Time Machine and clean install

I made a clean install (Erase HDD -> Install Mac OS X) to my MacBook Pro. All previous attempts to clean my computer from all the junk I had installed on my computer during my studies failed so I decided to make a fresh start.
I did not use migration assistant after install because I didn't want to get all the preferences from the previous install. What I did, I browsed spesific folder with Time Machine's "Browse other Time Machine Disks" -function.
The questions are, what happens to my old Time Machine sparsebundle-file if I start backing up again? Will it just add new backup after previous (before clean install) backup, will it destroy all previous backups or will it create new sparsebundle? Is it even possible to continue backups to the same backup-database?

Just to make sure I don't lose my previous backups. I have enough space for new backup, so is it possible just to move old sparsebundle-file to a folder so that Time Machine can make new sparsebundle on the root of Time Capsule?

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Time Machine and clean install to Lion

Completed a clean install of Lion on my 2009 IMac. But Time Machine won't recognize any backups prior to the clean install. In other words, when you enter Time Machine, it only goes back to the time you actually did the clean install. How do I gain access to the indexing for backups from my former system? The data on the backup drive should all be intact.

See Pondini's TM FAQs for starters.

How to restore files from Time Machine after Clean Install of Mavericks

How to restore files from Time Machine after Clean Install of Mavericks. I know the data is there but seems unaccessable because I may have changed the Computer or Owner name. Is there any way to fix that now?

Hi Linc,
my back-up data is managed by Time Machine; the actual data is on a second internal Hard Drive with a capacity of 1TB - not partitioned. I am using Time Machine and have access to all data backed up since Mavericks Clean Install but not the data prior to this date.
When I open the 1TB drive in Finder I can see a folder "Backups.backupdb/Sigi's Mac Pro/ followed by many folders of backup dates going back to 2010-09-20-103441 and up to 2014-02-07-142414 all followed with folder Macintosh HD. February 7th 2014 was the date of the clean install.
These Backups are followed by backup date folder 2014-02-08-075554 with a subfolder of MacPro-320GB (this is the name I assigned to my Boot Drive during formatting; I suspect I should have assigned the same name as before ie. Macintosh HD) and 2014-02-11 with a subfolder Macintosh HD, these are the ones I get access to by way of Time Machine > Restore.
Weird thing is on Febr 11 when I relised my possible mistake and renamed the Bootdrive back to what it was initially ie. Macintosh HD despite this I have access to all backup data since the Clean Install in both folders MacPro-320GB as well as Macintosh HD but not to any data prior to the Clean Install.
Is there something that Time Machine knows and prevents access or is it simply a matter of renaming the subfolder 2014-02-08-07554/MacPro-320GB to ........./Macintosh HD?
I like to restore selectively and not everything - It was hard work reinstalling apps that were supposed to be the troublemakers (ref my discussion on Maverick problems) but I now need to get onto data specific to some of these apps as well as other data I may have missed. Long story? Yes and sorry.
Sigi

Cannot restore iPhoto Library from Time Machine after clean install

I was experiencing various problems with my MBP and wiped the hard drive after meticulously backing up everything with Time Machine, or manually. I reinstalled everything. I was relying on Time Machine to restore my photos and events in iPhoto. When I select "Browse Backups" in iPhoto, I can see all of my backups, but can select none of them. Any ideas to save a decade worth of photos?

Hi a:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
I am preaching, but +"wiping/erasing a HD"+ should be reserved for true disasters. That is a Windows process.
Now, trying to help (I treasure my own photos - a lot), go to your home folder (~pictures). If something called iPhoto library is there, highlight it, open Time Machine, and then restore it.
If that does not fix the problem, try posting in the iPhoto forum. There are some real experts with iPhoto problems that may be able to help.
Barry

Restore from time machine after clean install of Mavericks

I decided to do a clean install of Mavericks to get rid of all the very old files hiding in my system folders. I made a startup disk following online instructions, rebooted from the USB drive and wiped the drive and reinstalled Mavericks. Then I plugged in my Time machine backup drive and tried to recover particular folders from the latest backup. However, I am getting a permission error that prevents me from going into the old user folder from that backup. It has a red circle/line icon on the folder. How do I get around this so I can select what to restore?

You might be able to view in System Preferences > Users & Groups.
Time Machine - Troubleshooting by James Pond is the best source around for Time Machine help.
I'm not seeing your issue listed. It's possible you will need to do a full Time Machine restore to another drive so you can actually boot from the drive then log into the user. If you have enough space on internal you could partition to restore there without polluting your current new install.
Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions 18. How can I copy my TM backups to a different location?
I backup to Time Machine but I also use a clone and use it over Time Machine when I'm trying to restore a User like youare trying to do. Hopefully someone else will have a better suggestion other than doing a full restore.

