Backing up macbook with time machine for first time

I tried backing up my macbook for the first time, using time machine, to a new portable external hard drive formatted for p.c. The screen said do you want to erase the disc and i did. It said nothing about formatting for mac, but began to appear to be backing up my computer, and was running for 3-4 hours doing that. I walked away from the computer and came back an hour or two later, and there was a message on the screen saying error, could not create directory. I don't know if this was related to the initial backup, or if an hour later it tried updating the backup and it referred to that. How do I know if my computer is backed up properly. What do I do about the message about the directory. If I don't need this program to update the backup every hour, how do I change that. Also, I have a 1 terrabyte external hard drive on which I store all my raw photography files, can I plug that in and plug in another new external hard drive and back up the external hard drive to the other external hard drive using time machine as well? thanks for any suggestions, this is a little confusing the first time, Virginia

The backup frequency can be changed using e.g. TimeMachineScheduler and I think you can set Time Machine to backup external drives. (System Preferences --> Time Machine --> Options)

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Trying to back up with time machine for first time. It keeps ejecting the disk a few minutes in. Any ideas?

I am using a WD My Passport to try and do a time machine backup for the first time, on my iMac desktop.
the first couopleo of times I did it, it was really slow and then crashed after a few mins. I started again as if it was a new external harddrive and some home it tarted a bit faster, getitng to aboyt 6GB of the 280GB within 10 mins and then crashed again. All I see is that it is no longer working and a message pops up saying 'Disk was not ejected properly', even though I havent touched it.
Am I doing soemthing wrong or have I got a dodgy external disk?
Help

Time Machine Troubleshooting
Time Machine Troubleshooting Problems

Setting up Time Machine for first time

...tried to help friend with new iMac use Time Machine with her even newer external 500G Ultramax drive, as she was struggling with the bundled Retrospect Express (I struggled too!).
When I launched TM, a box asked me if I wanted to set up TM. Clicked OK, Adobe Reader launched, and then the error message 'there was an error opening this document. There was a Macintosh System error (-1409)."
So, I can't past this to set up TM. Anyone know what could be wrong?

Hi John, it sounds like there may still be an element of RE on either the target drive, the destination?
TM should not definitely be launching Acrobat Reader. I can't even find an error -1409 in the error codes. So something is whacked.
Try starting in "Safe Mode" and setting up TM again If that works go to System Preferences >> Accounts >> Login Items and remove them. Boot normally and test. If not go to ~(yourHome)/Library/Contextual Menu Items and move whatever is there to the desktop. Then do the same with /Library/Contextual Menu Items.
It will take a bit more time to startup because it runs a directory check.
Log out/in or restart, if that sorts it start putting items back one at a time until you find the culprit.
-mj

Problems and Questions using Time capsule for first time...

I recently purchased a new MBP 13" and time capsule. I hooked up time capsule to my router and made a backed up (slow) . I turned off Time Machine. Then, I hooked up my old mac via ethernet (faster, I learned), and mounted the sparsebundle via Shared in the Finder. I manually dragged and dropped the contents of my external harddrives(s) [connected to my old mac] to the sparsebundle. Thus;
[Mounted sparsebundle]
- Backups.backupdb
    - Mac Book Pro 13" <<< new mac time machine backups
          - 2012-11-25-5543
          - 2012-11-23-3453
          - 2012-11-19-6654
          - 2012-11-17-3422
- My Media Backup           <<< Created new folder, Then dragged and dropped files from external disk
- My Business Harddrive    <<< Created new folder, Then dragged and dropped files from external disk
- My Personal Harddrive    <<< Created new folder, Then dragged and dropped files from external disk
Questions 1; Are external files manually moved to Time capsule "safe?"
ie. Will time capsule erase my files once it starts to run out of space? I read something about having to limit time machin'se sparsebundle size? Do I have to worry about this?
Question 2: Or, Is my setup wrong? Is the following workflow sound for Time Capsule?
I really want to consolidate all my data [external drives] to Time Capsule as my MBPro has limited space. As a avid amateur photographer, my drive fills up fast. Thus, I thought to use this as my workflow;
WORKFLOW;
- I take photos and transfer to my macbook pro. As the drive fills up, I edit and delete as necessary.
- Old media projects [photos / films] are moved to "My Media Backup" folder on Time Capsule and deleted on my macbook pro.
This way, the media files are still accessible through Time Machine, AND still accessible via shared folder on "My Media Backup". I am afraid that once the Time Capsule drive starts to fill up, files that are no longer on my computer will be overwritten in Time Machine, eventually.
- I also will from time to time backup "My Media Backup" folder on Time Capsule to an External Harddrive and move offsite for added security.
Problem 1; "resource temporarily unavailable"
My old mac, connected via ethernet sees the sparsebundle and mounts no problem. But after manually dropping files, my new mac doesn't connect and I get the dreaded "resource temporarily unavailable"; though it's not temporary as I can never connect. So, I cannot access the backup [manually dropped] files on Time Capsule from my new mac via wireless. Note: My new MacBook Pro 13" retina does not have ethernet port [I did not think to purchase adapters], Nor does it have firewire port for my old external firelite drives. Thus I have a new mac, but I haven't used it hardly at all as I cannot access any of my old data (without emailing everything).
Kind regards,

