Old Time Capsule backup now useless?

I have a backup from August 10, 2009 right before the HDD failed in my iMac. Well, by the time everything was fixed, I just did a clean install of Snow Leopard and copied files over from a pre-crash clone.
Fast forward a month and everything is fine so I finally format the clone and recone using the current system. My reasoning is "well, I also have the old Time Machine backup in case I miss something" (took the 500Gb HDD out of my TC and installed a nice new 1Tb and put the old one in an enclosure).
Fast forward another month. Sure enough, I found something missing today. So I dutifully plug in the old TM backup and set it as the backup disk. Then, when I "entered Time Machine" none of the old information was there. All I see if "Today" and "Now" with no prior backups. Time Machine does, however, show that the last backup was August 10, 2009 and the sparsebundle file size is about right.
Can anyone help me figure out what's wrong and how to fix it?

Xian Rinpoche wrote:
when I "entered Time Machine" none of the old information was there. All I see if "Today" and "Now" with no prior backups. Time Machine does, however, show that the last backup was August 10, 2009 and the sparsebundle file size is about right.
Can anyone help me figure out what's wrong and how to fix it?
Try a control-click (or click-and-hold) on the Time Machine icon in the Dock, then choose "Browser Other Time Machine disks..." That may give you access to your old backup.

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OS 10.10.1 cannot access old time capsule backups

After upgrading to the first version of Yosemite, I was able to still access my old time capsule files which was great since I had to wipe my hard drive and do a clean install due to problems. But since I started backing up the newly formatted hard drive, all of my files originally on Time Capsule are inaccessible. I believe the data is still on the Time Capsule: When you look at the amount of space taken up on the Time Capsule it seems to add up to the old hard drive backup plus the newly formatted hard drive backup. But I can't see the files anywhere. And I need access to these files. Any suggestions?

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Is it possible to view files on old time capsule backup?

I am about to delete an old .sparsebundle that I forgot about (old computer), because my backups are not completing anymore. I was wondering if it's possible to view the files in that backup, I'm curious to see what I'm getting rid of. There could be old photos or something important in there. Is it possible to see the files? When I right-click to See Package Contents, it only shows "bands" and some misc. .plist files so I can't actually see what's there.
I'm using a 2nd gen Time Capsule, the .sparsebundle is dated 2009.
Thanks!

I was wondering if it's possible to view the files in that backup, I'm curious to see what I'm getting rid of. There could be old photos or something important in there. Is it possible to see the files?
Normally, Time Machine will allow you to go back in "time" and view the files for any previous backup date that you select. Is that not the case?
If, for some reason Time Machine will not allow you to see the files normally, there are other methods that can be used to "see" the files, but first the best approach would be to see if we can get Time Machine working.
When I right-click to See Package Contents, it only shows "bands" and some misc. .plist files so I can't actually see what's there.
Best to leave things alone in the package, as there are no user serviceable parts in there and any changes that you might make can easily corrupt things.

Accessing (continuing) old Time Capsule backup with new Powerbook

Using Migration assistant I set up my new MacBook Pro. I read that I could access my Old Timecapsule backup with Lion. I followed the steps alt click on timecapsul in the Doc (actually not the dock ...up where the ICON is upper right) Selected Browse other Backup disks selecked my backup but nothing happens. It keeps trying to set up a new backup and the old data is not retrievable. I would like to continue to use the old backup. How do that. No dialog pops up offering access ...nothing. I installed Lion after I migrated and after my first atempt to access Timecapsule data.
Oh old mac had motherboard replaced so can't access the Timecapsule with that anymore either.

Hi L,
The following site has a lot of info on TM; you might want to see if you can find your answer there: http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html

How do I connect an old Time Capsule to look for data from a previous OS?

Hello. I replaced my old Time Capsule with a new one a few months ago, and broke in the new Time Capsule with a fresh backup of a clean 10.9 install after migrating my user account.
Today, I noticed that there were some folders full of personal data that are neither on my MBP, nor in my Time Machine backups on the new Time Capsule. I am hoping that these folders still exist on my old Time Capsule which I used with 10.8.
I'm wondering how to search through my old Time Capsule and its Time Machine backups. Specifically, I'm wondering how to connect it to my MacBook Pro, and whether I will be able to search for my (hopefully not) lost data through the Time Machine interface, or through the directory structure contained in Backups.backupdb.
Can anyone help me out with a plan to proceed?
Thank you very much.

