll need to enter it again later: click Continue.
+Go to Top+
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_*4. To copy NETWORK BACKUPS to be used LOCALLY_*
*SNOW LEOPARD only; you cannot convert Network Backups to Local on Leopard.*
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a. Format the new drive/partition, with either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme,* and the exact same Format as the old backups. See item #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* if you need detailed instructions.
b. Right-click the new volume on your desktop or Finder sidebar and select +Get Info.+ If the +Ignore ownership on this volume+ box is checked, click the padlock at the lower right and enter your Admin password at the prompt. Then remove the check mark from the box and close the window.
c. Connect the old drive directly to your Mac if possible.
d. Use the Finder to mount the old sparse bundle.
e. Double-click it to mount the +Time Machine Backups+ or +Backup of <computer name>+ partition inside it.
f. Click the partition to open it, and drag the Backups.backupdb folder from the disk image to the top level of the new volume. Enter your Admin password when prompted. After a few moments, you may also get a prompt saying that you'll need to enter it again later: click Continue.
+Go to Top+

Bob Timmons wrote:
Ton of work...great job!
+You can always browse and restore from the old backups, via the Browse Other Time Machine Disks option (hold down the Option key while selecting the TM icon in your menubar, or right-click the TM icon in your Dock).+
Odd that on my MacBook Pro and iMac (both 2008, both running Snow Leopard 10.6.3), that I need to hold down the Control key to do this.
What do you show in +System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys+ for the Control and Option keys? I think I saw something in another forum about some keyboards having them reversed, perhaps some European versions?
I hate to put even more alternatives in these things, but perhaps I should add that one?
Great stuff and should be very useful as a number of users are buying new Time Capsules to replace their earlier generation models. Most seem to want to try to hold onto their old backups and transfer to a new TC when they get one.
Yeah, I really don't understand why some folks get so nutzo about keeping backups for years, but I guess it beats the opposite.
Was curious if you found a way to compact the sparsebundle after users delete a number of backups, but the sparsebundle file still indicates the same amount of data is being used. I know you can compact using Terminal commands, but Terminal scares me. I understand the basic nuts and bolts, but programming is a language that I don't speak.
Yes, in #12 of the FAQ tip I show how to do it via Terminal, but I hate sending a novice to Terminal. (I avoid it myself as much as possible.)
Now that you mention it, I'm going to use the Feedback site to request adding "Compact" to Disk Utility's options for sparse bundles. Maybe if a few of us chime in, they'll do it?
I still have my "first generation 1TB TC, now about 22 months old (holding my breath on the power supply capacitors),but the device has been flawless otherwise. Not too worried, as I also keep bootable SuperDuper clones of both computers on an attached drive on both computers along with another set of Time Machine backups that I manually handle about once a week. Redundant, but I would rather be safe than sorry.
I couldn't agree more! I backup via TM to an AEBS, so am even more paranoid! But I have a CCC clone updated daily; other things to CDs/DVDs in my safe deposit box; and some small stuff goes to iDisk via Backup daily.
Thanks very much for your help.

Unable to copy time machine backup

I need to move my Time Machine backup to a new and larger disk.
I have followed the instructions for doing a copy at the finder level - correct disk formatting, unchecked the "ignore ownership" setting. Got a message - can't copy file - need a new version of iWork (why is that relevant in a copy, I don't know). Clicked OK and copy continued. Soon after, copy fails at 490GB of the 650GB copy with a message that don't have permission to copy certain files. - Clicked OK, but copy would not continue - disk activity light flashing but no progress after 3 hrs so I killed the copy. Happened twice at same spot. Getting to that spot took 24 hrs! I am logged in as Administrator.
Tried the disk image copy suggestion using "Restore" from Disk Utilities. That quit after some unknown amount of time with "cannot copy" error that I didn't save as it didn't seem to have any relevant information in the message.
All told been trying to do this copy for 5 days - no luck.
Used Disk Utilities ot examine the current backup disk - no problems evident
I could bite the bullet and start a new Time Machine backup on my new disk, but that throws away a year or so of backups. Really negates the purpose of backing-up, doesn't it?! Don't really want to do that.
Any suggestions?
Thansk
Peter

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
syslog -k Sender kernel -k Message CSeq "I/O error" | tail | open -f -a TextEdit
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V).
The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear.
A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. Normally the window will be empty. If you get output like this:
kernel[0] <Debug>: disk1s2: I/O error
a drive is failing, or there's some other hardware fault in the storage subsystem.

