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Time machine on a imac
Does it matter which of the user profiles I use time machine on within on a mac, if I have previously used it on another profile. Does it continue to just backup as normal because it remembers the old profile or will it try to create a new backup not linked to the old one because I am in one of the other user profiles?
Eoin OSullivan
No it doesn't matter as long as the user who setup the time machine backup originally has Admin level access to set it up. Time Machine backus up the entire mac including ALL user accounts
ASKER
So if I was to format my mac, what is the best way to copy across the data etc but not undertake a full restore?
Do you want to recover just SOME of the data from TimeMachine? Not really clear on what you want to achieve?
When recovering using TimeMachine you can choose to only restore some of the user accounts (not all) but you cannot choose to restore SOME applications or SOME of the system.
You can use TimeMachine 2 ways .. re-install OSX from the Recovery system and set it up like a new mac . and then just restore the user accounts and/or the applications .. or you can recover and rebuild the mac using the TimeMachine backup.
When recovering using TimeMachine you can choose to only restore some of the user accounts (not all) but you cannot choose to restore SOME applications or SOME of the system.
You can use TimeMachine 2 ways .. re-install OSX from the Recovery system and set it up like a new mac . and then just restore the user accounts and/or the applications .. or you can recover and rebuild the mac using the TimeMachine backup.
ASKER
What I am trying to achieve is to 1) Wipe the mac completely and 2) restore Documents and maybe some other data like photos, videos etc. Not so fussed about applications as they can be downloaded from fresh.
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ASKER
1. Are there any downsides from importing a user account - does it copy all the crap settings etc that we might not use
2. "When recovering using TimeMachine you can choose to only restore some of the user accounts (not all)" > What do you mean by this, is it not possible to restore one of say three user accounts? (separate from question 1)
2. "When recovering using TimeMachine you can choose to only restore some of the user accounts (not all)" > What do you mean by this, is it not possible to restore one of say three user accounts? (separate from question 1)
1. Yes.. it will import the "crap" settings/preferences that relate to applications which you MAY not re-install .. in effect it copies the entire USER folder from time machine back onto the Mac. While the preferences and settings may use up a little space they are harmless and don't cause any issues
2. Yes you can restore one or more of the users accounts. So if there were 3 users on the Time Machine backup you can choose to restore 1 or two or all 3 .. you can even choose to restore one now and another at a later date.
2. Yes you can restore one or more of the users accounts. So if there were 3 users on the Time Machine backup you can choose to restore 1 or two or all 3 .. you can even choose to restore one now and another at a later date.
ASKER
Thx