How to backup programs - Time Machine?

I would like to back up my programs such that if my hard drive crashes, I don't have to reinstall them.
I've got Time Machine running & have made disk images through Disk Utility.
Will either of these allow me to restore programs without having to get the install disks & serial #s again?  Or any other method?
Thx -

okcokc wrote:
OK - will check them out as well.  As long as Time Machine & Disk Image work, I think I'm good for now.
TimeMachine drive is not "hold the option key bootable" so if your hard drive crashes mechanically, your stuck until your internal boot drive is replaced and restored from TimeMachine.
A clone is "hold option key bootable" and lets you get right back to using the machine or recovering essential files off a problemlatic drive. You can even reverse clone back and replace a hosed OS X.
Carbon Copy Cloner and Superduper are free to use cloning tools for drive to drive cloning, but Superduper charges for more features like auto-scheduling etc. which CCC doesn't.
Some folks recommend having both a TimeMachine drive AND a clone or two for the best of both sorts of protection.
See Pondini's excellent balanced "pro/con's" of both solutions here
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Clones.html
Perhaps one day TimeMachine will be bootable from the computer that made the TimeMachine drive and solve everyone's problem, but until then one needs both solutions as hard drives fail just as often as the software fails.
Also in this list is a free TimeMachine Editor so you can control when TM makes it's backups and other really cool freeware that nearly most all Mac users will have a need for someday.
VLC (plays anything)
Perian (installs additionalQuicktimecodecs)
FlipForMac (Windows media in Quicktime)
TheUnarchiver(unpacks just about everything)
Carbon Copy Cloner (clonesbootdrive to another HFS+j drive, hold option bootable)
2 free 3D games - NexiuZClassic and Cube 2 Sauerbraten
LibreOffice (freeofficesuit, reads/writes Office files
Gimp (free image editor)
OnyX (free maintainenceandcleaning)
Pacifist (opens DMG filesforextraction)
Mactracker (inforonApple products)
NTFS Mounter (for WindowsNTFSdrives)
EasyFind(deep search)
TimeMachineEditor
TinkerTool
ClamXav (free anti-virus)
Caffine (keeps yourMacawake)
Browswerplug-in check (especially for Flash!)

Similar Messages

  • How to backup a Time Machine backup

    How can I best backup a Time Machine volume?
    After a house fire that luckily didn't reach the computers, I was thankful that I did have backups so could be sure it wasn't a data disaster, but it got me thinking. The server providing the TM volume is in the same room as the Macs being backed up and if the fire had entered that room, all would have been toast, backups and all. So I want to setup an 'off-site' backup to avoid this potential problem. In fact, it will be another Mac in a nearby but separate building and I want that to keep a copy of the Time Machine volume. In fact it really wants to be a mirror of the TM volume so it could be used as the TM volume instead of the original (which would of course be unusable, hence the need to use the backup).
    Since all TM backups are across the network, each client Mac has its own large backup file and any backup program that simply checks modification dates would therefore copy the files across every time as they would have changed, whereas Time Machine itself would only be copying a few changes each time.
    Anyone any bright ideas about the best way to implement such a backup copy of a Time Machine backup volume?

    Barney,
    I have a question along the same lines and it might be of help to the author of this thread.
    What about a Time machine RAID?
    I am thinking about upgrading my 24" iMac to a 27" with much larger 2TB HDD. My current machine has a 500 GB. I back up to two WD MyBook Studio 500 GB drives which I have partitioned. One partition is for TM archives (which is my understanding of what TM makes: additive incremental archives) and the other partition is for weekly bootable duplicates I make with Carbon Copy Cloner.
    I rotate one drive off site every week just in case of the dreaded house fire.
    This set up seems to work okay in that I have two sets of backups, with one off-site at all times. The most data I stand to lose is one week, since I switch my backups every Monday.
    However, the only drawback is that the Time Machine archives are not the same. They both contain the original TM back up I did way back when I first set up the drives, but since I am rotating the drives off site every week, they contain staggered back ups from thence forward. If I go to look for a file that I only had on my computer for one week and later deleted, that file will only exist on one TM drive and not the other.
    So, long story short, a three disk RAID seems to be the best way to achieve TM back ups that are identical. Two drives would be constantly connected to the computer with the third drive rotating off site.
    However, I have read on other threads that people were having problems using TM with a RAID set up.
    Does Time Machine play well with RAIDs? Is there a particular RAID set up I should use? Can I partition the RAID in order to separate my TM archives from my bootable duplicates? Will the machine boot from a duplicate stored on a RAID?
    Forgive all the monotonous questions, but I have never set up a RAID before so I am a total novice.
    Cheers!
    Thomas

