Backup from Time Machine onto a new laptop

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Backup from Time Machine onto a new laptop

I connected my old Time Machine disk to the new computer, and it commenced a backup, before I realised what was occurring.

So now I cannot go back beyond that new backup, to do a total restore onto the new laptop.

I can see the old data is there, but not accessible.

So I was trying to cancel the new backup to clear the disk of the new data, unsuccessfully.

Appreciate any advice on restoring the data from the old computer. (It died when given an orange drink)

Thanks, Ivan.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 26, 2024 6:44 PM

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Answer 1

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John Galt

Level 10

160,534 points

Aug 26, 2024 8:15 PM in response to 9laviah

The right way to set up a new Mac is to migrate its content from the Time Machine backup of the Mac it replaced. Let's assume you did not do that. Press and hold an Option key while clicking the Time Machine icon in the Mac's menu bar. A previously unseen "Browse Other Backup Disks..." option will appear. Select it. Does that allow you to restore items from that backup?

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

160,534 points

Aug 27, 2024 10:09 AM in response to 9laviah

I don't see how that could help, since deleting the latest backup will not cause previous backups to suddenly reappear.

When you "Browse Other Backup Disks..." do those earlier backups appear? What happens instead?

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Answer 3

9laviah Author

Level 1

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Aug 28, 2024 5:49 AM in response to John Galt

Yes, initially the old data appeared and I was able to visualise the previous backup according to the date. But unable to install it. "Restore" was not highlighted.

So, still unable to run the backup.

Ivan

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Answer 4

9laviah Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 27, 2024 3:13 AM in response to John Galt

Thanks John, but that still didn't open the old data. Is there a way of deleting the latest backup, to clear the way?

Ivan

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Backup from Time Machine onto a new laptop

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