Backups of externals in time machine

I have a time caspule that I use as my backup for Time machine.
My itunes folder is on an external drive and When I do my backups, I connect my external to my mac so that my itunes folder will be backed up.
When I do the back up, I know its backing up the external due to the size of the backup.
but if my external were to fail, how do I retrieve the back up of the external? From what I can tell the drive has to be connected to the mac when connecting to time machine to access the back up files for the external. But if the drive is dead, how do I retrieve my files?

MartinFlower wrote:
Thank you, that all works as described.
Now, if my laptop disk crashes and is replaced by a new empty one, will I be able to restore my computer using this external drive ?
Yes. In that circumstance, the Installer on your Leopard disc will find the backups without a problem. See #14 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip,* also at the top of this forum.
If not, should I rename the sparsebundle and get Time Machine to start afresh ?
Renaming probably won't do it -- you'd have to delete it. And when you do that, Time Machine will make a new, full backup. So as long as you don't mind the minor inconvenience of having to manually mount the sparse bundle before entering the "Star Wars" display, there's no real reason to switch.
Note that if you leave the sparse bundle mounted, your next backup may fail with a message about failing to mount the sparse bundle, or it being in use. If that happens, just eject it via the Finder and do a +Back Up Now.+
But if you do replace your internal HD, or do a full restore, that might be the time to start over, as either of those will result in a new, full backup. TM will probably have to delete a lot of old backups to make room, and if your TM drive isn't well over twice the size of the data it's backing-up, it won't be able to (TM will never delete the last remaining backup).

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Good afternoon,
I recently purchased an iomega 500gb portable hard drive with HFS+ already formatted for use with time machine.
I started a backup and it would stop at around 25 - 30 gb and say the following:
"The backup disk ran out of space unexpectedly. Time Machine will try to make more space available by removing expired backups during the next scheduled backup."
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Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/Iomega_HDD/Backups.backupdb
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No pre-backup thinning needed: 139.97 GB requested (including padding), 438.12 GB available
Stopping backup.
Error: (-34) SrcErr:NO Copying /Applications/EGW CRE.app/Contents/Resources/drive_c/Estate/EGW Research/Folio/Books/egw-index.nfo to /Volumes/Iomega_HDD/Backups.backupdb/Craig Gooden’s MacBook Pro/2011-06-13-084745.inProgress/B476AC82-0B4F-4BCB-915E-7416EFEE854A/Macintosh HD/Applications/EGW CRE.app/Contents/Resources/drive_c/Estate/EGW Research/Folio/Books
Copied 20 files (599.3 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Copy stage failed with error:28
Backup failed with error: 28
In the error section it mentions some software i have. I do also use 'Parallels desktop 4.0' to use PC software.
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Ok so I've tried excluding a number of files, parallels has been deleted off of my machine. i've tried to use time machine again and i have received another error message similar to the one above:
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/Iomega_HDD/Backups.backupdb
Error parsing SystemMigration.log to determine source volume of system migration.
Backup content size: 112.5 GB excluded items size: 8.7 GB for volume Macintosh HD
No pre-backup thinning needed: 124.57 GB requested (including padding), 437.81 GB available
Indexer unavailable (200)
Stopping backup.
Error: (-34) SrcErr:NO Copying /Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/about/mike.jpg to /Volumes/Iomega_HDD/Backups.backupdb/Craig Gooden’s MacBook Pro/2011-06-19-222915.inProgress/1BEA3F42-F476-4522-9DC8-68BB882FFAAB/Macintosh HD/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/about
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Hi there,I was using MacPro with older snow leopard just now i install OS X LION,before install i backup all deta to time machines about 70GB,now when i connect i dont know how can backup the old deta to OS X LION,but it just backup the recent deta to tim

Hi there,
I was using MacPro with older snow leopard just now i install OS X LION,before install i backup all deta to time machines about 70GB,now when i connect i dont know how can backup the old deta to OS X LION,but it just backup the recent deta to time machine,pls guide me how i can backup my old deta to my computer??
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Thanks.

>Step 1. Backup existing data using time machine.
Time Machine is nice, but you have very little in terms of ability to verify that your data is all backed up. I find Time Machine is better for the occasional recovery of previously written data at specific times. A good backup solution that survives an erase and install (there is no clean install in Mac OS X), is a clone, and preferably TWO clones. See my FAQ*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Time Machine can work as good as a clone, and in fact I once had to rely on it because my hard drive died. Thankfully it did recover everything. But I had my clone just in case it didn't work. Now I feel more comfortable since clones allow you to boot themselves, and thus prove all the important system information got saved, and not just the user data.
Clones are also easier to import with the migration assistant.

