Retrieving work files/data from a time machine backup off another computer

If I create a time machine backup on one imac (imac 1) onto an external drive, I want to know if I can use this backup on another mac (imac 2) and restore or retrieve the old work files as and when required work from the external drive (time machine backup)? onto imac 2?

You can't use Time Machine for Restoring on iMac 2 (if you made an TM Backup with iMac 1), but you can easily drag files from the "Time-machine-Backup-volume" in Finder on your iMac 2!

Similar Messages

How to retrieve the Application Data from the Time Machine Backup, into newly Installed OS X Lion

Hi!
I recently intalled a clean Mac OS X Lion on my system, I was having Snow Leopard (10.6.8) before. So before the format of the hard drive I have taken the full backup of the system by Time Machine.
Now, after the fresh installation of Lion, I want to retrieve the data of diffrent previously installed applications like iPhoto, Address Book or iCal and so.. but certainly I want to retrieve the data only, not the full application (since they are the older versions of the application). How I can have the data of these applications into the new OS X Lion's blank Applications..!?
Please give some solution.
Thank you very much.

Lion hides your home library
there are 3rd party programs to help. having a CLONE of your old system often trumps what TM alone offers.
And it makes sense to start a new TM backup set on another drive and keep the old one intact.
Lion Community and TM section might be worth a visit.
http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine
There are also some tech articles on Lion's Migration Assistant

How can I view/copy data from one Time Capsule backup to another computer

My MBP and MB both back up to Time Capsule. From the MBP I can see it's data on TC via my network but not the backed up data from the MacBook. How can I view and import MB data to my MBP from Time Capsule via AirPort? Thanks!

Is the backup software Time Machine??
You can open the TM backup as long as you haven't used profiles to backup. Or encypted it in latest Mountain Lion.
See Q17 here. http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
You should read through all the stuff about using TM.. and restore in particular.. 14-18.

How to recover the autocomplete data from a Time Machine backup?

How to recover the Safari 5.1.7 autocomplete data from a Time Machine backup on Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard)?
To solve other issues (Safari crashing sometimes when saving web pages), I selected:
Safari - Empty Cache
Safari - Reset Safari - Selected ALL - Reset
I could later on recover some Safari autofill data restoring
HD/Users/~/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
HD/Users/~/Library/Safari/Form Values
HD/Users/~/Library/Safari/History.plist
but other autocomplete data is missing, including the one when filling web form search fields in web pages, for instance, and also some username and password login data on some web sites.
How to restore all such data from the Time Machine Backup?
Thanks!

I also recovered:
HD//Users/~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain
What else should I recover?

HT201250 I had to replace the hard drive in my old MacBook. I replaced it. Installed OSX10.6. Then using the system software I reinstalled data from my Time Machine backup. On completion it asked for my password. It is not accepted. I am locked out how I

I had to replace the hard drive in my old MacBook. I replaced it. Installed OSX10.6. Then using the system software I reinstalled data from my Time Machine backup. On completion it asked for my password. It is not accepted. I am locked out how I overcome this?
I was already using 10.7. But only had the disc for 10.6.

Sorry I am new to this. Am I in the right area? I am using my iPhone to make contact. I am worried.

How do i restore my hidden ical data from a Time Machine backup

How do i restore my hidden ical data from a Time Machine backup?

Use the go menu to enter any hidden folders.
Then click on the time machine icon to restore.

Restoring data from a Time machine backup of a potentially corrupted drive

I seem to be the queen of failing hard drives, heh. I'm on my third in a year, and will be addressing the root cause of these failures, of course, but right now, I'm wondering how safe it is to restore from my Time Machine backup. Here's the scenario:
-- Drive started throwing I/O errors, detected via SMARTReporter, about 2-3 months ago. No change in how the machine functioned, all OK.
-- I continued to back up daily to TM & Crashplan
-- While traveling for a month (and not backing up anymore, I left TM home), the machine started acting funny. Finder freezing, etc. I decided to clear some caches (by booting into safe mode) and see what happened.
-- This caused the HD to fail completely. Recovery mode, target disk mode, booting into single user mode and command-lining fixes, and DiskWarrior all failed to rebuild the directory. Failures were in multi-linked files/directories, the catalog file, etc.
-- I ordered a warranty replacment drive (and a new hard drive cable for starters).
When I got home, I borrowed another machine and just did a Verify Disk on the TM backup. It came back totally clean. So, my question is: is it safe to restore the data from my TM backup to the new drive when it arrives?

