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Retrieve a file in external HDD from time machine

I use the Time machine to backup my Mac and the Ext HDD..

Now the Ext HDD have a reading error.

How can I back into the Time Machine to find the backup of one file from that HDD?


the time machine only let me in when that HDD is available and also if I retrieve a file, it only let me store at the same location (that's the error HDD).


I use another Mac to look for the time machine but cannot got any file.


Can anyone help or give me some suggestion?


Thanks all.


iMac

Posted on Oct 8, 2022 3:06 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 8, 2022 9:25 AM

sakidachi wrote:

I use the Time machine to backup my Mac and the Ext HDD..
Now the Ext HDD have a reading error.
How can I back into the Time Machine to find the backup of one file from that HDD?

the time machine only let me in when that HDD is available and also if I retrieve a file, it only let me store at the same location (that's the error HDD).

I use another Mac to look for the time machine but cannot got any file.

Can anyone help or give me some suggestion?

Thanks all.

Open the Time Machine drive in Finder (not in Time Machine interface). Open the last backup folder shown for the external drive you were backing up but now that external drive does not work properly. Be careful not to make any CHANGES to the Time Machine backup folders. Navigate using the Finder as you normally would to the folder inside the Time Machine backup to locate the file you want to recover. When you find it, copy (drag) it to your working Mac internal drive, perhaps to the desktop so you can easily locate it. Verify that the file is on your Mac's desktop and works.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 8, 2022 9:25 AM in response to sakidachi

sakidachi wrote:

I use the Time machine to backup my Mac and the Ext HDD..
Now the Ext HDD have a reading error.
How can I back into the Time Machine to find the backup of one file from that HDD?

the time machine only let me in when that HDD is available and also if I retrieve a file, it only let me store at the same location (that's the error HDD).

I use another Mac to look for the time machine but cannot got any file.

Can anyone help or give me some suggestion?

Thanks all.

Open the Time Machine drive in Finder (not in Time Machine interface). Open the last backup folder shown for the external drive you were backing up but now that external drive does not work properly. Be careful not to make any CHANGES to the Time Machine backup folders. Navigate using the Finder as you normally would to the folder inside the Time Machine backup to locate the file you want to recover. When you find it, copy (drag) it to your working Mac internal drive, perhaps to the desktop so you can easily locate it. Verify that the file is on your Mac's desktop and works.

Oct 8, 2022 3:20 AM in response to BDAqua

thanks BDAqua,


I can enter the time machine where the target file located now, it only let me retrieve to the same location (ext HDD).

but I want to retrieve the file to another location. eg. the iMac not the ext HDD.


I run the First aids in Disk Utility, it said no error found. but when I copy the file, it failed.


:<

Retrieve a file in external HDD from time machine

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