Time Machine restore after a new HD

Hello
I am thinking of replacing my 17" macbook pro internal hard drive with a SSD. The process seems strait forward but I am a bit put off by all the talk and expense of cloning my current disc.  Is the following suggestion possible?
1.Back the current drive up with time machine
2. Remove the old HD and replace with a new SSD. I gather it can fit into the same space.
3. Do a repair boot of the Macbook from the internet
4. Format the new SSD
5. Restore to the new drive from Time Machine
6. Voila !!!
7....I bet its not that simple
Thank you for any response
Stephen

Thanks Andy
Good news. No, Command-R definately is functional. Its helped me out before!
Stephen

Similar Messages

  • Can Time Machine restore to a new internal HDD?

    hi all, i've got a 1tb external drive that's exclusively used by Time Machine. the 1tb drive is connected to my 500gb mac mini. i've been running time machine for 6 months now daily, i just wanted to know if it was backing up everything on my 500gb drive or not. how can i check that it's working properly?
    also, does anyone know how i'd go about restoring my mac mini in case i had to replace the 500gb hdd? can time machine restore everything if i needed it to? if i bought a new HDD tomorrow for example, how could i get my system running back to where it was running today with all of the current settings and files etc?  is there any way for me to check that Time Machine will actually restore OS X, all my videos, music and my work should the HDD actually die?
    is there an apple link i can read?
    thanks for any help.

    To answer your question about replacing a hard drive and recovering what was on your old one ...
    Yes, Time Machine was designed for that. You may have one of two scenarios:
    (1) Your hard drive is replaced by the Apple Store or another Apple repair shop, in which case they usually restore it with the operating system you had before and configure it so it has a new system with no users set up; the first time it starts up it runs Setup Assistant. When Setup Assistant runs, you select the option to restore from a Time Machine backup. It will then automatically restore your entire hard drive to the newly installed one. Everything will be just as it was with the old drive. Exceptions: you MAY have to enter user keys for software like MS-Office and Adobe Photoshop. and you MAY have to reinstall your printers and scanners.
    (2) If the hard drive is replaced but no operating system or anything is put on it, you need to boot from your Install-OS-DVD and install a new operating system on the new drive. Then, on the first reboot, Setup Assistant runs and you can follow the instructions from (1) above.
    A good informational site about Time Machine is here: http://pondini.org/TM/Home.html
    How do you know that your Time Machine backup is a good one? You can peruse through all the backups by running Time Machine and manually inspect that the files in those key folders (photos, music etc.) are all there and have the right sizes. You can "test recover" selected folders to a scratch location just to check that it works. I suggest you obtain another external drive and use it to make a "clone" of your internal drive using SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner. This is like a second backup, a failsafe in case, say, your Time Machine drive were to fail. This is not unheard of, since a power failure could cause both your internal drive and Time Machine drives to crash at the same time. The "clone" should be unplugged and stored separately to avoid this issue. You can update the clone, say once a week or once a month.

  • Time machine restore after crashed internal drive

    The internal drive on my daughter's MacBook crashed. She had been using Time Machine during the school year, so we have backups that are a little over a month old. I am a bit confused by the different Time Machine restore methods. When I originally set up Time Machine, I first set up 2 partitions on the external drive. The first was an image of the system at that date created by Restore. The second partition was used by Time Machine. I installed a new hard drive in the MacBook. I then did a Restore from the external drive of the System Image. What is the best way to restore to her last Time Machine backup? I want to make sure she has all of her class notes and papers in the restored system. It appears from reading some of the discussions, I could have just done an installation from the install DVD and then used the Migration Assistant to restore from time Machine. Is this preferred. As her system was originally a Tiger that we upgraded to Leopard. I have been considering doing a clean install of Leopard and then a restore from Migration Assistant. If I do that, is it better to do the clean install of Leopard, then Migration Assistant, and then install Ilife 08? Will that bring over the programs she has downloaded? Is there software or anything we would loose from the by doing a clean install from Leopard and iLife08 that is bundled only in the factory install disks? I would like to do this the best way possible and am looking for suggestions.

