Time Machine: restore file to different computer

I would like a recommendation on how to restore a file from the Time Share volume of one mac to a different mac.
I have 2 machines: macbook pro & mac air both both running latest mountian lion. Each keeps its own time share volume on a network server. The two have some sync'd shares, but in general, they are not fully sync'd.
the macbook pro is in the shop for repair for a few days and I'd like to fetch some of it's files from its time machine backup onto the macair. I'm a little reluctant to simply fire up Time Machine on the mac air and respecify it's storage volume to be the macbook pro's volume. I'm concerned about internal configuration changes Time Machine might make to the mac air, including making changes that might cause it to have to do a full (not differential) back up when I reconfigure the mac air's Time Machine to use it's own backup volume after I'm done getting files from the macbook pro backup volume.
In addition to simply getting access to some of the files of the mac in the shop, I want to get the mac calendar from that machine and use it on the mac air. I understand that this may be somewhat trickier.

Not sure how this article applies to my problem Eric. I simply want to get a few files from the backup volume of a different computer, so that I can work on them while the other computer is being repaired. The article you cite talks about restoring a full backup to a different computer.
I think I did find a way to do what I want. I'm able to log in to the network backup server and access the shared volume where the time share backup image I'm interested is stored (as a sparse image). I'm able to open the sparse image as a volume on my desktop and have access to the files inside. I should be able to copy these onto the operable laptop (the macair) without upsetting the backup image, so that's what I intend to do. If and when I see that that works, I'll note it in this thread

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Time Machine restore to a different computer?

I blew out the power supply in my 5-6 year old iMac G5 in the course of an overseas move. I'll try to get it fixed, but it needed replacing anyway, so I have a new iMac on order. I have a full Time Machine backup on an external HD, and while I find plenty of guidance out there about doing a Time Machine restore to the same computer, what if you have a brand new computer? Presumably there will be some system stuff that I don't want to overwrite from the old computer, but I would like the data and apps. Any help?

Glenn Leishner wrote:
Thanks for the response. I haven't used Migration Assistant, but I read the instructions. So when it prompts you to plug in the other computer via FireWire, you just plug in the external HD with the TimeMachine backup on it? And it then lets you pull over the data you want?
yes. when you start Migration Assistant it gives you an option to migrate from a TM backup. just follow the instructions.

Can I Use Time Machine Restore Files to a New Computer?

I use Time Machine to backup my data to an external drive. Let's say that my computer crashes and I buy a new computer with Leopard installed.
Two Questions:
If I plug my Time Machine drive into the new computer, will I be able to recreate the old files and settings? Or does Time Machine only work to restore information on a specific computer?
If Time Machine WILL restore the documents onto a new computer, what happens if the first computer is Power PC and the new one is Intel?
Thanks!
Message was edited by: Dan D\'Errico

Dan D'Errico wrote:
I use Time Machine to backup my data to an external drive. Let's say that my computer crashes and I buy a new computer with Leopard installed.
Two Questions:
If I plug my Time Machine drive into the new computer, will I be able to recreate the old files and settings?
Yes - see my comments below regarding "Migrating User Data From One Mac to Another".
Or does Time Machine only work to restore information on a specific computer?
No
If Time Machine WILL restore the documents onto a new computer, what happens if the first computer is Power PC and the new one is Intel?
Then you should choose to Migrate your personal data over but NOT Applications. They may likely not be compatible with the new system.
*_Migrating User Data From One Mac to Another_*
*Firewire Disk Mode*
If you have a FireWire cable, you can connect one Mac to the other via FireWire Disk Mode. Then use Migration Assistant to transfer all of your files and applications over from the older Mac. It should result in a virtually identical setup as your previous Mac. Follow the instructions in this KB article:
“How to use FireWire target disk mode”
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
*Using Time Machine Before Initial Launch of New Mac*
Before starting the new Mac for the first time, attach the hard disk that contains the Time Machine backups from the old Mac.
Start the new Mac and begin the setup process. At some point it will ask you if you would like to Migrate/Import user data from another computer or a Time Machine backup disk. Follow the prompts and select the date of the backup you would like to restore your user data from. Once the migration is complete use Disk Utility to repair any permissions issues.
*Using Time Machine After Initial Launch of New Mac*
If you have already created a User Account on the new Mac using a DIFFERENT Username and Password from the old Mac, then do the following:
Attach the hard disk containing the previous Macs' Time Machine backups to the new computer.
Go to Applications --> Utilities --> and launch Migration Assistant.
At the welcome dialogue click "Continue." You may be required to enter your Admin password.
For Migration Method chose "From a Time Machine backup or other disk".
Select the hard disk containing the previous Time Machine backups. (Give Migration Assistant some time as it scans the disk for eligible data to migrate.)
Now select which User Accounts you would like to migrate over.
However, if you have already created a User Account on the new Mac using the SAME Username and Password as the old Mac, then you will need to do this:
Create a new User Admin Account on the new Mac with a completely unique name.
Now, delete the first User Account you created on the new Mac - The one that is identical to the old Mac. (Of course, backup any important files that were created using the new User Account before deleting it.)
Finally, use Migration Assistant as described above to move the old User Account data over from the Time Machine backups.
*Full Backup After Restore*
Bear in mind that in all cases Time Machine will perform a full backup after a full restore. This is normal. Time Machine will resume incremental backups after the full backup has completed. To view previous backups, Control-click or right-click the Time Machine icon in your Dock or Option-click the Time Machine menu extra and Choose "Browse Other Time Machine Disks," then select your previous backup volume. You will enter Time Machine and be able to browse your previous back ups and restore files. (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1338)
Let us know if this was helpful.
Cheers!

