Creating an image of MBP

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mailmarshall

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#130709 25-Sep-2013 07:50

Hi

I was wondering if someone can advise what would be the best way to create an image of my current MBP 13" (2009) onto a external hard drive as a backup. I don't want to run this image from ext hd.

I want to upgrade the OS and in case it goes pear shaped want to be able to go back to exact snapshot before any upgrade.

Any help appreciated

nickb800

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#902200 25-Sep-2013 07:54

A time machine backup (built into OS X) is the easiest way to do this. It is designed for regular, incremental backup but can be used to generate a single image. I have used this to backup and restore after OS upgrades, works a treat.

nedkelly

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#902258 25-Sep-2013 09:57

Run a boot cd/dvd/usb and then run Carbon Copy Cloner and that will clone the entire computer for you.
Oh did I mention its free? (Or was last time I looked)

mailmarshall

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#902812 26-Sep-2013 07:51

Thanks all.

In both cases would there be a need for an OS to be present prior to restorin e.g if had Tiger and took a backup (Time machine or CCC) and then installed Snow Leppard, will the hard rive return to Tiger if I restored?

Sorry for asking these basic questions!

nedkelly

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#902827 26-Sep-2013 08:12

CCC is an exact image at the time that it was run, so when it is restored it will be back to what ever the hard drive was at the time the image was made.

nickb800

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#902829 26-Sep-2013 08:17

Ahh I'm not sure about compatability between Tiger and Snow Leopard, that's a bit of a jump. With a 2009 MBP I presume you should have leopard or snow leopard?

The full restore option might not work if you upgrade versions, in which case you would install a blank OS and use the migration assistant to draw across settings, files, programs etc which will bring back virtually all of your customisations.

In the scenario that it goes pear shaped and you want to change back, you just need to boot off your original OS X disc, and then you can use that to restore from Time Machine backup, which will bring you back to exactly where you started from.

rhy7s

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#902892 26-Sep-2013 09:27

Do you need to take an image from the running OS? Do you need incremental updates? If not, there's Clonezilla.

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sir1963

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#910216 9-Oct-2013 07:43

nedkelly: Run a boot cd/dvd/usb and then run Carbon Copy Cloner and that will clone the entire computer for you.
Oh did I mention its free? (Or was last time I looked)

CCC is no longer free, but its still worth the price.
I use it regularly.

Its worth noting that Time Machine does not back up ALL files, there are certain directories that it skips, so if you want 100% backed up then CCC is a good choice.

rp1790

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#910242 9-Oct-2013 09:13

+1 for Carbon Copy Cloner. Have used it several times to do restores having created a bootable image on an external HDD.

I think the free version is still available if you search for it, I've bought the paid version and very happy with the program.