Want to restore my computer, but only with a few files; not a complete Time Machine restore

My computer's messing up and I decided I might as well start fresh, but I want some files and folders back obviously.
I take it, I simply need to:
Turn it off
Turn it on and put the install disc into it, meanwhile holding the C key
Install Snow Leopard
Once it's installed, select the external drive I'm using for backups
Open Time Machine, right click on files/folders I want to restore.
What will and won't work? Because, it seems to me you can't redownload movies from iTunes. What about the settings? Is there some sort of .yml or something somewhere that holds them?
And, something I'm dreading, how will I get my programs back? Will I need to reenter the product key? I have Adobe Production Premium CS5.5, should I deactivate it then reenter the product key? What about the plugins for After Effects? Also I have MPEG Streamclip, and when I bought it, I don't remember having to enter any product key.
And my copy of Office for Mac 2011, I bought the 2008 box and it came with instructions of how you're eligible to get 2011 once it's available, when I went to install Office for Mac on my MBA, the offer was no longer available.
Thanks in advance.

I understand the basics, I just want to know how to restore certain items essentially on a new computer without restoring everything.

Similar Messages

  • HT203311 I am use homesharing, but cannot sync the main library from the secondary computer to an iphone.  It shows the entire libaray on the computer, but only shows a few songs when I try to sync iphone with the computer using homesharing.

    I am use homesharing, but cannot sync the main library from the secondary computer to an iphone.  It shows the entire libaray on the computer, but only shows a few songs when I try to sync iphone with the computer using homesharing.

    See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
    tt2

  • Files not visible after Time Machine restoring

    Hi,
    I've had some problems with my Mac and decided to format the hard drive. After the formatting I tried to restore some of the older folders from the Time Machine backup disk. The program copied them onto the harddrive without any problems and when I look at how much space is left it's obvious that they are there but I can't see them. I've also tried to restore some small documents but the same problem occurs, they are invisible! They don't show up when I search for them either.I would be very happy if someone could help me out!! Thanks a lot!

    Ardarve wrote:
    Thanks a lot Pondini!! Different name of the user account was the problem. I changed it back to the previous name and the problem was solved
    Yay!
    The reason for the formatting was that I've had problems during the starting up for quite some time. The start up process didn't go any further than the grey backdrop. After the 30th attempt or something the computer started up. I've tried to solve the problem in several ways but without any success. At first I thought that there were some hardware problems but the formatting did the thing. My computer works fine now!! Thanks again!
    If such a thing happens again, don't jump immediately to the most drastic solution.
    It's very rare that a complete erase is required on OSX.
    Simply reinstalling OSX is far simpler. You've posted in the Leopard forums -- in that case you'd do an +*Archive and Install, preserving users and settings.+* If you're on Snow Leopard as your signature says, you'd just do an Install. Afterwards, you'd download and install the "combo" update to get back to the correct version of OSX.
    Neither will affect your data. The main difference is, the Archive & Install leaves a +Previous System+ folder on your Mac that you need to delete when you're sure you don't need anything from it; the Snow Leopard Install doesn't.

  • HT201250 I backed up my iMac with a "WD My Passport" using the Time Machine option and tried to restore my iMac but it only saved my applications none of my documents, photos nothing else! What happened?

    I backed up my iMac with a "WD My Passport" using the Time Machine option and tried to restore my iMac but it only saved my applications none of my documents, photos nothing else! What happened?

    There should be two sparse bundles on the TC, one for each Mac.  If you click the TC in a Finder sidebar, you should see something like this (in Column View):
    If you see the sparse bundle for the iMac there, but not on the window where you do a full system restore (after starting from your Recovery HD or OSX Install disc), they may be corrupted (especially if your iMac was failing at the time of the last backup).
    Try repairing those backups, per #A5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
    Then try the full restore again, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #14.  Note that if you suspect problems on the most recent backup, you might want to select an earlier one.

