Restore iMac Time Machine Backup to Mac Mini

I've struggled to find a discussion that covers what I'm trying to do. I have a Time Machine backup from a G5 iMac that was stolen, not exactly certain which model. A friend of mine has lent me a Mac Mini to use but unfortunately when he tried to wipe his data from it, he didn't do a great job and wiped the machine entirely. It needs a FULL fresh install as it won't boot on it's own, however it won't allow me to restore from the iMac's Time Machine backup as it states it was 'created on a different machine'. The Mac Mini is the MB138LL/A model. I obviously don't have the original machine's installer disks to use so am a bit stumped. Thanks in advance for any help!

Order replacement discs from Apple customer service, if applicable, or buy a retail disc if the original OS was upgraded. Install, then import the data from Time Machine in Setup Assistant.

Similar Messages

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    bbour38 wrote:
    I planned on doing a fresh install of Mac OS X Lion — and clearing the hard drive and applications — rather than simply updating and keeping all my data. I figured a clean update could limit any bugs or issues I'd have.
    Unless you're having problems you can't fix any other way, there's no reason to do that.   In most cases, just upgrading is the easiest, quickest, most reliable way to go. 
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    Without a second partition or external HD, there's no easy way to erase your system, then install Lion, since you need Snow Leopard to do the download.
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  • I cannot able able to start my macbook and then i started my mac in a recovery mode now mac os X utility window opens with 4 options 1. Restore From Time Machine Backup 2. Reinstall Mac OSX 3. Get Help Online 4. Disk Utility if i try to restore my mac wit

    i cannot able able to start my macbook and then i started my mac in a recovery mode now mac os X utility window opens with 4 options 1. Restore From Time Machine Backup 2. Reinstall Mac OSX 3. Get Help Online 4. Disk Utility if i try to restore my mac with time machine no option appears if i reinstall from Mac OSX error comes and cannot able to recover from disk utility please help how can i reinstall mac OSX

    Guitar21,
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  • Help with Restoring from Time Machine Backup with new Hard Drive

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    Message was edited by: funman895

  • Automatic Time Machine backups to Mac on local network

    Hi,
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    BilFish II wrote:
    I have a similar problem, but didn't quite understand the solution...
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    |
    |
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  • Can't restore latest time machine backup

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    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
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  • Duplicate Admin accounts on restoring from Time Machine backup

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    bbour38 wrote:
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