1. Turn off Time Machine in System Preferences
2. Unplug new Time Capsule
3. Turn off Wi-Fi in the menu bar
4. Attach old Time Capsule to power
5. Attach old Time Capsule to MBP via ethernet
6. Wait for old Time Capsule to appear in Finder > Sidebar > Shared
7. Select old Time Capsule in Finder > Sidebar > Shared and Connect to old Time Capsule
8. Select the Data directory
9. Double-click on the .sparsebundle file that represents the volume that was backed up on the old Time Capsule
10. Hold down the option key and click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select Browse Other Backup Disks...
11. Select the Time Machine backup disk you would like to browse and choose Use Selected Disk
12. Browse old Time Capsule backup in Time Machine environment, restore data as normal, exit Time Machine as normal
13. Eject old Time Machine backups (the .sparsebundle you mounted) under Devices in Finder > Sidebar
14. Eject old Time Capsule under Finder > Sidebar > Shared
15. Disconnect ethernet; disconnect old Time Capsule from power.
16. Plug in new Time Capsule (it boots); turn Wi-Fi on (reconnect to network, if necessary); turn Time Machine back on in System Preferences

New Mavericks install. Can't access old time capsule :(

I've been running Mountain Lion since January 2013 and have had my Time Capsule / Time Machine set up since.
I just reformatted my computer's drive to install Mavericks and I forgot to backup my iTunes Library.
I did NOT unplug timecapsule during the whole reformat / Mavericks install process.
In Mavericks, I enabmed Time Capsule and found that I have 2.75TB free of 3TB and that the oldest backup is Jan 2013.
Has my time capsule drive been formatted? my iTunes library alone is probably 50GB.
Is there a way I can access my old Time Capsule backups so that I can restore my iTunes Libarary??
-Frank

In Mavericks, I enabmed Time Capsule and found that I have 2.75TB free of 3TB and that the oldest backup is Jan 2013.
Has my time capsule drive been formatted? my iTunes library alone is probably 50GB.
Is there a way I can access my old Time Capsule backups so that I can restore my iTunes Libarary??
-Frank
Not looking good.. if there is 2.75TB free hardly any of the TC has been used.. it is unlikely the format changed anything.
Attempt a migration of the itunes..
http://pondini.org/OSX/MigrateLion.html
We don't have details of Maverick of course but it should be very similar to Lion or ML.
Other than that then I have to say your chances are slim..
If you are sure the iTunes was backed up and you checked the disk usage before you reformatted the computer and know it was using at least as much space as the hdd in the computer then you could pull the hard disk from the TC and use a software like data rescue 3 to see if there files were deleted..
Did you allow a new TM backup to start.. that could wipe out the original backup?
Other than that.. recovery on the disk is not possible if you reformatted instead of upgrade installed.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Remounting an old time Capsule and accessing prior backups

I was using a Time Capsule but it filled up. I decided to move my Time Machine to an external hard drive and keep the Time Capsul as an archive.
Now I would like to retreive a file frorm the archive. However when I redirect Time Machine to the old Time Capsule if is creating new backups but is not seeing the old ones. The disk is still full so I believe that they are still theere.
Question - how do I get Time Machine to let me access the old backups?

Try a right-click on the Time Machine icon on the dock, and then click Browse Other Time Machine Disks to see if your backups are there.
To return to your current backup set, click the Time Machine clock icon at the top of the computer screen. Click Time Machine Preferences and then click Select Disk to highlght your Time Capsule drive and then click Use for Backup. This will get your regular backups going again.

Restored system from Time Capsule but now lost access to the backup files

Last week, my drive flaked out and I had to restore my system from my Time Capsule. Now everything is back to normal except that I've noticed that upon trying to auto backup my Mac Pro, it says the disk is full. When I use Time Machine to access my old files, it appears I no longer have access to anything I had previous to restoring my system from my Time Capsule. I believe the link to the old backup file is broken and it's trying to create a new full backup file, in addition to keeping the old file.
Is this normal behaviour after a full restore from a Time Capsule or can I still somehow relink my computer to the file from which it was restored, and still have access to my backup files?

