HT1553: Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6: How to back up and restore your files

Learn about Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6: How to back up and restore your files
waynefromnl
Level 1 (12 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Does an image contain the OS system as well as data files?

I have an iMac (early 2008 24") and believe that a hard drive crash is imminent (very sluggish operating and the rainbow wheel is on the screen for every movement of the mouse. It's taking it for ever to complete the simplest task. In preparation for a hard drive replacement I created an image of the entire Macintosh HD and stored it on an external hard drive. My question is what is actually contained on this image file? Just file data (pictures, music, documents, etc.) or all data including the Lion OS system? What other problems besides the hard drive would make my iMac operate this way?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on May 15, 2012 4:44 AM

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waynefromnl

Q: Does an image contain the OS system as well as data files?

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  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody May 15, 2012 5:10 AM in response to waynefromnl
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    May 15, 2012 5:10 AM in response to waynefromnl

    What created the image?  If you mount the image, does it appear to have all the necessary system folders including the Applications, Library, and System?

  • by ds store,

    ds store ds store May 15, 2012 7:20 AM in response to waynefromnl
    Level 7 (30,395 points)
    May 15, 2012 7:20 AM in response to waynefromnl

    waynefromnl wrote:

     

    I created an image of the entire Macintosh HD and stored it on an external hard drive. My question is what is actually contained on this image file?

     

    The entire image of the Macintosh HD partition contains OS X Lion, all your programs and files.

     

    It doesn't contain BootCamp or other partitions, including the hidden EFI or Recovery Partitions.

     

    It's likely not direct accessible and is not bootable.

     

    What other problems besides the hard drive would make my iMac operate this way?

     

    Bad sectors on the drive most likely, it's trying to read and it's taking a bit so you get the rainbow spinner.

     

    Reducing bad sectors effect on hard drives

     

    It is a 4 year old drive, it may be failing as occurs quite a bit for iMac's due to their higher heat.

     

     

    May be a Lion issue on your older machine too, you may want to revert to 10.6.

     

    How to revert your Mac to Snow Leopard

     

     

     

     

    My advice is to use a blank external drive and free Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the MacIntosh HD partiton to the external drive. You can then hold the option key and boot from this drive and use your iMac just like before, should tell you plenty if it's a Lion or drive issue.

     

    Most commonly used backup methods explained