Reformating Leopard and Time Machine

[SoundTheSurrender]

What do I have to do exactly to recover Time Machine files on a new Leopard install?

My friend is going to reformat his Macbook and wants to keep files. It's all backed up on Time Machine.

Thanks.

 

[tefleming]

I think it's just an option you pick during the Leopard install, IIRC

 

[Kmax82]

Yep.. once Leopard is reinstalled, and you reboot for the first time. It asks if you want to import your info, and one of the options is "from Time Machine backup".

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Alright, thanks!

 

[rdp6]

I have a time machine backup but haven't had to restore yet, can you selectively restore? I'd like to keep basically everything but the OS and the apps. I don't want parallels/windows, peerguardian, and probably some others installed when I reinstall Leopard.

I'm amazed I haven't had to reinstall the OS but want a fresh start app-wise when I get around to upgrading the hard drive.

 

[alevasseur14]

You can do it two ways. As was previously mentioned, you can install the OS and wait for the first restart when the Migration Assistant appears or you can restore straight from a Time Machine backup once you boot from the DVD. When my hard drive went belly up, I used the Migration assistant. You can select which components you want to restore but as far as I know, you can't select specific applications to install or not.

Good luck!

 

[sourceninja]

You can also browse the time machine directly and copy over what you want.