Mac Mini late 2012 Failed to Restore Time Machine Backup

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Level 1

8 points

Mac Mini late 2012 Failed to Restore Time Machine Backup

Try to restore time machine backup to my mac mini. I have made backup right after I got the machine from apple. Now due to some reason I am trying to restore it but failing again and again. Error is something like this:

I have erase disk as default which is required for intel based model but still it didn't work. Please help me out.

Further I have also tried installing fresh 10.8 OSX by making bootable usb. It also didn't work. A question mark appears right after I select USB Bootable Drive at start.

Thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 8, 2014 2:28 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 3:26 AM in response to waisi

Try:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5444264?answerId=23419812022#23419812022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4370294

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Answer 2

waisi Author

Level 1

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Jan 8, 2014 4:55 AM in response to lllaass

Is it possible without downloading the copy from internet???

I have a bootable usb also but it shows question mark sign right after selecting it from boot menu in start which appears by pressing option key..

Please help. I am stuck.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 4:56 AM in response to waisi

How did you make the bootable USB?

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Answer 4

waisi Author

Level 1

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Jan 8, 2014 5:00 AM in response to lllaass

using disk maker and normal DU from another MBP.
Followed many tutroials like: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57479690-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-10.8-mou ntain-lion-install-drive/

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 5:19 AM in response to waisi

Do you mean you used DiskMaker X?

I used that when it was called LionDiskMake and it work fine to create a Mountain Lion USB (really SD card) bootable install disk.

Have you tried booting the MBP ofrom the USB drive?

I would try again.

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Answer 6

waisi Author

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8 points

Jan 8, 2014 6:07 AM in response to lllaass

Yes same. When I try booting MBP with same usb it goes to recovery menu, (one which comes when you press Cmd+R) I think my MBP is running mavricks thats why it dont go to 10.8 setup. Further when I select same usb in mac mini it shows following screen.

Content of USB are:

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 8:00 AM in response to waisi

Is the above screen when you boot from the USB or you just go to FInder on from an OSX Install?

I insered my ML install SD in my Mini and I in Finder see the ML install icon/file like I see in your screen shot and also see a Utilities folder.

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Answer 8

waisi Author

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8 points

Jan 8, 2014 9:52 AM in response to lllaass

This screen shot is from usb data when inserted in mpb. In mac mini when I try to boot it from same usb above error screen appears with no smoking type icon over white bg.

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Answer 9

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 10:34 AM in response to waisi

Something wrong happened when you tried to make the bootable USB drive. What you posted is different than what is on mine and I successfully used mine to create a ML USB install. Try again with DiskMakerX. There FAQ said there was a problem with version 3>0 and that has been fixed in later version.

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Answer 10

keg55

Level 6

11,743 points

Jan 8, 2014 11:18 AM in response to waisi

If you're trying to reinstall OS X 10.8 and your Mac Mini came with it pre-installed, make sure you have an internet connection and restart your MM using Command+Option+R until you see a spinning globe to boot into Apple's server. You should see a progress bar under the globe and then the OS X Utilities menu after it completes booting into Apple's server. From there you can Reinstall OS X. My late-2012 MM came with ML installed and if I use Internet Recovery I get OS X 10.8.5.

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Answer 11

waisi Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2014 12:07 PM in response to keg55

Hey, thanks for your reply, I am trying to install 10.8 while shipped version was 10.8.2. Now question is why isn't it restoring backup from time machine which I made right after getting MM from store?

I followed this procedure:

1- Went to DU from boot.

2- Erased the Main HDD to Mac Extended Journel.

3- Came back to Boot and Tried resotring backup which failed.

4- Then I made bootable usb of 10.8 which also failed.

Right now I am in home and started an online recovery from boot menu before coming back from office. I hope it works and install the OS.

I'll get back here in morning.

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Answer 12

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 1:47 PM in response to waisi

I think you will go to Mavericks via internet installation. When my HD failed on my 2009 Mini with ML (before Mavericks was released), Only option via Recovery was to go to ML. No option to just go to Lion

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Answer 13

keg55

Level 6

11,743 points

Jan 8, 2014 2:00 PM in response to waisi

I can't answer why your USB installer for 10.8 isn't working and I'm not sure why your back up (TM) isn't working. I do know Internet Recovery works but will install the most current version of the OS (10.8.5).

I know my back up strategy includes a clone of my MM so in case TM fails, I have an alternative plan. Same if my clone fails, I have TM.

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Answer 14

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 8, 2014 2:11 PM in response to keg55

I have a Lion install bootable SD card

I have my past Lion installation cloned on a 64 GB bootable USB

I have not had the time to make bootable Mavericks ones yet.

I have my rotating HD with Mavericks that I cloned to a New SSD and then swaped them outer

Last my TM backup.

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Answer 15

waisi Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2014 9:26 PM in response to lllaass

Internet Installation did the trick. Its working now.

Is there a definite way to make a backup on time machine of newely installed OS? Which can be then restored in worst condition?

Overall thanks for your help people. I am disappointed with Apple over Time Machine Backup now. :|

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