Using Time Machine to restore to new hard drive missing recent backups

On Mac Book Pro 2009 with OS X 10.5.8.
I have been backing up to Time Machine on an external drive since 2009. A few month ago I upgrade to OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
Trying to install a new hard drive and restoring from Time Machine. Just before installing the hard drive I again backed up to Time Machine.
Trying to restore from Time Machine.
Note: this link shows the screen I am on. It isn't from my computer. Just showing for display purpose.
http://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/xlarge/public/field/image/2014 /03/time_machine_select_backup.jpg?itok=G2WbV0Vu
"Select a backup. Select the Time Machine backup you want to restore. Only complete backups of Mac OS X appear in the list"
The problem is, the most recent "complete" restore point in the list is August 2011 (OS X 10.5.8). How can that be? Over the years I have checked Time Machine and I have back ups way past 2011.
What should I do?
Thanks

Daniel Greeney wrote:
So I just purchased an internal drive (separate from my system drive) to use as a Time Machine drive, for both of my computers (only one partition). Since they will be backing up every day, I will retain much more recent material in case of drive failure.
Let Time Machine back up every hour, as it's designed. That will protect you best.
My question is this - if I have a drive failure on my current internal system drive, and the internal Time Machine is intact, is it possible for me to take my external bootable backup (say 3 weeks older than Time Machine in how recently it was backed up), make a cone of that on a new internal system drive, and then use Time Machine to restore that drive to what is most current on Time Machine?
Does this question make sense?
The question makes sense until you realize that Time Machine backups contain everything you need (unless you do something silly, like exclude your system files).
Once the new drive is installed and formatted, you can restore your entire system from the TM backups faster than you can copy the clone to the new internal HD. See #14 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip,* also at the top of this forum. Note that you use the Snow Leopard Install disc only for the Installer on it; you don't install OSX from it.

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Time Machine full restore to new hard drive

I'm going to change the internal hard drive of my laptop and before I do that I want to do a full restore of my last backup to the new drive via USB. I restart the computer with the Leopard installation DVD and use the Restore using time machine option under the Utilities menu. I choose my external hard drive as the source and the new internal hard drive connected via USB as the destination. Then I boot via USB to check that the copy was made ok before changing internal drives and I see that many files weren't copied. The applications folder wasn't coppied, and my home directory was 6 GB less. Even when I logged in my user icon was missing (not the other users ones)
Why Time Machine decided to copy some files and not others? Is there any other solution for performing the migration?
Thanks!

The PSU and then HDD in my iMac G5 both went (cause and effect!) and so I too replaced the hdd, although in my case, out of necessity.
I fitted the new hdd, then booted from 10.5 Retail version DVD.
First I had to format the hdd via Installer/Utiities/Disk utility. Then I installed Leopard. I did not take the first opportunity to Restore from TM (this first opportunity is after you select the Language, you select Options from toolbar, then use the bottom one Restore from TM) which is what they guy did in the weblink from the previous post.
I installed Leo, then it rebooted, then it went through the Welcome/StarTrek routine, then I did the restore from TM back up, after registration when it offers you the opportunity to restore from a previous Mac and it offers TM as an option. It looks like Migration Assistant but it isn't coz at that moment, nothing has been added etc. It doesn't give the dated options, and it took overnight, but hey presto! it was all there in the morning. Mail had to re-import the messages, other than that, it was fine.
BUT TAKE CARE.....After the overnight restore, and before it all worked hey presto!, I had a nightmare moment coz it wouldn't take the Password. In the end, I had to reset the password using the Leo CD/DVD (stick in the CD/DVD, select language, then use Options menu and select reset password [NOT the Firmware password option].
So, TM is impressive. But you MUST have the 10.5 DVD too.