  • I have an old Minimac with a 100GB HD. I run Time Machine to an external HD. I want to update my Lion software but need 8GB of HD capacity to do this. I only have 5GB. My photo library is 4GB so since this is backed up I deleted this to Trash. But I still

    I have an old Minimac with a 100GB HD. I run Time Machine to an external HD. I want to update my Lion software but need 8GB of HD capacity to do this. I only have 5GB. My photo library is 4GB so since this is backed up I deleted this to Trash. But I still have only 5GB of capacity on the HD. Why ?

    You need to empty the trash to get the space back.

  • I want to install an app but only for one user on my imac with Lion

    I have 2 users on my mac. I would like to install some apps (iwork) but only for one user and not the other user. How can I do this?

    Setup of iWork in your wife's account should only occur the once.
    Updates can be performed through your account and are usually performed via Software Update.
    Messages should not be popping up in your wife's account if all the iWork updates have been performed.
    Go to Software Update and download and install all the iWork updates.
    Unless you keep OSX up-to-date, messages will continue to come up when your wife logs into her account.

  • My ipod classic is connected to a new computer, but only sync 241 songs, out 1825.  How can I fix this?

    My ipod classic (80 GB, from 2006) is connected to a new computer, but only sync 241 songs, out 1825.  I have restored several times.  How can I fix this?  my old computer is damaged and the new one run on Windows 8.
    joseruiz1

    I ran into this same problem earlier with my new iPod classic 160 gb. Turns out it could be your files show in iTunes but they aren't connected to the location those music tracks are actually located.
    Does this make any sense?
    You basically have to make sure iTunes is picking your songs from the right music folder via your preferences.
    Option 1: If your iTunes is completely wiped blank and your music is stored in a safe place, backed up, etc. You can do the following:
    Step A. Preferences > iTunes Media Folder Location > choose folder
    **** please be sure to pick a location that is new or different from where you ACTUALLY stored your music to prevent your files from deleting itself as it updates****
    For example, if you stored your music on your Desktop then you wouldn't choose your music folder to be the one in Desktop. You choose the folder where you want your music to go such as C:\My Music or in Mac, you choose the music folder.
    Step B. Once you choose the folder where all your music is stored and you check the box that says "Keep iTunes Media Folder organized" and "Copy Files to iTunes Media when adding to library."
    Step C. This is the part that will make sense. Drag the folder on desktop that houses all your music into iTunes. Because you checked the box "Copy Files to iTunes Media when adding to library," iTunes will copy all the backup music you dragged into the folder location you designated it in "Preferences > iTunes Media Folder Location > choose folder."
    ---- once all that is done, your itunes will have ALL your music tracks linked to the right location on your computer and your iPod will sync with as many or all of the music you desire.
    Hope this helps.
    -Kayla

  • I upgraded my iphone to 5.0.1 and ever since, it has decided to delete old text messages. Only with one contact though, not everybody. So for every new text message I send this person, an old one gets removed. Why? I don't want this to happen.

    I upgraded my iphone to 5.0.1 and ever since, it has decided to delete old text messages. Only with one contact though, not everybody. So for every new text message I send this person, an old one gets removed. Why? I don't want this to happen.

    Connect the phone directly to the computer, not a hub.
    Disconnect all other USB devices except keyboard and mouse.
    Disable your firewall
    Disable your antivirus
    In iTunes if it recognizes the phone click "Restore"
    If it doesn't recognize the phone:
    Disconnect the phone from the phone end, leave the USB cable plugged into the computer
    Hold the HOME and SLEEP buttons until the screen turns black, excactly 10 seconds, then release the SLEEP but continue holding the HOME (If an Apple logo appears you have held SLEEP too long; do it over)
    While holding HOME connect the cable to the phone
    As soon as iTunes recognizes the phone release the HOME button and it should restore.
    If neither procedure works note the exact error message and post it.

  • I am halfway through my 4s contract and wanted to buy a 5, but only see the 64 gig available to me for 649 but that requires a 2 year contract. Where can I buy w ou getting locked into a contract and for how much?

    I am halfway through my 4s contract and wanted to buy a 5, but only see the 64 gig available to me for 649 but that requires a 2 year contract. Where can I buy w ou getting locked into a contract and for how much?

