Time Machine Back-up loss

Can I recover my Time Machine Back-up? Time Machine wiped it all out and restarted with a new back-up, all this on a 2 TB disc, rather than just overwriting the oldest files.

iMac

Posted on Feb 25, 2023 10:31 AM

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Posted on Feb 25, 2023 10:52 AM

Baldie 752 wrote:

Can I recover my Time Machine Back-up? Time Machine wiped it all out and restarted with a new back-up, all this on a 2 TB disc, rather than just overwriting the oldest files.


?


I will say you should only interface through the TM >"Browse Time Machine Backups.".. not Finder.


It is not a user friendly database inside Finder and you can corrupt what's there.


You can try holding the Option key when clicking on the TM icon upper right menubar...

"Browse Other Backup Disk" and see if you have access to missing backups here.


Depending on history of the drive/ old macOS/...etc Starting a new backup will side step issues as you go forward.


Note:

One indication of a drive working in a state of failure is getting the message:

"Time Machine has completed a new backup for you" or "can't create the backup "or“failed to complete the backup, ” or stuck “Preparing backup”



The main advantage of TM is that it creates recursive backups—enabling you to restore a specific file or the entire drive— from a certain point in time; and the fact it can be very user friendly...



Time Machine is not considered a permanent backup...




If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.




If you do not have access to the full extent of the 2 TB and need to start a new, ref—

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


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Feb 25, 2023 10:52 AM in response to Baldie 752

Baldie 752 wrote:

Can I recover my Time Machine Back-up? Time Machine wiped it all out and restarted with a new back-up, all this on a 2 TB disc, rather than just overwriting the oldest files.


?


I will say you should only interface through the TM >"Browse Time Machine Backups.".. not Finder.


It is not a user friendly database inside Finder and you can corrupt what's there.


You can try holding the Option key when clicking on the TM icon upper right menubar...

"Browse Other Backup Disk" and see if you have access to missing backups here.


Depending on history of the drive/ old macOS/...etc Starting a new backup will side step issues as you go forward.


Note:

One indication of a drive working in a state of failure is getting the message:

"Time Machine has completed a new backup for you" or "can't create the backup "or“failed to complete the backup, ” or stuck “Preparing backup”



The main advantage of TM is that it creates recursive backups—enabling you to restore a specific file or the entire drive— from a certain point in time; and the fact it can be very user friendly...



Time Machine is not considered a permanent backup...




If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.




If you do not have access to the full extent of the 2 TB and need to start a new, ref—

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


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Feb 25, 2023 10:56 AM in response to steve626

No, cannot see any files, so I think I am stuffed. Now starts with a 13 Feb file then a gap to 23rd Feb, and since then regular additions, so something has gone very wrong. Have already run Disc utility to check the drive, and no issues. I suspect it is gone for good but will try suggestion below

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Feb 25, 2023 11:03 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks, and have tried but no luck - the files are gone. I have retried Disc Utility and now get an error, so suspect that may be where the problem lay. Anyway, thanks for the response. I do have an on-line back up as well, but, though I don't need it now (hope never again) I have had to use it in the past and it is slow and rather painful!


I am now going to a new on site back up anyways.

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Feb 25, 2023 11:21 AM in response to Baldie 752

Baldie 752 wrote:

Thanks, and have tried but no luck - the files are gone. I have retried Disc Utility and now get an error, so suspect that may be where the problem lay. Anyway, thanks for the response. I do have an on-line back up as well, but, though I don't need it now (hope never again) I have had to use it in the past and it is slow and rather painful!

I am now going to a new on site back up anyways.


Yes. Replacing the drive is your best option.


good computing Baldie 752

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Time Machine Back-up loss

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