Shouldn't be any problem.
Boot from your SL installer DVD (hold down the C key on startup or hold down Alt/option on start and choose the installer disc).
OK the language page (if present). From the installer screen, go to the menu bar and choose Disk Utility; depending on the OS version it may be in the Utilities menu or Tools menu.
In DU, select your internal drive in the sidebar (the top item with the makers name and serial no.). Run Repair Disk. If that comes up as disk OK, click the partition tab. Select the partiton from the drop-down above the graphic; 1 partiton is all you need. Go to the options button and ensure that the partition scheme is GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for G5 and earlier) and the file system to Mac OS Extended (Journalled). Name the partiton (usually Macintosh HD), click Apply.
When that's finished, select the new volume in the sidebar (indented to the right below the drive) and go to the Erase tab, select Security options and select zero data (one pass is more than sufficient). Click erase. That will take quite some time; probably measured in hours and dependant on the size of the drive.
When that's completed, close DU and continue with the installation.
Shortly into the installation process, you'll be asked if you want to migrate data from another source. Select 'from a Time Machine Backup' and follow the prompts.
See Pondini's FAQs;
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/19.html
http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/SetupAsst.html
That should leave you with the same setup as you had on the previous MB.

Is there a way to recover files deleted from a time machine backup

My time machine backup drive was full so I wanted to delete some of the Virtual Machine files created with VMWare Fusion from the time machine backup. I accidentally deleted them all, instead of just some older ones, so I want to know if there's a way to recover or salvage the files I deleted from time machine.

If is possible do you have a Time Machine backup, What type of files are missing?

If I restore My Mac OSX Snow Leopard can I get all my files back from a time machine backup made on a portable hard drive?

I want to restore my MacBook Pro running Snow Lepoard, I made a time machine backup on a portable hard drive, can I get all the files back when resseting the OSX from the Hard Drive?

If you're using the Mac App Store version, there is initially no clean install option unless you're running the installer on a different drive or partition; your existing data will remain as is. If you're doing it from Lion's recovery partition or using the USB flash drive after erasing the internal drive, yes.
(64046)

How can I get specific files back from my Time Machine backup?

I wanted to make a fresh install on my MacBook Pro, in order to only have Java 8 instead of any older Java versions. So far so good. But now I want to get specific files/libraries from my external backup (USB):
One Parallels Virtual Machine
My old mail
My iPhoto Library
I don't need any settings for these, since I can easily configure them again.
I already used the Migration Assistent to restore all apps.
How can I get specific data back from the backup without restoring all stuff that I don't want anymore?
I'm now working on a new account on the fresh system, called 'Admin'. My old account was called 'Hans' (or 'hans') and I'd like to create such an account again for all my tasks.
Hans

How can I get specific data back from the backup without restoring all stuff that I don't want anymore?
I'm now working on a new account on the fresh system, called 'Admin'. My old account was called 'Hans' (or 'hans') and I'd like to create such an account again for all my tasks.
You will want to add the same User account(s) which hold the data you want to restore. So you will want to add a User account of 'Hans or hans'. Check your Time Machine back up drive to see how the User account is labeled (Hans or hans). Navigate to the Users folder and see how it's labeled.
You can then use your Time Machine back up drive and navigate to the User Home folder to copy its data over (e.g. contents from Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, etc.). Repeat for other Users.

Cannot access data from a Time Machine backup

Hey all. This might get slightly confusing so bear with me.
I have a back up on an external drive from Snow Leopard. I sold my computer and bought a different mac with LEOPARD. It said I couldn't restore because I don't have the version of MAC OS that the backup was created on. So I wanted to simply go into the backup drive and pick and choose what I restore. Problem is that it says I don't have the proper access right to do what I want with it.
So, I wanted to change the access rights to it. I did the whole "Get info" and change all the privileges on it. Still a no go. I even went into the console to change the privs there....no dice. So I even tried a program that is supposed to wipe privileges. No go. The Disk Utility doesn't even have it to where I can even do a permission repair. The option is grayed out.
I'm running out of options here before I take it to the so called geniuses at the "genius bar" for help. Any suggestions?

