Automatic Time Machine backups to Mac on local network

Hi,
I've got a headless Mac mini on my network that just runs as a fileserver and doesn't need to be backed up with Time Machine, but it's a convenient place to attach an external USB drive so that my PowerBook and MacBook can back up to it wirelessly.
When I first set up Time Machine on each laptop, the backup disk showed up under 'Change Disk...' in prefs -- I guess the disk was already mounted. The initial backup took forever but worked fine, and subsequent backups have worked fine too. (Everything's running 10.5.2, by the way.)
The problem is that, when the remote drive becomes unmounted (e.g. when I take a laptop to work and back), Time Machine stops backing up automatically until the drive is manually remounted or the "Backup now" option is chosen under the Time Machine menu. When left to its own devices it just sits there forever in "Next backup: When Mac is plugged in" mode, which isn't really what I want -- I was hoping to "set & forget".
So I suppose my question is: can I fix this by actually enabling Time Machine on the Mac mini, rather than just treating the drive as a vanilla network share? I've noticed that the remote drive icon changes when Time Machine is enabled, and maybe there's some other magic going on there too, e.g. to advertise the drive somehow so that Time Machine knows it can automount it at backup time, instead of sitting around waiting for me to do it. I don't want to actually back up any of the Mac mini's files but presumably I can tell Time Machine to ignore (almost) everything on its local drive when performing the backup, just for the sake of having Time Machine turned on.
On the other hand, I don't want to mess around with it if I'm not going to see any improvement, because at least things are working right now. In particular I'm not keen to go through the whole initial backup again, especially for no reason.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Cheers,
-Tom

BilFish II wrote:
I have a similar problem, but didn't quite understand the solution...
time machine/capsule backs up my macbook. Just got an imac, and copied the image to it. Didn't realize it REALLY copied the image to it... so Time Machine decided the new imac was the macbook.
No. Time Machine always knows which Mac is which, via an identifier that's embedded in the hardware on the logic board.
But it did copy the +Computer Name,+ which you can change via +System Preferences > Sharing.+
And it did copy the Time Machine preferences file (with the backup location you specified), so it backed-the new Mac up to the same destination.
Now Time Capsule backs up the imac... but not the macbook anymore.
There is still a 425GB sparsebundle for the old macbook on the Time Capsule...
Depending on how you answered this prompt, there may be two sparse bundles:
|
|
See #B5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum), for details.
If you said +Create New Backup,+ there should be two sparse bundles, one for each Mac.
If you said +Reuse Backup,+ there should be one, containing the backups from both, and as it says, the MacBook can no longer use the same set of backups.
Question: Is there a way to reattach to that sparsebundle for backing up the macbook or do I have to start all over?
Probably. First confirm whether there's one sparse bundle or two, and roughly how many backups of the iMac you've done.

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Does Time Machine backup system files (/usr/local/*)?

Does Time Machine backup system files (/usr/local/*)?
If so how do you locate them in the Time Machine interface?
If I go into Time Machine mode and type say "/usr/local" in the Time Machine search bar I get nothing although I can open a terminal application and cd to /usr/local and see bin, lib, include, etc.
Of course I can never see /usr/local in Finder either ... only at the command line.
Thanks.

John, another tech pro ("baltwo") suggests:
Run this in the Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1
OPTION-click and hold on Finder's Dock icon->Relaunch which reveals all hidden files. Then, look for that file and delete it. To hide all of those, use the same command, substituiting zero for the one, and relaunch the Finder.

I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard. When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed. Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Mach

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http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986

Using 500 gb WD Passport as both Time Machine Backup and Mac OS bootable HD

I just bought a 500 gb WD Passport to use as a Time Machine Backup HD with my MacBook Pro and was wondering if I could make it into a Mac OS bootable HD as well. I like having a backup HD and a recovery HD with me on the road and thought it would be great to have them in the same HD. One thought I had was to make two partitions on this HD: one for Time Machine and one for Recovery. Would that work? Is there a better way? Let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

