How to copy files from Time Machine backup without time machine?

David Knecht wrote:
My Macbook Pro died last week and I have a new one on order. In the meantime, I am trying to function with my old Macbook. It is using 10.4 and so has no Time Machine running on it. Is there any way I can get at some of the files on the backup so I can be functional until my new computer arrives?

Not with Tiger. 😟

Only Leopard and Snow Leopard understand the structure of Time Machine backups. Tiger (or a PC) won't even see the data files.

Can you upgrade the older MacBook?

If you purchased Leopard separately (with a black disc), and have enough room on an internal or external disk, I believe it would be legal to install Leopard in a separate partition, and use it with the older MacBook, until you get the new one back (the license allows you to use it on one Mac +at a time.)+ If you bought the Pro with Leopard, however, you cannot use the disc that came with it (gray); it won't install on a different Mac.

The same is true of Snow Leopard, if you have a retail (white) Install disc, and the old MacBook has an Intel processor.

David Knecht wrote:
In fact, Leopard can understand some of the data in Time Machine. I have copied some of hte files off the external drive, but the ones that are some sort of alias don't work.

You mean Tiger. And yes, Tiger does not understand "hard links," which act sort of like aliases, at the directory level. Time Machine uses them at both the file and directory level; OSX was changed, effective with Leopard, to allow them at the directory level, to make Time Machine work.

Unfortunately, I cannot install Leopard because the machine is below the minimal hardware requirements (667mHz).

Then you're out of luck 😟 Either borrow a Leopard or Snow Leopard Mac, or wait for your shiny new one. Sorry.

Ah, great! Glad it's sorted out, and thanks for the feedback.