how I can restore TM on windows

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Level 1

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how I can restore TM on windows

Hi all.

My MacBook Pro is fully broker (HW). I've ordered a new one, but it takes time.

So how I can restore my TM data from my NAS into my (old) windows world to access my latest data in the meantime?

With the DiskInternals Linux Reader (http://www.diskinternals.com/?product=LR) I could access my local attached Linux ext formatted drive.

(It's a Backup drive from my NAS system.)

With the DiskInternals Linux Reader I could see two Folders named like this:

<User> <Computername> [No].sparsebundle

I don't understand the content of these both folders and I don't see directly my data.

What can I do to get my original Files and Folders out of theses both folders (xxx.sparsebundle)?

Thank you in advanced!

Time Machine-OTHER, Windows 7

Posted on Oct 19, 2013 11:37 AM

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Answer 1

xnav

Level 5

7,113 points

Oct 19, 2013 12:04 PM in response to de_Joerch

.sparsebundle

Sounds like you had encryption/FileVault turned on. You'll need OS X to read it.

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Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,335 points

Oct 19, 2013 12:41 PM in response to de_Joerch

The Time Machine archival data is stored inside the sparsebundles. You'll need specific tools to mount and reconstitute the sparsebundles as disk images, and tools to then read the HFS+ file system within.

Which is far from trivial code, and no small volume of code would be involved, and not something I've encountered nor seen referenced.

Borrow or buy a second Mac, or expedite the repairs on the existing Mac.

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Answer 3

de_Joerch Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 19, 2013 12:49 PM in response to MrHoffman

First thank you for the fast response!

I can look into the .sparsebundle-folder:

Many "*.plist"-files, two "*.backup"-files, one "token"-file (without extension) and one folder named “bands” with many files in it.

The files in the bands-folder are names in HEX-format from approximately 0 till ffff.

I can't remember that I activated FileVault on my MacBook.

OK, tomorrow I will try this:

http://superuser.com/questions/306497/can-linux-mount-a-normal-time-machine-spar se-bundle-disk-image-directory

My next MacBook is already bought, but I need some explicit files :-(

Now I have to feel the disadvantages of the proprietary but massive comfortable solution…

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Answer 4

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Oct 19, 2013 12:52 PM in response to de_Joerch

de_Joerch wrote:

Now I have to feel the disadvantages of the proprietary but massive comfortable solution…

TM is favored by some (backups every hour with little system overhead), hated by some (it is not bootable). But it is a stable backup that has your files in a safe place right now.

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Answer 5

de_Joerch Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 19, 2013 1:12 PM in response to steve359

I'm fully confirmed: reverse of the medal!

I'll try tomorrow ubuntu to beat the beasty TM backup 😉

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Answer 6

etresoft

Level 9

56,864 points

Oct 20, 2013 12:35 PM in response to steve359

steve359 wrote:

TM is favored by some (backups every hour with little system overhead), hated by some (it is not bootable). But it is a stable backup that has your files in a safe place right now.

Time Machine has been bootable for some time now.

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Answer 7

etresoft

Level 9

56,864 points

Oct 20, 2013 12:35 PM in response to de_Joerch

de_Joerch wrote:

I'll try tomorrow ubuntu to beat the beasty TM backup 😉

I strongly suggest keeping Linux away from your Time Machine data. You are going to want it to restore your new Mac at some point. If Linux corrupts it, then it will be gone forever.

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