Restoring entire system from time machine

The internal hard drive on our imac had to be replace because it died on us. The guy at the store said that I could restore using our time machine backup which is on an external drive. He said that we could do this when we turned the computer on for the first time. I tried to do this but when I went to select our external hard drive to restore from it did not show up on the "select your disk" window rather the only disk showing was our internal hard drive. Assuming I could do this later I skipped the restore option and finished the setup process. I am now trying to restore our mac from the last time machine backup. What I have read on Pondini's site is that I can do this using Migration Assistant. I tried this but I am having the same problem. When I get to the "select your disk" window my external hard drive is not showing - only my internal HD is listed. This is strange because my external hard drive is on and connected and appears in the list of devices on the Finder. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks very much in advance!

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If I restore the system from Time Machine, are folders not in Time Machine erased?

Pretty much as per the title. I was messing around with my Internet connection (DNS issues) and now can't get online at all, and can't find other ways back online, so I was going to restore from Time Machine: but I've got some folders that aren't in Time Machine (mainly temporary files like podcasts, iTunes U, videos and the like). If I do a system restore from Time Machine, it looks like that material will be erased. Will it all disappear, or will the folders not in Time Machine be left as is?
Thanks in advance!

Yes, a time machine restore will erases the volume and then restores.

Problem restoring Leopard system from Time Machine OS 10.4.7 disk

My Imac is currently running leopard 10.5.8, but my install disks are 10.4.7. I am trying to restore to a backup on my time machine from 4 days ago (prior to a storm that seems to have corrupted my network system, erasing all information of a wireless network setup within my home), I have time machine running on an external hard drive and have the typical daily backups showing.
I followed the directions in the Apple files - brought up Disk 1 of my installation disks, selected Restore and followed the directions on the screen. However, all I can get to is the Finder list of folders and files on the Time Machine drive. I can highlight the folder for the backup file from the day I want to restore from, but the system will not "select" it for me to restore (in fact, that button remains grayed out). If I click on it, the machine just pulls up a list of all the individual files within the folder, but will not allow me to select either the folder OR any of the files to restore.
I bought this system used - it had already been upgraded to 10.5.8. What am I missing?
Other info: running a Linksys wireless network from a CenturyLInk provider. Secondary problem: I have forgotten my login keychain password (haven't used it since I bought the system 4 years ago). It is not documented elsewhere. Is there a way to reset it without using the old password?

reading similar posts I should add that I never changed the case insensitivity of my fs, so I doubt that could be the problem.

Want to restore printing system from Time Machine backup

I reset my printing system and am hoping I can restore all the printer settings I had from my time machine backups on my time capsule. I can't find instructions for doing so. Can anyone provide details?

B-Met wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I read somewhere else to look for com.apple.print as well, and to restore it, but I cannot find this file anywhere on the current hard drive or within Time Machine in any of the many backups. Is it a hidden file? If so, how can I find and view hidden files?
They're not hidden files, but they are system files. You can include them in a Finder search, but you don't need to search for them: just navigate to them.
To get to the contents of <your home folder>/Library/Preferences inside Time Machine:
Open a Finder window, preferably in List mode (in the Menubar, select View then +As List+ ), select your home folder in the sidebar, then +Enter Time Machine.+
Navigate to the backup you want, either by clicking in the "cascade" of Finder windows or the timeline on the right, One of the top-level folders in your home folder is Library. Click on the triangle in front of it, then do the same with the Preferences folder that's inside the Preferences folder.
In there, look for the com.apple.printxxx files.
Select the ones you want (so they're highlighted in blue), then click Restore at the bottom right.

Restoring entire mac from Time Machine

I had my HD re-formatted and the OS re-installed in order to get rid of some bugs that had crept into my laptop and now I am attempting to restore my entire computer from an image I had backed up on Time Machine last week. I have tried holding down the Command-R key combination at startup but that doesn't take me into a restore mode (as much of the technical support documentation says it will), so what should I do in order to restore my entire mac from an earlier image on my Time Machine?

