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Bootable clone with Disk Utility

I have read quite a number of postings re cloning with Disk Utility, CCC, CuperDuper and decided to go with Disk Utility. Suits my purpose. I have 2 Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard (250GB and 120GB). I created 3 partitiions in a 500GB Iomega hard disk - specially to create two clones - one for each MacBook Pro and keep the third partition for extra storage.


Want to clarify the following:


1. In many postings that I have read, including some Apple documents - it requires that I use the Disk Utility located in the Macbook Install Disc to do the cloning. ie. boot up MAcbook Pro with the Install Disc and use that Disk Utility. In other postings, it was silent - which implied use the Disk Utility in the SOurce MacBook.


I have successfully created a clone with the latter i.e. use the Disk Utility in the SOurce MacBook. I did not use the Install Disc.


Am I doing the right thing - it seems to work. I have managed to boot from the clone.


2. I gave a name to the TArget Volume for the clone - but, when Restore in DIsk Utility starts to create the clone - it changed the name to that of the SOurce Volume. Got me worried. But, it worked.


Can I change the Target Volume name (ie the clone) to a different name that makes sense to me, and how to do it. I have used the "Get Info" and changed the name - it seems ok. Am I doing something wrong?


OR, I should NOT change the name and keep the same name as the SOurce Volume?


3. WHen formatting teh disk - I used Mac OS Extended (journalled) - without "case-sensitive" and "Ignore Ownership Permission" - should I use "case-sensitive"



I hope someone can help me understand IF I have done something wrong! Regards and thanks in advance.

Posted on Dec 15, 2011 10:17 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 9:52 PM

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

1. In many postings that I have read, including some Apple documents - it requires that I use the Disk Utility located in the Macbook Install Disc to do the cloning.

Yes, that's best. If you do it while OSX is running, you may not get the up-to-date versions of files (that haven't been written to disk yet). While OSX is running, all sorts of things are changing constantly. Usually that's not a big problem, but don't take the chance.


Can I change the Target Volume name (ie the clone) to a different name that makes sense to me, and how to do it. I have used the "Get Info" and changed the name - it seems ok. Am I doing something wrong?

Yes, that's a bit irritating. Changing it is fine.


WHen formatting teh disk - I used Mac OS Extended (journalled) - without "case-sensitive" and "Ignore Ownership Permission" - should I use "case-sensitive"

No. Macs (and many apps) really don't like case-sensitive, but some 3rd-party apps require it. Don't use it unless absolutely necessary.

14 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 16, 2011 9:52 PM in response to hock_eye

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

1. In many postings that I have read, including some Apple documents - it requires that I use the Disk Utility located in the Macbook Install Disc to do the cloning.

Yes, that's best. If you do it while OSX is running, you may not get the up-to-date versions of files (that haven't been written to disk yet). While OSX is running, all sorts of things are changing constantly. Usually that's not a big problem, but don't take the chance.


Can I change the Target Volume name (ie the clone) to a different name that makes sense to me, and how to do it. I have used the "Get Info" and changed the name - it seems ok. Am I doing something wrong?

Yes, that's a bit irritating. Changing it is fine.


WHen formatting teh disk - I used Mac OS Extended (journalled) - without "case-sensitive" and "Ignore Ownership Permission" - should I use "case-sensitive"

No. Macs (and many apps) really don't like case-sensitive, but some 3rd-party apps require it. Don't use it unless absolutely necessary.

Dec 16, 2011 11:12 PM in response to hock_eye

Thanks for your response, it helps relieve my anxiety relating to the Disk Utility tool and the volume name change.


Ok . I will use the Utility Disk in the Install Disc - since both my machines were upgraded from Tiger to Snow Leopard - I guess it is proper that I use the Snow Leopard upgrade Install Disc, assuming there is a Disk Utility there!


I seems to recall reading that Time Machine requires "case-sensitive" - need to check when I return from travelling.


Regards

Dec 16, 2011 11:22 PM in response to hock_eye

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

Ok . I will use the Utility Disk in the Install Disc - since both my machines were upgraded from Tiger to Snow Leopard - I guess it is proper that I use the Snow Leopard upgrade Install Disc, assuming there is a Disk Utility there!

Yes, absolutely. Always use the same "major version" as the disk you're fixing. Using a higher one (ie, Lion to fix a Snow Leopard disk) probably won't hurt, but going the other way could cause a disaster!


I seems to recall reading that Time Machine requires "case-sensitive" - need to check when I return from travelling.

No, it doesn't require it. But if you let Time Machine format a drive for use with Time Machine, it will make it case-sensitive (presumably so you can back up either case-ignorant or case-sensitive volumes, since it won't work the other way).


But you can (and I recommend) use case-ignorant for the TM drive if the drives being backed-up are case-ignorant. Otherwise, you can have the problem in #E7 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Jan 4, 2012 4:51 AM in response to Pondini

Hi Pondini


Sorry to trouble you - may I ask if you know what I did not do right.


As advised, I wanted to use the Disk Utility in the Install Disc to clone - but it did not respond. Let me explain.


My Macbook Pro originally came with Tiger OS - I upgraded to Snow Leopard. The Upgrade DVD - labelled "Mac OS X Snow Leopard" Version 10.6 - I am currently on 10.6.8 - I guess this does not matter here. I did the following steps:


1. Insert the Upgrade DVD - there were 3 options: (1) Install Mac OS X (2) Optional Installs (3) Instructions


2. I selected (1) Install Mac OS X - the screen "Install Mac OS X" opens with instructions "To set up installtion of Snow Leopard, click CONTINUE


To perform other task - restore from Time Machines, ete etc - select options from the Utilities Menu.


But, I am not able to select anything except to press CONTINUE.


