HDD 101

[a2jack]

I made my first ever HDD backup on an old 09 mini in El-Cap, just for practice.

I used 1tb drive from a junked 09 iMac in a powered box. It loaded fine from Time Machine.

Now, how do I use it ?
Where do I find the files ?
Did it down load the OS ?
Will it run on a Mojave OS biased system, or must I create a disk for each computer in the house ? a2

 

[CoastalOR]

I made my first ever HDD backup on an old 09 mini in El-Cap, just for practice.
I used 1tb drive from a junked 09 iMac in a powered box. It loaded fine from Time Machine.

Now, how do I use it ?
Where do I find the files ?

Some Apple instructions:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203981
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209152
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/back-up-files-mh35860/mac

Did it down load the OS ?
Will it run on a Mojave OS biased system, or must I create a disk for each computer in the house ? a2

The default TM setting will backup the OS and restore it if needed.
It will run on Mojave systems. I prefer having a separate TM disk for each computer or at least a partition on a larger TM disk for each computer.

 

[a2jack]

Coastal. Good reply, and I read all your links. Thanks.

However, I Have had little success using Apple support links, as they assume way too high a knowledge of apple systems for a novice, and their fixes are so overly complex, as to boogie the mind of this user. LOL

Any easy answers ?

If I were to load this newly made disk onto a Mojave biased machine ,would it start up in El-Cap and still retain my Mojave stuff when I restart again without the e drive?

 

[CoastalOR]

Any easy answers ?

If I were to load this newly made disk onto a Mojave biased machine ,would it start up in El-Cap and still retain my Mojave stuff when I restart again without the e drive?

The easy answer is No.

It seems like you are interested in reverting from Mojave to El Capitan and retain all data from Mojave. Correct me if I misunderstand.

Mojave automatically converts disks to APFS (Apple File System) when it is installed. El Capitan does not recognize APFS and needs HFS+ (Mac OS Extended (journaled)). TM will not reformat your Mojave APFS disk to HFS+.

You would have to format the Mojave disk to HFS+ then TM could be used to restore El Capitan to the disk. FORMATTING YOUR MOJAVE DISK TO HFS+ WILL ERASE ALL DATA. You need to have a separate backup of Mojave before starting the process.

Here is article I found with Google on how to downgrade to an older OS from Mojave:
https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/downgrade-macos-mojave-3581872/

 

[a2jack]

Right on the money again , just the info I needed to move forward. Wow!

1st. Nope, not trying to change Mojave . I have no goal in mind here except one of learning all I can about Apple machines. I'm doing the HDD Now. LOL

So, there are two file systems at play here. APFS and HFS. While trying to save the old 09 host iMac, I did indeed journal that Hdd. That explains why it wouldn't run in Mojave but runs well in El-Cap. (I wonder if it will run in Sierra, or is that APES too ?)

Now. How do I make my new back up work ? Say, I pretend to restore a lost file (Pix, etc) ?

 

[CoastalOR]

Right on the money again , just the info I needed to move forward. Wow!

1st. Nope, not trying to change Mojave . I have no goal in mind here except one of learning all I can about Apple machines. I'm doing the HDD Now. LOL

So, there are two file systems at play here. APFS and HFS. While trying to save the old 09 host iMac, I did indeed journal that Hdd. That explains why it wouldn't run in Mojave but runs well in El-Cap. (I wonder if it will run in Sierra, or is that APES too ?)

Now. How do I make my new back up work ? Say, I pretend to restore a lost file (Pix, etc) ?

The official maximum macOS for the 2009 Mac Mini is 10.11.6. You have hit the OS ceiling for the 2009.

From the earlier links I provided:
How to restore the entire system:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203981

How to restore individual files:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209152

You might try a Google search about "How to restore using Apple Time Machine" to find some detailed instructions or youtube videos that might help.

 

[a2jack]

Coastal. Very good. I am able to use the links.

Just one more question.

If I connect the TM disc I made from El-Cap 1 to an Identical computer, EL-Cap 2, and boot up, will I see El-Cap 1's stuff and could I run EL-Cap two from this drive.

Thank you for your time and effort. I greatly appreciate it. a2