OS reinstall - possible with Time Machine?

I want to re-install Leopard on my MacBook (did the upgrade thing from a previous version and have a few 'issues').
Having backed everything up to an external FW drive using Time Machine, can I re-install a fresh copy of Leopard and then restore data and applications from TM; or will TM restore system files etc and potentially corrupt the fresh OS install?

Realworldtv wrote:
I want to re-install Leopard on my MacBook (did the upgrade thing from a previous version and have a few 'issues').
That's a fairly drastic step. You might be better off trying to resolve the issues with 10.5.6.
Having backed everything up to an external FW drive using Time Machine, can I re-install a fresh copy of Leopard and then restore data and applications from TM; or will TM restore system files etc and potentially corrupt the fresh OS install?
You've actually got several options, depending on what's wrong and how drastic you want to be.
You can reinstall just OSX from the install disc, using the +Archive and Install+ option. That will move your current system into a +Previous System+ folder, load a whole new copy of OSX, and bring forward most or all of your other data. Then you'll need to use either SoftwareUpdate or the "combo" update to bring OSX up from whatever version is on your install disc to whatever version you want. Then carefully check the +Previous System+ folder for anything missed, before you delete it (it will take several gb; and deleting it will be lengthy).
Or you can do a complete +Erase & Install+ (often called a "clean install" by ex-PC types). That will, obviously, erase your entire HD. Then do the Software Updates or "combo". Then you can use TM to restore your Home Folder, any 3rd-party apps, and other data from TM. You must specify to TM, of course, just which items you want to restore, and do that individually.
Do you want to revert to a previous version of Leopard (like go back to 10.5.5 from 10.5.6)? If so,
you can do a complete system recovery from a Time Machine backup +from before the upgrade+. That will restore your entire system (unless you'd excluded things from TM). That will, however, remove any changes made since that time.
If you then want to recover the changes to your home folder, you can then use TM to restore only your home folder, via the TM interface. If there are things outside your home folder you need (like 3rd-party apps), use a similar procedure.

Similar Messages

Less frequent backups possible with Time Machine?

I'm new to Leopard and Time Machine. Is it possible to set Time Machine to update less frequently than every hour? I'm working in an environment with multiple Adobe apps open at any given time, and I've noticed TM activity affecting my work (response slowdowns). It would be nice to be able to choose how often the iMac gets backed up. Right now, I'm running TM manually.

Hello again em:
Just a note. I am sure that the process that VK suggests does what it purports to do. I recommend, however, that people avoid (like the plague) anything non-Apple that changes Apple's operating system software. That is an opinion, but I have NEVER had serious problems for many years. These forums are replete with stories of how add-ons or haxies or +"small changes"+ have caused grief.
Barry
Note to VK - This is not a personal criticism. I am raising the point that changes like this (even simple ones) work - until the next software update.

Mail backup possible with Time Machine?

I've done enough reading here to get that Time Machine does not back up the mail portions of the /var directory. As a matter of principle I configured mail services to use an alternate store location located at the root level of my server boot volume. Time Machine is backing that directory up, but just as it would be in the /var directory, some of the sub-directories are not accessible because of permissions being allowed only to _cyrus That makes it pretty difficult to check whether the contents of those folders are being backed up.
I'm just wondering if changing the permissions of those directories for read-only access for a specific user would allow Time Machine to read them and back them up properly, or if that might cause problems in other aspects with mail service in general??
-Doug

Doug
Seriously mate don't entertain it. All the Apple Trainers I've spoken to don't recommend using TimeMachine at all for backing up anything on OSX Server. I happen to think its fine if the Server is simply a File or Web Server or even presenting Shares as TimeMachine points for workstations. If OD and Mail are involved I would not entertain it. Even if you managed a back-up, the real issues will come when and if disaster strikes and you need to restore. There are far too many posts on here detailing the mayhem caused by restoring a mail or ldap database from a TimeMachine backup.
IMO any effective backup strategy should not involve fire-fighting a restore. However it's your server and only you will really know what's best for it.
My 2p.
Tony

How to Roleback iWeb09 to iWeb08 with Time Machine?

