yeoportland
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: Import Applications from Time Machine

My 2011 iMac running on 10.11.6 died on me, couldn't bring it back to boot.

Tried save boot, recovery boot and every method I can find from the Internet...

Fortunately I have time machine set up so all is not lost.

 

My questions are:

1. I have a MacBook Air, but it doesn't have all the applications that my dead iMac has. Is it possible to import selected applications from my time machine into the MacBook Ai? Like Adobe CS6 and Microsoft office.

 

2. Does time machine backup everything from my dead iMac? Is it basically an exact clone of my machine?

 

3. Now that my iMac is dead, how can I erase everything before I dispose it?

 

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 6:46 AM

by Limnos,Apple recommended
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (53,971 points)
Mac OS X
A:

1) Some applications like the high-end ones you mention install things all over the place and really need installing using proper installers.  Unless you were to recover the entire Time Machine backup it is likely you would miss some critical piece somewhere.

 

2) It isn't a clone. There are tools that clone but Time Machine isn't one.

 

3) Depends upon what is dead and even if it really is dead. Saying it won't boot doesn't tell us much really.  If you really think it is finished you may still be able to start it up enough to erase the drive inside by connecting to another computer. If it really won't even power up then the only way to erase the drive is to remove it.  Apple offers recycling facilities but I am not clear on the security of their erasing of drives. Presumably they do it but you are then trusting some else.

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 7:17 AM

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yeoportland

Q: Import Applications from Time Machine

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,Apple recommended

    Limnos Limnos Aug 10, 2016 7:17 AM in response to yeoportland
    Level 9 (53,971 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 10, 2016 7:17 AM in response to yeoportland

    1) Some applications like the high-end ones you mention install things all over the place and really need installing using proper installers.  Unless you were to recover the entire Time Machine backup it is likely you would miss some critical piece somewhere.

     

    2) It isn't a clone. There are tools that clone but Time Machine isn't one.

     

    3) Depends upon what is dead and even if it really is dead. Saying it won't boot doesn't tell us much really.  If you really think it is finished you may still be able to start it up enough to erase the drive inside by connecting to another computer. If it really won't even power up then the only way to erase the drive is to remove it.  Apple offers recycling facilities but I am not clear on the security of their erasing of drives. Presumably they do it but you are then trusting somebody else.

  • by yeoportland,

    yeoportland yeoportland Aug 11, 2016 8:19 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 11, 2016 8:19 AM in response to Limnos

    Dear Limnos

    i managed to access to my iMac thru target mode disk and run first aid on the hard disk and it seems to be no problem, and just to be safe I reinstall the latest OS X.

    Then I disconnect it from the host Mac and try to boot it on its own, and it just freeze on white screen since 5 hours ago.

    Any idea what is wrong? Could it be graphic card problem since the hard disk is okay?

    Thanks in advance!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Aug 12, 2016 10:38 AM in response to yeoportland
    Level 9 (53,971 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 12, 2016 10:38 AM in response to yeoportland

    Using Apple Hardware Test  https://support.apple.com/HT201257 - "Apple Hardware Test (AHT) contains a suite of diagnostics that will test the hardware of your computer. It's a great way to rule out a hardware issue when troubleshooting your computer."  "Important: If your Mac was released after June 2013, you will use Apple Diagnostics rather than Apple Hardware Test (AHT). See Using Apple Diagnostics for instructions - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5781"