How to create a bootable clone backup

We recommend making a bootable clone backup before any repair if you can. In most cases, you can continue to use your applications and data normally with any similar Mac during the repair. You can rent a Mac from Tekserve if you don’t have a spare. Follow the instructions below to setup, create, and test your first bootable clone backup.

You’ll Need:

1. 1 to 4 hours (about 30 minutes of set-up and hours of waiting, depending on how much data you have on your hard drive). It’s usually easiest to set it up to run overnight.
2. An empty external hard drive at least as large as your computer’s internal hard drive. If your computer has FireWire ports, get a FireWire external hard drive, if your computer only has USB, get a USB external hard drive. Stop by or call us to order one and have it delivered.
3. SuperDuper! from www.shirt-pocket.com. This shareware application is around $30 but you can use it for free to create your first bootable clone.

For Users with Windows installed via Boot Camp

If you have Windows installed on a separate hard drive partition using Boot Camp, these instructions won’t backup the Windows partition of your computer. You need to backup any files, applications, or settings from Windows separately.

Reformat and partition a new drive for backup (bootable clone or Time Machine).

Depending on the type of external hard drive you purchase, it may not be formatted properly to work with your Mac. The easiest thing to do is to reformat any external drive before you use it.

WARNING

Formatting the drive will erase any data on the drive. Make sure you back up any data you want to keep before proceeding.

1. Connect the external hard drive to your Mac with the FireWire or USB cable (if you have both, use FireWire). Some hard drives need to be plugged into a power outlet or have an “on” switch hidden somewhere. Your Mac may offer to use the hard drive to back up with Time Machine immediately, choose Don't Use for now.
2. Open Disk Utility from Applications/Utilities.
3. You should see the external hard drive listed in the left pane of Disk Utility. It will be listed twice. Once with the capacity of the drive and its technical name and then indented below, you’ll see the drive’s name as it appears on your desktop. Select the first listing for your drive with its capacity and technical name.
4. Then select the Partition pane from the options in the upper center area.
5. In the pop-up menu under "Volume Scheme" or "Partition Layout" choose One Partition.
6. Give the partition a name.
7. From the Format pop-up box, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
8. Click Apply and then after reading the confirmation dialog, click Partition or Erase.

Download and install SuperDuper! from www.shirt-pocket.com. It’s free to create your first bootable clone without activating it (but well worth the $30 if you plan to continue using it).

1. Select your computer’s internal hard drive (usually Macintosh HD) in the left drop down menu labeled “Copy.”
2. Select your newly created backup hard drive in the right drop down menu labeled “to.”
3. Start the backup by pressing Copy Now.

The first backup should take several hours. Avoid using your computer during this time.

1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer with the appropriate cable. (PowerPC-based Macs, AKA G4 and G5, require a FireWire connection to boot. Intel-based Macs can use USB or FireWire.) Restart your computer and hold down the Option key as the computer restarts.
2. A gray screen with two (or more) hard drives will appear. Select your backup drive and press Return.
3. The computer will then start up from your backup drive instead of its regular internal hard drive. You may notice activity lights flashing on the external drive.
4. Once booted from the external hard drive, open a few files and applications to make sure everything is working. If everything looks good, you’re done! Shut down your computer, unplug the backup drive, and put the drive in a safe place.

Don’t leave the clone connected to your Mac, since it can get confusing very quickly!

Published March 24, 2009 12:00 PM
Last modified on November 25, 2011 12:34 PM