I want to roleback to iWeb09. Before i made the upgrade i did a Time Machine Backup of my system. What's next to restore only iWeb08? I'd like to keep the other iLife09 applications and emails and stuff i had done after the Time Machine Backup. Is this technically possible with Time Machine?
Thanks

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9013466#9013466

I have a mid 2010 Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard and foolishly upgraded to Yosemite. Is it possible to go back in time with Time Machine and reinstall Snow Leopard. Then upgrade to Lion or Mavericks? Any other ideas on how I can exit Yosemite?

I have a mid 2010 Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard and foolishly upgraded to Yosemite. Now have numerous problems. Is it possible to go back in time with Time Machine and reinstall Snow Leopard? Then upgrade to Lion or Mavericks? Any other ideas on how I can exit Yosemite?

Once you get yourself back to Snow Leopard, if you still want to upgrade somewhat, I would suggest the following:
1. Get an external hard drive that you can use for experiments with new OS versions. You could partition it into 2 or 3 partitions. You could then clone your existing Snow Leopard system to one partition using Carbon Copy Cloner (well worth $40) or SuperDuper ($25).
2. Buy OS X Mountain Lion for $20, through the Apple online store (I don't think it's available through the App Store). Apple has decided to make it very difficult for anyone to get Mavericks unless they have already downloaded it.
You will receive two e-mails from Apple, one containing a PDF with a redemption code, and one with the password you will need to unlock the PDF. Using the code, you will download Mountain Lion from the App Store, where it will appear among your Purchased items.
After ML finishes downloading, its installer app will launch itself. When you see this launch screen, QUIT the install app immediately! Go to your applications folder, find the Install OS X Mountain Lion app, and copy it to a safe location outside of your Applications folder. Keeping one or more copies will allow you to reinstall without unnecessary aggravation if you later need or want to do that. At this point, you can re-launch the Installer in the Applications folder and let it run. You can install it on a clean partition on your external HD, or you can allow it to upgrade the Snow Leopard clone you created on your external drive, or you can do both. This should allow you to test how everything works for as long as you like.
3. If you left yourself a free partition on your test drive, try a clean install of Yosemite and set everything up from scratch (do not migrate anything). This will allow you to see whether your problems with it were related to something in your Snow Leopard system.

Is it possible to configure Time Capsule to work with Time Machine (MBP) and Genie Timeline (PC)

I have an Apple Time Capsule (2TB) and I need to configure it to work with my MBP and Time Machine and also back up my a PC with Genie Timeline Pro 2013 (or any other suggested PC back up software).
Setting it up to work with Time Machine is simple enough but the PC access is proving to be difficult.
http://www.genie9.com/support/KB/KnowledgeArticle.aspx?KBID=198
I followed the above steps but still can't connect to the network drive. I have reformatted the TC and will be walking through the steps again. My concern is that the two different operating systems (Win8 and Mavericks) can't share the same destination drive.
I have created two user accounts with drive sharing activated. One in my name for my MBP and the other in the name of my partner for her Dell laptop.
Should the Time Capsule be partitioned? Can it even be partitioned? When I use Drive Utility it can't see the TC. The only way to connect to it seems to be via Airport Utility.
On a seperate note the TC Router Mode is set to OFF (Bridge Mode). I have connected it to the ADSL modem/router (WiFi Off) via the WAN port. All seems to be well. Am I loosing any useful functionality by doing this?
The internet settings are set Connect Using DHCP. I have no issues but I am not really sure what it means and if I should be using other settings. The ADSL modem/router seems to have all the PPP0E settings.
The WiFi on the TC has been set up with a 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz network as well as a Guest Network. I then plan to introduce 2 Airport Express (MB321LL/A). One will be an access point for AirPlay and the other a wireless extender with AirPlay.
There is also a Canon WiFi printer that accesses the 2.4Ghz network. It has an Ethanet port so I am wondering if I should disable the wifi connection and cable it and if so to the TC or the DSL modem/router.

