Backing up to HDD?

Is it possible to back up iTunes to an ext. hard drive, and if so, how? I tried dragging the iTunes folder to my HDD, but wasn't able to recover the tunes.

Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing.
If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location.
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307074
Patrick

Similar Messages

Can I back up the HDD and an External drive at the same time?

Hi -
I have a 250Gb HDD (tiny!), but I have just bought myself 2 x 2Gb external drives which I have now formatted.
I intend to move my complete iTunes library on to 1 of the externals and I want to use the other external as a back-up for both the HDD and the other external.
My question is: If I plug both the external drives via USB into my Mac (both then appear on my desktop - one named 'Media', the other named 'Time Machine', is it possible to use Time Machine to back-up not only the HDD, but the 'Media' external drive as well at the same time, or would this be a seperate exercise??
Thanks.

OK - upon backing up and seeing the results, I see that it has backed up both the HDD and the external, so i kind of answered the question myself...

Connecting and backing up external HDD to a Time Capsule

Hi All,
Running a Macbook pro Retina. I would like to do the following things with a Time Capsule:
Physically connect an external HDD to the time capsule, put media on this external HDD and access it wirelessly on my macbook
Use the time capsule to back up (via Time Machine) the data on both my macbook's HDD and the external HDD
I would be grateful for help with the following queries:
Will Time Machine allow me to back up both the internal HDD and external HDD that is connected to the time capsule?
Does the external HDD I attach to the time capsule need its own power source, or will it take its power from the time capsule via USB?
Does the time capsule need to be turned on 24/7? Or can it just be turned on when I need to perform a back up / access the information on the external HDD?
Thanks for your help in advance. I know some of these questions may seem obvious, but having seen contradictory information online I'd like to make sure of my ground.

Physically connect an external HDD to the time capsule, put media on this external HDD and access it wirelessly on my macbook
Technically, you could do this. The question is whether you should do this. The USB 2.0 port on the Time Capsule brings new meaning to word s-l-o-w, so copies and access are going to sluggish at best. The port operates at about half the speed of a USB port on a computer.
As far as locating media on the USB drive, you would not want to locate a "working" library there, as the experts in the iPhoto and Aperture forums strongly recommend against this, as well as Apple in their support documents. An iTunes Library is going to be really slow as well if you are thinking of that, and the library will tend to get lost, so you will wind up pointing iTunes to the library on a regular basis.
I've learned the hard way that it is much better to locate media on a drive that is directly attached to the Mac. Access is much faster and more reliable, and Time Machine can back up both the Mac and the attached hard drive.
Use the time capsule to back up (via Time Machine) the data on both my macbook's HDD and the external HDD
That is not possible, since Time Machine can only back up data on a Mac, or a drive that is connected directly to a Mac.
Will Time Machine allow me to back up both the internal HDD and external HDD that is connected to the time capsule?
No, see answer above.
Does the external HDD I attach to the time capsule need its own power source, or will it take its power from the time capsule via USB?
Use a powered USB hub with the hard drive unless the drive has its own power supply. Sometimes though, you still have to use a powered USB hub with a drive, even when the drive has its own power supply. You won't know if he drive will work until you try it out.
Does the time capsule need to be turned on 24/7? Or can it just be turned on when I need to perform a back up / access the information on the external HDD?
Apple designed the Time Capsule to be "always on" since there is not even an "Off" switch on the device. Network connections will remain a lot more stable if you leave the TC on. With Yosemite, the TC has a hard enough time not losing network connections. Forcing the TC to establish new connections every time that you power it off and back on is bound to create issues.

Need help using terminal to back up failed HDD

The stock HDD on my MacBook has developed S.M.A.R.T. errors and is on its way out. I need to get all of my pictures and documents backed up before everything gets completely lost. I was finally able to get the thing fired up, and everything seems to somewhat work, except for Finder. I opened up terminal and attempted copying folders to my external HDD (1 TB Western Digital MyBook) but i can't seem to get it to work.
I'm not sure if it is best to copy just the files I need (such as the.whole Documents and Pictures folders), or to do a complete backup. What would be the best solution for when I install the new HDD and reload everything?
Can anyone provide me with any advice or the line(s) of code that ill need to get this done, starting from when i open Terminal?
Much appreciated!!!