Time Machine Restored Files

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Yesterday my internal Western Digital hard drive became corrupt some how.
I turned on my MacBook Pro - Snow Leopard 10.6.6 to find it stuck on the boot up screen with the Apple Logo
I searched on various different forums to try to get out of the boot up screen but all failed.
But it came to loading the install disks that came with the MacBook Pro and using Disk Utility. I was unable to repair disk permissions and the only option was to Verify. I Verified the disk and it said it was corrupt and was unable to repair.
I had another Western Digital Hard drive empty and I just installed a fresh new copy of Snow Leopard via the install disk.
I thought I could restore my Mac from Time Machine as I back up almost every other day.
After installing Snow Leopard on the New Hard drive i plugged in my Time Machine and Entered Time Machine. I clicked the Macintosh HD and clicked Restore at the bottom right hand corner of Time Machine.
The process took about 5 Hours to restore 234.52 GB of data. I went to sleep and woke up to find out for the files to be restored to be done. However nothing was back in its place. My iPhoto photos, iTunes songs, documents, and applications were no where to be found. I know that data was transferred because at the fresh install the Info on my Hard Drive said Used: 18 GB and now it states Used: 251 GB.
Can anyone please tell me if I overlooked something or if I missed or messed up on a step. The data from my Time Machine was transferred hoping for my Mac to be Restored, however it was not.
Thanks in advanced,
Marc

Marc3l028 wrote:
Can anyone please tell me if I overlooked something
Yes. That does seem like a reasonable way to restore your system, but it doesn't work that way. Among other things, you can't restore to the disk you're running from.
Apple does document how to do it, but it's not exactly obvious, and lots of folks miss it.
Start over with a full system restore, per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.

Access Time Machine Backup from a different computer

Hi everyone,
I have recently had to put my Macbook in for repair and have been told it will be about a month before I get it back. My wife has a Macbook of her own, so I using that for the time being to continue working on my MA essays due in the next two weeks. My problem is that I dutifully did a complete backup of my files through Time Machine before sending my own Macbook away, only to find I cannot access the files on my wife's computer!
I realise this is completely my fault, but the files in the Time Machine backup represent months of work and I desperately need access to them! I have tried accessing the backups via Time Machine, and when this failed I went through Finder to the Backup folder on my external hard drive, only to find a little no entry sign next to the relevant folders. When I try to open them I get told I 'do not have sufficient access privileges'. Is there ANY way around this? I am desperate!

