New SSD installed, why won't boot-up recognize TM back-up disc?

Question

Level 1

133 points

New SSD installed, why won't boot-up recognize TM back-up disc?

2008 15" Macbook running OS 10.9.5. Time Machine backups are okay, on an Iomega eGo 1Tb external.

I installed a new SSD (Crucial), but when rebooting to the back-up drive I get the flashing question mark. Reinstalled the old hard drive and all is back to the old normal. Any suggestions? Could it have to do with the version of USB cable? But why would no problem with the external in combo with old drive? Should I put another Time Machine backup on a newer or different external, then try again installing the new drive? Should I try a different usb cable than the one supplied?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 8:49 AM

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Answer 1

867

Level 1

40 points

Jan 9, 2016 10:31 AM in response to Paul Melzer

You need to insert the disks that came with your MacBook and then hold down the alt/option key when booting, then click the drive or the CD

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Answer 2

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 9, 2016 11:24 AM in response to 867

We didn't need to do this on the last two (2010 MBP and another MB) we replaced [from different external TM backups]—when we rebooted the computer, it opened to disk utility window and we partitioned the new disk, then restored from the TM.

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Answer 3

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 9, 2016 12:01 PM in response to Paul Melzer

We didn't need to do this on the last two (2010 MBP and another MB) we replaced [from different external TM backups]—when we rebooted the computers, they both opened to disk utility window and we partitioned the new disks, then restored from the TMs.

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Answer 4

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 9, 2016 12:40 PM in response to Paul Melzer

Your 2010 Macbook Pro uses Internet Recovery which your 2008 MBP does not. You NEED either your original gray install disc or a Snow Leopard retail disc. Time Machine backups are not bootable.

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Answer 5

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 9, 2016 12:54 PM in response to SeaPapp

Ah, okay thanks. I thought Recovery was part of the OS, not the hardware.

So the install disc will get us to the disc partition step, then the Recovery from the TM backup? We would prefer not having to actually install the older OS before restoring from TM, but I now suspect this may not be possible. Can you point to [published] some steps for this?

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Answer 6

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 9, 2016 6:40 PM in response to Paul Melzer

INsert the install disc and restart while holding the C key. Choose your language and at the next screen click the Utilities menu in the top menu bar and select Disk Utility. Partition the hard drive as one partition and select the GUID partition scheme. Format as Mac OS Extended Journaled and when DU is done quit back to the installer screen and choose to install OS X. When it's done just choose your Time Machine backup during setup. Complete instructions are here starting at step B http://pondini.org/TM/14.html

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Answer 7

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 14, 2016 4:39 PM in response to SeaPapp

I do not have the install discs, alas. So I tried restoring from the TM backup disk to the new ssd (both drives external, using disk utility), however this merely copied a TM backup, so that's out. I'm trying to find a workaround to not having the original install disk (not to mention having to reinstall the original OS then going through upgrades before restoring from TM), so I'm now wondering about cloning the new ssd, and whether

1) this needs to be done via a software like CCC or Superduper, or

2) this can be done via Disk Utility (shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhNma0ZjrWs), and then

3) whether this "clone" will be an exact clone.

Thanks Mike for your past help on this. (And any further advice, from you or others.)

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 14, 2016 4:45 PM in response to Paul Melzer

Paul Melzer wrote:

We didn't need to do this on the last two (2010 MBP and another MB) we replaced [from different external TM backups]—when we rebooted the computer, it opened to disk utility window and we partitioned the new disk, then restored from the TM.

Because that one was not 2008. it was a 2010 or newer.

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Answer 9

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 14, 2016 5:23 PM in response to Paul Melzer

Use Firewire Target Disk Mode to connect the 2008 Macbook to your 2010 Macbook and run Disk Utility to partition and format the drive. The go to the Mac App Store, download El Capitan and install it on the SSD in the 2008 Macbook. How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode - Apple Support

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Answer 10

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 14, 2016 5:46 PM in response to SeaPapp

Again, thanks. I already have partitioned the sad (through the 2010 MBP). It seems, to this relative novice, that installing a cloned drive would be simpler than what you suggest, Mike. Is cloning a bad thing? Or will not work in this case?

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Answer 11

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 14, 2016 5:52 PM in response to Paul Melzer

Sorry I didn't answer ypur questions. The question I have about all pf that is will a 2008 Macbook boot from USB? I don't know.

IF it will: put the old HDD into an external enclosure or docking station and connect it to the macbook. Start up holding the Option key and select the HDD as the boot drive. You can use Disk Utility http://macs.about.com/od/backupsarchives/ss/diskbackup.htm or CCC or Super Duper, your choice.

Cloning will make an exact copy of what was on the old HDD.

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Answer 12

Paul Melzer Author

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133 points

Jan 14, 2016 10:29 PM in response to SeaPapp

Thank you , Mike. I'll try this out over the weekend.

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Answer 13

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 15, 2016 6:30 AM in response to SeaPapp

It will, just use a clone (CCC preferably)

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Answer 14

Feb 9, 2016 8:23 PM in response to SeaPapp

Mike,

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro with the latest software and 8Gig of Ram. How easy is this conversion for my model? I am some what confident I can do this. My computer is 500 gig now, thinking of a 1TB SSD.

Thanks in Advance,

Rick

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Answer 15

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Feb 10, 2016 3:43 AM in response to Rick Seaman

Not difficult at all https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Hard+Drive+Rep lacement/10378

A couple tips though. Get an external enclosure and install the new SSD into it. Partition and format then clone your existing system onto the SSD before installation. Then once you install it it'll start right up and you'll be right where you left off with the HDD. Once you've got it all working install the old HDD into the enclosure and use it for extra storage.

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