Hard Drive and Time Machine - Assistance Please!

[footso]

Hello everyone,

I return once more seeking your support if I may...

I went down to the Genius Bar today, as my Mac Mini was having the multi-colour circle not-responding icon showing an awful lot, and it was struggling to perform simple tasks.

I bought my mac mini 2 years ago (12-Mar-11), and I was told there was an I/O error; and i needed a new hard drive.

I am currently backing up my machine, onto a WD My Passport 500gb.

When a new hard drive is installed by Apple, can I restore my files with my 'My Passport' backup?

I do also store other items on 'My Passport'; does this make a difference when trying to restore my files to my new hard drive?

-
One more question if I may...

Has anyone here had a new hard drive installed by Apple before, and if so, has the hard drive 'stood the test of time'

Many thanks in advance for your help
James

(P.S. I have tried booting 'Recovery OSX 10.8' and 'My Passport' and it takes me to OS X Utilities, where i have the option of restoring from a time machine backup. Does this mean my backup has worked?)

 

[glen e]

(P.S. I have tried booting 'Recovery OSX 10.8' and 'My Passport' and it takes me to OS X Utilities, where i have the option of restoring from a time machine backup. Does this mean my backup has worked?)

follow restore from the time machine backup...and yes it will transfer back...Have done it several times on machines...

 

[footso]

follow restore from the time machine backup...and yes it will transfer back...Have done it several times on machines...

Thank you for this ... is it necessary to do this to check that it has worked ? As I say above, I need a new hard drive installed; so I have backed up my machine for the hard drive

 

[Weaselboy]

Yes, it sounds like you have a good backup there.

I don't know in what state Apple will return your new drive. Let's just assume they install the drive and do nothing else... so it is completely blank.

Here is what you do.

Plug the WD drive in and option key boot the machine. When the boot selector screen comes up pick the WD as the boot drive. This will start a screen that looks just like the recovery screen you saw a moment ago when you tested the backup.

Now start Disk Utility and erase/format the new drive to Mac OS Extended. Then quit Disk Utility and click restore. This will reinstall the OS and all your data from the WD Time Machine backup and you will be back in business.

 

[glen e]

Thank you for this ... is it necessary to do this to check that it has worked ? As I say above, I need a new hard drive installed; so I have backed up my machine for the hard drive

if you have backed up using time machine it will work. just do it...

 

[footso]

if you have backed up using time machine it will work. just do it...

Thank you. In that case i will just take the Mac in for repair and time machine restore with the new Hard Drive

Thank you for your help

 

[footso]

Yes, it sounds like you have a good backup there.

I don't know in what state Apple will return your new drive. Let's just assume they install the drive and do nothing else... so it is completely blank.

Here is what you do.

Plug the WD drive in and option key boot the machine. When the boot selector screen comes up pick the WD as the boot drive. This will start a screen that looks just like the recovery screen you saw a moment ago when you tested the backup.

Now start Disk Utility and erase/format the new drive to Mac OS Extended. Then quit Disk Utility and click restore. This will reinstall the OS and all your data from the WD Time Machine backup and you will be back in business.

Thank you for all the tips. Will do that if they return the Hard drive blank

 

[Weaselboy]

Thank you for all the tips. Will do that if they return the Hard drive blank

Even if they don't send it back blank, you can follow this process to get back to how your machine was of you like.

 

[footso]

Thank you!

Even if they don't send it back blank, you can follow this process to get back to how your machine was of you like.

Thank you

 

[maxosx]

Even if they don't send it back blank, you can follow this process to get back to how your machine was of you like.

To Weaselboy

As a long time Mac user, I'm familiar with the process you just explained.

My compliments, for the excellent clear & concise way you explained it. You made it very easy to follow along with for those unfamiliar.

I would have been more verbose & likely not as easy to follow.

You're a great asset to the forum