One thing to consider is that certain WD external drive models do not work reliably as startup drives for Mac OS X, or at least for the latest versions of that OS. Before you get too far into this project, I suggest that you partition the drive (making sure that you use the GUID Partition Table partition scheme & HFS+ journaled volume scheme), install or clone Snow Leopard to one of the partitions to create your 'recovery' volume, & verify that your Mac will boot from it. If this works, you are good to go.
Obviously, you should not use this 'recovery' volume as your everyday startup drive or for data storage because as mentioned, if the WD drive fails, you would have no backup, but otherwise this is a good plan.
One little trick you might be interested in that I like for an external drive I use somewhat similarly: Normally, all the volumes on a drive will mount automatically when the drive is attached to a Mac, but it is sometimes handy if only the Time Machine one does this & the 'recovery' volume (or in my case a reference clone of my old Leopard installation) does not, which insures that this volume isn't accidentally disturbed by user error, is safe from any OS errors that might corrupt its files, doesn't tempt you to use it for normal data storage, & so on.
As it turns out, the OS provides an elegant method to do exactly that. As described in the Mac OS X Hints post "Prevent a given partition from mounting at boot" (which discusses doing this for essentially the same use as yours), you can create an "fstab" file in /private/etc/ that (among other things) can instruct the OS not to mount selected volumes automatically. This works perfectly with Leopard or Snow Leopard.
The really cool thing about this is that since the file is a part of the OS on the normal, everyday startup volume, it only has an effect if you start up from that volume. Thus, if say that volume is damaged & you can't start up from it, you don't have to do anything special to start up from the protected volume -- it appears in the Startup Manager's icons if you use the option key at startup time & even if you don't, if it is the only viable startup volume the Mac can find at boot time, it will start up from it automatically, after a brief delay.
If nothing else, check out the Hints post. It should reassure you that others do the same thing that you are considering.

Restoring a Time Machine backup on Mac OS X Lion

I planned on doing a fresh install of Mac OS X Lion — and clearing the hard drive and applications — rather than simply updating and keeping all my data. I figured a clean update could limit any bugs or issues I'd have.
I currently have a Time Machine backup from my computer running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8. I wanted to ask if I could restore this backup onto the wiped machine once I've installed Lion. It's important for me to restore the Time Machine backup not only for my files and accounts, but also applications like the Adobe Creative Suite 5 where I only have licensing to download one copy. Is this possible, or is there any better way to do this? Thanks!

bbour38 wrote:
I planned on doing a fresh install of Mac OS X Lion — and clearing the hard drive and applications — rather than simply updating and keeping all my data. I figured a clean update could limit any bugs or issues I'd have.
Unless you're having problems you can't fix any other way, there's no reason to do that. In most cases, just upgrading is the easiest, quickest, most reliable way to go.
I wanted to ask if I could restore this backup onto the wiped machine once I've installed Lion. It's important for me to restore the Time Machine backup not only for my files and accounts, but also applications like the Adobe Creative Suite 5 where I only have licensing to download one copy. Is this possible, or is there any better way to do this?
If you do a full system restore, that will restore Snow Leopard.
Without a second partition or external HD, there's no easy way to erase your system, then install Lion, since you need Snow Leopard to do the download.
You can, if you really want to, download Lion, but don't install it directly; instead, copy the installer to a DVD, USB stick, or partition on an internal or external HD. See Making a Lion Install disc or partition for instructions.
Then erase your internal HD and install Lion from the copied installer, then when your Mac starts up, use Setup Assistant to transfer everything else from your backups. You may, however, have to re-enter purchase keys or serial numbers for some 3rd-party apps. See How do I set up a new Mac from an old one, its backups, or a PC? for details.
But in most cases the result will be exactly the same as simply upgrading.

Restore iMac Time Machine Backup to Mac Mini

I've struggled to find a discussion that covers what I'm trying to do. I have a Time Machine backup from a G5 iMac that was stolen, not exactly certain which model. A friend of mine has lent me a Mac Mini to use but unfortunately when he tried to wipe his data from it, he didn't do a great job and wiped the machine entirely. It needs a FULL fresh install as it won't boot on it's own, however it won't allow me to restore from the iMac's Time Machine backup as it states it was 'created on a different machine'. The Mac Mini is the MB138LL/A model. I obviously don't have the original machine's installer disks to use so am a bit stumped. Thanks in advance for any help!

Order replacement discs from Apple customer service, if applicable, or buy a retail disc if the original OS was upgraded. Install, then import the data from Time Machine in Setup Assistant.

How to setting up new (June 2011) TC to do wireless time machine backup but not connected to network?