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It makes no changes to your data.
Please triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
{ diskutil list; echo; diskutil cs list; } | pbcopy
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
Launch the built-in 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 by pressing the key combination command-V. I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, you may have to press the return key after pasting.
Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear below what you entered.
The output of the command will be automatically copied to the Clipboard. If the command produced no output, the Clipboard will be empty. Paste into a reply to this message.
The Terminal window doesn't show the output. Please don't copy anything from there.
If any personal information appears in the output, anonymize before posting, but don’t remove the context.

How to restore entire system with time machine

I downloaded an anti-virus program and decided to zap it. Removed all files in my Download Folder, and also in Applications.
I still have some items I can't locate to delete; such as an icon in tool-bar and annoying dialog boxes telling me "no cookies found."
How can I use Time Machine to go back to the prior day before I downloaded?
If I can't do this where would I search for "Barrier 6 Anti-Virus?
thanks, brian

Boot from your Install Disc first off, then follow Pondini's directions freom here on...
On LEOPARD or SNOW LEOPARD, start up from your Install disc (or Software Reinstall drive on a MacBook Air). Insert it and either wait for the Mac OS X Install DVD window and double-click the Install icon; or power down, then start up normally while holding down the "C" key. That takes a few minutes.
Select your language, then on the next screen, select Utilities from the top menubar:
http://pondini.org/TM/14.html

How do I restore my entire system from Time Machine?

I went to the Apple store a few weeks ago and the guy said I had to completely wipe my hard drive and restore it to get the kinks out. He backed the computer up to an external hard drive and wiped it. He gave me the instructions to complete the restorations but now it wouldn't work.

This web site should provide you with the required information.
http://pondini.org/OSX/Setup.html
Ciao.

Restored system from Time Machine backup disk but the system could not start-up

On MacBook Pro early 2008, restored the entire system from Time Machine backup disk to the entire disk.
The previous system on the backup disk had FileVault turned on.
The restore completed successfully and I was prompted to restart the system via the new restored system disk.
I heard the normal start-up sound, then the Apple logo, but it stuck at the logo screen. And the cooling fan run at almost full speed?
I have been waiting for a few hours, guessing it might FileVault the disk.
Finally I have to shutdown the machine as it stuck at the logo screen forever.
Anyone has the same issue? Any ideas?

BTW, I also tried Repair the system disk, Fix permissions via Disk Utility.
I guess I must lose some files either during the backup or the restore.

Trouble restoring system from Time Machine

Trying to restore whole system from Time Machine after a hard disk change and I get the following message;The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “boot.efi” can’t be read or written. (Error code -36). Can anyone help please?

I just had a hard disk crash, and had to do it. I couldn't figure it out until I called Apple Support, my support guy put me on hold and then told me about Migration Assistant. I guess they lose so few full disks, they don't include a full disk restore out of the Time Machine interface. Give me bonus points for remembering that you had the same question and coming back to answer it.
Glad it worked for you. So nice to have everything back, just like it was when you lost your disk. I really like the Time Machine. When you need it, you need it.

How to restore all system with Time Machine ?

How to restore all system from Time Machine ?
The backup disk for Time Machine is a Usb disk, and the Os is Mountain Lion 10.8.2.
Thanks in advance !

Restore the system with Time Machine and from the external backup Usb HD, by pressing CMD + R at the power on.
It worked without problem.
Thankyou once more !

