Can't restore Time Machine backup to new SSD

[jjfelix]

I'm having problems successfully transferring files from a Time Machine backup HD to a newly installed SSD in my Macbook Pro 13" Mid-2012 model (running Mojave 10.14.3).

These are the steps I took:

- Replaced my old internal HDD with a brand new blank SSD.
- Booted whilst holding Command + R to open Utilities.
- Formatted the SSD correctly using Disk utility, then installed latest version of OSX via the internet.
- Selected ‘Restore From Time Machine Backup’, connected my Time Machine Backup HD, and transferred everything over to the SSD.
- The files transferred successfully, however afterwards my laptop displayed only a grey screen, similar to the dark grey hatched background of the Utilities screen (except without the Utilities window in it).
- Nothing happened after that, so I was forced to restart the laptop which led to this screen being displayed, and the laptop repeatedly restarting itself seconds after the error messages appearing.

I repeated the whole process a couple of times and experienced exactly the same thing.

Eventually I replaced the SSD with the old HDD, and experienced no further issues, except for being faced with a Panic Medic Boot screen after logging back in for the first time.

Any idea what the issue could be? Should I try cloning the original HDD to the SSD instead?

Apologies if this is the wrong forum to be posting in.

 

[dafish]

I'm having problems successfully transferring files from a Time Machine backup HD to a newly installed SSD in my Macbook Pro 13" Mid-2012 model (running Mojave 10.14.3).

These are the steps I took:

- Replaced my old internal HDD with a brand new blank SSD.
- Booted whilst holding Command + R to open Utilities.
- Formatted the SSD correctly using Disk utility, then installed latest version of OSX via the internet.
- Selected ‘Restore From Time Machine Backup’, connected my Time Machine Backup HD, and transferred everything over to the SSD.
- The files transferred successfully, however afterwards my laptop displayed only a grey screen, similar to the dark grey hatched background of the Utilities screen (except without the Utilities window in it).
- Nothing happened after that, so I was forced to restart the laptop which led to this screen being displayed, and the laptop repeatedly restarting itself seconds after the error messages appearing.

View attachment 823746

I repeated the whole process a couple of times and experienced exactly the same thing.

Eventually I replaced the SSD with the old HDD, and experienced no further issues, except for being faced with a Panic Medic Boot screen after logging back in for the first time.

View attachment 823747

Any idea what the issue could be? Should I try cloning the original HDD to the SSD instead?

Apologies if this is the wrong forum to be posting in.

I did the change from HDD to SSD successfully by cloning the original HDD

 

[keysofanxiety]

SATA cable could likely be the cause, it has a very high failure rate on your model. Replacing the cable would be recommended. It's always a positive precautionary repair.

If this doesn't work, you can boot into the Time Machine disk by holding Alt, then format your SSD, select "Reinstall macOS" to install a fresh OS, and then use Migration Assistant to copy over your apps & data.

 

[Weaselboy]

Formatted the SSD correctly using Disk utility, then installed latest version of OSX via the internet.
- Selected ‘Restore From Time Machine Backup’, connected my Time Machine Backup HD, and transferred everything over to the SSD.

I agree with @keysofanxiety it is likely the internal cable. I have seen these where the cable works fine with a hard drive, but the stress of moving all that extra data with an SSD makes the bad cable manifest itself like this.

One other thing.... you are making extra work for yourself. You don't need to install the OS first like you did here. Just option key boot to the TM disk then format the drive and click restore and you are done. The TM backup will put back the OS and all your apps and data.

 

[jjfelix]

Thanks all for the replies.

@keysofanxiety @Weaselboy I replaced the SATA cable about 2 years ago, because of a different issue. Do you think it's worth replacing again to test?

@Weaselboy Good to know thanks!

 

[Weaselboy]

Do you think it's worth replacing again to test?

Hmm... do you have an external USB enclosure you could use to test the SSD? Put the HDD back in then use Disk Util to restore the HDD to the newly formatted SSD in the enclosure, then see if you can option key boot to the SSD in the enclosure.

 

[jjfelix]

Hmm... do you have an external USB enclosure you could use to test the SSD? Put the HDD back in then use Disk Util to restore the HDD to the newly formatted SSD in the enclosure, then see if you can option key boot to the SSD in the enclosure.

I will try this and report back.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
Just wondering, where is the ORIGINAL HDD that was inside the MBP before you swapped drives?

Is it still around? Was it working when you took it out?

What I would do:
1. Use a USB3/SATA adapter/dongle like this one:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011M8YACM/ref=nosim/macintouchcom-20?&tag=macintouchcom-20

2. Connect the ORIGINAL HDD (NOT the TM backup) to the adapter, then plug it into the MBP

3. Press the power-on button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the option key, and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN until the startup manager appears.

4. Do you see the startup manager? Is the old HDD "there"? Then, select it with the pointer and hit return

5. Does the MPB boot from the old HDD connected externally?
If so, that's a BIG step forward.

6. When you get to the finder -- does the new SSD show up in the finder (even if there's nothing on it yet)?

7. If not, or if you get a message that the drive is unreadable and would you like to initialize it, open Disk Utility.

8. In DU, go to the popup menu (upper left) and choose "Show ALL devices".

9. Now, pick the topmost entry for the internal drive. You need to erase this to APFS, GUID partition map.

10. Does it initialize properly and now show on the desktop? If so, I suggest you run DU's "repair disk" option on it once to verify that it's "ok, ready, and waiting"

11. Now close DU and get back into the finder. Open Safari.

12. Now, download CarbonCopyCloner from here:
CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days. "Doing it my way" COSTS YOU NOTHING.

13. Open CCC. Accept all defaults. Put your source drive (the old HDD) on the left. Put the target (the internal SSD) "in the middle". Click "clone".

14. CCC will clone the contents of the HDD to the SSD. Be patient, it will take a while.

15. When done, power down and disconnect the external HDD

16. Now, press the power on button, and AGAIN HOLD DOWN THE OPTION KEY as you did above.

17 Select the SSD in startup manager and hit return.

18. NOW, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. Do you get a good boot?

19. If so, YOU'RE IN. But not quite done yet.

20. Open the Startup Disk preference pane. Click the lock and enter your password, then select the SSD to be the new boot drive. Close System Preferences.

DONE!

 

[jjfelix]

Thanks all.
I resolved the issue by cloning the original drive to my SSD (in an enclosure) using Carbon Copy Cloner.
Installed the SSD afterwards and no problems since.