How can I restore my contacts from a snow leopard time machine to clean instal of Lion

I recently did a clean instal of Lion (which was wayyyyy to difficult by the way--why this wasnt an easy option to begin with I do not know and am not happy about).
In my sleep depravation from the previous problem I accidentally synced my contacts from mobile me to take my computer contacts (deleting all my contacts from my phone and computer).
Fortunately I have a back up on my time machine from my previously installed Snow Leopard.
I tried to restore these files, but they seem to not be compatible.
Steps I took:
1.) -Opened Address Book in Lion
-Opened time machine
notes: i could not go backward in time with lion address book
2.) -Copied files from time machine address book to desktop
-completely unable to open files.
I do not want to use migration assistant because it seems to want to take ALL my files over and frankly thats not what I want to do at all.
PLEASE HELP!

Hi,
See this Excellent Link by Pondini on TM:
http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/Index.html
May be Helpful...

Problems loading Time machine since clean install of Yosemite.

I have an IMAC 27"/2.8QC/2x2GB/1TB/5750/SD.
I recently tried to upgrade to Yosemite without success, I ended up taking my IMAC to my local Apple store and they ended up doing a clean install of Yosemite. When I came home I completed the install and plugged in my Time Machine to recover the historical date i.e. files/photos etc. Time machine is showing files going back to the 4th September and no further so far although it should be going back nearly four years, I am also unable to select any of the files/photos to restore. Any help would be appreciated.

Time Machine in Yosemite must index all of the old backups on your backup drive before they will work correctly.
That process will take a long time....a very long time if you have backups going back 4 years.
With my Mac connected to a Time Capsule using an Ethernet connection, it took 2 days for Time Machine to index the old backups, and my backups only went back about a year. It might take a week for Time Machine to index all your old backups.....assuming you are using Ethernet.
If your Mac connects using wireless to your network, the indexing process will likely take 3-4 times longer.
You will know when the indexing is nearing completion when you can access your backups and go back 24-36 months to see them.

HT201250 Assume I back-up my computer using Time Machine and then decide to uninstall a certain application. If I later decide that I'd prefer to have that uninstalled application, can I simply restore it from back-up, or must I go through install proces

Assume I back-up my computer using Time Machine and then decide to uninstall a certain application. If I later decide that I'd prefer to have that uninstalled application on my computer, can I simply restore it from my back-up, or must I go through the entire install process again?

Nobody can help? :(

I'm trying to install Time Machine and Airport Update V 1.0 but installer

keeps returning error message: You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer.
I am in fact running 10.5.6. Would the fact that this update was dated in March of 2008 have anything to do with it? I think it's the latest update for TM and Airport.
Any suggestions?

Kappy, how'd you get so smart. On further investigation I discovered that I had already downloaded and installed that update. I will follow your advice in the future, not risking showing off as a fool.

When I try to install Time Machine update I get this message: You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer. I have OS X 10.5.8.

When I try to install Time Machine update I get this message: “You cannot install Time Machine and AirPort Updates on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or newer.” I have OS X 10.5.8.

It's bundled with 10.5.3 and newer and can't be installed separately on those OSes.
(59310)

Time Machine and mounted sparse bundle disk image - file by file backup?

I think I had this system working in Leopard, but upon upgrade to Snow Leopard it seems to have broken. Does anyone have any idea how I can get Time Machine to back up the contents of a mounted sparse bundle disk image in real time - file by file within the disk image? For example, I have a 2GB sparse bundle disk image that i keep all of my bank statements/files/records in. It auto-mounts on boot and stays mounted. I use the disk image to keep it password-protected, so if I unmount it it is fairly safe. In Leopard, I would exclude the .sparseimage file from backup, but it would still backup the mounted image itself on a file-by-file basis, so I could enter Time Machine and explore the image folder by folder, file by file (say I deleted an old bank statement by mistake, I could go into time machine and recover as if it were a normal file/folder).
In Snow Leopard, after a clean install, and creating a new sparse bundle disk image and excluding the .sparsebundle file, I can't seem to get this to work even though the image is mounted. Is there any way to trick Time Machine into backing up the mounted image as it would any other folder? I know I can back up the .sparsebundle file incrementally but in order to recover a lost document I'd have to remount the old bundle and that seems rather roundabout.
Thanks,

