Backups from 10.5 are not visible in Time Machine after 10.6 install

I'm experiencing the exact same problem. I did a clean install (reformatted the HD for reasons not important here). I named the Mac hard drive something different than it was before and I believe that has something (or everything) to do with it.

Since I haven't gone too far I'm doing a fresh SL install and this time I'll name the hard drive the same as it was before. As soon as the install is completed I'll check the Time Machine and report back.

Message was edited by: richsadams

Mine are visible... What did you do during the upgrade?
What did you change?

Dave

The same problem here (installation was as an update)

Success! As noted above, when I installed SL it was a full "scrape and pave". I used Disk Utility to reformat the hard drive because I wanted to wipe everything and start fresh. Not thinking too much about it I named the hard drive "iMac". Previously it was named "Macintosh HD".

I just did another "scrape and pave" but this time I named the hard drive "Macintosh HD" as it had been before. This time I was able to "see" all of the backups when I opened Time Machine. Now that I think about it, It makes perfect sense. Time Machine would see a differently named drive as a different machine.

I'm now in the process of copying my documents files, etc. I'll do the same with iPhoto and some applications later. If I run into any issues I'll report back.

Bottom line (at least in my case) is if you reformat your hard drive during the install, give it the exact same name if you want to access your Time Machine files.

Unfortunately I have the same name like before the installation and still can't see my previous backups.

I saw a couple of other posts on the subject. One said to unmount/eject the TM hard drive and then reconnect it and if that didn't work, reboot everything. Another said to use Disk Utility to repair the drive (not repair permissions). I think another said to sign in with another user account (create a new one if needed) to see if it would work. No idea if any of those suggestions will help or not.

Best of luck!

Same problem here...

I entered time machine again and the prior back ups appeared but I couldn't select them... Then exited Time Machine.
Entered again and then was able to select prior ones...

Not sure why, but entering and exiting brought back full functionality...

It's possible TM has started a new "sequence" of backups.

To see these "other" backups, you need the (badly named) +Browse Other Time Machine Disks+ option. It's available by holding down the Option key while selecting the TM icon in your Menubar, or by control-clicking (right-clicking) the TM icon in your Dock.

You'll see a selection screen showing all the disks/partitions that have TM backups on them. Select the one you want, and you'll be taken to the normal TM "Star Wars" interface, where you should see all the backups on that disk/partition.

Oddly, my list does not list any disk/partitions...

Yep same issue for me - all previous 10.5 backups appear to be missing. Did the control-click thing and sure enough the 10.5 backups came back. Just forced a backup to see what happens and all seems okay now (I've had the 10.5 backups back before though and then they went again, so I will keep checking...). All seems a bit slow though too.

Also I'm sure I used to get to see my desktop 'as was' under 10.5, now time-machine shows me my desktop as icons within finder. Am I correct, is this an oddity too?

hey all,

thanks! I had exactly the same problem - just renamed my hard drive (previously it was named "Havelock" and during install I had to wipe and called it Macintosh HD) - as soon as I renamed it (just in the finder - no need for Disk Utility) I could see my previous time machine backups again!

Cheers
Edd

I just did a regular upgrade install, since it's supposed to be an archive and install by default.

I can view my files in Time Machine, however, the Address book does not show any address cards prior to my upgrade.. Even though the information is there in the ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook folder when viewed through Time Machine.

I couldn't see my previous TM back up after a clean install - panic! But it appeared after I closed and started TM again. I used a different user name as suggested. Now I have my new and old hard drives appearing in the TM finder. I assume when I do a back up of my new Hard drive it will keep the old files under the old user name and start a new history for the new user. That first back up will be a bit nerve racking but fingers crossed. Guess I should make a duplicate of the file before I start the back up. Any other suggestions / recommendations?

Jason Howard1 wrote:
I couldn't see my previous TM back up after a clean install - panic! But it appeared after I closed and started TM again. I used a different user name as suggested. Now I have my new and old hard drives appearing in the TM finder. I assume when I do a back up of my new Hard drive it will keep the old files under the old user name and start a new history for the new user.

If the HD name has been changed, then yes, TM will back it all up again (just as if you rename a file or folder). If all you did was sign-on as a different user, then no, it won't.

That first back up will be a bit nerve racking but fingers crossed. Guess I should make a duplicate of the file before I start the back up. Any other suggestions / recommendations?

Not sure what file you're talking about.

If your hard drive has a different name, to see the backups from the old one, use the procedure in item #E3 of the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip.*