The Northern Contingent wrote:
Hi everyone,
I realise this is completely my fault, but the files in the Time Machine backup represent months of work and I desperately need access to them! I have tried accessing the backups via Time Machine, and when this failed I went through Finder to the Backup folder on my external hard drive, only to find a little no entry sign next to the relevant folders. When I try to open them I get told I 'do not have sufficient access privileges'. Is there ANY way around this? I am desperate!
You should post this with something to do with "Access privileges" in the title so the right people read it - those who don't use Time Machine probably won't bother with this thread. You were right to try a direct-access route through the Finder, because you can drag Time Machine files directly when you need to. I don't know enough about permissions to help you with the permission thing; it might be as simple as setting up an account on your wife's machine that has the same username and password as your own machine.
But note (in regard to the Jeremy's post) that if you do get a new logic board - yes, he's right, you'll have a different MAC address, which means you can't continue on with your TM backups. But you can't change the MAC address on the logic board; instead, there's a nice, geeky way to change the Time Machine backups record of what MAC address they were married to. You'll find the info here:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080128003716101

Time Machine restore Files Missing

QUESTION:
Why won't my Time Machine backup restore properly?
FACTS:
I have done a fresh reinstall of the OS onto a new hard drive.
I have then used the Time Machine to restore the files. It takes about 2 hours to goes through 60GB of data.
The new hard drive is has 50GB Available out of 120GB. Indicating that the restore files are somewhere on the Hard Disk.
After reboot, I cannot see any of the restored files in my login. Just the basic Applications.etc
After restore I have folders
System 6.5gb
Library 2.4GB
Applications 1.1GB
Documents 584MB!!
Applications (Empty!!)
Downloads (Empty!!)
Movies (Empty!!)
Music (Empty!!)
Pictures (Empty!!)
Public (Empty!!)
Sites (Empty!!)
Some of my important Applications are missing such as Photoshop, Entourage and Microsoft Office.
The Documents folder in the Time Machine is over 30GB!!
My Music Folder in the Time Machine is about 16GB!!
COULD IT BE THIS?
1
Something to do with the User Accounts (Login).
I had to create this login before I applied Time Machine.
I believe I used exactly the same password and name for it, but could the OS be deciding that it is a new User and nbot allowing access to the Time Machine?
2
Whatever the reason: Can anyone think of a work around?
I havn't done any new work on the machine yet, so I am happy to start over and install the OS again and then Time Machine - if I needed to be done in a different order.

Progress...
I held down the (Option) Alt Key and it gave me the OS install as well as the Hard Disk.
It is booting off the OS-USB
I know this is going to allow me to reinstall the OS again.
OK During installation it gives me Restore option
Top Menu>Utilities>Restore System from Backup... (Time Machine Symbol)
OK PROBLEM - It is looking for the Time Machine Backup, but I need to remove the USB drive so I can plug that TM disk in!!! The macbook Air only has one USB socket.
Ive carefully unplugged the USB and plugged the TM disk in.
To refresh I done "(Go Back)"
Now "(Continue)"
The Rainbow spinner is rotating... Obviously it is looking tfor the next bit of code on the USB which is now unplugged!!!
Ive put the USB back it - but the spinner continues
I'm stuck again

How do I retrieve mails from a time machine backup of a different computer?

I had to reformat my computer because of a trojan file I couldn't eradicate, and I didn't want to restore files from a time machine backup for fear of reinstalling the trojan. After reinstalling OS Maverick, my MacBook Pro from early 2009 is now back to good performance. However, I would like to retrieve my old archived mails from 2009 onwards, excluding the present year, of course. I know those mails are there, but how can I access them?
Thank you.
Domenico

See if you can inherit the backup.
Inherit a Backup
Inherit a Backup (2)
See 17.
Time Machine FAQ
Time Machine Troubleshooting

How do you access data on a Time Machine backup for a different computer?

The hard disk on my daughter's computer is having problems - it may be broken. If so, it may take a while to get the computer working again.
The information on the disk has been backed up to our Time Capsule using Time Machine. I can see the backup file sitting on the server.
How can I get access to the information in the file from my computer?
I have read that it is possible to browse other user's backup files from Time Machine by holding the Option key when clicking on the Time Machine icon in the status bar. This produces the menu choice "Browse other backup discs ...". When I select that option, I am given a choice of backup files, including my own file and my daughter's file. When I select my daughter's file, I go into Time Machine.
However, there is no data available to me. There is no timeline, and the windows behind the current finder window are all black. The same thing happens if I select my own backup file. (Entering Time Machine the normal way works fine.)
So, as far as I can tell, the "Browse other backup discs..." option is non-functional.
Is there some other way to access the data in that file?
I'm also concerned that when I finally get her computer working again, which may involve erasing the disk and re-installing the OS, or perhaps even replacing the disk entirely, that the repaired computer won't be able to access her backup file because I might not be able to recreate here username/uid with the same credentials as originally setup.