Lion, 7.6.1 firmware and iCloud offers remote access.
http://www.apple.com/au/support/icloud/back-to-my-mac/
To do it without the iCloud service your issue is static public IP address.. if you have one this is simple to the point of trivial. If not it is very hard, as Apple did not put in a standard dynamic DNS service.. (ensuring you were roped into their cloud accounts). Static IP from your ISP is the best solution.. if it is possible go for it.
Then the actual protocol for access is AFP, so the only device you can do this on is a Mac.
Do you have the TC as the main router?
If you want any other kind of access, or to avoid icloud use vpn.. which teamviewer is a kind of.. but buy a real vpn router, and bridge the TC.. you can then vpn into your network with full security and get windows access via smb..

Can I back up computer with time machine on lion then reinstall snow leopard and restore from backup safely

Can I back up computer with time machine on lion then reinstall snow leopard and restore from backup safely?

If your machine came with Snow Leopard or earlier and you have your install disks, yes, you can reinstall SL. However, you will need to erase the entire hard drive so you will lose all your files. Also note that there are some apps (such as Mail) which can't be downgraded "automatically" such as with a restore from Time Machine. Here is some info on TM:
http://pondini.org/TM/14.html

Working in adobe illustrator - computer crashed - will not soft boot or reset PRAM - should i reinstall from CD snow leopard 10.6.3? I have an extra hard drive in my MAC with time machine on it set to do auto back ups. How do i recover ?

working in adobe illustrator - computer crashed - will not soft boot or reset PRAM - should i reinstall from CD snow leopard 10.6.3? I have an extra hard drive in my MAC with time machine on it set to do auto back ups. How do i recover ?

Well first you have to figure out what is wrong with the machine and solve that problem first.
Your post is very vague on what occured, and there are many types of "crashes" it really depends upon what see on the screen and what the hardware does, we can't see it to tell you, so you have to tell us.
I suggest you run through these user tips and provide more information about your hardware.
Disconnect the TimeMachine drive for now
..Step by Step to fix your Mac
Help us to help you on these forums
Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
If this is going way over your head, there are local PC/Mac techs that will assist you for a fee, Apple only does hardware repairs and is advised to use them if you discover it is, especially if under warranty/AppleCare.
Hard drive and RAM upgrades can be handled yourself or by a outside tech in many older models of Mac, but don't expect Apple to cover the new parts.
Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's

Backed up with Time Machine, reinstalled OS X, how do I import contacts?

Hi all,
I backed up my MacBook with Time Machine, and reinstalled OS X 10.5.5 on it, then upgraded to 10.5.8. How can I re-import all of my contacts back from the Time Machine backup?

PoisonSerpent wrote:
@Jolly Giant:
There is no AddressBook folder in the backup. There's an Application Data folder, but no AddressBook folder is inside of it.
EDIT: Thank god! I misread the post, and now my addresses are all back! Thank you SOOO much. Definitely adding that link to my favorites. One more thing. It's not about contacts, but it's about the Time Machine backup. How can I get my applications back? I tried copying and pasting the Microsoft Office 2004 folder to my applications folder, and it worked, but when I tried to run it it gave me an error. When I edit again I will tell you what it says.
Do you know what folders/files I need to copy for this?
You can not restore applications like MS office by hand from TM backups. they restore stuff all over the system and you need to get all those files. you can only restore by hand applications that were installed by drag and drop. fro MS office and any other app that used an installer you need to either reinstall them from scratch or run Migration Assistant (located in /Applications/Utilities). it will let you migrate all your apps from the backup. you can not pick and choose which ones to migrate though. MA also lets you migrate all your users (with all their data) but you seem to have decided to recreate them all by hand so uncheck that option.
Message was edited by: PoisonSerpent

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!

I bought a new mac and i migrate with time machine...but the backup was a little bit old and weren't save the latest modify i made in my website.. is it possible take the uploded site in iweb? sorry but i don't speak english very well.

