[JnC]

Before updating from 10.6 to 10.6.3 I want to backup my brand-new-to-me mini 10v

For all my Macs, I backup to external HDs connected either by firewire or USB. I use my registered copy of SuperDuper! to make bootable Smart Updates every few days.

Can I do the same with my mini 10v running SL? Will SD make bootable copies? I've partitioned the HD I plan to use into Mac OS extended journaled, option GUID, since I used one partition to make a clean copy of the SL DVD install.

If SD doesn't work, then what is the best plan for backup that makes something bootable?

Is it to consider the original USB flash drive with SL as a bootable system backup (the one used for installation of SL onto the mini) and just backup docs onto an external HD but not have this be bootable?

And how does NBI come into play in all of this?
Needless to say, I need help and am confused. Help please.
Thanks,
J

[jamesbarnhill]

Originally Posted by JnC

Before updating from 10.6 to 10.6.3 I want to backup my brand-new-to-me mini 10v

For all my Macs, I backup to external HDs connected either by firewire or USB. I use my registered copy of SuperDuper! to make bootable Smart Updates every few days.

Can I do the same with my mini 10v running SL? Will SD make bootable copies? I've partitioned the HD I plan to use into Mac OS extended journaled, option GUID, since I used one partition to make a clean copy of the SL DVD install.

If SD doesn't work, then what is the best plan for backup that makes something bootable?

Is it to consider the original USB flash drive with SL as a bootable system backup (the one used for installation of SL onto the mini) and just backup docs onto an external HD but not have this be bootable?

And how does NBI come into play in all of this?
Needless to say, I need help and am confused. Help please.
Thanks,
J

A Mini boots the same way any other computer boots, you should definitely be able to use SuperDuper, unless it creates some sort of special bootloader. In the latter case you should try the restore feature of Disk Utility, it will create an exact copy of your hard drive, byte for byte.

If you create an exact copy it won't mess with NBI; it's like booting exactly the way you were before, only from an external HD.

Hope that clears some fog for you, ~James

[JnC]

Originally Posted by jamesbarnhill

A Mini boots the same way any other computer boots, you should definitely be able to use SuperDuper, unless it creates some sort of special bootloader. In the latter case you should try the restore feature of Disk Utility, it will create an exact copy of your hard drive, byte for byte.

If you create an exact copy it won't mess with NBI; it's like booting exactly the way you were before, only from an external HD.

Hope that clears some fog for you, ~James

Thanks for replying -

I've been waiting to update till I heard something here.

I guess I think that because the mini began life as a PC it won't be able to talk to Mac things at some level - and I have NO idea as I said before where NBI comes into play in any of this, if at all.

I prefer to go the SuperDuper smart update bootable copy route if that'll work since it's the method I already use for our other Macs. I'm sure I read somewhere here that even if you selected "make bootable" SD didn't and I couldn't figure out why not.

I'm guessing that even if the backup isn't bootable, I could start with USB with SL on it and then (sigh, again) do the update but at least all my other stuff would be saved.

J

[soho100]

JnC
I used the free version of Super Duper, backed up to USB flash drive, then ran Netbookmaker and installed only Chameleon on the USB drive, and it is now a fully bootable USB that runs my OS 10.6.3, and I even used it to make a clone disk for a second Mini 10v. Easy and free.

[pokenguyen]

Yes, I also succeed with Super Duper.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by soho100

JnC
I used the free version of Super Duper, backed up to USB flash drive, then ran Netbookmaker and installed only Chameleon on the USB drive, and it is now a fully bootable USB that runs my OS 10.6.3, and I even used it to make a clone disk for a second Mini 10v. Easy and free.

Thanks for the info.

So, I can check off "make bootable" on SuperDuper! and it'll make a bootable backup copy on an external HD, just as I do for my other Macs?

I'm not sure I understand the process you describe for a bootable USB.
Can't I re-use the 8GB USB I created for my original install of 10.6 as a bootable USB should I need it, say, in a crisis situation on the road. I assume (?) there is a sequence for booting from the USB and not the mini itself -- insert USB before powering up?

(And use the external bootable HD from home if need be.)

I HIGHLY recommend paying the small amount ($25 if I recall correctly) and registering your copy of SuperDuper! Performing a SmartUpdate is much, much faster than recopying your entire HD each time you do a backup - assuming you are using it to do frequent backups.

J

[soho100]

Originally Posted by JnC

Thanks for the info.

So, I can check off "make bootable" on SuperDuper! and it'll make a bootable backup copy on an external HD, just as I do for my other Macs?

I'm not sure I understand the process you describe for a bootable USB.
Can't I re-use the 8GB USB I created for my original install of 10.6 as a bootable USB should I need it, say, in a crisis situation on the road.

I assume (?) there is a sequence for booting from the USB and not the mini itself -- insert USB before powering up?

J

I think I left "make bootable" on.

You can use the 8GB to install only, so it's worth keeping should you want to reinstall from scratch or install to another Mini10v.

Yes hit F2 on startup, move USB to top of list is boot section. Enable USB Legacy. Or I believe if you hit F12 you get a choice of boot drives much like on a Mac.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by soho100

I think I left "make bootable" on.

You can use the 8GB to install only, so it's worth keeping should you want to reinstall from scratch or install to another Mini10v.

Yes hit F2 on startup, move USB to top of list is boot section. Enable USB Legacy. Or I believe if you hit F12 you get a choice of boot drives much like on a Mac.

So, the USB I have now is just for install - that makes sense.

To make a USB to boot from when we travel - in case of a crisis (though I've never had any trouble with our Macs, I'm not sure if that applies here to a dellminimac...) - just perform a "Make Bootable" SuperDuper copy and have the USB flash drive be the target?

Probably best to do this, while there is just SL and the few apps we routinely use one the road?

For docs we create we use another USB flash to save works in progess.

J

PS Thanks for saying that you hit F2 on startup, we tried to follow the directions which said wait till you see Dell logo and that was way too late to get anything to happen.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by soho100

JnC
I used the free version of Super Duper, backed up to USB flash drive, then ran Netbookmaker and installed only Chameleon on the USB drive, and it is now a fully bootable USB that runs my OS 10.6.3, and I even used it to make a clone disk for a second Mini 10v. Easy and free.

Sorry to be so stupid, but I need some clarification for backing up with SuperDuper using a USB flash drive as target.

I don't understand this, which sounds so simple but puzzles me: "then ran Netbookmaker and installed only Chameleon on the USB drive"

On my mini there is an application in the application folder, NBI NetBookInstaller. On the MBP there is a download for NetBookMaker 0.8.4 RC1

Following mechdrew's instructions (copied here below) I did the following all on the MBP:
#14 Open the NetbookBootMaker application. If a warning prompt shows up asking, "Are you sure you want to open it?" click Open.
#15 For USB Partition, select OSXDVD.
#16 Press "Prepare Boot Drive".
#17 Enter your password, then click OK. It can take several minutes to complete, so be patient.
#18 On the popup window that says done, click OK, then exit the NetbookBootMaker app.

Please tell me HOW I do what you say - where/how am I running NetBookMaker - on the mini? on the MBP? And where am I finding Cameleon and how am I installing it on the USB?

I am sure this is simple, I'm just missing something here.... What I want to end up with is a USB drive that contains the updated version of SL and the few apps I have installed on the mini. That's all that's on the mini now - no docs, nothing else. And, I need this USB to be bootable just in case I run into trouble booting up when I am on the road and nowhere near my HD with the backup copy.

J

[pokenguyen]

It's just a mistake, you should run NetbookInstaller and install to your backup drive instead of "Netbookmaker"