Hi,
Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, following the directions on that page does not help.
As I interpret it, I should be following the steps in the green box. I can get to the point where I am asked to select a backup file, and my daughter's backup file is one of the options. When I select that file, I am taken to the Star Wars interface.
In that interface, I can see a finder window in front. Behind that finder window are a series of other finder windows, as one would expect in the interface, but instead of being normal finder windows, they are simply black rectanges of the same size. I can browse within the front finder window, but that browsing is limited to the contents of my computer.
However, I did discover something interesting. If I follow the instructions in the pink box, which tells how to mount the disk image of the backup file, I am able to browse within the mounted backup file using a Finder window without entering TimeMachine at all. (Which to me is a big plus, since I think that the "Star Wars" interface is very bad.)
Of course, my daughter's file system is a mess. I'm going to have to give her some organizing advice. I'll also have to sit down with her after school to see if we can access the files that she needs.
Bottom line - I don't know at this point whether this is going to work, but mounting the backup file seems to have produced some progress.
Thanks,
Geoff

Time Machine - Restoring Files only to a fresh install of OSX

Hi folks,
had my 17' MBP for about a year now and love it, although in the last couple of month it's become frightening slow, jerk video playback and what not.
So I'd like to Format the Mac and re-install Snow Leopard to get full performance back, I have a Time Machine but don't want to do a system restore as I won't get any benefits of renewed performance etc, I'd just like it to restore my non-system files and possibly iTunes to avoid any iPhone/iPod/iPad syncing issues.
Is there any way of restoring just files only without having to manually pick them out of the Time Machine once I've formatted/re-installed Snow Leopard?
Thanks!

mlamb64150 wrote:
can you use that technique for iTunes as well?
no. you would restore iTunes using the finder.
you should restore the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder).
JGG

Time machine restoring files, but nothing appears - suggestions

I'm running OSX leopard on my iMac G5. Recently, the hard drive crashed, but I had everything backed up. Restoring files from Time Machine/Time Capsule worked fine - except that mail storage folders and the address book are blank.
With the mail folders, I located the archived files in users/library/mail/mailboxes and found all the .emix files. The restore said they were being loaded, but when I went to see them in Mail, there's nothing there. However, they are loaded in users/.../.../mailboxes.
How do I see them in the Mail app?
Secondly, the address book disappeared. I'm also looking for it in library, but I'm not having any luck. Help!
Art

try reindexing mail.
quit mail and delete the file /users/username/library/mail/envelope index. then start mail and let it import (that means reindex) your messages. not sure what's wrong with address book. its data is kept in /users/username/library/application support/address book. quit address book and move the file AddressBook-v22.abcddb from that directory to the desktop. start address book. that file should be rebuilt from metadata. see if it works now.

Time Machine Restoring files that are packages

Whenever I try to restore iwork/pages files or other files that are packages with the help of Time Machine I end up with a folder instead of a file. This happens when I want to keep both the original file and the older version. It makes me worry if my Time Machine backup on the external hard drive is corrupted in some way and needs to be replaced.
Thank for any suggestions.

muberts wrote:
Whenever I try to restore iwork/pages files or other files that are packages with the help of Time Machine I end up with a folder instead of a file. This happens when I want to keep both the original file and the older version.
Hi, and welcome to the forums.
Does it happen if you don't specify keeping both? (Try restoring to an alternate location, per #16 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum.)
I doubt corruption in your backups would cause this, but you can run a +*Repair Disk+* on them. See #A5 in the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip* at the top of this forum.

Time Machine - restores files I didn't select?

Okay, so I fired up time machine put in a selection in the window (actually "dashboard"), changed selection to "Preferences" folder and "Filename", so I basically get the following:
com.apple.dashboard.plist
com.apple.dashboard.client.plist
which are the files I want to restore..I press the arrow and scroll back in time to the last backup...works great.
I select these two files and click restore, at which point I'm sure it restored every file in my Preferences folder from that time.....luckily my backup wasn't that old but what did I do wrong?