Questions about "Restore System From Time Machine"

Looking to fix an apparent system corruption problem on my work machine, I discovered the "Utilities > Restore System From Time Machine" option of the Leopard installation disc. I have some questions that are not answered in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1177:
1. Does this option erase the hard drive and install a fresh system from DVD, or do I need to do that in a separate step?
2. What about software updates - when are they applied?
3. Will third-party system extensions be reinstalled OK?
4. I tried launching the process on my home machine, just to see how it works. At work I have a dedicated disk for Time Machine, but at home I have a Time Capsule, serving two Macs via Ethernet. I've also configured the TC to give us a shared volume; so in normal operation I have two network volumes, <Username>, containing Time Machine's sparsebundle file for that user's Mac, and "Shared". When I boot from the installation DVD and run "Utilities > Restore System From Time Machine", the backup volume list only shows the "Shared" volume. If I select it, I'm prompted for my TC username and password; I enter it, TC spins up, and then nothing. I cannot continue the restoration process, and reselecting the "Shared" volume does nothing. ???
Thanks in advance for your help.
-- Phil

For the record, here's what I've found out so far:
1. The "Restore System From Time Machine" option seems to want to restore everything, including the system, from the Time Machine backup. I wanted a clean system install, so I did an "Erase & install" followed by a "Restore from Time Machine" in the Migration Assistant. That got me most, but not all, of my settings back; exceptions include the printer configurations, the desktop picture, and the Dock settings.
2. Software updates can be applied after the new system is rebooted.
3. Most 3rd party extensions seem to have been restored OK, but some (like MacFuse) were not.
4. I'd still be grateful for any hints concerning how to get "Restore from Time Machine" to work with a Time Capsule.
-- Phil

Restoring my System with Time Machine to a new HD without the Snow Leopard DVD

Hi there,
I changed my HD in my MacBook Pro to a bigger one and then wanted to Restore the System via Time Machine onto that new HD. Sadly I dont have the Snow Leopard DVD that was coming with the MacBook. Though I have another Snow Leopard DVD, that I purchased earlier for my older Mac. Now the Problem:
When I try to Boot the Macbook Pro from the older Snow Leopard DVD it always freezes and says: "You have to restart your Macbook. Press the power button until it switches off and then press the button again". But iwill not boot from the DVD.
Is there another possibility to Restore my System from my Time Machine Backup to the new HD?
Kind Regards
Lounginbob

lounginBob wrote:
Though I have another Snow Leopard DVD, that I purchased earlier for my older Mac.
You can't use a machine specific OS X install disk with another model of Mac.
It has to do with hardware drivers being on one disk and not applicable to another machine, why you get the kernel panic.
Is there another possibility to Restore my System from my Time Machine Backup to the new HD?
No. You need the OS X install disk.
Choices depending on what your machine is:
1: If your machine with the missing OS X install disk originally came with 10.6.3 or later, call Apple for machine specific replacement disks, there will be a fee of course. That's the only ones that will work.
2: If your machine originally came with 10.6.2 or earlier, you can choose to buy the 10.6.3 retail disk from Apple online, however it contains no free iLife. It comes faster.
3: If your machine originally came with 10.0 - 10.6.2, and you want the free iLife, then order the machine specific versions from Apple, however it might take longer.
4: If your machine originally came with 10.5, and your now on 10.6.x via the 10.6.3 retail disk, you can extract the free iLife from the 10.5 disks using Pacifist from CharlesSoft if you don't want to buy iLife.
You will need this disk regardless in case you need to #18 Reinstall Just OS X or #20 Erase and Install OS X or perform #4-#6 repair proceedures:
Step by Step to fix your Mac
Is there another possibility...
Yes, once you have gotten a new OS X install disk, consider making bootable clones.
It's software that can clone your entire OS X drive/partition (no Bootcamp or Filevaulted) to another external drive and you can easily hold the option key to boot from it.
Most commonly used backup methods explained

Empty iTunes, then Restore Some Playlists from Time Machine?

My MacBook Pro is full, mainly because of the massive collection of music. Everything is backed up on Time Machine. I want to reduce my iTunes library by about 50% to regain some capacity. Can I delete my entire iTunes library off the MacBook, then reinstall only the playlists that I want from Time Machine? What's the best/safest way to do this?

