If you want to restore (your internal drive) from a CCC backup, do this:
1. First, make sure the backup is "the way you want it" -- that everything is there and where it's supposed to be.
2. Have the backup drive connected and powered up. Restart. As soon as you hear the startup sound, hold down the option key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN. In a few moments, the Startup Manager should appear. Use the mouse or tab key to select your backup, then hit the return key. The Mac should now boot from your backup.
3. When you get to the finder, VERIFY that you're booted from the backup by checking "About This Mac" under the Apple menu.
4. Launch Disk Utility, and do a "quick erase" of your internal drive's main partition (no zero-ing out needed). CAUTION: If you choose to erase the _entire_ drive (instead of the main partition), you may also wipe out the recovery partition. Be careful.
5. Launch CCC and choose to do a regular, cloned backup. HOWEVER -- choose your backup volume to be "on the left" (source volume), and your internal drive to be your "target" (on the right).
6. Let CCC do its thing. May take a while depending on how large your backup volume is.
7. When done, reboot. The internal drive should now look exactly as did the backup volume.
Done.