Okay, so I fired up time machine put in a selection in the window (actually "dashboard"), changed selection to "Preferences" folder and "Filename", so I basically get the following:
com.apple.dashboard.plist
com.apple.dashboard.client.plist
which are the files I want to restore..I press the arrow and scroll back in time to the last backup...works great.
I select these two files and click restore, at which point I'm sure it restored every file in my Preferences folder from that time.....luckily my backup wasn't that old but what did I do wrong?

Time machine restored files are locked and can't unlock them

After upgrading to an SSD, i was having problems with restoring files from Timemachine. i fiexed that by naming my ssd drive the same as the drive that was backedup using time machine. now, i can't seem to edite any of the files restored in Documents from the backup. not can i edit or add content inside the folders withing documents. i dont know whats going on. they appear lock and there is no way to unlock them. it says i will need to duplicate the items!
i'll run a permissions verify once. in the mainwhile, if u guys know about this please let me know. thanks.
Neerav

Stay calm!
Ok- saying 'locked' besides their name when you open it is Lion-speak for the fact that it hasn't been edited in a while. It should, once you try and edit it, pop up a dialogue offering you the chance to duplicate or unlock the file. In the instance that the second option isn't available, try some or all of the following:
-As the poster above said, try doing a get-info (cmd i) on a file/folder and seeing if it's locked. Uncheck it if it is. If you find they are ALL locked, you can change it on multiple items at once by selecting them and pressing cmd alt i
-If that didn't help, try looking at the permission at the bottom of the get-info pane. Does it say you have read-write access? If it doesn't, unlock these options with the little padlock at the bottom and change it so that you do.
-You can also try going to a high-level folder (namely, one with a lot of stuff in) and doing what I just described, then under the read-write permission hit the little cog-symbol and choose 'apply to enclosed items'. See if that helps.
-My final suggestion would be to find a free application called ACL fix. This helps repair dodgy or messed--up permissions using a simple drag and drop interface. Download that, and drag the affected folders onto it as per the instructions. Hopefully it should fix everything up.
Try all that, then let me know what's what

Time Machine Restoring files and folders Only on a Clean Install

Hi all
I am getting a new hard drive this week. I have done a few TM backups on 3 different external drives.
Here's my question please and thank you for reading this.
I am doing a clean install. The reason for this I want to get rid of COMPLETELY some Microsoft Office apps and a few more which are headaches.
So I will set up a new machine.
The only items I would like to restore is Mac Mail and my iphotos catalogues.
Q: Will TM backup allow me to or just ask me to restore these certain items or is it the whole shabang.
Q: Some items in my Documents folders as well like letters done in Pages.
thanks

You do not say what Operating System you are running?
There are some caveats.
You will have to format your new drive with Disk Utility. Command R may take you to internet recovery.
I loaded Mavericks on a new machine, Used a Bootclone with the Set up Assistant to move everything over- tried to use the same Time Machine, but it would not recognize the old backups. At that point I had to start over with TM.
In your case you may have the same bad luck, and be left with no TimeMachine backs to get what you want.

Can Time Machine restore files to an external drive?

I normally keep my iTunes folder on an external USB drive because it does not fit on my 80gig internal drive. I was able to successfully use Time Machine to back up my iTunes folder to a dedicated external Time Machine drive (great!). I now want to restore my iTunes folder to a new bigger external drive that I purchased to replace my exiting USB drive which is beginning to have some problems.
Here is my challenge: When I try to restore my iTunes folder (60gig) I am not prompted for a destination. I believe Time Machine is attempting to restore to my desktop? Since my internal drive doesn't have capacity how can I restore my iTunes folder directly to an external drive?

Axel,
Yes, I'm certain. I store my own iPhoto and iTunes libraries on a secondary partition of my internal hard drive, so I am familiar with this usage. As it turns out, I also have a partition created on my external drive, the same one being used for TM, that has the same name as my secondary internal partition.
When I open the mounted partition that has the same name as the internal secondary, then click the Time Machine icon in the Dock, I am taken to the backup of the secondary internal partition. If I select my iPhoto library (for example), then click the "Restore" button, I am returned to the "current" Finder, where the library is being copied to the same-named external partition.
A potentially confusing explanation , but it affirms that Time Machine is looking at the volume's name.
Scott

Time Machine: restore file to different computer

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