Backup entire startup disk on a dmg file

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Backup entire startup disk on a dmg file

Hi, I have two very simple questions. I'm going to make a full backup of my Mac OS X system disc: I would like to clone it in a .dmg image that I will store in an external USB drive. I don't care if the image will be bootable or not. I just wanna be able to restore my system disc from it in case of future crashes or bad errors. So my questions are:

- Do I need to follow a particular procedure while creating the image of my full system disc?
- Will it be possible to restore the disc from that image in case of future problems?

Mac Mini with Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 26, 2009 4:05 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 26, 2009 4:16 PM in response to marcycaster

Using disc images to backup a startup volume is not a good idea. Just clone the startup volume directly to the external drive:

How to Clone Using Restore Option of Disk Utility

1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (journaled, if available) and click on the Erase button. This step can be skipped if the destination has already been freshly erased.
4. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.

Destination means the external backup drive.
Source means the startup volume/drive.

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Answer 2

marcycaster Author

Level 1

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Aug 24, 2009 7:56 AM in response to marcycaster

The procedure given in this official Apple Support document should be fine for my case:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553 (see the 2nd point, "Using Disk Utility")

My last doubt is that the document refers to Mac OS X 10.5. Anyone can confirm that is possible to the the same on Tiger?

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Answer 3

Aug 24, 2009 10:02 AM in response to marcycaster

At the bottom of the page you linked, there is another link which apparently you missed.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2980 How to back up and restore your important Mac OS X 10.4 files

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