Time Machine and Restoring to new Hard Drive

Computer: Intel Core Duo iMac, Model iMac 7,1
My hard drive bit the dust about a week ago (Work supplied computer). Everything is backed up through Time Machine. I took it into the local Apple repair service with a OS 10 (10.5.4) disk.
Had a new drive put in. The tech told me that the disk supplied was not the correct one and as a favor, he went ahead and installed 10.6.5.
Problem I have now is that I cannot restore from my Time Machine back-up. They told me to go ahead, put in the 10.5.4 disk, restart with it holding the "C" key and when it comes up, go to Utilities and restore from back-up (Time Machine). I have don that but as soon as it comes up, I get a message that says "Disk cannot be installed on this computer." I hit OK and go to utilities anyway (just a shot in the dark), select "Restore from back-up" and nothing happens.
I'm sure that going from the old to new OS is probably the reason for this. I really just wanted to restore it to what it was without having to go in sort files and redo all of the software, etc. So I sit here with a good computer running 6.5 and all my files sitting in a back-up folder on the desktop.
Is there a way to get this problem resolved? Help is appreciated.

Scott Hughes wrote:
Thanks for the help. Got the drive erased at least think I did (it was quick).
Did you reformat it? (and yes, it's quick). If the shop put the wrong partition map scheme or format on it, that could explain what you're seeing.
And let me be sure I understand: Your Mac was running Leopard, and the shop installed Snow Leopard, right?
And the 10.5.4 disc you're using is either the one that came with that Mac (gray), or a retail Leopard disc (black) that you purchased later?
*EDIT: If either of those is wrong, stop now and post back*
|
and when I start it from the disk, it still tells me that the disk cannot be installed on the computer.
Which disk is that, your Leopard Install disc or the internal HD? Do you get that when you start up (ie, never see the select your language, etc), or when you select +Restore System from Backup?+
If the HD is set up ok, I guess it's possible the backups, or at least the OSX part, are so badly corrupted the Installer doesn't know what to do with it.
Try Repairing your backups, via the copy of Disk Utility on your Install disc.
If all else fails, install OSX. When your Mac restarts, you might be able to use +Setup Assistant,+ per #19 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
But it may not like your backups, either. If so, set up an account with a name different from any on your backups. Then we can try some other things.
Message was edited by: Pondini

I got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does someone has a fix???

i got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does anybody has a fix???

Does your external hard drive have it's own power supply? It should.
Is your external hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system? It won't work.
It needs to be formatted either with Mac OS Extended or FAT32.
(There are drivers available to add NTFS support to OS X but their quality is unknown, especially the "free" ones.)

How to transfer time machine back up to new hard drive

How to transfer time machine back up to new hard drive?

You may like to take a look at this thread... https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4207670?start=0&tstart=0

Restoring time machine back up to new hard drive

Today, I went to a computer store and had the hard drive replaced on my Macbook Pro 2008 model. I was running snow leopard, but with the update the guy updated my OS to Mavericks, he hasn't put anything else on the computer though.
What I want to do is restore back up from time machine (situated on an external hard drive). However I don't want my system to glitch or revert back to Snow Leopard. I want the back up to run on Mavericks. What is the best way to run this back up?

Hey jshark1,
You can use Apple's Migration Assistant (located in /Applications/Utilities) to bring your data to your new system hard drive. See this article for an overview of how to do it -
Move your data to a new Mac - Apple Support
While the article is about transferring the information from another computer, it also allows you to do so from a Time Machine backup. Start from the sections labeled Choose a connection method.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Be well,
Brett L

Is it possible to use time machine to back up a hard drive?

Is it possible to use time machine to back up a 1 hard drive onto another, then periodically update the backups just like I usually do with the Mac HD onto an external?
Thanks!

kidboy wrote:
Is it possible to use time machine to back up a 1 hard drive onto another, then periodically update the backups just like I usually do with the Mac HD onto an external?
Thanks!
I don't know what you usually do but Time machine is a backup software. it does back up one (or more) hard drives to another. it's not a mirror utility though. it makes and keeps regular incremental backups and you can restore from any time point in the past you have a backup for. i suggest you consult pondini's FAQs at the top of TM forum
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1964018
also see TM 101
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
check out this tutorial too to see it in action
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#timemachinebasics
Message was edited by: V.K.