You have basically destroyed the sparsebundle. This is just wrong. The sparsebundle is created by TM for its exclusive use.. what it will do to the files inside it is a mystery.. but you cannot now delete them.. you have permission to create and copy the files to the sparse bundle but not to delete them.
M*rde. I was afraid of that. Makes sense that if you modify the sparsebundle file exterior of Time Machine; how could it know what changes were made? So, I've got to start over. (groan).
*** NOTE TO APPLE: Make it clear what NOT to do to the sparsebundle in the setup instructions.
It's too easy to simply mount the sparsebundle and drag and drop files I also wanted backed up. Apparently, this is a false method and can apparently ruin your sparsebundle and your valuable data.
If you wanted to copy files to the TC you should have created a new disk image..
http://pondini.org/TM/TCQ3.html
Thanks! This, I think, does exactly what I was trying to do manually. I'll mark problem solved.
Apple needs to address the gaping hole in the; functionality, ease of use, reliability, transparency of potential data loss if used incorrectly.
*** APPLE: Add to Time Machine.app a management tool to better manage shared space of manual backups and time capsule sparsebundles. In any case, in the installation if a time capsule, give the TC drive a special id/permissions or something that does not allow drag and drop to a sparsebundle (if this does indeed corrupt the integrity of the sparsebundle).
Since this could result in data loss, special attention needs to paid to;
   - Notifify the user of the potental of data loss
   - Prevent the casual and intermediate user of through special permissions or special disk id in the installation process (I've really no idea how it might work - I'll leave that up to Apple)
   - Create an interface to allow the user to do the tasks that everybody buys a the time machine for - back up data. No matter what the source; USB key, portable drive, temp space to organize large files. etc. An interface that won't let you screw up the sparsebundle like any idiot can do (me!)
Kind regards,

Backing up macbook pro to time capsule for first time via ethernet

I set up a new 2T Time Capsule / Airport, let it run overnight, only about half way backed up. I deleted first backup file, and want to do the backup via ethernet. How do I do this?

....and want to do the backup via ethernet. How do I do this?
This will depend on how you have the Time Capsule connected to your network.
If you have it connected from your modem or modem/router using an Ethernet cable at the present time, you are already set. Just connect another spare Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule to your Mac....and be sure to turn off the wireless on the Mac before you start the backup.
Normally, about 25-30 GB of data will transfer per hour this way, so if your Mac has say, 60 GB of data loaded, the backup should take approximately 2-3 hours. Once the backup is complete, disconnect the Ethernet cable and turn the wireless back on at the Mac.
However, if you have the TIme Capsule configured to connect to your network using wireless only, then the Ethernet ports are not enabled on the Time Capsule in this type of setup. It is not possible to backup using an Ethernet connection unless you are willing to reconfigure the Time Capsule for the backup...and then reconfigure it again to get it back to its current setup.

Enable a default servlet with special parameters for first time visitors?

On a website I am developing, inorder to see the default homepage, the
          request must first go to a particular servlet with particular http
          parameters.
               So if you type www.mysite.com, this request will be caught on the
          serverside and sent to:
          http://mysite.com/myServlet?param1=blahblah.....etc...
               How can enable this behavior? There is documentation about a
          default servlet but I also need to pass parameters too it...
          Thanks
          Floyd


On a website I am developing, inorder to see the default homepage, the
          request must first go to a particular servlet with particular http
          parameters.
               So if you type www.mysite.com, this request will be caught on the
          serverside and sent to:
          http://mysite.com/myServlet?param1=blahblah.....etc...
               How can enable this behavior? There is documentation about a
          default servlet but I also need to pass parameters too it...
          Thanks
          Floyd