  • How to backup with Time Machine for complete clean reinstall of OS

    My iMac has been getting slower and slower as the months go by and with each new software update. It used to be a lot faster than this when it was new.
    I'm thinking the best solution might be to do a complete clean reinstall of the OS. My question is, if I have Time Machine backing up of all the users Documents, Email, Address, Book, iTunes Library, and iPhoto Library files, can I just go ahead and blow away everything on the machine? That is, after reinstallation, can I just plug in the hard drive, turn on Time Machine and get all those data files back in the right place without difficulty?
    Or am I better off meticulously and manually moving the appropriate files/directories to an external harddrive and then fitting them all back into place manually afterwards?
    (NOTE: I used to have to do a clean re-installation of XP every year or so to keep the system nice and snappy -- it would invariably get slower and slower over time. Since I got my iMac (Tiger) I had never had this creeping slowness problem, why is it happening now with Leopard?)

    slegge,
    This might give you some ideas.
    Using Time Machine to Restore You Entire System
    Q: Can I restore my Mac from a Time Machine backup?
    A: Yes, you have several options: (In all cases Mac OS 10.5 Leopard is required as previous OS X versions will not work with Time Machine backups.)
    *Full Restore Via Migration Assistant & Time Machine*
    You can use the installation DVDs that came with your Mac and reinstall Leopard (Mac OS 10.5). During the installation process you will be asked if you would like to Migrate data over from your Time Machine backups. The advantage here is that you start with fresh system software. The disadvantage is that you may lose many of the personal preferences/settings that had been established with the previous system. But this may be only a minor inconvenience to reestablish these. Depending on whether you choose to migrate your applications over as well, you may be required to reinstall any 3rd-party software or standalone Apple programs. Don’t forget to run Software Update once the initial installation is complete to bring your system up to date. Using Disk Utility at this point to repair any permissions issues is advised as well.
    *Full Restore Via Time Machine Only*
    Alternatively, you can use the installation DVDs to do a full system restore. Insert the installation DVD. When the welcome window appears, go to the Utilities menu and select “Restore System From Backup…” and choose the drive that your Time Machine backups are on. Then select the date of the backup you would like to restore from. This will completely erase your internal drive and restore your system to a relatively same condition it was in on the date of the backup you choose. (See this article for a list of files that TM does not restore, http://shiftedbits.org/2007/10/31/time-machine-exclusions/) The advantage here is that you retain many of the personal preferences/settings that had been established with the previous system. Additionally, no further installation of 3rd-party software is required. The disadvantage is that BECAUSE you retain many of the personal preferences, settings, and system files that had been present with the previous system, you run the risk of reintroducing problems you experienced with the previous installation, including any issues that necessitated the OS reinstall in the first place. Using Disk Utility at this point to repair any permissions issues is advised as well.
    *Full Backup After Restore*
    Bear in mind that in all cases Time Machine will perform a full backup after a full restore. This is normal. Time Machine will resume incremental backups after the full backup has completed. To view previous backups, Control-click or right-click the Time Machine icon in your Dock or Option-click the Time Machine menu extra and Choose "Browse Other Time Machine Disks," then select your previous backup volume. You will enter Time Machine and be able to browse your previous back ups and restore files. (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1338)
    Hope this helps.
    Cheers!

  • How to backup from Time Machine of a different computer

    I want to restore my emails from time machine from a different computer?

    Look at the Pondini web site and it should be able to address all of your Time Machine questions.
    http://pondini.org/OSX/Setup.html
    Ciao.

  • How to erase iPhoto picture backups in Time Machine

    Hello.
    I can't seem to find a way to erase pictures directly in iPhoto while beeing in Time Machine as I do with the finder's wheel button. Delete key or ctrl-clic won't work. How does one do that ?
    Thanks for your reply.

