How to Make and Restore from Disk Image?

[JoeMac]

All -

I'd like to arrange my new TiBook with OS X (10.12), all my settings set and all my apps in place.

Then, I'd like to make a big disk image of the complete volume (except my actual work - this is backed seperately). I'd like to stash it on the NT server.

I would use it to totally *restore* my volume with a carbon copy and be up and running if the drive crashes, I screw up OS X (I keep moving stuff around so it will look more like OS 9), or if I decide to partition the drive.

Alright, the question(!): What do I have to do when making the image to ensure that all the invisible UNIX files, etc. go with it, and I can copy the image back to the drive and be back in business?

It is really difficult for me to wrap my head around OS X, what it is, isn't and the myriad files and changes that came with it...

Thanks,

- Joe

[AKcrab]

I did a quick and dirty test:
I created a directory, and put some text files in it, as well as some invisible files.
I then used Disk Copy to create a disk image of the directory.

After completing the disk image, I mounted it and replaced the original directory with the disk image directory, and used the terminal to see if the invisible files came accross, which they did.

While playing with Disk Copy, I noticed that there is an option under Image --> New Image From Device. This appears to allow you to image the entire directory, plus compress the data. I think this is exactly what you are looking for??

I would think it would work, as the reason apps are being released in .dmg format is to be sure that invisible files and resource forks are copied across.. I could be wrong.

I think Disk Copy will be all you need.

Perhaps others will share their ideas.

[xchanyazy]

I used psync and got a working copy of os X from one drive to another, but they were both on my machine, don't know how you would use it over the network. I think the best idea for what you're saying is to go with disk copy, like what AKcrab says, though. You'll definitly want to test it if you have another partition/drive available to boot off of before you rely on it, though.

[JoeMac]

Thanks for the replies. I would think/hope that this process is a no-brainer - that I could just use Disk Copy. But one never knows with OS X (at least I don't), I'm trying to avoid "gotchas" discovered in a time of disaster.

I'll check back & see if anything new surfaces.

[thatch]

psync is your best bet. It does work across networked drives. See man psync. It can do complete clones or incremental backups too. But I'm not certain that JoeMac has this kind of experience with the command line which psync will require to compile, install and run.

The same can be done with hfspax but it will also require command line experience.

Another option is ditto but I don't think it is totally portable to a remote drive over a network without a lot of tweaking on the target. Again, this would require command line experience.

The disk image method will require Apple Software Restore (ASR) to become bootable on the target drive. And ASR is something that has to be done while booted in 9. Also, I believe there is a size limit for images created with the currently available release of Disk Copy for that method. There is a good source of info on cloning with Disk Copy and ASR here:

http://www.bombich.com/mactips/asrx.html

It is probably the easiest method for someone without command line experience for cloning across a network.

[JoeMac]

Thanks Thatch!

I've checked out Bombich's site. This guy seems like he knows what he's doing (probably and understatement :-) ). I grabbed his instruction page & I'll check his method out when I get ready. You're right - although I am knowledgeable of Macs, command lines probably aren't my thing.

I'm an artist. I have to see pictures, ya know?

[thatch]

JoeMac,

You are welcome. I love art too and have experience in painting, ceramics and stained glass work. Plus, I am a musician, by hobby only at this time, and play several instruments. But the command line enables certain other creative forms of expression should you ever decide to get into it. :)

Good luck with Mike's method and please post back with your details and results for everyone.

[mikerose]

On this topic:

I have managed to make a bootable image (both 9 and X) using Apple Software Restore and "Mike's method" from www.bombich.com. There are some important 'gotchas' in play:

a) obviously, a Finder copy will not preserve symlinks, rights, etc. If you create a blank image with Disk Copy you MUST use Apple Software Restore (per Mike's instructions) to populate the image with a copy of your drive.

b) You can use Disk Copy to "Make Image from Volume" or "Make image from device" and you'll have a usable image. However, the old procedure of running the ASR scan applescripts (for those who have used ASR before) will not work. In order to restore a bootable X volume you must mount the disk image and then drag the mounted disk image to Apple Software Restore. This takes longer than a 9-only restore (where you can use the "Scan image for ASR" AppleScripts in Disk Copy to do advance verification of the image checksum) but it does produce reliable, X-bootable volumes. (Try it the old way and you'll get the dreaded "etc/master.passwd: not a directory" error on booting into X.)

So far I've restored two copies of my 9/X combo volume, to an internal partition on an iMac and to an external VST FireWire drive, and both have performed very well. It's great to set up applications, users and preferences and then be able to burn that back to any machine you like.

--M.