How to create a restore point?

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Level 1

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How to create a restore point?

Windows has a feature called restore points. It allows you to create a snapshot of your sytem at that time. If you then install several applications and begin experiencing problems, you can revert to a restore point, before the software was installed. These restore points are dated and I believe can be named, which is helpful.

Mac OS X doesn't have anything like this. There is Time Machine, but that is more of a backup and not a restore point. Besides, how do you know which TM backup to use since nothing has any meanful label. Is there some other option for Macs?

Posted on Jan 1, 2013 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

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111,242 points

Jan 1, 2013 9:07 AM in response to 4thSpace

Use your TImeline in Time Machine for dated snapshots. Are you entering Time Machine by launching it from your Dock, or are you searching the TM disk? The latter isn't very helpful.

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Answer 2

4thSpace Author

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Jan 1, 2013 9:18 AM in response to macjack

Use your TImeline in Time Machine for dated snapshots.

Right - that isn't helpful since there are several snapshots in the same day. Unless you write down the time you make any system change or install some app, you don't know where the restore point is.

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Answer 3

macjack

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Jan 1, 2013 9:28 AM in response to 4thSpace

Choose the application in Finder and enter TimeMachine go back until it disappears. You can also see the time you installed in the preview of your Finder window.

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Answer 4

4thSpace Author

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Jan 1, 2013 12:55 PM in response to macjack

If I go back to where the application disappears, how do I restore the entire system (or set back to previous state)? Doesn't TM only restore one file at a time?

There is a system restore but you have to restart the machine from the Recovery system (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427). I'm not sure if you can target specific restore dates or if it will only restore the latest backup.

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Answer 5

macjack

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Jan 1, 2013 1:02 PM in response to 4thSpace

Yes, but why do that? Why not just uninstall the application and it's supporting files if any?

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Answer 6

4thSpace Author

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Jan 1, 2013 1:31 PM in response to macjack

Why not just uninstall the application and it's supporting files if any?

And going back to the TM date/time before the app was there should do this right?

Given what has been discussed above for pseudo restore points, is there any advnatage to using something like Cabon Copy or SuperDuper! disk cloners?

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Answer 7

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jan 1, 2013 1:43 PM in response to 4thSpace

4thSpace wrote:

Why not just uninstall the application and it's supporting files if any?

And going back to the TM date/time before the app was there should do this right?

Yes, but it's a whole system restore and requires booting from Recovery volume as the support article states.

Given what has been discussed above for pseudo restore points, is there any advnatage to using something like Cabon Copy or SuperDuper! disk cloners?

No, not in that sense but I wouldn't be without a bootable backup like SD or CCC*. I use both TM and SD myself.

With a bootable backup, if you run into any disk problems, incuding your internal drive bricking, you can just boot up from the clone and keep on working, until you decide to replace the disk. So by keeping both all your bases are covered.

Well, for what you want to probably yes, because you could clone just your /Applications folder for the day before (assuming you choose to backup daily) but it doesn't save old backups like TM)

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Answer 8

4thSpace Author

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Jan 1, 2013 2:38 PM in response to macjack

For CCC and SD, do you use an external drive? USB?

How often to you clone?

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Answer 9

macjack

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Jan 1, 2013 4:49 PM in response to 4thSpace

Use an external Firewire 800 or, if you have Thunderbolt use that. usb drives may not be bootable.

I set a schedule to backup at 2:30 AM daily.

If I want to test a new software or an update I'm unsure of, I boot from the clone and install it and test it on the clone because I know it will be overwritten if it doesn't work out.

It's also possible to partition the drive and use one partition for TM and the other for SD.

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Answer 10

4thSpace Author

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110 points

Jan 2, 2013 8:19 AM in response to macjack

Why do you say USB drives may not be bootable? From Apple's documentation, they mention USB drives as boot devices, along with Firewire and Thunderbolt.

I only need a 1TB drive. I checked Thunderbolt drives and anything 1TB gets bad reviews on Newegg and Amazon. Most of them are made by Buffalo and have problems with failing. Guess these drives have another year or so before they are ready for primetime.

I'll get the WD 1TB Passport Firewire. Probably won't be so great for booting from but will do the job for capturing the clone or clones.

It sounds like you create a clone every night. That's a lot of cloning but probably very fast for a Thunderbolt drive. Which Thunderbolt drive do you own and why create a clone everyday?

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Answer 11

macjack

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111,242 points

Jan 2, 2013 11:18 AM in response to 4thSpace

WD doesn't enjoy the best reputation here, for external drives...

Try a OWC Mercury Elite or LaCie d2 and do the firewire, even if the usb is bootable.

(EDIT: These drives will have multiple interfaces)

No, I use the Smart Update feature to clone only the files that have been changed.

I don't have Thunderbolt. I use FW 800 on LaCie d2 external drives, typical time on 800 firewire about 15 mins.

Now that I've ansered all these questions, I have one for you that you never answered... Why wouldn't you just delete the application rather than revert the system?

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Answer 12

Barney-15E

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122,576 points

Jan 2, 2013 11:21 AM in response to macjack

I don't think WD drives are a problem, it is their enclosures and software to make things "easier."

I just buy a bare drive and stick it in a good enclosure that has the type of interface I need, firewire, SATA, USB 3.0, etc.

And, I've been lurking here waiting to the answer to that same question.

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Answer 13

macjack

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111,242 points

Jan 2, 2013 11:31 AM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E wrote:

I don't think WD drives are a problem, it is their enclosures and software to make things "easier."

Yes, but for the mechanically challenged like myself, I prefer them to the "roll your own" variety.

And, I've been lurking here waiting to the answer to that same question.

It is an intriguing question... 😉

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Answer 14

4thSpace Author

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110 points

Jan 2, 2013 11:46 AM in response to macjack

Now that I've ansered all these questions, I have one for you that you never answered... Why wouldn't you just delete the application rather than revert the system?

You are right - I never did answer the question. It is the way to go. I don't disagree. But when you brought up the fact that your drive can crash, I implicitly began exploring on to that topic. My bad.

The TM should handle any scenario for me short of the intenal drive crashing. But there are several folders I don't backup to TM, including:

~/Applications

~/Downloads

~/Dropbox

~/Music/iTunes

~/Movies (don't want to copy 4GB movie rentals)

and my Parallels virtual machines.

Something I didn't mention before, I do have a Mac Mini and that will keep me going until the MBP drive is replaced, in the case it completely fails. Since there is a 2nd computer, I don't really need the ext drive for a bootable device. But, I do think it is good as a catch all. Meaning, what ever isn't backedup via time machine and will be copied to the clone, just in case I did miss something with TM backups.

Is it possible to restore just certain files from the clone using CCC? The scenario for me would be, pick a date in TM and restore. Then what ever is missing, restore from the clone. Or is this overkill and there is a better way?

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Answer 15

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jan 2, 2013 12:52 PM in response to 4thSpace

4thSpace wrote:

when you brought up the fact that your drive can crash, I implicitly began exploring on to that topic. My bad.

Not at all, it lead to an interesting discussion.

Is it possible to restore just certain files from the clone using CCC? The scenario for me would be, pick a date in TM and restore. Then what ever is missing, restore from the clone. Or is this overkill and there is a better way?

You can just drag and drop from a CCC or SD clone. While TM, uses a complicated set of aliases all the files on the clone are real.

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