I think you're trying to bypass the finder to mount the disk. Try this (I'll bold the key steps):
- *Turn off Time Machine* in the System Preferences.
- Option A: If you directly use a hard disk (not wireless) that has the sparsebundle you want to open, *connect the disk* but don't double click on the sparsebundle.
- Option B: If you are using wireless, this means use shift-command-k (or shift-apple-k), and if it says "Connect As..." in the upper right instead of disconnect, then use that button to *connect to that wireless drive*.
- Confirm the sparsebundle shows in that folder before proceeding...
- *Open Terminal* (Applications>Utilities>Terminal.app)
- Type: *hdiutil attach -noverify* (<-- notice a *space " "* must be included after typing this here but *DON'T hit return* yet.)
- *Drag the sparsebundle to the cursor in terminal*, and it should fill in something like /Volumes/HardDrive/COMPUTERNAME.sparsebundle for you. Now you can hit return, and the disk will mount.
- After you are done browsing sparsebundle's mounted image, *eject the mounted disk* like you would any other disk (not the sparsebundle image itself, just the disk icon that appeared if you successfully mounted it).
- Turn *Time Machine back on* in the System Preferences.
Hope this helps.

Time Machine and Updating.....Please advise...

I need to do 2 updates.......I need to upgrade my external hard drive for Time Machine, and I need to upgrade to Mountain Lion, from Snow Leopard ---
I have a 750GB hard drive on my MBP, I'll upgrade my external hard drive for backups to a 1TB .... Couple of questions... since I need to upgrade OS as well, , should I upgrade OS first, then install my new HDD for Time Machine and do full backup? OR the opposite, , do a full backup w/ new HDD then upgrade to Mountain LIon??
Also, , since I'll have extra room , , should I handle that new drive any particular way.....?? i.e. partitioning, etc??
Advice appreciated.......
Thanks

I think you are worrying too much about little details.
How much of the existing 750GB is used? Is that internal or the external drive?
As long as you have a full backup before you start you should be fine.. but I would download and install superduper.. the free version can do a disk image.. that is very useful when things go wrong.. as well as your time machine backups.
Then I would also strongly recommend clean install of Mountain Lion.. just google for the method.. it is not hard.. the result is much better than trying to do upgrade installs.
Once you have upgraded / new install.. then do a backup.. to whatever disk has enough space.. but new.. not over the old backup. You can partition the external drive if you need to.. so you can have different backups.

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.

How many times can you clean install leopard on the same computer?

How many times can you clean install leopard on the same computer? Will the leopard dvd run out of installations and not let you install anymore?

Hi colman Prez;
Now that the funny comments have been made, I have a serious question and that why are you worry about reinstalling Leopard with an Erase & Install which is what I take that you mean when you say clean install. In actually fact there is no such thing in OS X as a clean install.
I am curious because in all the years I have used OS X, I have yet to do an Erase & Install yet.
I know with Windows that they suggest reformatting and reinstalling at the drop of a hat but that isn't true with OS X.
Allan

Time Machine and Snow Leopard installation problem

I'm trying to install Snow Leopard, but keep getting an error saying that my hard drive is used for time machin back ups. I have unplugged my external device, turned off time machine, yet this keeps happening. What am I doing wrong? I have been able to install Leopard on the computers that I haven't used time machine.

BusyChris18 wrote:
1) Do I have to do anything special with Time Machine BEFORE I install SL? I have been doing regular backups with TM.
Do a "final" backup and turn TM off.
2) should Time machine disc be off/disconnected when I do the install?
It's safest to eject and disconnect it, "just in case."
3) After I reconnect TM disc after SL install, do I have to "migrate" stuff from TM? OR will it just do a new backup and work like normal from that point forward.
If you do the normal install, there's no migration needed. 99.9 % of everything will be fine. In some rare cases of 3rd-party apps putting things in unusual places, there may be a problem, and you may need to re-enter some 3rd-party app purchase codes.
If you erase the drive, then install SL, then yes, of course, you'll have to transfer your data. There should be no reason to do that, but some folks seem to do it out of habit. If you do that, when your Mac boots up again, you can transfer your data from the TM backups. And if you do that, I'd strongly recommend making a separate full backup on a second external drive, again "just in case," preferably a "bootable clone." CarbonCopyCloner and SuperDuper are the most common. (There was a post here just last week where someone did this, the restore got to 99%, then BAM! the TM disk failed.)
TM backups should just continue normally, although there will almost certainly be a long "Calculating Changes" phase (used to be called "Preparing"). And they've added a progress bar, which doesn't seem to be particularly accurate.
However, it may try a new, full backup. If it does, cancel the backup and do a Restart. That may reset whatever confused it. If not, there's nothing you can do to prevent it.
4) Will I be able to access files that were backuped when I have just Leopard?
Yes.

Time Machine and clean install

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