Complete user account failure

[Comprose]

Somehow, I have ereased all my user files, applications, etc. I have SuperDuper back up, but skitish to try a recovery. Before I do so, is there anything that I need to watch out for? The Apple Genius Bar could not find my data, nor is it in the Trash. My only hope is in backup.
Thanks,
Mike

[dnanian]

Can you start up from the backup? That's the first thing to attempt...

[Comprose]

Doing that as we speak, using disk utility restore. Takes time, so will let you know when complete, and if successful (hopefully).
Mike

[Comprose]

Restore completed, but now unable to start up. The window "Starting Mac OS X" scroll only goes a 1/4 of the way and then stops. Wondering if I need to reinstall from my OS disk?

[dnanian]

What I was originally asking was whether you could start up from the backup drive, not whether you could restore it. But, now that it's done -- sure, you can give an archive-and-install a try.

[Comprose]

After much telephone time with an Apple tech, plus an Apple product specialist, it appears that somehow the re-install simply did not take. With an additional problem of the password not being honored I had to make another re-install, an erase-and-install - - the password issue prohibited an archive-and-install. This worked, but I had to enter all new information, settings, etc.

Now to work the backup again. I'm assuming that the first backup try did not erase any data. Is that true?

So, what do you suggest for next steps? Would it make sense to re-install (or transfer over from another Mac) all my previous applications before doing any restoring? And how do I go about the actual restore?

Appreciate your helpng with this.

Mike

[dnanian]

With an erase-and-install, did you then try to migrate from the backup? Could you actually start up from the backup?

[Comprose]

Have not tried any migration, a bit skitish that I may loose what is on the backup. Have not used backup to start up. Not sure what to do next.
Mike

[dnanian]

OK. I'd clean install OSX to the internal drive. Then, when prompted, migrate from the backup (it'll ask if you want to copy from another Mac, point it at the backup).

[Comprose]

OK So I'll use the Disk Utility Restore. Right?
Mike

[dnanian]

No. You'll use the migration assistant during the first startup of the clean installed Mac.

[Comprose]

I thought migration assistant ios for moving data from one Mac to another. I'm wanting to move data from my external backup (OWC Mercury Elite) ) to my MacBook. Are we missing each other's messages?
Mike

[dnanian]

No, it'll also move from the backup.

[Comprose]

Migration fro external HD worked well, and everything sees to have migrated.
Only problem is with trying to open the VMware Windows XP Home (the application moved over properly).

Thanks for your good help (and patience!).

Mike

[dnanian]

Glad I could help, Mike!