Rodocki

Q: How to restore after disk replacement?

l just had my iMac hard disk replaced due a recall.  Before taking it in I made a disk image with disk Utility and securely erased the disk.  I also have Time Machine back-ups going back several months.  On getting the machine back, since it contains sensitive data securely erased the new hard disk and started up with the Snow Leopard boot disk.  When I tried to scan the disk for reinstall I get an error "Unable to scan 'image name' (internal error)".  I tried several times with the same result.  I then tried to restore from Time Machine and got a message that No Mac OS X backups were found."

 

I installed Snow Leopard and again tried both approaches with the same result.  I can see to Time Machine backups on the disk but when I restore it simply copies the files into "/Volumes.  Anyone have ideas on how to restore the system?

iMac11,1 27" Intel Core i5, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Mac Mini Server, MacAir, Apple TV

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 2:48 PM

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Q: How to restore after disk replacement?

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  • by sanjampet,

    sanjampet sanjampet Oct 25, 2012 3:08 PM in response to Rodocki
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Oct 25, 2012 3:08 PM in response to Rodocki

    First, have you run all the updates?

  • by Rodocki,

    Rodocki Rodocki Oct 25, 2012 3:21 PM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2012 3:21 PM in response to sanjampet

    Yes, I ran all the updates and restored some directories from the TM backup but it just copies them to /Volumes.  If I could just restore the User, Applications and Library directories so the system would recognize them I' d happy. 

  • by sanjampet,

    sanjampet sanjampet Oct 25, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Rodocki
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Oct 25, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Rodocki

    Try moving them to (dragging to the the correct directories, O.S one of my kids just fell down the stairs, I have to go to the dentist..way after hours.  Hope you get the thing working, I gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • by sanjampet,

    sanjampet sanjampet Oct 25, 2012 4:20 PM in response to sanjampet
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Oct 25, 2012 4:20 PM in response to sanjampet
  • by Rodocki,

    Rodocki Rodocki Oct 25, 2012 6:58 PM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2012 6:58 PM in response to sanjampet

    Sorry to hear about the fall down the stairs.  Nothing gets the heart pumping faster than an injured child.  I hope he/she is OK.  Computer problems are trivial in comparison so thanks for the responses.  I started everything over, re-erased the new disk and just booted from the original OS DVD - but did not do any updates.  It seems to be restoring from the TM backup now.  I'll know if it worked in about 3hrs 12min.  Give Jr. a hug and something sweet- assuming the mouth is working OK.  I'll post back with what happens. Thanks again.  Cyberspace can be a dangerous place but it's good to know we still have helpful neighbors. 

  • by Rodocki,

    Rodocki Rodocki Oct 27, 2012 3:57 PM in response to Rodocki
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2012 3:57 PM in response to Rodocki

    Problem solved.  Started new from scratch and this time the TM backup installed properly.  The disk image did not.  Not sure what's wrong with the disk image burn and restore process but it is clearly not dependable. 

  • by baltwo,Helpful

    baltwo baltwo Oct 27, 2012 5:18 PM in response to Rodocki
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Oct 27, 2012 5:18 PM in response to Rodocki

    Rodocki wrote:

    The disk image did not.  Not sure what's wrong with the disk image burn and restore process but it is clearly not dependable.

    Unless you tested and restored it after making it, it's a poor choice, since it requires three volumes: the boot volume, source volume, and a destination volume. A bootable backup/clone made with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! is a much better choice. BTW, it's also significantly faster to restore one of these than it is to restore a disk image.

  • by Rodocki,

    Rodocki Rodocki Oct 29, 2012 3:08 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2012 3:08 PM in response to baltwo

    Fortunately I don't have to replace the hard disk very often but the episode shows it will be wise to have a better back-up method.  You mentioned Carbon Copy Cloner and Super Duper.  Any specific issues or circumstances that might make one better choice than the other?

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Oct 29, 2012 4:37 PM in response to Rodocki
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Oct 29, 2012 4:37 PM in response to Rodocki

    I'm biased, since I moderated the previous CCC forums for over six years before the developer decided to do the development full-time. See the CCC vs SD! discussion. Do note, that CCC can restore the Recovery HD. Check out the documentation. PDF downloadable at http://www.bombich.com/ccc_support.html

  • by Rodocki,

    Rodocki Rodocki Oct 30, 2012 4:55 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 30, 2012 4:55 PM in response to baltwo

    Thanks, I read through them and dowloaded the CCC trial version.