Melvin Richards wrote:
All of the files seem like they're in tact and accessable, I just can't use Finder to access them.
Create a external bootable drive.
Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive

Installing from back up pc hdd to new mac?

How do I transfer my itunes from a backed up copy on a portable HDD from my dead PC into my new iMac?

Unfortunately that file is just a database type file that contains a list of the songs, playlists, etc. but does NOT contain the actual music files themselves. See here...
What are the iTunes library files?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93732
So you may not have backed up the actual music itself yet. Since you say it is on the iPod you should be able to move it off the iPod into iTunes, but you need third party software support for that. Start with these past discussions and articles...
Copying from iPod to Computer threads...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=776996&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=805256&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=797432&#797432
Also these useful internet articles...
http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/
http://playlistmag.com/help/2005/01/2waystreet/
iPod: Frequently Asked Questions
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60920
Patrick

Zen Extra: How can I copy albums back to my hdd in the right ord

I have a Zen Extra 60 G. Trying to copy albums back to the hd of my computer the songs are always in alphabetical order. Is there a way to copy them in the right order as they are on the original CD?Thank you very much.Rainer

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Select the pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and set the Kind to Original.
Iphoto does not convert the files to JPEG. Your RAW is protected. What happens is that iPhoto makes a JPEG preview of the file. IF you drag from the iPhoto Window or export with the Kind: Current you get that Preview. Exporting as Original will get the RAW.
Regards
TD

Backing up external hdds using Automator...?

I have 2 external hdds: hdd 1 is 250gb and hdd 2 is 500gbs. I want hdd 2 to backup hdd 1. Every change on hdd 1 is copied over to hdd 2, but I don't want changes in hdd 2 to be carried to hdd 1. How can I set this up on Automator?

Rsync is your friend here. It is a program accessible through the Terinal which can synchronize disk2 to to disk1.
you can write a short shell script to have rsync syncronize the disks, then have Cron run the script on a schedule of, say, every 30 minutes.
If you are not used to the Terminal, this sounds much more complicated than it is and you can post in [the Unix forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=735] if you need more help.
hth,
b.

Backing up crashed HDD

My mid 2011 MacBook Pro's Hard drive recently became corrupted, I cannot verify or repair the disk, I am also unable to clone it to an external drive. When attempting to repair the disk (in Disk Utility) all goes well, until the repair is moments away from finishing, and I am greeted with the message of "Disk object invalid or unable to serialize.". I have also tried cloning the disk (in disk utility and with the aid of "SupderDuper!" both of which yielded the same, sad, result) to no avail, I am at my wits end, and must recover this Drives precious cargo.
Thank you, for any help which can be offered.
-Todd

It sounds like you have only two alternative left, either file recovery software or data recovery service.
For file recovery software read the review at http://data-recovery-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-recovery-software/
If that does;t work for you the other alternative is to send the disk off to a data recovery service. If you use this alternative expect to pay big bucks for it like $$$$
Something to consider, backups are way cheaper.
Allan

HDD failure, I'd like to know how to get Windows 7 back on it.

Hello everyone, I've had a HDD issue lately, but before I move on to describe my issue, here are the specs of my notebook:
HP Pavilion dv6-3264ca
AMD Triple-Core CPU 2.2 Ghz
6GB RAM
128MB ATI Graphic Card
750GB Toshiba HDD
Windows 7 64-bit
The issue:
Recently I've had a very unfortunate HDD failure. The recovery partition wouldn't even load. I tried booting my notebook on Linux with the HDD still attached, and it wouldn't read. I extracted the HDD and placed it in an HDD-enclosuer and it still wouldn't load on Windows XP or Vista or 7. It would however read in the device manager of Windows and also in the BIOS.
I needed to extract some high-priority data from there so I managed to retrieve all my data safely through a data recovery service, but now the drive is rendered useless. I was told a low-level format might be able to help it be usable again, and if that were to happen, the recovery partition would then be removed in the process.
In addition to that, I would like to install Windows 7 64-bit onto the drive, but the notebook box did not come with an installation CD, which is quite frustrating. Is there any way HP can let me download Windows 7 through some warranty service?
I have a one-year warranty on my laptop.
So in closing, I would like to know if I can get Windows 7 back onto my HDD for free, or if I need to go about buying Windows 7 again.
Any advice from you kind folks?
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi,
Here are Two options.
1. If you have ( or can borrow ) a retail Windows 7 installation disc that is exactly the same version as your OEM installation - ie if your notebook came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit this is the exact retail version you would need.
If you don't have access to a retail disc, you can create an installation disc yourself - just download the correct Disc Image from the link below and use an application such as ImgBurn to burn the ISO correctly to a blank DVD.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-link...
Use the disc to perform the installation, enter the Windows activation key found on the underside of your notebook when requested and when the installation has completed, use the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below to activate the OS - this method supported by Microsoft and is popular with people who just want a clean installation of Windows 7 without the additional software load normally bundled with OEM installations.
http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx
Any additional drivers you may need can be found Here.
2. You can order a replacement set of Recovery Discs using the link below - these cost around $30 if you live in the US.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00810334&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en
If you have any problem with this link, order them directly from HP.
If you live in the US, contact HP Here.
If you are in another part of the world, start Here.
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