kencanuck wrote:
Last week, my drive flaked out and I had to restore my system from my Time Capsule. Now everything is back to normal except that I've noticed that upon trying to auto backup my Mac Pro, it says the disk is full.
Yes; everything you restored is treated as changed and will be backed-up again: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1338 Time Machine most likely deleted all but the last backup, trying to make room for the new one.
When I use Time Machine to access my old files, it appears I no longer have access to anything I had previous to restoring my system from my Time Capsule.
Exactly how did you restore? Did you restore your entire system, starting with your Snow Leopard Install disc?
If you didn't, it's possible the account you're using is not recognized as the same one on your backups.
Can you see the last backup? If not, see #E2 in [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of the +Time Machine+ forum).
Message was edited by: Pondini

How to connect my new MacBook Air to a LaCie hard disk with TIme Capsule backup from my old Imac? LaCie has USB 2.0, FireWire and eSata ports.

How can I connect my new MacBook Air to a LaCie hard disk with TIme Capsule backup from my old Imac? LaCie has USB 2.0, FireWire and eSata ports.

You can direct connect your MBA to the LaCie via USB 2 cable. If you have an Apple Airport Router you can USB connect the LaCie drive to the router and then use Airport Utility to configure it. Time Machine can access it either way.

How-to move time machine backup from an old Time Capsule to a new one?

As written on the title, I need to move my old backup from an old 500GB to a new dual-band 2TB Time capsule, but I have not found any hint.
I've found many suggestions how to move the backups between externa HD; from external HD to a Time Capsule; between Time Capsule and external HD.
But nothing about my needs.
Someone can give me an how-to or at least some hint?
Many thanks to every one!!!

Cesare Cerutti wrote:
As written on the title, I need to move my old backup from an old 500GB to a new dual-band 2TB Time capsule
I was able to do that by using the Finder to copy the "sparsebundle" files from the old Time Capsule to temporary storage, replacing the Time Capsule, then copying the "sparsebundle" files from the temporary storage area to the new Time Capsule. If your temporary storage is limited and you have more than one "sparsebundle" file to migrate, you can copy one at a time.
AirPort Utility also has an "Archive" function that you could use instead of a Finder copy.
I believe I saw recently a method of copying directly from one Time Capsule to another, although I can't find it at the moment. If that option makes sense for you, I'll look further.

New Macbook does not recognize Time Capsule backup from old macbook

I just purchased a late 2013 13" macbook pro. I have a mid 2009 macbook pro running Mavericks. The new macbook will not recognize the time capsule backup from my old macbook. I am trying to migrate all data over, but the new mac does not ever acknowledge the external drive that contains the backup. I've tried two different external drives with the same result each time. Both computers are running Mavericks.

Do you see the drive in Disk Utility?
If yes, run Repair Permissions then restart the drive.
1. Open Disk Utility in your Applications/Utility folder.
2. Click on the First Aid tab and select Repair Permissions
3. Click on the icon for your boot volume.
4. Click the repair permissions button.
In System Preferences > Time Machine can you select the old Time Machine with Select Disk?

My Time Capsule backups disappeared (blank black screens) and in trying to set it up again I now find that when TC is plugged in and on (green light) it cancels out wifi reception from my router. I am only using TC as a backup not for wifi. Help!

My Time Capsule backups disappeared (blank black screens) and in trying to set it up again I now find that when TC is plugged in and on (green light) it cancels out wifi reception from my router. I am only using TC as a backup not for wifi. Can anybody help?

Sorry, you have lost me since it appears that you have two completely separate issues here.
All that I can suggest is you start over and try to set up the Time Capsule again first...and then, once that is done and the Time Capsule is working correctly on the network....then, try to troubleshoot the separate Time Machine issue.
If you decide that you want to do this, we'll need some basic information:
Make and model number of your modem?
You are using OS X Mavericks (10.9.3), correct?

My old Time capsule was not working well. I replaced it with a new Airport Extreme. Now I can see the other airport express stations. I tried resetting them, but it did not work. What do I do?

I replaced my old time capsule with a new airport extreme. I have 3 airport express stations that I have all around the house. (2 1st generation, 1 second generation). I can't see them with airport utility. I tried resetting, but no luck. Any suggestions?

Bring all the express to the same room as the mac you are using to setup the network..
One by one, plug them in and do full factory reset on them.. they should then show up in the Airport utility as Other Wi-Fi devices (1) and you can select them and continue the setup.
If that fails try using the airport utility on ipad or iphone as they are far less problematic than Yosemite in particular.