    Your contract is with your service provider - it has nothing at all to do with Apple.
    You can buy a contract free and/or unlocked iPhone from Apple and use it with whatever carrier you wish.  Your contract terms with your current service provider remain in effect for your iPhone 4s though, so if you cancel with them (or port your number out, which accomplishes the same thing) you will owe them early termination fees and so forth.
    Even if you pay full retail but want to use the phone with your current service provider, you are still obligated to complete the terms of your existing contract.

  • Mail on my cloud, mail on my computer, BUT ONLY mail from myself is on my iphone? what should i do,

    Mail on my cloud, mail on my computer, BUT ONLY mail from myself is on my iphone? what should i do,
    have synched with itunes,
    have deleted account on iphone and set it up again but still i only see mail from myself to myself and none of the other mails i have on my computer or my cloud?
    How do i fix this?

    Now i see that its mail from one of my aliases that i got on my phone but nothing else.
    have deleted this acount from the phone several times but still i only see mail from one of my aliases.

  • I want to buy Photoshop cs6 but only have the option to download it, can I buy as a cd?

    I want to buy Photoshop cs6 but only have the option to download it, can I buy as a cd?

    Well actually it would be a DVD given the size, which is what Adobe used before they went to download. Most PCs and Macs have stopped shipping with DVD drives and downloads are the way to go, especially with fast connections.
    If you open the Adobe .dmg file on a Mac, the installer actually mounts as a virtual DVD.
    So  yes, better to download and save it to an external drive. If a DVD got damaged, you would have had to order and wait for the replacement disc to arrive. Now anything from CS3 to CC 2014 can be downloaded from Adobe, no replacement charges and no shipping.

  • Wont boot - no chimes, fan noise but only with battery connected

    Hello,
    It's an old Powerbook G4 - A1138 that won't boot.
    If you press the power button, the fan whirrs quickly and loudly. But only with the battery connected. If the battery is removed (but the computer is connected to the power supply) then nothing happens...
    I have tried re-setting the PMU as per this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431 This didn't help.
    Is it now dead? If I can just reach a point whereby I can boot it in Firewire HD mode (normally holding command + T down) and recover content then great!
    Thanks :-)
    Jay

    Troubleshooting portables that won't turn on or start up
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25686?viewlocale=en_US
    Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
     Cheers, Tom

  • I'm having trouble with the develop module in LR5.4. Any adjustments are taking effect, but only viewable in the filmstrip, not on the main photo. The navigator will go grey, as does the main area too. This applies to all edits done in develop module. I h

    I'm having trouble with the develop module in LR5.4. Any adjustments are taking effect, but only viewable in the filmstrip, not on the main photo. The navigator will go grey, as does the main area too. This applies to all edits done in develop module. I have posted several times on the forum with no responses to address this, and have seen others with the same issue. I have even gone as far as to do a complete re-install of LR5, with no success. I'm at a loss, and I depend on it for so much editing. Please help.

    Reset your preferences file: Resetting (or 'Trashing') the Lightroom Preferences file - Lightroom Forums
    Report back if that doesn't work.

  • Is this true? "iTunes 7 will do CD-Text, but only with certain models of CD

    My friend told me the following. Is this true?
    "iTunes 7 will do CD-Text, but only with certain models of CD burners."

    Probably not - although this comes only from personal experiance and not any technical knowlage. I always purchase cd's based on conviniance and not brand. Also spend my life between Europe and North America and have never encontered any cd that would not work - aside occasional lemons.
    Hope this helps - just remember this is an experiance based reply.

  • TS3989 Photo Stream has 500+ photos on computer but only 11 come up on Apple TV

    Photo Stream has 500+ photos on computer but only 11 come up on Apple TV

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    Photostream in the cloud only keeps photos from the last 30 days (subject to a 1,000 photo limit). When photostream syncs the photos to your device they will stay there until deleted, which means you may well have more photos in your photostream album on your device than there are in photostream in the cloud.

Maybe you are looking for