Time Machine or Clone backup for a fresh install ?

[Alpha Centauri]

Hi all

it's occurred to me I've never had to install from a backup after a total data hardware loss before.

Background: Last week I experimented with making my M2 MPB water cooled and this did not at all go well for me or the machine. The M2 is currently in Apple hospital and parts are on order, extremely likely the logic board (and my data) will be replaced. In the past I just removed the SATA HDD or SSD and/ or used external enclosures.

I have multiple encrypted backups with both Super Duper and Time Machine on NVMe SSD's and HDD and these updated only 2 hrs prior to the tragic demise. The data is quite organized without any garbage on it so am not interested in porting it manually. So would most here agree to try Time Machine for the most automated process? And if so, I'll likely be greeted with the latest Sonoma OS (as are my backups), and plugging the external in immediately when greeted with the "welcome screen" will prompt to restore immediately? Or will I need to set the basics i.e. language, iCloud, WiFi first and then be invited to use a TM backup afterwards?

For now I'm glad I kept this, my 2009 MBP, for such unexpected and most unfortunate events.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd suggest trying the SuperDuper backup first.

Connect it BEFORE you start setup.
When setup assistant asks if you wish to migrate from another drive, "point the way" to the SD backup and give SA time to "digest" everything.

I suggest you migrate everything. Just turn SD loose and let it do its job.

 

[Bigwaff]

Last week I experimented with making my M2 MPB water cooled and this did not at all go well for me or the machine.

I’m actually fascinated by this statement. Can you post details or links for this process? Or are you being facetious and you actually spilled liquid on your M2 MBP?

 

[2adOpin2]

A year or two ago, I had a software update fail on my laptop resulting in Apple service needing to wipe the drive and reset. Used a Time Machine backup to restore. After following the on screen instructions when restarting the computer and then waiting for a couple of hours while the backup loaded, the machine restarted and all was identical to the time of the last backup prior to the wipe. This was pre Sonoma so I can't comment on whether Time Machine restores will go as well with Sonoma. If the Time Machine restore considers the repaired computer to be a new device, the old backups will need to 'inherited' to allow access to all the previous backups.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I'd suggest trying the SuperDuper backup first.

Connect it BEFORE you start setup.
When setup assistant asks if you wish to migrate from another drive, "point the way" to the SD backup and give SA time to "digest" everything.

I suggest you migrate everything. Just turn SD loose and let it do its job.

Gotcha. Connect prior to set-up, am obviously trying to avoid having two (user) data disks show.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

If the Time Machine restore considers the repaired computer to be a new device, the old backups will need to 'inherited' to allow access to all the previous backups.

An interesting point and I've no idea if the encrypted backups will pick up on the same serial number being present.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I’m actually fascinated by this statement. Can you post details or links for this process? Or are you being facetious and you actually spilled liquid on your M2 MBP?

Yes yes, my attempt at humor in quite a disastrous situation. It was the sugary type water too

 

[gilby101]

Time Machine is easiest. Install macOS and use Migration Assistant to recover all your apps, settings and data from your TM disk. And you can get help from Apple if you run into issues.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Time Machine is easiest. Install macOS and use Migration Assistant to recover all your apps, settings and data from your TM disk. And you can get help from Apple if you run into issues.

Yup. So would you advise to have the TM backup drive to be hooked up already prior to the "welcome" screen greeting me? Or it doesn't matter and Migration Assistant will kick in as soon as language, WiFi, etc is set up first. I'm obviously trying to avoid having 2 x Data user disks on the new install.