I did go out this weekend and purchased Snow Leopard. Problem is don't have enough space on my current drive to to a full on restore. So I picked a couple files to do a restore through the time machine and still the same privilege problem.
I'm thinkin' that I should just get on the horn tomorrow with the apple care and see what they can offer. I've had some bad run ins with those techs though, because I am also technical support/sys admin. Those people HAVE to treat everyone like they are dumb. One time I got annoyed because I told him that I understood what he said and that I did A B and C. He has to talk to people that way I guess because alot of people just can't figure out an Apple system if it didn't work like they expected. lol.
So I strayed from the topic. Funny thing about my music and movie files is I can play them through VLC, but I can't play them through iTunes. How messed up is that? SO, I can play through a non Apple program, but I can't alter it or import it to itunes. And as far as Ubuntu goes, the folders don't even show up as folders. They show up as pieces of papers. They are gone, just heavily secured.

Specific Files Deleted from All Time Machine Backups

Greetings all!
I hope you may be able to solve my problem here. Today I purchased a new late-2013 iMac 3.2 GHz i5, running OSX 10.9.3. I've had several computers this year and chose not to restore from my many backups, but rather transferred all documents, data, settings, etc. from my latest backup (completed today, which I know had all the original files) via Migration Assistant. Upon completion, I noticed that many of my folders and files were missing! My first response was to simply check my month-long list of backups for those specific folders and they were all missing as well. This came as quite a scare, as I run a design business and this is my main backup. Note: these are not files that would be on the list that Time Machine skips over; they're just my regular files (docs, pics, pdfs, etc.).
Now, in a few of the backups, in my User folder, there are more folders than others, along with a few seemingly random files (i.e. company A -> contracts -> onlyme.pdf), but the rest of the files are missing! Some backups include the main Music, Pictures, Documents, etc. and some only include a few. I've verified and repaired the disk, but this only made more files vanish from the backups! I have hidden files visible, which also has not helped. Is there something I'm missing? Disk permissions on Disk Utility are greyed out and I don't know of any other options. Can anyone advise? Are these files simply lost forever?
Thanks in advance!
Tim

If repairing the volume caused more files to disappear, then the drive is malfunctioning and must be replaced. That's why one backup is not enough to be safe. You need at least two independent backups on different storage devices.

Recovering data from partial time machine backup

I bought an external hd to backup my macbook using time machine. During the initial backup with time machine the computer froze. I took it to the apple store and they said the hd crashed, so they replaced it.
i had the external hd with me and they showed me how to find the files in the backups folder (using Show Package Contents) and said that I could drag and drop to restore any files i wanted.
when i got home, i tried to copy the files from the .inprogress backup and i got error code 1426. i've tried to use migration assistant, but it doesn't recognize a partial backup. i've tried repairing the disk with disk utility. i know the files i want are there and i can even use them (i can, for example, run ms word from within the .inprogress backup file), but i can't free them from this external hd.
any advice would be greatly appreciated

don't know if this will work any better than doing it from finder but you can try doing it from terminal
use the following terminal command
ditto --noacl path/to/sourcefolder path/to/destinationdirectory
to get a path to a folder you can drag it to the terminal window.
make sure all the spaces in the above command are there.

