Problems with new SSD and Time Machine Backup Restores (27" late 2015 5k iMac)

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Problems with new SSD and Time Machine Backup Restores (27" late 2015 5k iMac)

I am having issues after replacing the original HDD in my late 2015 iMac (running Monterey OS) with a new SSD.

At first, after installing the new SSD and booting the iMac, I was unable to see the SSD in Disk Utility (via recovery, Terminal, etc.). I set the iMac to Target Disk Mode and connected it to my Macbook Pro and the drive appeared in Disk Utility. I tried formatting it as APFS but when i would reboot the iMac no disk would appear. I then formatted it to Mac OS Extended and was able to see it and install the OS on the iMac via Recovery (MacOS Mojave was installed).

The problem I am having now is that I am trying to restore from Time Machine using my latest backup (yesterday) but the only backups i can choose are one's from late 2020. Everything after 2020 appears when I open the TM disk via Finder, but i cannot choose to restore from these newer backups.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jun 24, 2022 4:47 PM

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Answer 1

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ItsAlan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2022 8:21 AM in response to ku4hx

I was using iCloud but not for everything.

I tried accessing TM data through Migration Assistant as well as Entering Time Machine once the system was running on the original OS installed via Recovery. Both methods restored the computer, but to the state it was in at the end of 2020. For whatever reason, it was not loading any of the newer data.

After a couple of days of trying things out, I found a solution. Probably not the most efficient way to get there but it worked for me:

Boot iMac in Target Disk Mode -> New SSD visible in Disk Utility on host Macbook Pro

Format SSD as Mac OS Extended -> Now visible in iMac

Boot iMac in Recovery Mode -> Install MacOS via Internet Recovery (El Capitan)

Once up and running, upgraded to APFS compatible MacOS (Mojave)

Reboot iMac in Recovery Mode -> Convert SSD to APFS via Disk Utility

Roboot iMac in Recovery Mode -> Erase and format SSD to APFS -> Now APFS formatted drive is visible in iMac Disk Utility

Install MacOS Monterey via bootable USB drive

During initial setup used Migration Assistant -> select From Time Machine and recent backups are now an option.

iMac restored to exact state it was in days earlier.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Jun 25, 2022 8:14 AM in response to ItsAlan

I would install Monterey or upgrade the new SSD to Monterey and then see if you can Migrate from the later Time Machine backups.

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Answer 3

ItsAlan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2022 8:47 AM in response to den.thed

That was ultimately the solution. I just had trouble finding a way to install Monterey on the new SSD.

The iMac would only interact with the disk if it was formatted as HFS+. I had to install the original OS, upgrade to an APFS compatible OS, convert the SSD to APFS, and then install Monterey.

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Answer 4

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

Jun 25, 2022 3:58 AM in response to ItsAlan

Were you using iCloud Drive before you "fixed" your Mac? If so, those files should still be there.

As to you not being able to use the TM data, how exactly are you trying to access it? The easiest way is to use Migration Assistant and forgo Terminal and etc.

How are you expecting "recovery" to restore your data?

I suggest if you can see the 2020 data you go ahead and restore it using Migration Assistant. You haven't harmed the source in any way and if you don't want the data on the new drive then just delete it.

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Answer 5

ItsAlan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2022 7:03 PM in response to den.thed

It’s an OWC. Guess I’ll have to take it apart again and see if there’s any issues with the SATA cables and connections…not sure what else it may be??

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Answer 6

ItsAlan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2022 4:56 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks. Now I'm not too sure if I have another hardware issue. After a day of running fine, I had a kernel panic and on reboot it showed the flashing folder with a question mark.

Reboot into Recovery Mode and no internal drive visible...

Trying to install OS but not selectable drive.

Trying to reboot in Target Disk Mode and this time nothing visible in host MacBook

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