Restoring MBA from Time Capsule

Question

Level 1

30 points

Restoring MBA from Time Capsule

After being told by a Genius at the Apple Store that I would need to do an erase and restore to solve my momentary blackout issue I have a couple of questions.

1. I was told that I can use my Time Capsule to restore by connecting it to my MBA with a USB cable since I can't connect with firewire. But when I checked the tech specs for TC it only states that the USB port on TC is for connecting up a printer. So, my question is can I or can't I?

2. After I do the erase and restore I will then run software update. But when I go to use TC to restore my apps and etc. won't it restore what was causing the problem with the blackout issue? I'm thinking it won't but I'd like to understand why.

The instructions for the erase and restore look to be pretty straightforward but if anyone has any tips that would help I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for all your help.

iMac 10.1, iPod touch 32G, Time Capsule 1TB, macbook air 3.1, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 23, 2011 11:10 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 23, 2011 11:15 PM in response to drtime3r

Was the MBA backed up to the TC? If not then what would you be restoring from it? If the MBA is backing up to the TC, then you restore from it via the same connection. I would think that would be wirelessly or via Ethernet.

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Answer 2

drtime3r Author

Level 1

30 points

Jun 23, 2011 11:27 PM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy!

Yes, the MBA was backed up to the TC. It normally backs up wirelessly. I can't restore via ethernet due to there only being a USB port on the MBA. I think restoring wirelessly will take a fair amount of time. I could be wrong on that though.

Thanks for your response.

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Answer 3

drtime3r Author

Level 1

30 points

Jun 23, 2011 11:54 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy,

I just read in another post about a ethernet to USB adapter. Could I use that?

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 24, 2011 12:27 PM in response to drtime3r

Yes, that adaptor does work. Restoring wirelessly would indeed take a long time. Ethernet will be about as fast as a USB drive.

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Answer 5

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Jun 24, 2011 12:54 PM in response to drtime3r

Hi drtime3r,

I suspect that this is where the Genius was going, by reinstalling OS X and then restoring from a Time Machine backup you're creating a new instance of OS X and its frameworks. By bringing your data back this would sit on top of the new OS X installation. So I think they've isolated the issue to an OS level problem (not user level) if I follow their recommended steps.

If it is in fact an OS level problem then it would occur in a new user as well, if it does not occur in a new user then it's not an OS level problem and rather a user level issue. Thus wiping the OS and restoring from a TM backup would just bring the problem back.

The Time Machine will only restore via a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (AirPort) connection, the USB port is not designed to interface with the internal storage for purposes of restoration/backup.

Source -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2421

If you've got a lot of data, restoring over WiFi is absurdly slow. Back when I got my first MacBook Air and Time Capsule I remember performing my first backup over WiFi (just to see how long it took). For a little over 55GB it took almost 18 hours and I've heard horror stories of it taking 3+ days (straight) for some users with very large backups or where there's a lot of wireless interference.

As Kappy recommended the USB-to-Ethernet adapter is a great way to backup/restore. It was one of the first purchases I made (after an external DVD/CD drive) and while I don't use it much it's a fantastic accessory to have for reasons like this.

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Answer 6

drtime3r Author

Level 1

30 points

Jun 27, 2011 7:10 AM in response to JasonFear

Dear Kappy and Jason,

first of all, thank you. You guys always give me the confidence in myself to have a whack at this stuff and while I don't always get it right (the first time) I always end up learning something. When I don't get it right I always have confidence that you can help me see where I screwed up so I can fix it.

Now I find myself in one of those situations where I am hugely perplexed and need your help.

I went out and got the adaptor and ethernet cable and proceeded to do the erase and install. Everything went fine according to the instructions. My problems started after I went to restore all my original settings from Migration Assistant. I believe that was my major screw-up. I am thinking now that I should have just restored from my last Time Machine backup but I'm also having trouble with that.

I have tried to find good information for using Time Machine to restore my info ( iCal, Address Book, Safari bookmarks, etc. ) but I am not really finding anything in the step by step variety.

When I try to use Time Machine by going to the date and time of the backup I want to use I highlight Address Book, for example and then click restore. It asks me for my password starts to transfer the file and then I hear this electronic "clunk" sound and then nothing happens. I am doing this with the MBA connected via ethernet cable and I make sure I have a connection to the Time Capsule in Finder.

I am thinking that I should go back and start over from the very beginning with my erase and install. I really need to get my bookmarks, calendar and address book info back. I'm dreading going to work today because I'm going to have to lookup all the information I need to do my job. I'll live, I'm sure but I'm also a little excited to get this all figured out. FYI, the original problem with my screen going black appears to be solved. Yay!

Thanks you guys again for all your help I really do appreciate it and please don't think I take your help for granted. I don't. If you ever need help getting a watch fixed, let me know.

Regards, Richard

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Answer 7

JE13

Level 4

3,938 points

Jun 27, 2011 9:40 AM in response to JasonFear

"The Time Machine will only restore via a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (AirPort) connection, the USB port is not designed to interface with the internal storage for purposes of restoration/backup"

Are we talking about Time Capsule in particular? Because I use Time Machine with an external hard drive and had no trouble connecting via USB to do the restore with Migration Assistant.