Time Machine whole system to new hard drive problems.

HI Folks
Having an issue that hopefully someone can kindly answer. Using a Dual core Intel Xeon Mac Pro. 6g of ram. with one main HD plus 2 internal drives for videos and photos etc. Recently upgraded to Lion, and sometime after Drive Genius' Drivepulse says that my main HD has issues should be repaired, Drive genius says it can't repair, and to back up and wipe or replace.
Everything is on Time Machine, and I cleaned up one of my extra internal drives, wiped it and was hoping to Time Machine my system to the extra drive.
Using a lepoard system upgrade disc, I went into Time Machine and backed it up one to the empty hd. Everyting is there, but when I try to boot from that system folder, I immediately get a kernal error screen.
I used to be so good with this stuff, but since kids my mind is mush. What am I doing wrong???
Does the hard drive need to be in the #1 slot? Does it need an existing system folder on it?(because the last system disc I have is Tiger(no longer works), and the Leopard is an upgrade and Snow, and Lion were downloads.)
I also have a new 2Terabit drive to put in as a replacement, but cant get it to boot is the current issue.
The current hd still works and functions, but if something is wrong I don't want it to die without options to fix. trying to be proactive here and it ain't going my way.
Please help!?!
Mark

Boot into Recovery (command-R at startup), erase the startup volume, reinstall Lion, and then import your data from a TM snapshot in Setup Assistant.

Going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drive should I buy to back up computer using "time machine". Have 320 gb hard drive.

I am going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drives should I buy in order to use time machine. I have a 320 GB hard drive. Don't have too much on computer.

patmc102 wrote:
I am going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drives should I buy in order to use time machine. I have a 320 GB hard drive. Don't have too much on computer.
Buy an external drive 320G or larger (much larger is preferable). I do not recommend you use TM for this, instead download a copy of Carbon Copy Cloner and make a clone of your drive. Once this is done you have 2 choices, you can download and install Lion on your internal drive just as you planned or download and install Lion to the external clone, the 2nd method allows you to test the Lion install before committing to it. If the clone with Lion is to your liking then just clone it back to the internal.

Can I use time machine to back up computer hard drive AND contents of an external HD (contains only photos) onto another external hard drive (standalone HD for backups only)? PLEASE HELP!!

I keep my photo files on a separate external hard drive, separate from my laptop hard drive. And I want to be able to use time machine as the back-up system to back up BOTH the computer's hard drive AND the external hard drive.... and i want all of the "back-up" information contained on a separate standalone external HD. So in the end, I have a 250GB computer hardrive, a 1TB external hardrive, and I want to have a 2nd external hard drive that will be the location to store the "back-ups" (using time machine) which will be either a 2TB or 3TB harddrive.
I am in dire need of help....

Yes, just make sure that they are not excluded in Time Machine.

HT201250 can I back up two different Macs using time machine to the same external hard drive?

I have a MacBook Pro and a Intel Power Mac Tower. The Power Mac is backed up to a 4 TB external hard drive using Time Machine. Can I also back up the MacBook Pro to the same 4TB hard drive using its time machine without altering any of the Power Macs backed up files on the 4TB hard drive?
Ed

Yes, as long as the backup drive is large enough.

I'm currently backing up using Time Machine and a Seagate external hard drive, how to do I restore on a new computer?