    moretoexplore wrote:
    I'm getting ready to install a new 1TB internal drive for my iMac and trying to determine the best way to do my system restore. I have two questions...
    Question #1: Should I use Time Machine to restore my data, etc, to my new internal hard drive? Is this the best way to accomplish this or should I start fresh and restore everything manually?
    that's up to you. the easiest is to restore from TM. if you are having problems with your current system you can do a manual restore but it's a lot more work.
    Question #2: I have two external drives. One is used only for iMovie Events (1TB) and the other is used for Time Machine backups (2TB). I use Time Machine to back up both the internal drive (soon to be 1TB) and the 1TB external drive (once again, my iMovie Events). If I use Time Machine to restore, can I restore only those files that were associated with the internal drive?
    yes. the easiest option is to do a full system restore which will restore your system drive. to do that boot from the leopard install DVD and choose 'restore system from backup" from the Utilities menu at the top. you don't need to install leopard on the new drive first. the drive can be blank.

  • Time Machine Restore After New Logic Board

    Older iMac (2009) had hard drive and logic board replaced.  Running latest system (10.10.2) before and after logic board replacement.
    When attempting to restore from a Time Machine backup made prior to the new logic board, although the iMac sees the Time Capsule and the "Data" file, attempts to proceed with the restore are met with error message "There was a problem connecting to the server [name of Time Capsule] - contact your administrator."
    Any experience with this issue?  Anybody successfully perform a restore following a new logic board?
    Thanks very much.

    I would refer you to visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with Time Machine and full system restore. It also provides instruction on how to restore a backup from another system or Time Machine backup drive.

  • Time machine restore incomplete on new hard drive?

    My seagate hard drive started to fail on my 2010 27" iMac (S.M.A.R.T fault, unfortunately not covered by the recall) and I have Best Buy geek squad warranty. I also have a 2T Time Capsule with backups, so I wasnt worried about losing any data (lots of pictures and tons of movies loaded into itunes). After waiting for the local best buy to send my machine off to get the HD replaced, getting it back and re-downloading the latest OSX, I restored it from my TC. The restore took about 30 hours (~450 Gb via wifi). Once it was complete I looked at a few things and was satisfied it restored my iMac back to the way it was just before I sent it off. After closer inspection, I noticed that about 1/3 of my movies were missing from iTunes. I thought, no problem, ill just go back 1 day in the time machine and get them. I guess since my hard drive is new, it didn't treat my iMac like it is the same computer. I can't scroll back in time on the time machine, or find a way to get my missing data back. Any help would be appreciated.

    Drat. 
    Try the things in #E4 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

  • Unable to access time machine backups after creating new user profile

    Hi,
    I had visited the Genius Bar with some problems with iTunes not opening. The Genius had indicated that I likely had some corrupt files and that the easiest fix would be to create a new user profile... So we did...
    After transferring all my data over to the new profile and setting everything back up as I like I deleted the old (presumably corrupt) user profile. To my dismay I no longer have access to any of my time machine backups that were created prior to setting up my new user profile... They appear to still all be there. However, I am unable to select any of the dates prior to the new user profile's creation and the deletion of the old profile...
    Please help...
    Thank in advance,
    Des

    desbiss wrote:
    After transferring all my data over to the new profile and setting everything back up as I like I deleted the old (presumably corrupt) user profile. To my dismay I no longer have access to any of my time machine backups that were created prior to setting up my new user profile... They appear to still all be there. However, I am unable to select any of the dates prior to the new user profile's creation and the deletion of the old profile...
    That's correct. What you see in Time Machine's "Star Wars" display depends on what you have the Finder window set to. While looking at the new profile, you can't see any backups that were done before it existed.
    You're right, they're still there, for now, but are grayed-out in the timeline at the right, because what's in the Finder window wasn't backed-up then.
    If you select your internal HD or Computer Name in the sidebar, you'll be able to see those backups.
    But since they're for a different user, you won't be able to view inside that home folder or restore from it -- one user, even an Admin user, doesn't normally have access to a different user's data.
    It's doubtful, but you might be able to create a new user with exactly the same name as the one you deleted, log on to it, and see if the old backups appear.