HT1391 downloaded itunes and when it synched it took all my music off of an external hdd and I would like it back?

downloaded itunes and when it searched for music it took music off of a external hdd and that folder is now blank but not all the music is in itunes, I would like to have the music back on the hdd is that possible?

In iTunes 11 uncheck the preferences setting in in the iTunes Preferences panel "Advanced > Copy Files to iTunes Media folder when adding to Library"

Trying to setup a Belkin N750 between Mac & Win 7 to share Itunes Library on an external HDD

Hello all,
Please excuse my complicated question. I really cannot fathom out how to resolve this technological nightmare. I have a 50gb Itunes Library stored on an External HDD in MAC format (HFS+) I want to share this library with the Windows 7 Laptop, i have enable home sharing on both computers. Sadly the Windows laptop cannot see the itunes library.
I have a Belkin N750 wireless router which has a USB port and LAN connections on the back. I bought this on the understanding i could plug my HDD into the router and it could then be accessed by both Mac and P.C. Annoyingly the HDD cannot be seen by either laptop! I am assuming this is because of the file format??
Does anyone know of any way i can share my HDD to both Mac and P.C so the Itunes library can be shared and playlists can be made by each user?
Thanks in advance
Any ideas are welcome as it would stop me throwing the whole lot into the garden and going back to Vinyl and tape decks!
Ian
P.S: I also have access to my music library via iCloud, i have logged into iCloud on the windows laptop and the Itunes library can be seen but cannot be edited (Playlists added or deleted)
P.P.S: HDD has just died so i have the oppurtunity to buy a new HDD so can format it before adding Itunes Library back to the drive. (Just had to pay to get data back off dead HDD which will come back on DVD's so the assumption is to copy data onto new drive)
Again, thank you for reading and i hope someone has any bright ideas to help me.

Hello,
The iTunes library is installed and added to my Mac with no issues. I just want to share the whole library with a Windows laptop.
As mentioned the 'Enable home sharing' does not seem to work. I am assuming it is the file format of the HDD which means the home sharing cannot be done on a Mac?
Thanks
Ian

External HDD keeps changing from HFS to NTFS

Greetings,
This is my first post and I am also brand new to apple. I have an issue that I am wondering if anybody has experienced it.
I currently migrated from an old PC (XP SP3) to OSX. I have files on an external HDD that was used on the PC that I now want to use on the mac. (Formatted NTFS)
Now I know that NTFS is not writable in OSX but here is where my issue lies.
I currently have a MB463LL/A model with 2.26 and 4GB. I am currently using a 250GB ext HDD for backup purposes for a photography business (not using Time Machine yet). I recently transferred the files to another external HDD, 1TB, (as to not lose the photos) and used disk utility to erase the 250GB disk and formatted it using the HFS Extended format. (might not be the correct one so correct me if I am using the wrong format please.)
After transferring the files back to the HDD, the HFS reverted back to NTFS, and I am unable to write to the drive again.
Any suggestions as to what is happening?

After transferring the files back to the HDD, the HFS reverted back to NTFS, and I am unable to write to the drive again.
Are you 100% positive it is NTFS again (I am seriously doubting it could do that))? Does it say so in Disk Utility, or are you just interpreting it is because you have write problems?