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Answer 8

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Jun 27, 2011 9:49 AM in response to JE13

JE13 wrote:

Are we talking about Time Capsule in particular? Because I use Time Machine with an external hard drive and had no trouble connecting via USB to do the restore with Migration Assistant.

Yes, the topic of the thread is: "Restoring MBA from Time Capsule." I was referring to the Time Machine backup that is stored on the Time Capsule as we've assumed that we're working with a TC based on the OP's description and subject line.

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Answer 9

JE13

Level 4

3,938 points

Jun 27, 2011 9:52 AM in response to drtime3r

Dr,

This may have nothing at all to do with your problem (the backup problem), but have you checked the read/write privileges on the back-up copy? I had some trouble with restoring a back-up from Time Machine to my MBA. When I "got info" on the backup, I found that the back-up didn't recognize my MBA "user" (for some reason, the user name, etc. that I'd put on the fresh MBA was not the same as on the back-up) and I had to add (click +) that user there on in the info window and give the MBA read/write privileges before everything would migrate.

I used a USB connection between me and the external hard drive I was using (I can't speak to Time Capsule) and the transfer of some 70gb took about 30 minutes. If Kappy & Jason can't sort this out (and they are among our sharpest MBA users)and you're still having trouble, I think you should take it all into the Apple store and make the genius do it for you 😉

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Answer 10

JE13

Level 4

3,938 points

Jun 27, 2011 9:56 AM in response to JasonFear

Quite right! My bad. I was looking at your reference to "Time Machine" rather than at the title of the thread. Duh on me.

That's very good to know about the Time Capsule. I know Apple is aiming to eventually move all to Thunderbolt, but as so many current MBA's and such are all Ethernet, that seems kinda counterintuitive.

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Answer 11

drtime3r Author

Level 1

30 points

Jun 27, 2011 10:35 AM in response to JE13

Hi JE13,

thank you for weighing in here. I think you are on to something with regards to changing the user. I wondered about that when it asked me to create another user name or identity when I was running migration assistant. That makes a lot of sense to me. I neglected to mention a window that pops up when I attempt to restore from time capsule. It says something like "you may need to log in as an administrator to restore these files" or something to that effect.

This is why I feel that I should just start over and do the erase and install again. After that it seems my next steps should be:

1. Run software update.

2. Restore from Time Capsule (and not use Migration Assistant).

Does this sound plausible? If yes, then my question is:

How do I or can I use Time Machine to bring back my Address Book, my iCal, Safari, iPhoto, Photo Booth, Mail, documents with all my prior info? Do I have to do it all piece by piece? I'm sure I don't but I can't seem to figure it out. I'm ok for right now because I use the MBA to sync my iTouch so my calendar and address book are intact but I have all these photos of watches that are in Photo Booth. I hadn't realized how much I use that little feature.

Thanks you guys. Please let me know what you think.

Richard

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Answer 12

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Jun 27, 2011 10:47 AM in response to drtime3r

Hi Richard,

Here's a good article that explains all of the different steps of restoring/backing up in regards to Time Machine.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427

There's two methods to run the Time Machine restore:

Through the Time Machine GUI within OS X
Through Migration/Setup Assistant

The GUI is usually designed for individual file/folder restorations. For what you're looking to get back (Address Book, iCal, Safari, iPhoto, Photo Booth, Mail, documents, etc.) then the individual restoration method through the GUI is really not the ideal method for restoring.

That's a lot of data, spread out over numerous ~/Library folders that aren't extremely clean to do. The restoration via Migration/Setup Assistant really seems like a better option.

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Answer 13

drtime3r Author

Level 1

30 points

Jun 27, 2011 11:23 AM in response to JasonFear

Hi Jason,

I noticed about using GUI in another post I saw. It's good to understand a little more about it now.

When I ran Migration Assistant why didn't it restore my settings and file information. Actually I didn't really notice anything different after running it now that I think about it. I wasn't able to get my documents back until I went into Time Machine, went back to my last backup before the erase/install, highlighted the documents folder and clicked restore on the bottom bar in Time Machine. It's starting to sound like I did something bad.

Your opinion please.

Thanks again, Richard

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Answer 14

JE13

Level 4

3,938 points

Jun 27, 2011 11:56 AM in response to JE13

Sorry, I meant USB not ethernet. I think I should stop talking today 😊

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Answer 15

JE13

Level 4

3,938 points

Jun 27, 2011 12:01 PM in response to drtime3r

Dr.

Even if you do an erase and install, you may have to make sure that the user name (administrator) for your Air is the same as on your backup. Do go to info and see. You can always add in (click the +) the name on the MBA and give it read/write privileges.

Migration Assistant is a pain and people have had plenty of problems with it--it is a very picky program and I think we all agree that Apple needs to do better with it. But when it works, it works and should give you a nice copy of all you had before.

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