Using Lion time machine to recover files to MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion

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Level 1

8 points

Using Lion time machine to recover files to MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion

In order to partition my "vintage" MacBook Pro to run Bootcamp, I've had to go back to the previous OS (Mountain Lion), and before erasing my hard drive I did a full backup to Time Machine. Once I connected the external HD to the "mountain lion" laptop and I went to the Time machine, and was prompted to start it up. After a backup process I looked at my time machine disks and see the backup, but the times prior to this last backup are greyed out. If I go to each prior backup session I can see the files and even copy them to my laptop, but they won't open. I receive a prompt to install them from the original disks.

I don't seem to be able to recover files from the Lion Time Machine backup to the Mountain Lion.

Is there a "trick" or workaround.

Thanks

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), vintage model

Posted on May 6, 2013 3:23 PM

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Answer 1

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

May 7, 2013 4:07 PM in response to Lakesnrocks

I'm a little confused. You say the previous OS was Mountain Lion, but Mountain Lion is the most recent there is.

Then you say you're unable to recover files from the Lion backup.

Please clarify exactly what you have, and what you're trying to do.

If you want to restore your entire OSX partition, including OSX, apps, user accounts, settings, and data, you can do that from any backup, but not via the Time Machine browser (the "Star Wars" display). Instead, you do a full system restore, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #14.

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Answer 2

Lakesnrocks Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2013 8:16 AM in response to Pondini

Sorry for the confusion. A big mistake. I meant to say Snow Leopard, not Mountain Lion. In fact my "vintage" MacBook Pro is unable to use Mountain Lion.

Clarification; steps performed.

1- Prior to the Bootcamp partition I was running Lion. Here's where I used Time Machine to create a backup

2- In order to partition I had to move back to Snow Leopard (as per several calls working with an Apple tech)

3- After reading other people's experience with updating my system back to Lion with a Bootcamp partitioned (NTFS) I chose to keep the laptop configured with Snow Leopard

4- Attemting to use the Time Machine backup from step one, above, is where I face the problem. I can see the dates of the first Time Machine backups, but they are grayed out.

I hope this helps.

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Answer 3

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

May 8, 2013 8:25 AM in response to Lakesnrocks

Reverting from Lion to Snow Leopard is a problem. Some apps, especially Apple apps such as Mail, aren't going to work with the Lion file/folder setup.

When you erase a disk, it's treated as a different one for some purposes, so most likely, that's why the earlier backups are grayed-out. You'll need the procedure in the green box of #E3 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting to see and restore from them.

You might also have a problem with permissions, if the user account you're now using isn't recognized as the one that was backed-up. You'll see the small red "no entry" icons. If so, try a different user account (create one if necessary).

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