Using Ipod as backup storage for HDD Camcorder

Hi there. I recently bought a sony 30 gb hard disk camcorder (dcrsr50e). I´m going on a 3 month travel so 30gb wont be enough. I was wandering if it is possible to use the ipod as storage on the road (ie without bringing my laptop) like I use the photo converter for my pictures, since I´m backpacking and would prefer not bringing my laptop.
If not, do you know any other ways of backing up a hdd camcorder on the road
Thank you Stefan

Now that your iPod is set for manual music management, does the iPod show up in Windows like an external drive? Do you see it listed either by name or by the generic "removable disk" under My Computer? Because once Windows recognizes it as a removable drive, you can open it and poke around for your files. First you need to expose hidden files using Windows' Tools•Folder Options•View settings. Then you'll see the folders in which the iPod stores all the stuff.

"No bootable disk" when installing Windows 7 on Macbook Pro (HDD caddy)

Here's the deal.
I have a 2011 Macbook Pro (8,1) that I bought a HDD caddy for. It's beautiful.
I replaced the superdrive with a 1tb hard drive and it's wonderful. I want to install Windows 7 via bootcamp on it. I go through the steps (create install usb, download extra files, partition the drive) and once it restarts I get the following error:
I press keys, reinsert the usb stick repeatably, and finally hold down the power button to restart. After holding down option to bring up the boot menu, this is what I get:
Where did my other disks go?! I boot normally and check Disk Utility and, look at that, there they all are!
I've gone through variations of this for 3 days now. Please help!

I recently ran into a very similar issue. Windows, or at least Boot Camp, will not boot into an HDD that is installed in the optical drive bay. I do not know why this is, or if there is a way to fix it; all I know is that as soon as I moved my HDD back to the HDD bay, Windows started booting again.
Boot camp has many issues with MacBooks whose optical drives have been replaced, which are well-documented on the web. This article (and its comments) describe many of them, and the workarounds that people have found for them. That said, I think that Boot Camp has improved with Mountain Lion (or possibly with the continued proliferation of optical drive-less machines from Apple), because I was able to boot the Windows installer just fine from the optical drive that I had removed and placed in an external USB enclosure. (Not that it did me any good - I received the dreaded error 0x8030024 when I tried to actually install Windows.)
What worked for me was to install Boot Camp before removing my optical drive, use WinClone to make a copy of that installation, and then clone the image back to the drive once I'd gotten my drives in place.
So, in summary:
Try putting Boot Camp on the drive that's in your HDD bay.
The article I linked describes many of the issues you might run into and provides workarounds for them.
Worst case, you may have to reinstall the optical drive in order to install boot camp, then use WinClone to move the installation to any drive you wish. (Hang onto this image for all future Boot Camp installations.)

Apple HDD replacement program Q's

Hi guys, sorry if my questions are quite trivial but I'm afraid of messing something up that will require multiple Apple store trips and or money. Long story short I finally decided I'm going to take my iMac to my nearest Apple store to be serviced under the HDD replacement program announced last year.
But I have a few questions about the whole process and how to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible.
1- I undesrtand I have to have a Time Machine back up or HDD Clone. Some people here actually recommend not to use the latest Time Machine back up, But instead doing so from a HDD Clone. Why?
2- I know I'll be erasing the old Drive before taking the iMac for service, what's the best way to do this?
3- Do I need to take my after market bought RAM before taking the Computer for service?
4- For those of you who have already gotten their machines serviced: do they return it with Mountain Lion already installed on it?
5- After getting the machine what will it be the best option, Use Set Up Assistant or Migration Assistant, and will I get accest to that by booting up while holding
the "C" key?

1. My preference is to use a clone. I made a fresh clone; the tech replaced the hard drive; we booted from the clone and cloned the system back - very fast process and your machine will be in the exact same state as it was before.
2. Boot from your new clone (or your install disk) and use Disk Utility to erase your drive (you can't erase the drive you're booted from).
3. No.
4. I had mine done at my home (compliments of Applecare) and instructed the tech to use one of my clones. I've heard differing reports - some say ML was installed, others said that they got it back with the original system. If you have a clone, it does not matter what they install - simply boot from the clone when you get it back, erase the drive, and clone your system back.
5. If you use the clone method, no Migration Assistant is needed.
Edit: If you have a clone on an external drive, you simply plug in the drive, hold the Option key at boot up and choose the clone to boot from. From there, launch CarbonCopyCloner and clone your system back.

Backing up to HDD?

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