HT201405: Mac OS X 10.5.3 or later: Time Machine - "Backup volume could not be mounted" after changing network volume's password
Learn about Mac OS X 10.5.3 or later: Time Machine - "Backup volume could not be mounted" after changing network volume's password
Q: Time capsule will not recognize backup from a different mac
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by Bob Timmons,Dec 14, 2015 10:44 AM
Bob Timmons
Dec 14, 2015 10:44 AM
in response to pavelfromnewyork
Level 10
(105,448 points)
WirelessTime Machine will not ever find the backups of a "different" Mac unless you have been backing up that "different" Mac to the same Time Capsule that you have there.
So, we need more information and details to try to figure out what it is that you are trying to accomplish. Please assume that we don't know anything about what you might have done in the past......(since we don't).
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Dec 14, 2015 2:20 PMby pavelfromnewyork,I did not describe the problem correctly.
I have Mac mini in Florida and IMac in New York. To keep both computers consistent, I use a external drive as a Time Machine in Forida and when I come to New York, I plug that drive into the iMac and would like to restore my user file from the Florida backup onto the New York iMac. The iMac does't see the backups in that external drive.
I thought I could help the connection by backing up the New York iMac to that external drive, but I get the message "not enough space".
Thanks for your help.
Pavel
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Dec 15, 2015 7:08 AMby Bob Timmons,HelpfulSorry, but I am still not clear on whether the Mac Mini in FL and iMac in NY have both been backing up to the same external hard drive.
If they have not, and you have only been backing up the Mac Mini in FL, then the iMac in NY will not "see" any of the Time Machine backups made by the Mac Mini.
The way that Time Machine works, Macs can only normally "see" the backups that they have made.....they cannot see backups made by other Macs using Time Machine.
It is possible to transfer data from the FL backup to the NY iMac using Migration Assistant on the iMac, but this will move over broad categories of data.
Another method....not officially supported by Apple......is to try to use the Finder to navigate through a back up to find a specific file or folder. This is not easy, and is a complicated process at best which can possibly corrupt your existing backups. Not sure whether you want to risk that or not.
I thought I could help the connection by backing up the New York iMac to that external drive, but I get the message "not enough space".
This indicates that the drive is close to being full, and there is not enough space on the drive to back up the iMac at this time.
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Dec 15, 2015 7:30 AMby pavelfromnewyork,Thanks Bob,
sorry for confusing info.
In NY, my routine backup disk is a time capsule (disk#1). Before leaving for FL, I have switched the backup disk for an external hard drive (disk#2) and did few backups from my NY iMac. In FL, my routine backup disk is yet another hard drive (disk#3). Before returning back to NY, I have switched the backup disk to a disk #2 and did few backups form my FL Mac Mini. So, on my portable disk#2 are a few NY iMac backups, one month gap then few my FL Mac Mini backups.
Back in NY the iMac did not see any backups on the disk#2, not even those made from the same iMac made 6 weeks ago.
Pavel
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Dec 15, 2015 8:14 AMby Bob Timmons,HelpfulConnect disk #2 to the iMac.
Hold down the option key while you click on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the Mac's screen
Click Browse Other Backup Disks
Select disk #2
Click Use Selected Disk
Either you will see the older backups made by the iMac.....or you won't.
If you don't, then we are pretty much stuck....and I would recommend that you add a new drive to the iMac and start all over.....since disk #2 does not have enough space left to start a new backup.
Time Machine is easily confused when you try to swap disks from computer to computer. Please avoid that if you can in the future.
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Dec 15, 2015 8:25 AMby pavelfromnewyork,Thanks Bob.
No it did not work.
The NY iMac did not see the older backups.So I will have to transfer the files from my Fl Mac Mini to my NY iMac one by one using the Finder window. Have done that before. It is tedious and prone to mistakes as I have to remember which files I have likely changed. I only thought using the Time Machine would be easier and safer
But then I'd like to ask. Next time i will go to Fl and will be using the Mac Mini much longer, will change more files, what is the best way. to transfer the files and settings between my two Macs?
Thanks again.
Pavel