Hello. Just got new (refurbished June 2011, 2TB) Time Capsule. My building has a shared wifi network, and I'm assuming it's hard to join the network with Time Capsule and still be satisfied with security/privacy/performance. (Of course, if I'm assuming wrong, please let me know!)
My understanding is that I can use Time Capsule wirelessly to do Time Machine backups by switching out of my wireless network to - I assume - a new Time Capsule generated network(?). It's an extra step, but that beats connecting cables to the computer everytime I need to do backup. Basically it's like an external wireless hard drive that I have to join everytime the backup is updated, right? (Again, if there is a better way to go about doing this, please let me know.)
So how do I go about doing this? The setup manual isn't helpful (not at all).
Here's more detail if necessary. I have 10.8 Macbook Air (which I plan to upgrade to 10.9 soon) and my spouse is running 10.9 Macbook Pro. I am also assuming I don't have to partition Time Capsule, and when the Time Machine backs up, it'll figure who's who.
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Hello. Just got new (refurbished June 2011, 2TB) Time Capsule. My building has a shared wifi network, and I'm assuming it's hard to join the network with Time Capsule and still be satisfied with security/privacy/performance. (Of course, if I'm assuming wrong, please let me know!)
Security is ok.. but performance is abominable.
The TC unfortunately has some design limitations that Apple imposed that makes it rather poor for anything but ethernet.
There is a couple of ways around the problem of sequential internet or backups.
1. Get a wireless bridge that is suited to your in-building system.. and plug that into the TC so it can take normal router settings .. This will give you double NAT but I doubt your in building system will be handing out public IP anyway. An airport extreme can do this. Although it is pricey for the same results as a $35 standard wireless bridge. All devices in your place will then get both internet and backup direct to the TC.
One flaw here could be the download limits.. if you have two connections do you get double the downloads.. ??
ie how many IP are allocated to you?? And is it divided between all of them or the more IP clients the more download bandwidth?
2. Use a USB wireless stick in the Mac.. these can be tiny little things now.. just buy Mac compatible ones.. use that for internet and use the internal (faster) wireless for local connections. there are some manual setup tricks needed here but nothing hard.

Can I move old Time Machine backups that were USB to Network backups?

I recently bought a new Airport Extreme and attached my 1TB WD HD to it for network file sharing and Time Machine backups. I had originally backed up my MacBook Pro with that external HD via USB directly connected to the laptop. I know (thanks to these foruns), that, since I'm now using Time Machine backups via wifi, the location of the backups is different and my wifi Time Machine can't access the backups on the HD that were made when it was directly connected.
My question is: is there a way to move the old TM backups so that they can be recognized via wifi? If not no big deal, but then I would need to delete those backups, since they are taking up a big chunk of the external HD space. I saw a few forum posts about deleting TM backups and it seems that I would have to do it via TM itself...does that mean I have to reconnect the HD via USB to run TM so I can access those backups to delete them?
Finally, once I do get to delete the old backups (or move them, if possible), is it safe to repartition the external HD so there is one partition for TM and one for storing files via my network? I've read about using Disk Utility to do this, but I haven't tried it yet.
Thanks for any input.

No, what you're doing is splitting the TM partition in half, so this will only work if you have more that 50% free space.
See: Disk Utility - Add, Delete, and Resize Existing Volumes With Disk Utility
My only concern about that would be that my other files would be on the same partition as the 'old' TM and thus I wouldn't want to delete it, which brings me back to my original issue of space being taken up on the drive.
You should consider putting those files on their own partition, so think about spliiting the disk into 3 or more partitons, and 1st move all of your other files to the 3rd (last) partition. You just need to decide how much space to allocate.
With some limitations, you can do a lot with Partitoning without losing data, see: Disk Utility - What You Need to Know About Modifying Existing Volumes

Stop Time Machine backups to sparsebundle on local drive

Time Machine will recognize and continue to do backups to a sparsebundle that was created on a networked drive (via Airport) and subsequently then attached locally (i was surprised to learn!). Problem is when I go into Time Machine Restore mode, it does not reference that latest sparsebundle for file recovery, but uses the previous (out-of-date) normal Backups.backupdb database files making the sparsebundle useless. I need the best way to get TM to begin backing up to my old TM database now the drive is attached locally again.
I tried Pondini’s TM Troubleshooting Tips A4 (reset Time Machine) but TM still insisted on backing up to the sparsebundle instead of the backupdb.