    Hi Barry ! Thanks, I'm happy to be finally subscribed.
    Sorry if I wasn't clear enough before, let me restate it.
    (excuse my english)
    erasing pictures is no problem in iPhoto, but I can't seem to find a way to erase backups while browsing iPhoto Library in the past in Time Machine. Say I have pictures I've deleted, some pictures I don't want anymore (in the present), but Time Machine made a backup of them during many days, weeks, months maybe, how to erase these pictures in Time Machine ?
    I found how to erase backup in the Finder by pressing this button that has a wheel on it and then click on "erase all copies of this file" (I don't know how it's called in english, my system runs in french), but the iPhoto window (while being in Time Machine) doesn't seem to have any kind of buttons. Pressing delete (or backspace) while selecting a picture or an event doesn't erase it. In fact, there's nothing I found that can be done in iPhoto's Time Machine browsing except swiping events and restore pictures.
    My question is: how do you erase backup pictures in Time Machine ? Is it possible to erase directly in Time Machine iPhoto pictures, events ?
    I've look many different forums, including this one, everybody talks about restoring, but I could find very little subjects about deleting backups, and nothing while being in iPhoto directly.
    in fact, the same applies for adressbook application. How to permanently erase contacts ? If I erase them in the program, there's still a backup in Time Machine, and there seems to be no way of erasing them directly in Time Machine, just like in iPhoto. No button or normal functions work for that matter (backspace, ctrl-clic > delete eventually, etc.)
    Sorry for the long post.
    Message was edited by: Nordlaser

  • How to set up time machine so it can view old backup after renewal of user rights ?

    I am newbie in the mac world but I am very happy to use the devices I have.
    I just both and setup time capsule and did firt initial backup with time machine into account I have setup on the TC. But after while I was not able to view my user folder, so I resetup the user rights.
    But now when I turn on time machine, I say that I didnt perform initial backup. In finder I am able to see and acces my folder on TC now and there is also a file with backup with name Václav - Mac mini.sparsebundle just in the root of my user folder on TC.
    Can you please help me how to tell TM, that there is a initial backup that can be used for other incremental backups in the future ?
    Thanks for your help.
    Vaclav.

    I did that. But and then reopen TM but still I dont see backup performed any suggestions ?
    "Inherit" a backup
    Copy the following after the prompt, and leave a space, but do not press Return yet:
                                sudo tmutil inheritbackup
    If your backups are on an external HD, locate and open the drive in the Finder window.  At the top level of the drive is a Backups.backupdb folder containing a folder named for your old Mac, per the sample.  This is what you want the new Mac to "inherit." Drag that folder to the Terminal window. 
    (If your backups are on a Time Capsule, locate the sparse bundle containing the backups for your old Mac via the Finder, and drag it to the Terminal window):

  • I bought a new external hard drive for backups, but time machine won't do a full back up.  I think it is remembering backing up onto previous external hard drives, which I don't own anymore.  How do I do a new full backup?

    I bought a new external hard drive for backups, but time machine won't do a full back up. 
    I think it is remembering backing up onto previous external hard drives, which I don't own anymore.  How do I do a new full backup?
    When I bought the new (used) iMac, I also bought an external hard drive for backups.  It worked fine, but my husband stole it.
    Then I bought a new external hard drive (Seagate) and it worked fine for three weeks, then died.
    So I just got a new external hard drive, which was put together from an internal hard drive and a hard drive enclosure. 
    Time machine did the first backup today, and it should have taken 9 hours like it did on the previous first time full back up.  Instead, it took 30 minutes.  That can't be right.  I want to start over and do a full backup to make sure everything gets onto my new external hard drive, but I can't figure out how to do that.  Please help.

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
    tmutil compare -E
    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 will take at least a few minutes to run. Eventually some lines of output will appear below what you entered.
    Each line that begins with a plus sign (“+”) represents a file that has been added to the source volume since the last snapshot was taken. These files have not been backed up yet.
    Each line that begins with an exclamation point (“!”) represents a file that has changed on the source volume. These files have been backed up, but not in their present state.
    Each line that begins with a minus sign (“-“) represents a file that has been removed from the source volume.
    At the end of the output, you’ll get some lines like the following:
    Added:
    Removed:
    Changed:
    These lines show the total amount of data added, removed, or changed on the source(s) since the last snapshot.

  • How do I use time machine to backup to an external hard drive plugged into my airport extreme

    How do I use time machine to backup to an external hard drive plugged into my airport extreme?  I used to be able to but now time machine will not recognize my hard drive to select as a backup when plugged into my airport extreme.  I'm not sure what happened or changed.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks

    First thing to do is go to the Pondini tips page, then follow the link to his full TM site for all the details.

  • How to delete the old backup in time machine?

    Hi all,
    As I have use the TM for a year,the backup folder is on a network dirve. HOw can I delete the old backup (eg 6 months ago) in order to release more space?
    Thank you
    Gary

    Hi, and welcome to the forums.
    I'll assume you mean a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, not a Time Capsule or external HD connected to a Time Capsule or other Mac on your network.
    If so, you can delete individual backups via Time Machine. See #12 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). That may not seem to gain any space, since the backups are in a rather odd container called a +sparse bundle.+ It won't shrink automatically when you delete things, but the space will be reused for new backups.
    You may be able to limit the size of the backups by limiting the amount of space available to Time Machine on the NAS, but you'll have to use whatever facilities the NAS supplies, not OSX. Some allow the disk to be partitioned as on a normal disk, or allocate space to shares.