Backups Recovery from Failed Time Machine Disk

Hello;
I have been experiencing a serious problem since this April, tried everything I can do with no sign of success. So I though to ask you guys, hopefully you will be able to help or at least guide me to whom can help.
Well, it is a long story, but not to bother you with it and since I know you are not willing to go to bed now, I will just give you a timeline and if you feel like want to know more about a scene, tell me and I will narrate...
- I have MBA 256GB and 1.5TB Seagate GoFlex for Mac, which was used mainly for Time Machine, according to "backups.backupdb" it contains 75 backups.
- Due to accidental unplugging, it failed. First I was seeing error that I have to backup this drive, then it was totally unreadable on Mac but works on Win and Linux, then after a while it stooped working even on Win, but still working on Linux.
- I tried many solutions to fix the drive/disk without formatting, since I had no alternative media to backup the drive to before formatting. None worked.
- A month ago, I bought the new 2TB Time Capsule. Then using Linux terminal I managed to copy the whole "backups.backupdb" folder to another disk; however, after copying I found its size 65.5GB And obviously when Time Machine was used to browse these bacups, it did not find any!
- Used Data Rescue 3 to clone an image for the whole Seagate disk, it is 1.5TB.
- While the Seagate is not yet formatted, I used Data Rescue 3 to scan it for the lost files inside, and it found everything already there; but the "backups.backupdb" was 14.1TB! I do know why or how!!
- I tried to format the Seagate, they reused Data Rescue 3 to scan it, and the result was the same.
- I tried to mount the cloned image, of course the drive was not mounted since it is corrupted but the disk was attached, and reused Data Rescue 3 to scan it, and the result was the same for the third time. No wonders for me, I know the three cases maybe identical.
Finally, here is what I have now:
- Formatted and readable 1.5TB Seagate disk.
- Cloned 1.5TB image from the Seagate disk, before formatting.
- 2TB Time Capsule, 1.5TB of it is occupied by the cloned image file.
- Additional 500GB and 1TB extrenal disks.
- I also have an iPhone, new wallet, and other irrelevant stuff!
And all what I think about is way to browse the cloned DMG so that I can extract my REAL "backups.backupdb" folder.
Does any of you have a clue how to do that?
Or any other method to recover my backups?
Once more, there is details for every part, just tell me if you want to know more.
Many thanks in advance.
Kind Ragards.
-MHD

Then using Linux terminal I managed to copy the whole "backups.backupdb" folder to another disk
You can't copy Time Machine backups that way, unless you used asr(8), which I don't think you did.
The "GoFlex" device accounts for a disproportionate number of reports on this site of problems with Time Machine. I suggest you stop using it for backing up.
Delete whatever you copied to the Time Capsule and start a new backup. I strongly recommend that you also back up to a locally-attached hard drive (not the GoFlex) at least some of the time, as network backups are less reliable. You should have more than one backup anyway.

Trying to backup two computers via Time Machine on Time Capsule

Hi, everyone.
I have read about a similar problem that I am having, but the forums were all from 2009, so I don't know if anything has been updated or figured out since then.
I bought a Time Capsule yesterday, and I set-up a network as well as the Time Machine configurations. My iMac running 10.6.8 did just fine backing up; however, my Macbook running 10.5.8 did not.
When I try and run a backup with Time Machine, I get this error:
"The network backup volume could not be mounted because there was a problem with the network username or password."
After that error, I get this error:
"Keychain error -25299 occured while creating a System Keychain entry for the username "XXX" and URL "afp://[email protected]//XX".
I have searched different forums for hours, and so far, based on what I have been reading, I have done this:
1. Deleted anything having to do with the TC in the keychain and trying to restart the backup. This made me have the same errors again.
2. Reset the PRAM.
3. Repaired disk permissions.
4. Repaired keychain permissions.
Finally, I found on a forum that I could set up guest access on the network and backup my Macbook as a guest. This is what I am doing, now. However, I saw that starting with OS X 10.6, there was some kind of update for Time Capsule and Time Machine in regards to using Time Capsule for multiple computers.
My question is, since 2009, has there been a fix for this? I know some people suggested updating firmware, and if this is the fix, what do I need and where do I get it? Also, would it be possible to purchase OS X 10.6.8 for my Macbook and update it to potentially solve the problem? Is updating the Operating System hard? I'm not completely computer illiterate, but I am not great, either. If I update the Operating System, will all of my files and applications remain on my Macbook?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Well, there is a way to reinstall without erasing the drive. But it may not fix the problem. You may need to start from scratch. In any event you should make a backup of your system then you do not risk losing anything but some time.
But the real problem I see is that it is the computer that is the problem not the TC which seems to work fine with your iMac.
Since you are using Leopard you can do the following. In my opinion I would not opt to preserve user accounts and network preferences since your problem may well be in your user account.
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

How do I use my backup drive for non-Time Machine stuff?

I haven't set up Time Machine yet because it wants me to completely format my external hard drive, and it seems to want to use it for TM backups exclusively?
However, I would also like to use it to store stuff that I don't want to keep on my computer, eg tons of photos, videos, stuff from my sister's computer, etc.
Is there a way to do Time Machine but also use the external hard drive for storage? I don't mind temporarily copying the photos etc that are on there to my computer while I format, so that's not the issue. I just don't want my EHD rendered completely useless to everything else.
Thanks

DevonC wrote:
I haven't set up Time Machine yet because it wants me to completely format my external hard drive, and it seems to want to use it for TM backups exclusively?
However, I would also like to use it to store stuff that I don't want to keep on my computer, eg tons of photos, videos, stuff from my sister's computer, etc.
Is there a way to do Time Machine but also use the external hard drive for storage? I don't mind temporarily copying the photos etc that are on there to my computer while I format, so that's not the issue. I just don't want my EHD rendered completely useless to everything else.
Thanks!!!
There are several ways to do exactly this.
If you partition the external drive, you can use one partition for TM and the other for anything else.
Even if you do not partition the drive, you can safely store other data in folders on the drive. Just to not use the folder that TM creates for anything. And it's best not to put files directly on the drive, in my opinion, but use folders for storage.
Just remember that whatever you put on the drive takes up room from TM and when the drive gets nearly full, TM will start automatically deleting older files from it's own folder.
I have my Tiger clone on my external TM drive in a separate partition and everything works fine.

Backups of externals in time machine

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