Setting up Time Capsule for first time

Hi, hoping that someone will be able to talk me through this process.
I currently have a Netopia wireless modem which provides our internet connection and the wireless set up for the house. Using the wireless system is are 2 iMac's,macbook pro,a windows PC,wireless printer,playstation,Wii, nintendo DS's and iphone and itouch.
I have bought a time capsule to back up photos,itunes etc.
I do not have any great understanding of how everything works so I am reluctant to go ahead and set up the Time Capsule in case I mess up the way things are currently running because I would not have the knowledge to solve it.
So from the research I have done, I think that given that the Netopia Router is currently not strong enough to reach all areas of the house ,my best bet is to use the time capsule as the router and let the netopia just be the modem?
However I'm hoping that some of you will be able to advise and tell me where to start. I stress again that I am not very computer savvy so if you can help you'll need to keep it simple.
Thanks in advance

Last night we installed a 2TB TC in place of a Netgear WNR2000 router linked to Virgin Media modem.
We have 2 Imacs, a Macbook, and two PC laptops, iPhones, games console etc.
The TC was simply swapped with the WNR2000, then when the TC was installed a new network password was set, we backed up our Imacs which took hours and now we have our HDs backed up on the TC, Airport & ethernet working fine at this time. My son did all of this and to be honest it seemed very quick.
The longest part is the initial backup of our hard drives to the TC which started off as being painfully slow, but after some Google research we stopped Spotlight from indexing the TC and everything accelerated 10x. I hope this is useful and will encourage you to make the change.
AJ

I cannot setup time capsule for first time

Hi!
I have a brand new macbook pro and time capsule 2tb 4th gen. I have been trying to set up the TC for some days now but it just won't work. Maybe it is because I live in China and I bought them in Canada (does not make sence but ok) but I keep on getting the message "your apple wi-fi base station does not a valid ip address"
I have an existing wifi connection so what I do is connect the modem to my TC (the cable that normally goes from modem to router -a chinese router provided by isp with an ip address on it and some admin things), then I open airport utility and follow the steps. I obviously do not get very far.. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? I tried hard reset, power turn-off for 24h and all youtube videos out there and I have yet to see the (green) light!
Your help is very much appreciated!!
Chris

Download and install the real utiity.. v6 is a drainer.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Since the modem you already have is likely a router.. setup the TC in bridge.
Go to 5.6 airport utility, manual setup, internet tab.
Connection sharing.. off, bridge mode.
update the TC and plug the modem into wan (but any port is fine in bridge). WAN port has the circle symbol and slightly spaced from the others.. nearest the usb and power end.
Now setup wireless.. either turn it off and keep using wireless in existing router.. if available.
Or setup wireless name and setup as per your requirement.. but note.. TC are regionalised.. those sold in North America do not offer China as a region. You need specific ones for that region. So be careful that you do not use wireless in the wrong channel or power settings as I doubt the Chinese authorities will take kindly to you.

HT201250 i am using for first time the time machine and an external hard drive because I want to erase my macbook and start from zero files. do i keep my files in the portable hard disk when I connect it again with the macbook or the time machine will era

i am using for first time the time machine and an external hard drive because I want to erase my macbook and start from zero files. Am i keeping my files in the portable hard disk when I will connect it again with the macbook or the time machine will erase all?
I would like to know if after I erase all my data, empy hard drive inside the macbook, the time machine will erase all my files that I have saved in my "WD "My passport" external hard drive

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Time Machine has to erase the external disk in order to make backups. Before setting Time Machine up, copy the files of your external disk to the hard disk of the Mac in order not to lose them, and then, set up Time Machine. The first backup will start automatically.
If you want more information about Time Machine, read the Pondini's site > http://pondini.org

I am going to back up to Time Machine for the first time

which I know sounds nuts. I was manually doing it for the past 6 months- don't ask why.
Do I have to completely wipe out my Lacie and do any formatting to it? Or do I just delete everything from it and set my Time Machine to default backup to that drive and go from there as if I'm doing it for the first time?
Also, I don't keep my EHD attached constantly to my laptop- I assume that is not a problem and whenever I hook it up, I can then ask TM to go to work?
Sorry for the basic questions- appreciate the help!
Thanks,
Bernice

