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    My Experience -- Full System Restore from Time Machine

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by RogueMonk, Feb 12, 2008.

  1. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    I upgraded my Macbook to a 200gb Hitachi 7k200, and did a full restore using Time Machine. It worked without a hitch.

    This was the easiest re-install I have ever done. It took 45 minutes from start to finish, and upon booting up EVERYTHING was just like it was on the old drive.
     
    RogueMonk, Feb 12, 2008
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  2. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    COuld you explain how it works? TImemachine I mean...what does it back up to?
     
    CanadianDude, Feb 12, 2008
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  3. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    I use an external USB drive. Every couple days (or as needed), I hook up the USB drive and let TimeMachine do its thing.

    Initially, you have to enter the Time Machine control panel, switch it on, and indicate where to backup to. After that, its all automatic.
     
    RogueMonk, Feb 12, 2008
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  4. system_159

    system_159 Notebook Deity

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    Wow. Hearing that actually makes time machine seem worth it, but there's still utilities like Onyx that do that stuff too.
     
    system_159, Feb 12, 2008
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  5. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Is there any performance difference? It be interesting to see if Time Machine is valid defragmentation method assuming that it copies everything back in a continuous block and files nicely ordered. A 45 minute restore would certainly be faster than iDefrag takes.
     
    ltcommander_data, Feb 12, 2008
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  6. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    It does feel snappier. But I think that is probably due to the hard drive upgrade
     
    RogueMonk, Feb 13, 2008
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  7. stealthsniper96

    stealthsniper96 What Was I Thinkin'?

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    Yea I agree. I've dont it like twice and it works great.
     
    stealthsniper96, Feb 13, 2008
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  8. orthorim

    orthorim Notebook Evangelist

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    Most certainly - the H7K is extremely fast so you can't deduce a defrag effect out of this.

    However, as far as I know OS X keeps fragmentation to a minimum anyways so it's not like Windows where it slows down like crazy after a year or so.

    How does the recovery work? You installed the blank drive, then connected the USB backup drive then...? Started from CD? Started from the backup drive? Would like to know since TM is pretty much the only feature I would get Leopard for.
     
    orthorim, Feb 13, 2008
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  9. orthorim

    orthorim Notebook Evangelist

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    PS: There is a backup/recover function in Disk Utility in OS X Tiger that you can use to the same effect. You do have to partition yourself though ... and be sure to choose GUID partition table on the boot partition.

    I have used it before, this is how it works:
    - Open Disk Utility, Choose your man HD, choose "Restore", restore onto external backup HD. The external HD will be wiped out.
    - Once new HD is installed, Start from CD, format internal HD with a GUID partition table, then do the same thing as above, except this time restore from the external drive onto the internal drive.
     
    orthorim, Feb 13, 2008
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  10. WilliamG

    WilliamG Notebook Deity

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    RogueMonk how are you are enjoying that new 7K200? It's a sweet drive and I love it in my MBP. For those scared to take apart their MBP, I took apart mine in about 10 minutes. Very easy after you've done it once. Just follow one of the numerous guides out there and you'll have it done in no time. I'm REALLY glad I did it to upgrade my 160GB 5400rpm.
     
    WilliamG, Feb 13, 2008
    #10