  • How can I force Time Machine to make a complete backup of my Hard Drive.  I just installed a new external drive for Backup since my previous one failed.  Now when I back up, Time Machine only backs up my data folder and the Users folder.

    How can I force Time Machine to make a complete backup of my Hard Drive.  I just installed a new external drive for Backup since my previous one failed.  Now when I back up, Time Machine only backs up my data folder and the Users folder.
    When I start a backup. Time Machine says "Oldest Backup: None; Latest Backup: None", so it seems like it should do a complete backup, but it only does a partial. 

    Hi I'd like to jump in here. Your app showed me this:
    Time Machine:
              Skip System Files: NO
              Mobile backups: OFF
              Auto backup: YES
              Volumes being backed up:
                        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 749.3 GB Disk used: 453.81 GB
              Destinations:
                        Plastic Wrapper [Local] (Last used)
                        Total size: 999.86 GB
                        Total number of backups: 64
                        Oldest backup: 2013-07-24 23:25:11 +0000
                        Last backup: 2013-11-17 01:40:47 +0000
                        Size of backup disk: Too small
                                  Backup size 999.86 GB < (Disk used 453.81 GB X 3)
              Time Machine details may not be accurate.
              All volumes being backed up may not be listed.
              /sbin excluded from backup!
              /usr excluded from backup!
              /System excluded from backup!
              /bin excluded from backup!
              /private excluded from backup!
              /Library excluded from backup!
              /Applications excluded from backup!
    Aside from the size of my backup drive, which I will increase at some point, I'd really like to have time machine backing up all system folders, especially Applications. How to I reset this hidden exclusions?
    Thanks,
    Darcy

  • I am trying to update my time machine backup on time capsule, but time machine keeps trying to create an entirely new backup (evidenced by the 200GB backup size). How can I get time machine to modify my old backup rather than create a new one?

    I am trying to update my time machine backup on time capsule, but time machine keeps trying to create an entirely new backup (evidenced by the 200GB backup size). How can I get time machine to modify my old backup rather than create a new one?

    It must have found the old backup corrupt.. so you will more than likely have little choice. You can archive off the old backup if it is still useful.
    You can also verify it. See A5 http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    He also has some info on this problem. eg C13.

  • How to restore a Time Machine Backup onto two Hard Drives?

    Hey guys,
    configuration as following:
    I got a SSD, which contains all system stuff as well as apps. Further there is a HDD on which all kind of Multimedia is stored. I've put a symlink from my Home Folder to that Multimedia-HDD: Users/IceThunder -> Volumes/Multimedia.
    Before my Mac crashed - I still don't know what was causing that - i backed up everything, so now I find two folders (System and Multimedia) in my .backupdb folder. If I use Time Machine to restore the state before it crashed it only offers to restore everything(?) on one specified disk, which is not what I want to.
    Is there a way to get back an exact copy of the former state? How can I tell Time Machine to restore folder "System" on my SSD and folder "Multimedia" on my HDD?
    Thanks in advance
    IceThunder

    Time Machine should restore to the disks from which the backups were made as long as each has the same name as before. For more help on this see Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help.

  • HT201250 Any ideas on how to recover my Time Machine backup with a lost password?

    I am trying to migrate my Time Machine backup to a new Macbook, but lost the Time machine administrator name and password.
    My old Macbook still connects to Time machine, so the information (administrator and password) is in that computer somewhwere - I just can't find it.
    Is there a way to find that information in my old machine or otherwise get into the Time Machine files?
    I am using a Seagate external drive connected to a wireless router.

    I have a similar problem.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/25676099#25676099
    Did you ever find out how to reset the Time machine name and password? I would appreciate hearing from you.
    Francisco

  • How to do a backup with time machine?

    Hi Communitieee,
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    And i have another question.. whats wrong with library? when i start my mac the message is popping up but i dont know what it means..
    Thanks
    KR

    Ok thanks mende1.
    Whats with time machine? I already take a look to the link but i could not find the answer of my problem. Can you please take a look of this screenshot?!
    I dont have an extern hard drive. i just want to save my pics and the other data of my mac.

  • How does one get Time Machine out of a "Preparing to Backup" loop to actually doing a backup? thanks, AR

    How does one get Time Machine out of a "Preparing to Backup" loop to actually doing a backup? thanks, AR

    Hi..
    Thanks for the reply..
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