Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

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NealF
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Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by NealF »

Hi,

I'm on a Mac Pro 2010. Need to upgrade from El Cap to High Sierra mainly so I can use the latest Final Cut Pro x.

My question is this: Some posts around the web say to do a clean install. If I do that I think I have to reinstall all my apps, passwords, licenses, etc. I think. BIG pain in the butt.

So, if that's true, is it possible to just restore all the apps from the Timemachine backup?

Or should I just take my chances and do a regular update without it being a clean install?

Thanks.
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bayswater
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by bayswater »

NealF wrote: BIG pain in the butt.
RIght, it is a big pain. Wouldn't be so bad if everything was on the same authorization scheme. I've done clean installs and simple updates, and can't say I've noticed a difference. Why not just do the update? It can run itself while you do something else.

If it doesn't work, you can always do the clean install later. There isn't much to lose. The last time I did a clean install on a test partition, bringing in stuff from a previous setup via a TM backup was one of the options.
2018 Mini i7 32G macOS 12.7.6, DP 11.33, Mixbus 10, Logic 10.7.9, Scarlett 18i8, MB Air M2, macOS 14.7.6, DP 11.33, Logic 11
NealF
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by NealF »

Yeah. That's what I'm going to do.

Been going blind reading all the do's and don'ts people recommend. I'm just going for it.
Thanks.
MacPro5,1 6-Core Intel Xeon, Processor Speed: 3.46 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Memory: 32 GB. Mojave. DP 9 and Apogee Duet.
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mikehalloran
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by mikehalloran »

I do not recommend a clean install. If your system is old enough, it flat out won't work. There will always be installers too old. Office 2008 and Finale before 25.4.1 are two that come to mind—there are many others that still run fine but can't install over OS 10.13.

Armchair experts who post nonsense like, I believe you should always... aren't going to be there for the hours (or days in my case) it would take.

As to your question: You can open Migration Assistant and restore everything but System. Select Time Machine as your source.

You would have to restore your passwords etc. as your Preferences won't migrate over.

Do not just copy your work files (Documents Pictures etc.), especially DP and Office. Use Migration Assistant.

Or just upgrade your OS. There may be apps that are no longer compatible etc. Far less time consuming to just deal with it if there's a problem.
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NealF
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by NealF »

I'm convinced.

I've seen posts saying to do a clean install. I'm just glad I posted here. It would have been a mess.
Thanks for the advice.
MacPro5,1 6-Core Intel Xeon, Processor Speed: 3.46 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Memory: 32 GB. Mojave. DP 9 and Apogee Duet.
dbl
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by dbl »

I've got a new iMac arriving end of the week, so not the same kind of update. I'm guessing Mojave's installed. My assumed plan:

Boot. Hit App Store for updates. Reboot. Follow Mr. Halloran's directions to the letter. Am I missing anything? TIA;
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mikehalloran
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by mikehalloran »

Use Migration Assistant to bring everything over. Most of your passwords and authorizations will remain intact. Not all but the time savings will pay off.
DP 11.34; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sequoia 15.4, USB4 8TB externals, Neumann MT48, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3, Zoom F3 & UAC 232 32bit float recorder & interface; 2012 MBPs (x2) Catalina, Mojave
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dbl
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Re: Restoring everything but the OS from timemachine

Post by dbl »

Mr. H,

Thanks quite a bit.

Best, David
2017 iMac 4.2 i7, 40 GB RAM, 256 SSD, multiple SSDs hanging. OS X 10.4.4.
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