I haven't burned a CD in years. My old MacBook doesn't have a DVD burner.
The biggest issue is the size of your various drives. For Time Machine, your Time Machine drive should be three times the size of the drive you are backing up. If you don't quite have that (and I don't), you can get away with three times the amount of data you are backing up. Whichever configuration gives you that equation should be the one you use for Time Machine. You can partition one of the external drives so that one partition is big enough for Time Machine and the other is used for other purposes, such as archives. I have one external drive configured like that. If you don't have enough room to partition, then dedicate one drive to Time Machine and the other to archives and/or clones.
Some people feel it is very important to maintain a long Time Machine history and migrate that to new drives. I don't quite understant that. I use Time Machine for backups, nothing more. I blow away all my backups on a fairly regular basis and start a fresh one. I don't need six month old versions of files. If I accidentally delete a file, I will notice sooner than that. If I have a hardware failure, I only need the last backup.
I currently have those bootable clones only because my MacBook is in a funky state right now (long story) and my MacBook Pro is a work machine bound to an Active Directory domain. I can't rebuild that system by myself without IT from work and that would be difficult for me (longer story). I don't consider bootable clones to be a regular part of my backup strategy. They are useful snapshots and archives for specific times when I feel I need them.

Thinking about using Time Machine for the first time...

I just assume that updates are inherently good to have, regardless of what it's for. I figure that the developers know a lot more than I do regarding the optimization or improvement of their own software, so I simply allow their download. I'm thinking about using my Time Machine for the first time and reverting back to the pre-9.1 install, if that's even possible. Things were working fine for me and now there are all kinds of issues with communication between my Axiom Pro 61 and Logic. Nothing responds through Hypercontrol anymore, and I don't expect any updates from M-Audio until at least 2012. Anyone else thinking about taking this route?

Yes, I did. I opened that version immediately after I discovered that 9.1 had that effect and the controller was still inoperative. Of course, I still have MIDI input and PB/Mod wheel control, but that's about it. Everything else would need to be manually loaded, which the Pro series is supposed to do automatically. I haven't restarted my iMac yet, nor have I tried removing the keyboard from the computer altogether and perhaps reconnecting it. Maybe that would reset it...

How can I see the old backups of my previous Macbook done by Time machine in a Time capsule with my new iMac?

How can I see the old backups of my previous Macbook done by Time machine in a Time capsule with my new iMac? I've changed from a Macbook to a iMac because that one stopped working and I cannot use it anymore. I've been able to import all the data of the last backup of the Macbook when setting the new iMac, but I cannot access now to the old backups of the Macbook and there are information that wasn't in the last backup and I would like to recover. Thank you very much.

Yes, you can ..
Read Q17 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
Strongly recommend his whole section.. 14-17 and read it carefully to understand the ways you can make TM work for you.

On imac 10.6.8 using current version of Aperture. How can I access the Aperture Library on my external hard drive that I use with time machine for backup? I can only access the application but not the library..

On imac 10.6.8 using current version of Aperture. How can I access the Aperture Library on my external hard drive that I use with time machine for backup? I can only access the application but not the library..

Go into Time Machine (the program not the bundle on the extrnal disk) and using Time Machine's browser go to the Folder where the library lives. You could look in the library bundle in Time Machine but that won't really tell you much,
If you want to make sure it truely has backed up your library you will need to restore it and open the restored library with Aperture.
If all this still has you confused you need to read up on Time Machine in order to get a feel for how it works, for what it is doing and for how to restore files from it.

How do I sync my new ipad mini with my old ipad 2, without losing any apps or data in notes? I need step by step instructions for first-time sync with ipad mini. Thanks.

How do I sync my new ipad mini with my old ipad 2, without losing any apps or data in notes? I need step by step instructions for first-time sync with ipad mini. Thanks.

If you synced it many times, you have to have a backup. It's just a question of how old that backup is now. When did you last sync?
First of all launch iTunes on your computer and go to Edit>Preferences>Devices. Do you see any backups for you iPad in that window? If so, how new is the newest backup? That will be the backup that you will want to use. But remember that if you use that backup and it is one month old, you can only restore from that date back in time. Anything that you did on the iPad in the past month will not be in that backup.
Turn on the new iPad Minin and start activating OTA via WiFi. You will get to a certain point in the process where you will be given the choice to Set up as new, Restore from iCloud - or Restore from iTunes. You will want to select Restore from iTunes.
That is the short and sweet version. There are step by step instructions in this article. This applies to the mini as well as the iPad 4 or the iPad 3 for that matter.
http://www.everythingicafe.com/how-to-set-up-new-ipad/2012/03/16/

Back up from time machine and first new tm machine back up on new mac

hi
i just made a back up from time machine into a new iMac...
no i need to configure again TM for the new mac but even if i use the same TM disc the first new back up doesn't write onto the old one so I need to make a new back up from scratch... can't I keep on writing over the old one?
thanks
m

Here is some of the best information you can find on Time Machine:
Pondini's Time Machine FAQ

Backing up macbook with time machine for first time

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