Time Machine: Backup folder changing size when connected to different computers

Can someone please help me wrap my head around why the size of my Time Machine backup folder changes when connected to different computers? I tried to be as thorough as possible. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.
I made a backup of my one laptop (MacBook Pro running 10.6.8) before installing Mavericks. The backup folder size is 258.56 GB and it is on a 1TB WD external. There are no other computers backed up in this folder.
Last night, I tried to copy the backup folder to another 1TB WD external and ran into the “you can’t do that” message. After some researching, I came across articles explaining how Time Machine handles HDs and, in order for me to copy my backup folder, the drive I want to copy the folder to needs to have the “Ignore ownership on this volume” deselected.
Okay, so here is my situation: I have the “Ignore ownership on this volume” deselected and journaling is correct on the drive I want to copy the backup folder to. So I can continue working on my laptop, I want to use a different computer to copy the backup folder from one HD to the other. The problem I’m having is each computer I own is showing me a different backup folder size O.o.
(1) The computer I want to use – a Power Mac G5 Quad running 10.4.11 (non intel) – is showing a backup folder size of 592.7 MB, but the HD shows there is 258 GB being used. When I drag copy, I only get a 592.7 MB backup folder. For some reason, the backup folder is the only folder acting this way. I compared other folders from the same and different externals and all the sizes match up perfectly no matter the computer they were connected to. How is this possible?
(2) My second option - Mac Pro (early 2009) running 10.9.4 – is showing a 256.15 GB backup folder size. Very close, but not 258.56 GB.
(3) My last option is to use the computer I’m trying to stay away from, the MacBook Pro running 10.6.8. This is the computer I backed up and is showing me the correct folder size = 258.56GB. As I mentioned, I'd like to work on my laptop while copying the backup folder using one of my other computers.
I am able to drag and drop from each computer, but the folder size depends on the computer I’m using. I don’t understand why I can't do a simple drag and drop of a 258 GB folder.
Many thanks!!

The directory files that you are seeing are not real. They are links to the actual backup files that are stored in a hidden directory on the drive. If you were to look at the same drive on a pc, you would see the folders and you would a list files that are in the folders but the files would all be 0 byte files and Windows will tell you the file is empty because there is nothing there but a link which Windows does not understand.
So the point is you can't just copy the backupd files. The best solution that I know of (and maybe someone else will chime in) for copying them is to mirror the drive with something like Carbon Copy or some other program.
See this site for more information about time machine and how it works: http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

Limit Time Machine Backups Folder Size?

It there a way to limit the size of the Time Machine backups folder? I have 100GB of data on my MacBook's drive that TM is backing up to a 500GB external drive. In 18 months the backups folder has grown to 375GB. I'd prefer not to have to get another drive in 6 months, so can I put a limit on this somehow?

Roast Beef wrote:
It there a way to limit the size of the Time Machine backups folder? I have 100GB of data on my MacBook's drive that TM is backing up to a 500GB external drive. In 18 months the backups folder has grown to 375GB. I'd prefer not to have to get another drive in 6 months, so can I put a limit on this somehow?
That's exactly how TM is designed. It will use all the space assigned to it for backups.
You won't have to get a new drive in 6 months. Just un-check the +Warn when old backups are deleted+ box in TM Preferences > Options, and when the disk gets almost full, TM will automatically delete your oldest backups to make room for new ones.
Or, if you want to use part of that drive for other things, you can make a second partition for the other data. See item #6 of the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum. It tells you how to add a TM partition to a disk that already has data on it, but the procedure is the same.
Just don't put important data on that other partition without backing it up some other way.

How Can I Migrate My Time Machine Backups To A New External Hard Drive?

I have a external hard drive that has 500 GBs left, but I want to buy a larger drive.

ivan wrote:
How Can I Migrate My Time Machine Backups To A New External Hard Drive?
I have a external hard drive that has 500 GBs left, but I want to buy a larger drive.
Hi iVain
Fire up *Disk Utility*, click the Restore tab, then drag your old and new TM drives into the Source and Destination fields. Click Restore, and a complete copy of your old TM files will be made on the new drive. Go to TM preferences and select the new drive, and it will continue backing up just as it left off.
Hope this answers your question. See:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2595485&tstart=0

How does one SUCCESSFULLY transfer Time-Machine backup to a new (larger) hard disk drive using OSX 10.5.8

I have read a number of articles about how to transfer a complete Time-Machine backup to a new (larger) hard disk-drive. Some of these articles are specifically for OSX10.6 users, which are not applicable to me since I am operating with OSX 10.5.8.
However, I have tried several times to use the Disk Utility 'Restore' function, dragging my old time-machine volume into the 'Source:' box and my new volume into the 'Destination:' box. This works, of sorts, BUT the newly created volume on the new larger hard disk-drive remains the same size as the original volume on the old Time-Machine HDD, with no apparent way of increasing the new volume's size. So I am not really any better off:
E.g. the total capacity of my new HDD is stated by 'Disk Utility' to be 465.8 GB, of which I'm told 228.2 GB is used for the Backups.backdb folder, but only 4.6 GB of free space is actually available. Yet under the 'Partition' tab of 'Disk Utility' it tells me that there is still 236.4 GB of available space.
Does anyone know how to resolve this issue without upgrading to OSX 10.6?