+I just restored my MBP from Time Machine, everything went fine. But I feel my MBR start up much slower than before. So now I want to do a clean install Leopard.+
Wait on the erase and install. Launch Disk Utility which is in the Applications > Utilities folder and Verify your disk and repair permissions. If Verify shows any errors boot from the Leopard install DVD by holding the "c" key down until the spinning gear appears. Pick a language and choose Utilities > Disk and run Repair until no errors appear. Repair permissions.
If that doesn't work try resetting the PRAM which quite often fixes slow boot times.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
+Would like to ask you guys who experiences in Time Machine that after installing Leopard, I want to restore some applications from Time Machine such as MS office, Wow, Photoshop...Will they fully function if I restore from TM?+
I don't know about Wow but Photoshop and MS Office install too many files in too many places for it to be practical to restore them from Time Machine backups after doing an erase and install. You need to reinstall those from the original disks for those applications.

Restoring hard drive from Time Machine

I was having trouble starting up my computer, the gray screen with question mark was appearing over and over after other attempts to correct it I reinstalled the start up disk and then restored my files from Time Machine. Everything seemed fine for a day then my computer was freezing up again and grey screen with question mark appeared again. Is it time to go to the apple techs? Any help would be very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Cindy

Cindy 2 wrote:
I did as you suggested and my computer is running but Time machine will not back up. I tried to verify disk and got an error: filesytem verify or repair failed also incorrect number of extended attributes. Do I need to reformat it somehow?
This is for your internal HD, right?
If so, you need to repair the file system, as that can cause various other problems. Insert your Leopard Install disc and start up while holding down the "C" key. This will take a few moments. Select your language, then on the next screen select Utilities from the menubar, then +Disk Utility.+ Use that to +Repair Disk+ (not permissions) on your internal HD.
Most likely, all the errors will be repaired. If not, run it again. If they still don't repair, you've got a more serious problem.
Then reboot normally.
Do a +Repair Disk+ on your Time Machine disk (you can use the version of DU in your Applications/Utilities folder for this one) to be sure there isn't trouble there, too.
Then try a +Back Up Now.+ If it fails, download the +Time Machine Buddy+ widget from: http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/timemachinebuddy.html. It shows the messages from your logs for one TM backup run at a time, in a small window. Copy and post the messages here (be sure to get them all, as sometimes they overflow the small window).
My partition map scheme reads guid partition table, is this correct?
I don't know, since you still haven't specified what kind of Mac you have in your profile. But if your internal HD is GUID you must have an Intel Mac, and it's correct.

Restoring iCal Events from Time Machine

Hi
I read a few threads that were related to my question, but it was more from moving over files from different versions of the operating software. Here is my dilemma:
Somehow I erased all my iCal events. They were syncing with Entourage. I went into iCal because I had some duplicates and deleted event duplicates, when I did that I somehow deleted all my events. I do have time machine and have a back up of iCal. I restored the program from Time Machine, but the events are not back. I suspect that I need to restore the actual files that must be kept in a database somewhere?
Will someone please tell me how to restore the actual events and where exactly I can find the iCal events data. My plan is that once I restore iCal I will export and import into Entourage.
I really do not want to lose all my events. Thank you in advance for your help!
Brandon

HELP! Please.
I am a new iMac user. For weeks, the system ran perfect. This morning, I tried to synch my iCal with Google Calendar to let others have access to my events. Somehow, after the sync, all events at my iCal suddenly disappeared. Not just that, the list of calendars (private, business, etc.) was gone too. I then tried to synch iCal with all the events stored in my iPhone, but that only lead to my iPhone calendar being completely deleted too. I am totally desparate now. What happened? I then tried to use Time Machine to restore. But in earlier time machine dates, there was no calendar folder which I could use to replace mine. But I could not find a calendar folder there. Thank you for helping. Kind regards from Munich, Germany.

Restoring entire system from time machine

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