Time Machine question

[gavspen]

I'm about to take the DP 8.05/Mavericks plunge (from Snow Leopard) and I've never really had to use Time Machine so let me ask the following: If for some reason the updates dont work/introduce weirdness/go wrong in oh, so many ways, and I have to go back to yesterday via Time Machine, is it a fairly smooth process? What I mean is, aside from restoring earlier versions of software, which I assume works ok, if you go back to an earlier system (which is basically wiping and restoring the whole disc, right?), will authorizations still be there or do you have that whole headache to deal with?

Thanks lads and lasses,
Gavin

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I wouldn't depend completely on Time Machine. I would clone the boot drive just in case. Time Machine should be fine in restoring, but you can never be too safe and there may be dependencies that are interrelated in the operation of Time Machine and the original OS. Probably not, but I wouldn't take that chance.

[mikehalloran]

iLok authorizations - no problem. Disk based authorization where the software looks for a particular license file is ok. Serial number based authorizations, likewise.

You will have to re-authorize DP.

Any internet authorizations should be "released" if possible before running a TM restore or you will be on the horn with Tech Support restoring your licenses. This includes Final Draft and Master Writer (I've never had a problem with either company, BTW, both very understanding).

Finale authorizes the drive address so it's ok unless you swap drive bays.

I have done testing that has completely screwed up my system where a complete TM restore was the only way to recover. Many times - I know this issue inside and out by now.

As of OS 10.8, you can have multiple Time Machine drives that alternate hourly. With inexpensive Time Capsules available and 3T WD Green drives to put in them, it's easy to hook up a couple or three via ethernet.

The first backup will seem to take forever. This is because Spotlight indexes the drive while backing up. It's defeatable but eventually, it will finish.

I have never understood the need for cloning backups except for archival and enterprise - still don't. I use cloning software to set up networked systems.

When your system is telling you that TM is having a problem backing up, there is a problem that should not be ignored.
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... =4&t=56027

[bayswater]

I have never understood the need for cloning backups except for archival and enterprise - still don't. I use cloning software to set up networked systems.

I don't really know, because I've never had to restore a whole drive from a backup, but from what I read, if you do a block level clone using CCC (not SD!), you will have fewer authorizations to redo after restoring the drive. I can only guess that applies where authorizations are hidden and specific to the drive and the location on the drive -- CCC would capture these and put them back where they were, as long as you use the same drive.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I've restored entire HEALTHY systems from Time Machine backups without any problems. I just like to be cautious and can't afford to loose my work on the possibility of it not working even once. After the system is restored, I can delete the clone of the previous system.

RE: Spotlight, I'd disable it while the first backup is going and then enable it (Privacy setting is one button push) after the first backup. I'm using dual 2TB drives for the backups. Overly cautious? You betcha!

[bayswater]

I've restored entire HEALTHY systems from Time Machine backups without any problems.

Including all of your authorizations?

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Of course not. I don't see that as a big deal. Only DP, Adobe, and MS Office seem to want to be reauthorized. That's not a function of the OS, it's a result of authorization implementation by the app developer.

[mikehalloran]

I don't see that as a big deal.

Me neither.

My time is way more important to me than the use of any cloning system for regular backups.

Super Duper! will write to less than perfect hard drives where TM won't. I have some of those drives not yet sent to recycling. This is seen as a fault of Time Machine. That ends the debate right there as far as I am concerned.

I like healthy, squeaky clean systems. Time Machine is one of the tools that I use to maintain order.

[gavspen]

Thanks gents.