Backing up before I sell?

[virginblue4]

Hi everyone,

I've sold my iMac to a work colleague and will be dropping it to their house this coming Friday.

I have a 2015 MacBook Pro and no longer need my iMac.

I have my iMac backed up using time machine. Can I simply plug this hard drive into my MacBook and grab what I want off it as and when?

Basically I want the quickest way to ensure everything is backed up and easily accessible. It doesn't actually have to be on my MacBook, it can stay on the hard drive.

 

[Tomkins!]

If it's not encrypted, you can just plug it in and browse its contents. If it's encrypted, you'll probably have to mount the disk image containing your files and enter the password you provided when setting up Time Machine. Don't take my word for it, though. Best to try it out yourself.

 

[simonsi]

Worth considering that you no longer have a second copy of those files now you don't have the iMac, so if the TM drive dies any un copied files will die with it.

 

[virginblue4]

If it's not encrypted, you can just plug it in and browse its contents. If it's encrypted, you'll probably have to mount the disk image containing your files and enter the password you provided when setting up Time Machine. Don't take my word for it, though. Best to try it out yourself.

Yes, it worked. I've transferred all items across to my new MacBook Pro. Thanks for your help.

Worth considering that you no longer have a second copy of those files now you don't have the iMac, so if the TM drive dies any un copied files will die with it.

All items are now on my MacBook Pro as well as the time machine which I'll just keep in a draw.

 

[Rodan52]

I would suggest that now that you have what you want off the TM Backup (make sure of that) that you erase the TM backup completely and do a new full backup of your MBP, then you can put it in a drawer.

 

[Rodan52]

PS. before you get rid of your old iMac it might be worth considering the following advised steps. It will save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Maybe you have already done this but here is a check list anyway.

When preparing to sell or give away your Mac, you may want to erase some or all files from its hard drive. But first determine whether you should back up your computer and disable certain features and services. These steps show the recommended sequence of actions:

1. Deauthorize your computerfrom iTunes, if applicable.

2. Back up your data usingTime Machineor otherbackup methods for OS X MavericksorMountain Lion.

3. If you use Find My Mac or other iCloud features on this Mac, complete these steps:

1. Back up your iCloud content.

2. Choose Apple Menu () > System Preferences, then click iCloud.

3. Deselect the Find My Mac checkbox.

4. Sign out of iCloud. When you sign out of iCloud, you're asked whether you want to remove iCloud data from your Mac. Removing iCloud data in this way makes sure that the data isn't also removed from any of your other devices that are using the same iCloud account.

4. If you're using OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 or later, sign out of iMessage:

1. In the Messages app, choose Preferences > Accounts.

2. Select your iMessage account, then click Sign Out.

5. Reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X. Follow the appropriate instructions:

· OS X Mavericks

· OS X Mountain Lion

· OS X Lion

After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you want to leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup of your system. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac, the Setup Assistant will guide them through the setup process.