First, how did you prepare your new drive? See:
Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder. If you need to reformat your startup volume, then you must boot from your OS X 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 (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
If you plan to partition this new drive then be sure you create a larger partition for TM than your old volume.
Next, clone your old TM volume:
Clone using Restore Option of Disk Utility
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4.Check the box labeled Erase destination.
5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.

Problems when Copying Time Machine Backups to another Drive

MacBook Pro Retina 250 GB SSD (mid 2013) and Mavericks:
I had a 1.2 TB TimeMachine Backup on a 2x3 TB RAID1 Thunderbolt Drive and wanted to continue these on a 1x3 TB MyBook (RAID1 appeared to me not very appropriate for TimeMachine Backups as I have always two redundant external archives for all my data, except system, applications and libraries)
i did this 3 months ago, shifting /copying the Backups from a 1 TB Passport Drive to the 2x3 TB RAID1 Duo. I followed strictly the recommended procedures on formatting the new drive. It took many hours, but there was no problem.
Now, shifting from the 2x3 TB RAID1 Duo to a 1x3 TB Drive took again 7-8 hours, but short of completion, copying the Time Machine directory Backups.backupdp to the new drive, the system said that there are files, unable to convert (???). See two of the messages.
The Backup directory on the new disk is some 40 GB smaller than on the original disk – and grayed out, i.e. unable to open.
Again I followed strictly the instructions for formatting the new drive, as I did earlier. The only difference in between the two actions:
a Mavericks update from 10.9.1 to 10.9.2
a pages, numbers and keynote update, which I deleted after a few tries and I reinstalled Pages9 etc. again The simplified apps were useless for me, as too many of the standard features of iWork 9 - an ergonomic, simplier but almost full alternative to MS Office – are missing.
What could be the problem?
Another message, the one about "unable to convert", I missed the screenshot...

Although the documentation says you can copy Time Machine backups in the Finder, it's very slow and sometimes doesn't work at all.
First, open the Time Machine preference pane and click the Options button. You may have to unlock the settings first by clicking the padlock icon in the lower left corner of the window. Authenticate as an administrator.
Delete the volume you're going to copy from the list of backup destinations. Then turn Time Machine OFF.
Launch Disk Utility, open the built-in help, and search for the term "Duplicate." Follow the instructions. All existing data on the destination volume will be erased. That shouldn't be a problem, because you don't want to mix backup and non-backup data on the same drive anyway.
In the TM preference pane, select the new volume as a backup destination.

Can I transfer a Time Machine backup to a new empty hard drive, without installing Mountain Lion again?

Can I transfer a Time Machine backup to a new empty hard drive, without installing Mountain Lion on that new hard drive?

Yes - I just did it the other night. Took five hours, but it finally finished and is working great.
I sort of followed the instructions found here -->> http://pondini.org/TM/18.html.
Also, if you want to have dual backups, see -->>
http://pondini.org/TM/27.html.
I say 'sort of' because I used Carbon Copy Cloner to do a block-level transfer. I just didn't want to get hung up with a Finder copy.
Give CCC a try - you have to enable the block copy in Preferences before using this method, but I was quite happy with it. I used it to move over 1TB of TM backups from a FireWire 800 drive to a 2TB Thunderbolt drive. 5 seconds short of taking 5 hours.
It should work well for you.
Clinton

Transfer Time Machine backups to a new drive

Is there an automated or an easy way to transfer my current Time Machine back ups to the new Time Capsule (I am sure I will inevitably buy it]. Looks like a great system for notebook users but I wouldn't like to start again with time Machine I like having the security of back ups I have already accrued. My current drive is certainly not full and won't be for a while.

So far not very many people have had much success in copying their Time Machine backups to a new drive although the Restore option in Disk Utility ought to be able to do this. However, SuperDuper will support that capability when their new Leopard compatible version is released which should be in a week or so.
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/blog/

Is it possible to move a Time Machine backup folder?

I have been using Time Machine with an external drive connected to my iMac via FireWire. Today I connected the external drive to my network using my AirPort Extreme via the USB port. The drive is no longer directly connected to my iMac
When I setup my Time Machine to back to the new drive location, it created a new backup set.
Question: would it have been possible for me to move my old time machine backup folder someplace so that I could continue backing up rather than having to create a new backup folder?

no, you can't do it. remote backups use sparse bundles and directly attached ones don't. you'll have to start a new backup sequence to back up remotely.

Can I still use my "old" Mac after restoring Time Machine backup to a new Mac?

Hi guys.
Will I still be able to use my old Macbook Pro 2008 (Leopard) after restoring his latest Time Machine backup on a new Macbook Pro 2012 (Lion)?
Using Setup Assistant and transfering data using Time Machine creats the same Account on the new machine that was on the old one. I just don't know how the old machine will react towards his clone. I don't want to make a mess...
Please let me know.
Thanks

It should work if the drive is connected directly to your Mac. That is not the same as saying that it will work.
Since Mountain Lion was just released, it might make sense to hold on a few weeks and watch the forums for new and unforeseen issues before you dive in.

Copy Time Machine Backup Folder to new harddrive

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