I hate to say it.. But I have never backed up!! I have thousands of pics of my son on this mac book, it got wet and NOW I'm backing up (as i type) to a Seagate external hard drive- I plugged it in, and then Time MAchine launched automatically. It looks like it's backing up my whole computer, is it backing up everything? photos, address book, documents etc? If my computer crashes tomorrow, how would I restore all of this information on a new computer?
Help, I'm computer iliterate- hence the reason I got a Mac (so easy to use). I need reasurance that it will back up! How do I continue to back up? Leave the external hard drive plugged in? I'm telling you I'm below the knowledge of "Backing Up a Mac for Dummies"

Time Machine makes a backup of the whole OS.X volume automatically, so you will have an exact copy of your hard disk in your Time Machine external disk. Also, Time Machine will make backups every hour, always that your Time Machine disk is connected. If you want more information, visit this site > http://pondini.org
To restore this in a new Mac, you have to use Migration Assistant. Just connect the Time Machine drive into the new computer, open Migration Assistant (it's in /Applications/Utilities) and follow the steps. You will be able to select what you want to transfer.
Also, if you have a brand-new Mac, you can do this during the initial setup. Setup Assistant will ask you to restore a backup, so connect the Time Machine disk and follow the steps

I have to turn in my old computer before receiving new one. can I back up using time machine then restore to new computer/

I have to turn in my old computer before receiving my new one. Can I restore a backup from time machine to my new computer?

Yep.

Used Time Machine to Restore system but now wont recognise original backups

Hello Everyone,
I've had a read through some of the older posts, but I wasn't able to find a answer for my issue.
I've recently restored my system using a Time Machine backup - Everything works wonderfully now, except for Time Machine itself, which is now refusing to use/display my original backups.
I have selected the correct disk, but rather than using the backups on it, it creates a new folder in the Backups.backupdb folder called 'Peter's iMac 2'. I have deleted this new folder several times already.
My actual backups are stored in the 'Peter's iMac' folder.
I can browse my backups using the 'Browse Other time Machine Disks' function, but it does not seem to want to use them as my primary backups.
I do not have the room to hold both my old backups, and a separate new backup.
Does anyone have any idea how I can force/trick/entice Time Machine to accept my old backups?
Thanks everyone.

aussie,
*_Time Machine Always Performs a Full Backup After a Full Restore_*
Actually, this is normal. It's not that any of your hardware has changed, it's that you reinstalled the operating system again. Consider the following according to the KB article below:
*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]
So even on unchanged hardware, if you reinstall your system software and restore your user data, Time Machine starts anew, and you will not be able to resume backing up with the same history as the previous backups.
While there may be ways to fool/hack Time Machine into recognizing previous backups without performing another full backup, they are likely rather elaborate.
Ultimately, though, in a couple of months, all the effort to preserve old backups may seem pointless. After all, Time Machine will eventually purge away that data anyways as it replaces it with new files.
It may simply be easier to begin a fresh series of backups while saving the previous backups until your satisfied that you have enough history built up. Then delete the old backups.
Hope this clarifies some things.
Cheers!

Time machine file transfer to new hard drive has stalled

I recently had the internal hard drive on my 2009 macbook pro replaced and OS X 10.9 installed (old hard drive had OS X 10.6). Upon starting it for the first time I was prompted to transfer files from My old hard drive using my Time Machine backup. The transfer seems to be about 95% complete and has taken about 26 hours so far. It says it is in the process of transferring files from my Applications folder, but there seems to have been no progress in the last 8 hours or so, and the estimated time to completion (5 hours and 3 minutes) has not changed. It appears as though the transfer has stalled. What should I do? What will happen if I pull then plug on the external hard drive? Is there another way to interrupt the process? Is it normal that it's taking this long?

If I were in your situation, I would erase the HDD and reinstall the OSX. Then I would use 'Setup Assistant' per the instructions here:
http://pondini.org/OSX/Setup.html
Read the directions carefully before you commit.
Also understand that you may have PPC applications which work with Snow Leopard (10.6) and will not with Mavericks. You may want to consider installing Snow Leopard instead. Read these:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2292
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6841
Ciao.

Using Time Machine to restore to new hard drive missing recent backups

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