Moving files from a Time Machine backup manually vs restoring from a Time Machine backup

I have read several articles saying that contemporary Macs and OSs are built such that they clean themselves up - defragmentation, general sweeping, etc. I was told by the Genius, however, that there are many little files that are left lying around after installs, uninstalls, file making, and file deletion that will gum up the works. He recommended that I set up my computer as though it's brand new and manually transfer files over from my Time Machine backup folder on my ExtHD.
Because I couldn't find a discussion of this specific topic online, I thought I'd bring it to the community myself. Is there an advantage to setting up the computer from scratch and manually moving the files (provided I use Migration Assistant for applications)?
For background: My Mac was running slowly, and after doing some research and talking to a "Genius", I thought it would be wise to reformat my HD and restore my system. Aside from sluggish performance, I was experiencing strange symptoms - like free disk space remaining the same even after deleting huge files, permissions errors, etc. I tried doing a permissions repair (a process I'd been told to do before when experiencing issues, even though I never knew what that really did), and read that I should verify my disk as well. Disk Utility told me that I had to reboot from the repair disk to perform the necessary repairs. The repair disk Disk Utility told me that my disk had some major issues and needed to be reformatted and restored.
HOURS LATER: I am back up and running now and Disk Utility is showing the appropriate amount of free disk space.

Let's start with some basics.
Check under the Apple in the Menu bar About this Mac > More Info
How much Memory do you have installed?
What size is our hard drive and how much free space?
You'll find the term Genius does not necessarily mean they are expert. Even on this forum, you'll find varying difference of opinions and levels of expertise.
I have read several articles saying that contemporary Macs and OSs are built such that they clean themselves up - defragmentation, general sweeping, etc.
This is true. Apps like MacKeeper, CleanMyMac, TuneUpMyMac, Washing Machine or anything like these apps might appear to be helpful, can do too more harm than good. As a result of the 'cleanup' it can leave your Mac non-functional Mac. The forums are full of users with computers that no longer work correctly after running these so call 'cleaners'
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4171
Your Mac runs maintenance in the background for you > Mac OS X: About background maintenance tasks
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2319
I was told by the Genius, however, that there are many little files that are left lying around after installs, uninstalls, file making, and file deletion that will gum up the works.
I'm going to disagree here. Get rid of the installer from downloads after installing. After removing an app, most of the little files do no harm and take up very little space. However some applications mostly crapware/cleaners will leave files that continue to run silently in the background takeing up resources.
Don't install stuff you don't really need. There is no magic bullet to clean up your messes.

Can i restore from a time machine backup that is not the latest one?

I am trying to restore from a May 7th time machine backup. At that time my username was michaelhood. I had a system crash and when my computer was returned to me I inadvertently set it up under a different username, thinking I would do the restore later. Between May 13 and today, Time machine did backups under the name mhoo4494. Changing the name didn't let me access my May 7 backup, nor did creating a different user account. I have erased the hard drive and am reinstalling from the Install CD. I have set up a third user name. I now want to restore my data from the Time Machine May 7 backup. How do I do that? Migration assistant saw two users -- mhoo and mhoo4494 (michaelhood was not an option). I selected them both, but got no data for either -- no docs, no music, no pictures. This procedure should not be this hard~!!

Hi uclamikey90,
It is possible, using Migration Assistant, to restore the contents of your hard drive selectively. See this article -
Mac OS X v10.6: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from a Time Machine backup - Apple Support
In particular -
To migrate data from a Time Machine backup
In Finder, press Command-Shift-U.
Double-click Migration Assistant.
Click "Continue" and enter an administrator name and password when prompted.
Select the "From a Time Machine backup or other disk" option, then click "Continue".
Select your Time Machine backup disk or Time Capsule (enter the user name and or password if prompted), then click "Continue".
Select the Time Machine backup you would like to restore (such the most current one you just made), then click "Continue".
Select Items to Migrate, then click "Continue". Note: The "Continue" button will be dimmed until the "Calculating…" stage is complete.
A user account sheet may appear if you have a user name on your Mac that is the same user name in your Time Machine backup. You will have to give the username in your Time Machine backup a new username to avoid conflicts. Note: This will create a new user account on your Mac to hold the data from the Time Machine backup. After migration, you can use the /Users/Shared folder to transfer data files the accounts.
Migration Assistant will begin the process of transferring the items you selected to migrate. When it is finished, click "Quit" to exit.
When you reach step 7, deselect items that you do not wish to migrate. Videos, photos and music are likely candidates for this as they take up a lot of disk space. You can later put items on an external hard drive.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L

Retrieving work files/data from a time machine backup off another computer

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