I cannot eject the disc either - so I restarted the machine by holding OPTION key and select the Macintosh HD (luckily this works) and ejected the disc.


Is it because I am using the wrong disc - meaning I need to use the original MAc OS X Install DVD (Version 10.5.7)

Jan 4, 2012 4:08 PM in response to Pondini

Thanks for your response.


I read the link you provided especially #7. That was exactly what I was trying to do.


I get to the following screen - but I do not get the drop down menu such as shown below. I can move the cursor around but there is no response from the Install DV disc. None of the menu item can be selected. My machine has the Trackpad - I even press on Trackpad just in case, the touch is not sensitive enough, I thought! It is as if the machien has hanged!


But, I must say that - earlier when I did not know of the Menu bar - I selected "CONTINUE" and it started "preparing to install SNow Leopard" - as it took very long and nothing appeared to be happening (many minutes) as if it hsa hanged. I pressed the "switch" button to power off and managed to restart with the OSX in my hard disk - then, ejected the Install DVD disc. My machine seems to running OK now - you think this might have damaged the Install DVD disc - that teh Menu bar is not working ?


User uploaded file


By the way, in the link you provided is suggested to copy the Install DVD disc to a hard disk - I tried to use the Disk Utility running on my OSX - but I cannot drag the Install DVD disc to the source field. How can I copy the Install DVD disc to hard disk?


Regards and thanks in advance.

Jan 4, 2012 4:22 PM in response to hock_eye

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

I get to the following screen - but I do not get the drop down menu such as shown below. I can move the cursor around but there is no response from the Install DV disc.

The image does not appear in your post.


Do you mean when you click on the Utilities menu, you don't get the drop-down, or you can't select any of them?


I pressed the "switch" button to power off and managed to restart with the OSX in my hard disk - then, ejected the Install DVD disc. My machine seems to running OK now - you think this might have damaged the Install DVD disc - that teh Menu bar is not working ?

No, the DVD is read-only. Unless you erase it, nothing will be changed on it.


I cannot drag the Install DVD disc to the source field.

It sounds like your trackpad is not recognized. By trackpad, do you mean the trackpad on a laptop, or a separate wireless trackpad?


If you mean a separate wireless trackpad, it ought to be recognized, but try the one on your laptop, or use an Apple wired keyboard.

Jan 4, 2012 4:46 PM in response to Pondini

Thanks for your response. Much appreciated. Very eager to get it working.


1. Do not know why the image does not appear - it is a screen grab of the "menu bar with the drop down list of options" - I copied it from #7 in yoru link.


I cannot select any items in the Menu bar - which consisted "Mac OSX Inbstaller" - which remained BOLD, and all others (eg. File, Edit, Utilities, Window) are not highlighted.


BTW - how can I get the image to appear - it did when I was composing the reply!


2. Yes, it is the Trackpad that comes with my Macbook Pro - Unibody model. But, I am using it now. Also, when I insert the Install DVD disc - I am able to select the "Install" icon - all these seems to suggest it is working.


When I drag the "INstall DVD" - it shows the icon being dragged - but it just does not stay in the source field. I can drag the "Macintosh HD" to the target field.

Jan 4, 2012 4:57 PM in response to hock_eye

I have no idea what's going on. 😟


It sounds a bit like a problem with the DVD, but if there were something wrong with it (scratched, etc.), I can't imagine that it would start and seem to run ok.


You might want to try downloading either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, and try using it to make your clone.


You may need to take it and your Mac to your local Apple Store or Authorized Repair location.

Jan 4, 2012 5:05 PM in response to Pondini

I have used the Disk Utility in my OSX to make the clone. It works. You advised (for good reasons) that it is better to use the Disk Utility in the Install DVD disc. And that is what I was trying to do.


1. Do you think it is possible to copy the "Disk Utility" in my OSX to another disk and use that?


2. How to copy the "Install DVD" disc to the hardisk as suggested in your link #7


Regards

Jan 4, 2012 5:09 PM in response to hock_eye

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

1. Do you think it is possible to copy the "Disk Utility" in my OSX to another disk and use that?

Yes, by making a bootable clone. You can't copy the app and use it by itself -- it needs an operating system.


2. How to copy the "Install DVD" disc to the hardisk as suggested in your link #7

That should work. I don't recall seeing a post where it didn't.

Jan 5, 2012 2:56 AM in response to Pondini

Hi Pondini


Solved the issue. Consulted a technician at Apple Reseller. Quite embarrasing in a way, although not so obvious for someone like me who has gotten so used to multi-touch trackpad!!


1. The OSX in the Install DVD disc apparently is not as complete as that in my laptop. Specifically, it does not have the "multi-touch" feature. So, one need to click the TouchPad like a mouse. That was why it was not responding.


2. I did pressed the Touchpad to click - although the TrackPAd is suppossedly ONE BIG BUTTON which you can click anywhere - it is most sensitive at the bottom quarter of the pad. I clicked in the middle - although it has worked in other applications - it is less so with the Install DVD disc. But, iy now seems a little more sensitive even with the Install DVD disc.


So, I have managed to use the Disk Utility in the Install DVD disc and it opens up to me a number of options for me to "play" with.


Thank you for your attention and interest - sorry if I have embarrassed you for not knowing the above two points!


Regards - next time I will find you intellectually more interesting issues to tackle.

Jan 5, 2012 8:53 AM in response to hock_eye

hock_eye wrote:

. . .

1. The OSX in the Install DVD disc apparently is not as complete as that in my laptop. Specifically, it does not have the "multi-touch" feature. So, one need to click the TouchPad like a mouse. That was why it was not responding.

I've not heard that before (and I have an iMac, so haven't seen it myself). What a PITA!


Anyway, glad it's sorted out, and thanks for the feedback.

Bootable clone with Disk Utility

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