  • Time machine- restore after erasing disk

    I did a clean install (Lion) and then, wanted to restore from my backup disk. But restore was greyed out! So, I did a lot of drag and drop which worked. But one folder won't let me put new files in there. I get "This operation can't be completed because backup items can't be modified". OK, Any way to get past that? I can't believe that RESTORE is greyed out.. Thanks

    I suggest you start over. You can't restore from Time Machine by dragging files in the Finder. After a clean installation, when you reboot you'll be given various options for setting up the Mac. Choose Time Machine, then choose the snapshot you want to restore from.

  • Time machine restore after clean install

    I use a WD My Cloud drive 4 TB to make time machine backups of my Macbook Pro. I never partitioned this external drive but simply connected it as the backup disk for my time machine backups. I am on the latest software version of the Mac OS.
    As the disk on my Macbook pro was running out and my machine was becoming slow, I chose to wipe the disk clean by reformatting it. I did not want my entire time machine back up to be restored, I figured I will be picking and choosing the files I desired from the time machine and pulling them on my local disk as and when required
    I noticed recently that my newly formatted machine was also utilizing the same external disk as backup and it had started creating time machine backups - there isn't much data on my new machine as this has been only a few weeks old.
    When I click to enter the time machine, the last back up I can go back to is dated Dec 2014 which feels like it is the newly formatted disk's first back up and I cannot figure out how to get to my old backups. I see purely from the utilized capacity of my external disk that it has about 500 GB sitting on it which corresponds to the size of my original backup but I am not sure how to get to it.
    I don't recall ever selecting an option on overwriting the existing backup, so confused as to what I might be doing wrong
    I see some other posts on this topic but these people at least see their folders - I havent changed a version on my OS or my login id so this does not seem like a permission issue
    Appreciate your help on this issue

    You would use Migration Assistant to migrate the old "you" from your backup.
    If your issue was user specific all along, you may reintroduce the issue by migrating. If you fear it was user specific, you should log into Root and manually navigate into your backups.backupdb folder and find the desired apps, docs, music, movies, and pictures, and then copy them to the desired and respective locations of the volume, but you will have to address the permissions using "Apply to Enclosed Items" to make sure they will open, edit, and save correctly, depending on the contents that you bring over. Permissions can be a pain sometimes.

  • Time machine restore after reformat, Leopard reinstall

    I'd like to completely wipe my machine and reformat it, but not do a complete restore from Time Machine. If I were to plug in a Time Machine backup on a fresh system, would I be able to explore this now "foreign" backup and selectively restore the items I want? Or will the new system not read the backup as it was not configured for this particular Time Machine backup?

    Yes, you can. Connect your external drive, and then double-click to open it. The first folder you see will be the Backup DB folder. Open that, and you will see dates. Click on any date, then your HD should be in the next folder. You can look around it just like your own HD.
    You can also use the MIgration Assistant, and you can select your own account items, settings, Applications, or other items.

  • Missing apps after Time Machine restore after internal HD crash.

    2 TB internal HD on 2011 iMac crashed.  Apple store replaced hard drive.  It took 25 hours to restore from the Time Machine backup.  Immediately I noticed that many of the desktop icons were missing and were replaced by large question marks.  These include App Store, Mail, Firefox, iTunes, iMovie, iDVD, Safari, Quicktime Player, Photo Booth, Garageband, and Facetime.  When I select  Software Update...  I get no response.  I have no install media as it all came installed on the iMac I bought last year.  I am on Mountain Lion.  I turned off Time Machine to not confuse matters more.  thx

    Was able to get Firefox from a locally networked old Powerbook.  Connected to internet and downloaded iTunes 10.6.3.  Bookmarks and all music seems to be ok.  Now I just need a was to find which app is missing for "Software update..." and "App store...".

  • TS1338 time machine restore after clean install

    My MacPro 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual core Intel Xeon with 8 Gb RAM was having trouble booting and the drive was unable to be repaired 2x in 30 days, so I wiped the drive and did a clean install of Snow Leopard and brought everything back to date (10.6.8) cleanly.
    How do I get all my apps, preferences, keychain etc back from my most recent Time Machine backup? My user now is different, so Time Machine is giving me a hard time now that I am a new "me."
    Thanks!
    Artboard

    You would use Migration Assistant to migrate the old "you" from your backup.
    If your issue was user specific all along, you may reintroduce the issue by migrating. If you fear it was user specific, you should log into Root and manually navigate into your backups.backupdb folder and find the desired apps, docs, music, movies, and pictures, and then copy them to the desired and respective locations of the volume, but you will have to address the permissions using "Apply to Enclosed Items" to make sure they will open, edit, and save correctly, depending on the contents that you bring over. Permissions can be a pain sometimes.

