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Sold Mac, how to Recover Files

sahni130

sahni130

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 25, 2008
676
416
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Hello,
I recently sold my MBP but before I did I know it completed a full Time Machine Backup. I am trying to recover my Photo library from the Time Machine drive and put the photos on a Windows computer, eventually (long story). I have tried using Paragon so that the Win 10 comp will read Apple file format but it is extremely useless and stalls after a few files. I think I goofed up- apparently i was supposed to "export" the pictures from Photos instead of just letting the MBP create a TM backup.

I still have an iMac and when I try to restore using Migration Assistant it does work because apparently the TM backup was "protected". I remember my passwords and all.

Currently pictures and other files on the MBP are sitting on the TM backup drive and I don't know how I can get them onto the mica or Windows computer. help!


Thanks!
 
Why don't you search google for "how to export from apple photos library to windows 10 ?"
All you would then need is to transfer them to the iMac first, of which you could also search google how to do it.
 
sahni130 said:
Hello,
I recently sold my MBP but before I did I know it completed a full Time Machine Backup. I am trying to recover my Photo library from the Time Machine drive and put the photos on a Windows computer, eventually (long story). I have tried using Paragon so that the Win 10 comp will read Apple file format but it is extremely useless and stalls after a few files. I think I goofed up- apparently i was supposed to "export" the pictures from Photos instead of just letting the MBP create a TM backup.

I still have an iMac and when I try to restore using Migration Assistant it does work because apparently the TM backup was "protected". I remember my passwords and all.

Currently pictures and other files on the MBP are sitting on the TM backup drive and I don't know how I can get them onto the mica or Windows computer. help!
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would suggest two options:

1) Try to access the files in Time Machine directly, using some technique like detailed here:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...machine-to-access-system-files-like-etc-hosts

However I don't recommend this option - the files will be in date folders so will be dispersed around.

2) (simpler) - Download a 30 day evaluation of VMWare Fusion. Install a fresh copy of whatever OS you backed up to Time Machine, then when you go through the OS setup it will ask you whether you want to restore from Time Machine backup. Then point it at your Time Machine location.
 
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DavidDoyle said:
I would suggest two options:

1) Try to access the files in Time Machine directly, using some technique like detailed here:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...machine-to-access-system-files-like-etc-hosts

However I don't recommend this option - the files will be in date folders so will be dispersed around.

2) (simpler) - Download a 30 day evaluation of VMWare Fusion. Install a fresh copy of whatever OS you backed up to Time Machine, then when you go through the OS setup it will ask you whether you want to restore from Time Machine backup. Then point it at your Time Machine location.
Click to expand...


Hello everyone,
I can see the "Time Machine Drive" on my iMac and the folders. However, I cannot see the contents of the folders. I have tried everything, including the steps above. The "Backups" folder I cannot open because "I do not have permission" and when I go to get info it says "you have unknown access" and does not allow me to change that. I don't know what else to try....I just want my photos back.
 
sahni130 said:
Hello everyone,
I can see the "Time Machine Drive" on my iMac and the folders. However, I cannot see the contents of the folders. I have tried everything, including the steps above. The "Backups" folder I cannot open because "I do not have permission" and when I go to get info it says "you have unknown access" and does not allow me to change that. I don't know what else to try....I just want my photos back.
Click to expand...
Using your iMac, connect the disk with the back from the Mac you sold. Then, go up to the Time Machine menu in the menu bar, and while holding the option key, click on that icon and select "Browse other backup disks". Navigate to the backup from your other computer and then you can see the files to restore them.
 
chrfr said:
Using your iMac, connect the disk with the back from the Mac you sold. Then, go up to the Time Machine menu in the menu bar, and while holding the option key, click on that icon and select "Browse other backup disks". Navigate to the backup from your other computer and then you can see the files to restore them.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Now my iMac is not even showing the external drive. Not even in disk utility. I have tried different ports, etc. I know the external drive is working because I can see it on the windows computer. Yes, it is still in Mac OS Journaled format so I should see it on the iMac...
 
When you connect it, the drive itself does not show up in disk utility?

Or does the drive show up and the volume/partition does not?
 
fde101 said:
When you connect it, the drive itself does not show up in disk utility?

Or does the drive show up and the volume/partition does not?
Click to expand...
So, I have tried and tried. The disk will show in Disk Utility but the "Time Machine" volume will not mount. I have tried "First Aid" and "mount" but nothing seems to work. I dont think its a physical issue but maybe a logic/format? I'll pay someone, somehow to retrieve the data. Is all hope lost?
 
Have you tried different USB ports? I've found on old Macs sometimes drives get fussy over ports (at least on my old Mac Pro). Could also try reset of the SMC / PRAM on the iMac.
 
So I ended up ordering a MAc Mini just to eliminate all doubt and yet still, the drive connected but would not mount. I tried Disk Utility, Stellar, etc and nothing could get it to repair permissions/directory and mount. What's weird is that when I connected it to my dell and try to retrieve/import photos via Photoshop....it got all the way upto 86% and then just quit, and then the Dell gave me the blue screen of death. So obviously the drive works... it's just some logical error that is annoying as heck. I've spoken with a couple of recovery services, and of course they think they can retrieve it somehow....its just $400+ but I suppose all those files and memories are worth it. I cannot think what I did wrong... I backed up the files via Time Machine and that hasn't let me down in the past. Just sad...
 
sahni130 said:
So I ended up ordering a MAc Mini just to eliminate all doubt and yet still, the drive connected but would not mount. I tried Disk Utility, Stellar, etc and nothing could get it to repair permissions/directory and mount. What's weird is that when I connected it to my dell and try to retrieve/import photos via Photoshop....it got all the way upto 86% and then just quit, and then the Dell gave me the blue screen of death. So obviously the drive works... it's just some logical error that is annoying as heck. I've spoken with a couple of recovery services, and of course they think they can retrieve it somehow....its just $400+ but I suppose all those files and memories are worth it. I cannot think what I did wrong... I backed up the files via Time Machine and that hasn't let me down in the past. Just sad...
Click to expand...


I believe the drive where you did your backup might have a physical error... when you can't read large files like that backup and other computers start to misbehave while reading the disk, it's sign of a failing drive.

Good luck
 
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