How do I migrate from a Time Machine backup of a larger hard driver to a smaller hard drive?

My old MacBook Pro has a 1 TB drive. My new one has a 256 GB drive (SSD, as you might guess). I want to use Migration Assistant to move my files from my Time Machine backup to my new MBP. But obviously not all the files are going to fit. If I leave out my music and movies and a couple other things then it will work.
So I selectively migrated just the things that would fit, thinking that I could then fire up Time Machine and restore those other files to an external drive. That doesn't work, though, because my new computer is not recognizing the old computer's Time Machine, and instead is trying to create a new Time Machine area.
What's the best way to solve this problem? The end result I want is for my users and applications to be restored to the new computer, and my movies and music to be restored to external storage.

Aha, I think I found my own answer. I had to Browse Other Backup Disks by Alt-clicking the Time Machine icon. Then I could find the directory I wanted (iTunes Music, for example) and right-click on that to restore to a different location.
Thanks to http://pondini.org/TM/17.html!

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  • Vexing migration from a Time Machine backup

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    Yes this is an interesting issue. I was wondering what would happen in such a given situation because I feared it would create problems. It makes you wonder what the need would be for time machine if it can not assist you in case your computer lets you down.....

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    Boot from your SL installer DVD (hold down the C key on startup or hold down Alt/option on start and choose the installer disc).
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    When that's completed, close DU and continue with the installation.
    Shortly into the installation process, you'll be asked if you want to migrate data from another source. Select 'from a Time Machine Backup' and follow the prompts.
    See Pondini's FAQs;
    http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/19.html
    http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/SetupAsst.html
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  • I need to create a new iPhoto library and import 'ORIGINALS' from a time machine backup on an external hard drive.

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  • Restoring from a Time Machine Backup on a new Hard drive

    Hi,
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    I have this same question.  My hard drive died, and the last few Time Machine backups appear to be incomplete or corrupted.  New hard drive installed now.  Migration Assistant and Setup Assistant first refuse to even recognize my backup drive, then insist on migrating data from the newest backup instead of an older (but definitely complete and reliable) backup.  So I haven't migrated anything and am still using my old (OS 10.4) computer until i get this straightened out.  Ideas?

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    Thanks,
    Dave

    I may have solved this (partly). A search reveal A LOT of peoplel having the same issue.  One solution put forward was that the Time Machine backups were not complete.  I noticed in mine, non of the backups for a quite a while have no Applications or System files backup.  The solution was to do a TM reset.  I did that and ran a new backup of the one MacBook Pro that is still working.  After it was complete, the backup had the Applications and System data in it.  I was able to open the Migration ssistant and it found the drive.
    Now I just have to hope that the repair shop can salvage my malfuncitoning MB Pro so I can solve the main issue either by Migrating fromht MB Pro or make a new back up of the MB Pro after TM reset and use that for the migration.  Won't till tomorrow (hopefully).
    Dave

  • Cannot Migrate from last Time Machine Backup

    My hard drive some how failed or had a file structure problem and I had to completely wipe the hard drive and start over. Fortunately I have been continually backing up my hard drive.
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    Do you have the same problem with both, the migration assistant (after install) and the setup-based time machine recovery ?

  • HT201250 Can i restore the entire system from a time machine backup to a new hard drive ?

    If yes... does it restore EVERYTHING like it was before the crash... including Applications, emails, etc. OR i am better with a disk image to restore EVERYTHING ?

    You need to install Lion on the new drive first, and then use Setup assistant.
    After you've chosen a language and your network settings, it will take you into migration assistant, from which you can choose to tranfer information from Time Machine.
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  • How do I reinstall Mavericks from a time machine backup? (Hard drive failure)

    Ok, so I have a mid-2007 iMac and the hard drive finally died.  It originally shipped with Leopard or something, but I had it upgraded to Mavericks.  I have an external hard drive with a current Time Machine backup on it.  I am about to replace the internal hard drive with a brand new (unformatted) hard drive.  So here is the question: Is there a way to boot from my Time Machine backup and then reformat the drive and do a Time Machine recovery?
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    You can try this. OPTION boot the computer.
    Boot Using OPTION key:
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      2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the
          "OPTION" key.
      3. Release the key when the boot manager appears.
      4. Select the disk icon labeled Recovery HD.
      5. Click on the arrow button below the icon.
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    Drive Partition and Format
    1. Open 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.
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    When the formatting is done quit Disk Utility and return to the Main Menu. Now select the option to restore/reinstall OS X from a Time Machine backup. Follow the directions.

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    do I need startup discs to upgrade hardware on MacBook Pro or can I restore the hard drive from from a Time Machine backup?

    Ok, well go and grab a small 2.5" hard drive enclosure so you can put the new drive in & temporarily use it like an external hard drive.
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  • How do you migrate a FileVault-protected account from a Time Machine backup?

    Recently the hard drive on my Macbook Pro died and had to be replaced. Prior to the hard drive's failure, I had backed up my sole user account to an external hard drive using Time Machine. When setting up the new hard drive for the first time, I used Migration Assistant to restore my user account to my new hard drive. However, when I go to log in to the user account I transferred over, I encounter the following error: "You are unable to log in to the FileVault user account "User" at this time. Log in failed because an error occurred." I am absolutely positive I entered the correct password.
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    A google search for You are unable to log in to the FileVault user account yielded many hits, including this one: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4184 which might help resolve your issue. I don't use TM, so that's all I have to offer.

  • In migrating to a 21.3" iMac from a Time Machine backup, can I do this more than once?

    In migrating to a 21.3" iMac from a Time Machine backup, can I do this more than once?

    David,
    My apologies....I was working on questions from a different thread and thought yours was part of that one.  Your question is fine where it is....
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  • Migration Assistant from a Time Machine backup

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    Try using Setup Assistant.
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