I bought a new mac and i migrate with time machine...but the backup was a little bit old and weren't save the latest modify i made in my website.. is it possible take the uploded site in iweb? sorry but i don't speak english very well

But what can I cut and paste? the html code or image and text directly?
depend on which template you used.
if you use iweb photos page template then you need to search for my photos page solutions in this forum.
@ot: cut and paste from the online version
@rw: You can drag an image from the website to the Desktop
have your try your methods in iweb photos page?

I've recently bought a Time Capsule (3TB); then I've added an external HD of 2TB to my TC via its USB port to store my iTunes Libraries. I would like to backup my external HD with Time Machine in the HD of TC. Is it possible?

I've recently bought a Time Capsule (3TB); then I've added an external HD of 2TB to my TC via its USB port in order to store my iTunes Libraries.
I would like to backup my external HD with Time Machine in the HD of TC. Is it possible?

I would like to backup my external HD with Time Machine in the HD of TC. Is it possible?
Sorry, but not possible.
Time Machine can only back up the internal drive(s) in a Mac....or a drive that is connected directly to a Mac via USB or FireWire.....provided that the drive is formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
I am not recommending this, but you might be able to move the drive from the USB port to the Mac, and have Time Machine back it up that way.....then move it back to the USB port on the Time Capsule......but this will involve doing some risky things.....and manually changing settings around everytime you make the swap. Something will surely go wrong....but up to you if you want to try it.
Carbon Copy Cloner will back up the drive connected to the USB port on the Time Capsule to the Time Capsule disk, but these will not be Time Machine backups. SuperDuper claims to also be able to do this.....but I have not tested it.

If a reinstall my mac pro with Time Machine the sounds in the sound menu don't play if i click 2 times in the menu. if i reinstall mountain lion afther that it works normally does anyone now what the problem is?

hay
I working from the beginning with fcpx i have fcp3 to
But i have a problem with the sound effects in fcpx they dont play in the menu of fcpx if i reinstall my mac pro with time machine
It is working again afther reinstall mountain lion.
is there someone with te same problem or dus sombody now wat the problem is of this.
Or is this a iseu of time machine ?
i never had that problem with OSX lion
Thanks

Try getting the free "Preference Manger" applicaiton from Digital Rebellion (dot com). Use it to trash the FCP X preference files. See if that helps.
Also, on the new Mac, go into the App Store, under the Store menu, make sure you are signed in.

I had to put new HD in macbook, backed up with ext HD with time machine, what doi do now? possible to partition so i have not all the old 'junk' on clean drive?

i had to put new HD in macbook, backed up with ext HD with time machine, what doi do now? possible to partition so i have not all the old 'junk' on clean drive?

Do you have the OS 10.6 disk? You can run Disk Utility from that disk and format and partition the new drive.
If you don't have the disk you can buy it from Apple for $20.00
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Post back when you are ready to proceed.

Using network drive with time machine. IS IT POSSIBLE?

There are lots of discussion on using network drives with time machine. I have not been able to make them work. Could somebody tell me if this is possible

Time Machine does not back up to network drives, except Time Capsules or USB drives connected to an Airport Extreme, or a drive on a Mac running Leopard.
Here's the official word: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1733
You may find some "hacks" that might make it work, in some cases, to a degree. But use them at your own risk.
First, since this is *unsupported by Apple,* there's nowhere to go when there's trouble.
Second, you're risking a future update preventing it from working, and perhaps rendering your backups useless.
If you still think this is a good idea, do yourself a favor before you bet your backups on it: be sure it really works, at least for now:
1. Get a copy of CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper! or the like, and make a full bootable clone of your internal HD, on an external disk. Test it by booting from it. Then reboot from your internal HD.
2. Let TM do it's first, full, initial backup.
3. Attempt a full system restore (like you'll need when, not if, your internal HD fails), via the instructions in item 14 of the of the Frequently Asked Questions post at the top of this forum.
Again, even if it works today, tomorrow is another day . . .

OS reinstall - possible with Time Machine?

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