  • Clean install vs. time machine recovery after installing new HDD

    Hello All,
    I have got actually two questions, but I think I only can do one issue at the time. Anyway: Here are my specs and question:
    1. I have got a 2010 MacBook Pro with a 320 Gb HDD which seems to be on its way to lala land (crashes almost once every quarter year)
    2. I have backed up my Mac with TimeMachine to uptodate
    3. I have created a boot disk and purchased a new 1 Tb HDD to be installed
    4. I plan to install new HDD in a bit
    So here is the question:
    Shall I make a clean install of Mavericks (and if so, how do I get all my e-mail and other data onto the new HDD), or should I just go with the latest TimeMachine update?
    (Also: If I partitioned the HDD and designate one only for apps and the other only for data, how would I do that?)
    Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. ... thanks, theo

    Thank you for your swift responce and help
    So this solution would remove the "clutter" and restore performace?

  • IMac won't accept password after time machine restore

    Restored 2009 IMac after an HD replacement by Apple. All proceeded smoothly until IMac wouldn't accept my password after the restore from Time Machine. Any ideas will be appreciated.

    One thing to try, if you didn't already do this, is to reinstall OS X and use Setup Assistant (which is only available at first boot of a new HD or a reinstalled OS) to migrate your data. A full Time Machine restoration on a new HD can have file permissions problems and/or duplicate User Account problems if Setup Assistant is not used.

  • Lost "Last Import" after Time Machine restore

    I recently had a hard drive fail on me but was up to date on Time Machine backups. So after a rebuild of 10.6.2, I restored my system from Time Machine. But now, I noticed that the last batch of pictures I imported before the hard drive went, are gone. They are still listed in iPhoto under Last Imported. And their Events Descriptions are showing up but all pictures are just empty grey squares, leading me to believe the links were lost. So I opened up the contents of the iPhoto Library and sure enough those file folders were gone also.
    Any ideas what could have happened? Maybe ways to get them back?
    I'm assuming the pictures are gone at this point - about 215 including my son's 3rd Birthday. Fortunately though, I have lo-rez versions on my iPhone.

    Experienced this myself today with the latest iPhoto on a Time Machine restore after a failed hard drive.
    I would guess the cause is that iPhoto writes the 'last import' into a cache file, and not to the Originals folder on the hard drive until the next import. Since Time-Machine excludes many cache files from its backup to save time and space from meaningless change (caches should always be able to be rebuilt), the photos were never copied to the backup drive.
    However, this is merely a guess, and is the only reason I could fathom as to why Time Machine did not back up photos that have been on the disk for over a month. Quick testing with local files wrote directly to the disk, which makes me think it may be only from a camera or some other device, but I am not sure exactly.
    If someone happens to find a way to get back the photos, let us know. Exploring the iPhoto library in Time Machine yielded me nothing, neither did rebuilding the cache database or looking for orphaned photos.

  • Undo time machine restore

    Hello, is it possible to undo a Time Machine restore on a new setup and start again? I had an iMac that I backed up to Time Machine and then bought a new iMac (May 2012). When setting up the new iMac I chose to install a copy of my old iMac from Time Machine. The new iMac is now a perfect copy of the old one..... only I really just wanted a totally fresh start. Can I undo this process so that I can set up the new iMac as if it is just a new computer and can this be done without damaging the backup of the old iMac that I have on my Time Capsule? Lastly, can I subsequently just take the photos that are part of the old iMac backup on the Time Capsule and save those to my new iMac.
    Many thanks in advance for your help.

    Last question first:
    iPhoto '11: Move your iPhoto library to a new location
    If you’ve created multiple photo libraries, be sure to move only the library currently displayed when iPhoto is open. To move a different library, you first need to switch to it
    If you start you iMac in Restore mode you can effectively wipe and reinstall Lion, fresh and new.

Maybe you are looking for