Hi, the drive in my 2011 iMac just failed to the point that it's not even detected as existing. A new drive is being installed by a technician, but I'm wondering what the best way is to get my data back from Time Machine. My understanding is there are a couple options:
Option 1 seems easier, but options 2 and 3 seem cleaner. I know people have their own thoughts on "fresh install" versus "upgrade", and I'm kind of leaning toward option 3 because I tend toward the "fresh install" camp.
However, I'm wondering if there are things that either option won't recover, for example, installed fonts, Unix tools that I've placed in /usr/local/bin, and system launch daemons.
What do you think? What's the best way to get my stuff back from Time Machine and onto the replacement drive?
Thanks!
- Do a bare-metal recovery from Time Machine by using the command-option-R Internet Recovery to bring back my OS (Mountain Lion) and data.
- Do a fresh install of Mountain Lion, then use Migration Assistant to bring everything back from Time Machine.
- Do a fresh install of Mountain Lion, then use Setup Assistant to bring everything back from Time Machine.
- Is there another option?
Option 1 seems easier, but options 2 and 3 seem cleaner. I know people have their own thoughts on "fresh install" versus "upgrade", and I'm kind of leaning toward option 3 because I tend toward the "fresh install" camp.
However, I'm wondering if there are things that either option won't recover, for example, installed fonts, Unix tools that I've placed in /usr/local/bin, and system launch daemons.What do you think? What's the best way to get my stuff back from Time Machine and onto the replacement drive?
Thanks!
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