BilFish II wrote:
I have a similar problem, but didn't quite understand the solution...
time machine/capsule backs up my macbook. Just got an imac, and copied the image to it. Didn't realize it REALLY copied the image to it... so Time Machine decided the new imac was the macbook.
No. Time Machine always knows which Mac is which, via an identifier that's embedded in the hardware on the logic board.
But it did copy the +Computer Name,+ which you can change via +System Preferences > Sharing.+
And it did copy the Time Machine preferences file (with the backup location you specified), so it backed-the new Mac up to the same destination.
Now Time Capsule backs up the imac... but not the macbook anymore.
There is still a 425GB sparsebundle for the old macbook on the Time Capsule...
Depending on how you answered this prompt, there may be two sparse bundles:
|
|
See #B5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum), for details.
If you said +Create New Backup,+ there should be two sparse bundles, one for each Mac.
If you said +Reuse Backup,+ there should be one, containing the backups from both, and as it says, the MacBook can no longer use the same set of backups.
Question: Is there a way to reattach to that sparsebundle for backing up the macbook or do I have to start all over?
Probably. First confirm whether there's one sparse bundle or two, and roughly how many backups of the iMac you've done.

Time Machine Backup to Mac Server

If I missed the solution to this in the forums, I apologize in advance. I have been searching these forums and Google all afternoon to find a solution to this problem. If this is addressed elsewhere, please be kind enough to post a link.
Network - Mac XServe and managed client all running the latest updates. Managed settings are the mobile account with manual home sync, login message and display and SUS.
On the server, I set up the /Volumes/Server HD/Backups directory in Server Admin and checked the box to make it a Time Machine destination as the instructions stated.
On the client, I ran the command so that the network volume would show up (defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1) and I am able to select the disk.
When I selected the disk initially, it told me my ID did not have permission to read/write/append to the network volume. So in Server Admin, I added my network ID with Read/Write access in the ACL section. After doing this, I can select the disk and start the backup. It acts like it is going to work, then I get the following error:
+Time Machine could not complete the backup.+
+The network backup disk could not be accessed because there was a problem with the network username or password.+
+Open Time Machine preferences to select the network backup disk and re-enter the correct username and password.+
I have spent the afternoon trying to figure this out. Is there something simple I'm missing and making this more difficult than it has to be?
Thanks in advance for any ideas you can give. I will mention this is my first XServe to administer, so if I'm making this harder than it has to be, that's why.

I have the same issue, but with a WD mybook 1TB NAS drive. It works for a day or two, then fails. Re-entering the username and password corrects it for a day or two, and it fails again. Has been a problem since the NAS was installed. I never used Time Machine before that.
Gigabit wired ethernet, iMac Snow Leopard as follows:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.20f4
System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.2 (10C540)
Kernel Version: Darwin 10.2.0
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
Boot Mode: Normal
Computer Name: Studio Mac
User Name: Denis DuBois (dubois)
Secure Virtual Memory: Not Enabled
64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No
Western Digital:
Device Name NAS1
Version 01.01.16 with MioNet 4.1.0.0.171
built on Fri Nov 6 13:28:12 CST 2009

Time Machine backup with Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger) system disc

When I purchased my MacBook in December 2006, it came with the Tiger OS. I have since updated with OS 10.5.. and have been successfully backing up my computer with Time Machine. I have run out of hard disc space on my laptop and have purchased a new hard drive. After several relocations including out of the country, I have only been able to find my original Mac 10.4 start up disc which is not compatable with Time Machine. Any ideas on how to restore my system from Time Machine to my new hard drive?

Hi, and welcome to the forums.
You must buy (or borrow) a Leopard Install disc.
Since you only use the Installer on it (you don't load OSX from it), it doesn't matter what version of Leopard it is, and doesn't violate the license.
Your other, safer option is to use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to make a "bootable clone" of your internal HD, boot up from it, replace the drive, and re-clone back to the new HD.
For that you'll need a separate partition on your external HD, or a new or borrowed one. CCC is donationware, so you can use it free for a while. If you decide to keep it, send them some $$ so they can keep it up to date. SD has a free version, but to do updates in the future (rather than a full replacement) or automatic scheduling, you need the paid version (about $30). Either is available via Google, VersionTracker.com, or MacUpdate.com.
Note that you will need the Leopard disc sooner or later anyway; AppleCare will send you a replacement for a nominal fee.

Time machine backup of Mac-formatted USB stick impossible in Lion?