Restoring an existing Time Capsule backup to a new HD

The hard drive on my 6 month old MacBook Pro failed inexplicably several days ago. After wasting half a day trying to repair the disk, I caved in and made an appointment at the dreaded "Genius" Bar.
They verified my suspicions; complete failure. They kept the laptop, ordered a new drive and two days later informed me it was fixed. I sat down and connected it to my Time Capsule with an ethernet cable. When I turned it on, it played through that now insufferable multicultural "welcome"-in-twenty-languages jam and I followed Apple's instructions +Restoring an existing Time Capsule backup to a new Mac+:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1177?viewlocale=en_US
My favorite step is #12: +Your Mac will check the Time Machine backup for a period of time.+ When that period was clearly going to be a while, I went on a run, came back 40 minutes later and...it had returned me to the initial post-willkommen-bienvenido-etc. screen where I get to choose a language. Okay, my bad for leaving it unattended. I started over at #2, and this time it only took about half an hour. It showed the folders on the Time Capsule, I selected all of them, and clicked Transfer.
Almost immediately, it dove back into the welcome song! Now, for the third time, I'm at step #12. It's been over half an hour, and still no sign of hope. Just the progress bar checking for backups.
Would they have installed Snow Leopard on my Leopard machine? I definitely told them what I had been running, but it seems like a plausible reason for the hang-ups.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

Amenity wrote:
Almost immediately, it dove back into the welcome song! Now, for the third time, I'm at step #12. It's been over half an hour, and still no sign of hope. Just the progress bar checking for backups.
Connect to your Time Capsule via Ethernet if at all possible.
After booting from your Leopard Install disc and selecting Utilities, select +Disk Utility+ and see if it can find the +sparse bundle+ containing your backups on your Time Capsule. You may have to join the network, etc., via the Airport icon in the menubar. If you can get the sparse bundle to appear in Disk Utility's sidebar, select it and do a +*Repair Disk+* (not permissions) on it.
Would they have installed Snow Leopard on my Leopard machine? I definitely told them what I had been running, but it seems like a plausible reason for the hang-ups.
That's fairly likely; it happens a lot, probably because most folks have upgraded and installing SL has become a habit. But it shouldn't matter -- as long as you're using your Leopard Install disc, it should work fine. Once the restore actually starts, the first thing that happens is your internal HD is erased, and everything is restored from your backups.
It's also possible that whatever was going wrong on your internal HD corrupted something critical in your installation of OSX, and the corrupted stuff was backed-up, and that's what's giving TM a problem. If nothing else seems to help, try restoring from a previous backup.

How can i retrieve a few important files from an old time capsule ?

Hi can anyone give me a step by step guide as to how i retrieve just a few files from an old time capsule ?
without a router ?
I've plugged an ethernet cable into the wan port & my mac & it shows up as a sparspsebundle data file
but i desperetly need to grab these certain files
please can anyone help?
can i use the usb port on the back of the time capsule
there must be a way HELP PLEASE many thanks

Don't panic we are working on it..
I am just avoiding Yosemite like the plague.. (plague on you Yosemite!!) .. as its networking is so bad it causes chaos on my network.. to all other devices.. even though only one device actually runs Yoyos!!
I am not sure how hard it is for you to go back to Mountain Lion.. or if you have a computer running ML on the network.. if so definitely use it.
What OS was last used by the MBP when you stopped using it or is it fully up to date. Is the computer in the network now? If so it is much easier to copy and paste the files from a live computer.
Did you encrypt the backup.. that would really mess things up or have an encrypted disk??
Have you used the normal TM tool in Yosemite to try and recover your files?? Or perhaps migrated the files.. this can work fine.. migration often being a better way of doing things.. although there are a few rules about using different user names.. etc.
There is another proviso here I must add.. Yosemite cannot see the backup quickly.. what I mean is that your backup is >500GB. Even by ethernet Yosemite version Time Machine can take more than 24hours just to index that.. maybe longer and by wireless a lot longer.. 3-5 times.. I do not know why spotlight is so slow in Yosemite.. but trust me.. it is pathetic. The yoyo got its string in a knot and seems to need to untangle it for every single file on the backup.
Be very patient if you open TM backup in Yosemite.. and definitely do this by ethernet not wireless.. otherwise you might die of old age beforehand.

Old Time Capsule backup now useless?

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