How do you access data on a Time Machine backup for a different computer?

Question

The hard disk on my daughter's computer is having problems - it may be broken.  If so, it may take a while to get the computer working again.
The information on the disk has been backed up to our Time Capsule using Time Machine.  I can see the backup file sitting on the server.
How can I get access to the information in the file from my computer?
I have read that it is possible to browse other user's backup files from Time Machine by holding the Option key when clicking on the Time Machine icon in the status bar.  This produces the menu choice "Browse other backup discs ...".  When I select that option, I am given a choice of backup files, including my own file and my daughter's file.  When I select my daughter's file, I go into Time Machine.
However, there is no data available to me.  There is no timeline, and the windows behind the current finder window are all black.  The same thing happens if I select my own backup file.  (Entering Time Machine the normal way works fine.)
So, as far as I can tell, the "Browse other backup discs..." option is non-functional.
Is there some other way to access the data in that file?
I'm also concerned that when I finally get her computer working again, which may involve erasing the disk and re-installing the OS, or perhaps even replacing the disk entirely, that the repaired computer won't be able to access her backup file because I might not be able to recreate here username/uid with the same credentials as originally setup.

Answer 1

Hi,
Thanks for the response.  Unfortunately, following the directions on that page does not help.
As I interpret it, I should be following the steps in the green box.  I can get to the point where I am asked to select a backup file, and my daughter's backup file is one of the options.  When I select that file, I am taken to the Star Wars interface.
In that interface, I can see a finder window in front.  Behind that finder window are a series of other finder windows, as one would expect in the interface, but instead of being normal finder windows, they are simply black rectanges of the same size.  I can browse within the front finder window, but that browsing is limited to the contents of my computer.
However, I did discover something interesting.  If I follow the instructions in the pink box, which tells how to mount the disk image of the backup file, I am able to browse within the mounted backup file using a Finder window without entering TimeMachine at all.  (Which to me is a big plus, since I think that the "Star Wars" interface is very bad.)
Of course, my daughter's file system is a mess.  I'm going to have to give her some organizing advice.  I'll also have to sit down with her after school to see if we can access the files that she needs.
Bottom line - I don't know at this point whether this is going to work, but mounting the backup file seems to have produced some progress.
Thanks,
Geoff