Hello. Since Lion, Time Machine refuses to backup my USB sticks. In Options, they appear as excluded from backups. I can take them off that exclusion list and hit Save, yet when I reopen Options, they are back on it and still excluded. I even erased and re-formatted them (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)), no change. (The USB Sticks are: 4.04 GB LaCie itsaKey Media; 4,04 GB Generic Flash Disk Media.)
All this applies to USB Sticks only, not to USB external volumes. These are excludable and integratable as expected.
I can't imagine backing up USB sticks is now generally impossible; would anyone have any idea what might cause this problem?
Thanks, best

Yep, trying to include the extra storage disk in the TM backup. I realize I can connect the disk to a backedup Mac as a quick fix, but need the extra storage disk to remain an airdisk for remote access, independent of my computer.
So, I'm guessing there is no way to include it as long as it's sharing a spot on the AEBS's USB hub?

Two separate time machine backups on Mac

I had a Mac from 2006. Bought a new one in 2011. I have a time machine back up from my old mac.. This HD was damaged in 2010 and recently repaired. I bought a new HD and used it with time machine on my new mac. I am looking for something on my old Time Machine... Specifically iTunes playlists.. They are very difficult to find by just searching through the back up folder.. What I want to do is, enter the old time machine on my old HD and export some of the iTunes playlists to my new HD. Then of course go back to my current time machine back up and continue using my computer... Can I do this? and Can I have both Time machine devices connected to the computer at the same time?

You should be able to have both connected.

Unable to configure Time Machine backups to shared volume on network

I've been unable to coax Time Machine (TM) into using a networked shared volume that SuperDuper! accesses without a hitch.
My wife and I have laptops (TiBook and MacBook Pro, respectively), and we have a G4 Mac Mini with an external 300 GB HD. The Mini is connected to a wired Ethernet port on a GigE Airport base station (I've long ago given up on connecting that HD to the Airport). Our laptops connect wirelessly. All three machines are now running 10.5, and I've checked that the Mini is sharing the external HD via System Preferences. My wife and I both have accounts on the Mini, and those accounts provide read/write access on the external HD. Mounting that volume from our laptops works perfectly, as does backing up to it using SuperDuper! TM, however, doesn't recognize that volume as a backup location.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Andreas

Adapting the instruction in this post worked for us. I connected to the Mini via ssh and entered the commands to enable the external HD. It then showed up as a TM backup location on both of our computers, and the progress meters for the initial backup are ticking away.
Cheers,
Andreas

Linking previous Time Machine Backup to a new Mac OS X Reinstall

Hi guys,
Several recurring problems prompted me to reinstall Mac OS X Leopard 10.5. Beforehand, I had made a copy/clone of my entire Macintosh HD onto an external hard drive. After the reinstallation, I selectively copied specific folders back to my fresh installation.
On my previous installation, I have had Time Machine running for several months. Trouble is, when I connect the external hard drive which holds the Time Machine backups, the Mac does not recognize it.
I wish to have my new reinstalled Mac back up to this same Time Machine backup. I have copied all of my documents and applications back onto my new installation. I wish to browse previous backups of the files I had made.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe if I choose my old Time Machine hard drive as my Time Machine backup disk in my new installation, Time Machine simply starts an entirely new backup and ignores the old Time Machine backups made from my previous installation.
I would appreciate any help you guys could provide.
Many thanks.

I had that problem and a more challenging one as well - don't feel bad, mine was caused by the Apple geniuses at my local Apple store doing the same backup and reinstall OS thing.
One thing to be sure of - go to the "SHARING" pane in System Preferences, and be sure that there is a name for your computer in the appropriate box - AND that the name is the same one you were using before your re-install. Mine had been changed, and when I fixed that, TM recognized the TimeCapsule drive. However - another more difficult problem persists. Here's a message I posted on another thread dealing with the "other" problem: TM won't show the backups made prior to my reinstall (except under special circumstances, noted in the message).
have an almost identical problem. yesterday I picked up my MacBookPro from the Geniuses at my local Apple retail store. In order to fix a problem with QuickTime, they ported all my files to a backup disk, reformatted my HD, installed a clean copy of OS X 10.5, upgraded it to the current version, then copied my files back to my computer's HD. They messed up my password; somehow made many of my applications vanish (I've mostly fixed those problems now) AND I can no longer access the backup files saved prior to their "help".
One wrinkle - I can see all of the backups in the TimeMachine window if I am at the level of my hard drive, OR clicked on the applications folder. If I select any other subfolders, the pre-"help" backup files gray out and cannot be used. If I move to a pre-"help" backup file while at the HD level, all but the applications folder are grayed out and non-responsive to clicks
I ran DiskUtility - repair permissions - and while it found a huge number of things to fix, this did nothing for my Time Machine problem.

Automatic Time Machine backups to Mac on local network

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