Can I backup two Apple computers to one hard drive with time machine?

I have a 2007-vintage MacBook Pro running iOSX 10.6.8 and an iMac  running 10.5.8 -- Can I use a single external hard drive along with Time Machine to backup both of these computers without any problems?  The hard drive has already been backing up the iMac for a few weeks now and the SeaGate drive had to be reformatted to do that. How will I be able to separate the information saved on the hard drive to know which computer is which? (i.e., how "smart" is Time Machine's file structuring when it makes a backup?)

Do you mean you want to connect a USB drive to the TC?  If so, it will recognize a disk formatted in FAT32, but not ExFAT or NTFS.
If you mean you want a Windoze-like partition on the TC's internal HD, that's a bit trickier, since it can't be partitioned.  But you could create a disk image on it via Disk Utility, formatted MS-DOS (FAT) aka FAT32, or ExFAT  (I'm not entirely sure if ExFAT would work in a disk image there, but it might.)

Similar Messages

  • Can you really not use a windows-formatted hard drive with Time Machine?

    I still have people in my household that think Windows is the way to go, and so they have used all the hard drives to back up their stuff.
    There is still a reasonable amount of room on one of the hard drives for me to do a Time Machine backup, however it is obviously formatted to Windows.
    Is there ANY way the hard drive can be used with both systems?
    It's a bit of a bummer if I have to shell out for a new one just for my MacBook!
    Thanks

    Do you mean you want to connect a USB drive to the TC?  If so, it will recognize a disk formatted in FAT32, but not ExFAT or NTFS.
    If you mean you want a Windoze-like partition on the TC's internal HD, that's a bit trickier, since it can't be partitioned.  But you could create a disk image on it via Disk Utility, formatted MS-DOS (FAT) aka FAT32, or ExFAT  (I'm not entirely sure if ExFAT would work in a disk image there, but it might.)

  • Can I use a non apple wireless hard drive with time machine?

    Can I use a non apple wireless hard drive with time Machine?

    Some NAS (network storage) systems do claim to support Time Machine, with varying levels of success. For example, the Synology units have this feature. They're not officially supported by Apple, though.
    Matt

  • If I already have an Airport Express Base Station, can i hook an external hard drive into it's USB port and use that hard drive with Time Machine?

    If I already have an Airport Express Base Station, can i hook an external hard drive into it's USB port and use that hard drive with Time Machine?

    No, and that shouldn't be done with an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule.
    (66017)

  • I restored my hard drive with time machine but when I log in I get "home folder protected by fire vault and needs to be repaired. But I can't get past the regular log

    I restored my hard drive with time machine but when I log in I get "home folder protected by fire vault and needs to be repaired. But I can't get past the regular log

    Maybe you might find some info to the right>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  • Is there a way to backup my external hard drive with Time Machine?

    Most of the memory used on my MBP is mainly used for applications and miscellaneous things for Logic and Final Cut. I have two external HD's. To save space on the internal HD, all of my music, pictures, and videos are one my external hard drive, while Time Machine set as the other. Is there a way I can back up my external HD using Time Machine? What would even be better is if I could only select specific files (My Music, Videos, Pictures) and not everything on my one external HD to be backed up in Time Machine.

    TM can back up external HDs. If you have both of your external drives attached, go to the options in TM preferences. Be sure the data drive is not listed (this lists drives/folders to exclude from a backup). Then initiate a TM backup or wait for the hourly backup. That should back up the data drive.
    You can only tell TM what to exclude from a backup, not what to include.

  • Can't restore my data from hard drive with time machine

    So basically I recently backed up my things on an external 1TB Seagate hard drive via Time Machine on my Mac. I then restored my Mac to its factory settings. However when I plugged in my hard drive it didn't show up in my finder. I opened Disk Utility and it shows up there but when I tried to restore my data it wasn't able to find it. This is so weird and I'm so scared can someone please help me

    vanessayu wrote:
    And another thing, my mac is randomly turning off and then displaying a gray screen saying your mac shut down because of a problem. does this have someting to do with the disk
    Sounds like the TimeMachine drive is defective.
    Uplug it and reboot and see if your problems go away.
    If your TimeMachine is broken it might be possible to do data recovery on it, you can take it to a local PC/Mac tech and they will image it so the files are accessible, then you can pick through the mess as long as it wasn't encrypted or Filevaulted.
    TimeMachine uses a lot of placeholder files, basically the same name but minus the content of the files for each saved state.
    It's a lot of work going through all the folders to find your original files but as long as the drive works the files should be able to be recovered.
    Sorry about your problems, TimeMachine hasn't quite lived up to it's expectations and I try to warn everyone NOT to completely trust it.

  • Can I backup two Apple devices to one iTunes acccount?

    Can I backup two iPhones to one iTunes acccount?

    yes and you can use more then 2
    just don't give them the same name

  • How can I split a backup on two hard drives with Time Machine ?

    Back-up of my Imac with time machine is 1,3 TB. I have two 1 TB external hard drives but even if I had both as available in Time machine, it seems it doesn't allow to split the backup between the two hard drives. Any way to resolve this without buying another hard drive with more space?
    Thanks in advance

    You cannot directly split a backup. Your only option would be to open the TimeMachine preferences from System Prefs. and add things to the exclusion list for one of the backups. Then, when you go to do the other backup you would reverse the process and add everything else to the exclusion list and remove the things you had on there in the first place.
    Seems fairly intensive though when you could just go and buy a 2 or 3TB external drive and do it all in one...Black Friday is coming up
    Regards,

  • Can I replace hard drive with Time Machine backup?

    I couldn't phrase this right to see if some already asked. I have MacBook with a 250gb HDD and I have a new 500gb HDD. I bought a USB Hard Drive enclosure and have been backing up with Time Machine. So my question is, can I take out my 250gb HDD and put in my Time Machine Backed Up 500gb, and boot up like normal? Or are there some steps I need to do?

    No, you cannot do what you've asked.
    What you can do is this.
    1) using your install DVDs or an install USB, install OSX on the external 500GB drive.   When setup assistant starts, point it to your 250GB drive so all your settings and files get migrated over.
    2) now you can swap drives and it should work.  Have your install USB handy incase something goes wrong.  Put the 250GB drive in your external enclosure so you can access it if needed for a reinstall.
    good luck

  • External Hard Drive with Time Machine, Will it Delete Files that aren't Backups?

    Hello reader,
              My concern right now that I need help with is backing up with Time Machine. I went down to an Apple Store and they formated my External Drive 1TB to work with Time Machine then I backed up my MacBook Pro and all is well. However, now I want to do this again, BUT now I have added files onto the external drive that are newer but I didn't want to do a complete backup for. Like new pictures or iMovie events. So instead of redoing a complete backup after adding like 3 big files and nothing else, I just tossed them on the Extrernal Drive no problem. Now I feel like it's been a while and I should do a full backup for all the littler files I have now. But there is now 1 "Backup" File on the external drive that "Can't be modified" or I would have just dragged the 3 quick large files into the backup that I made and been happy. But I couldn't do that so I put it in some blank space on the external drive.
    But my question for you, reader, is if I backup again, will the files that ARE NOT in the backup folder that was created from an ACTUAL backup from Time Machine be deleted?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Backup Files from First Backup                      These 2 are things I added                                                                                                                                                                                             that I didn't feel I had to waste                                                                                                                                                                                     another 100GB on unchanged                                                                                                                                                                          things with another complete backup.

    TimeMachine is designed to perform one full backup when it is first connected to your computer and from then on back up only the files you add or edit. Opening the TimeMachine drive's backup folder from the Finder is basically a no-no. Access TimeMachine via the TimeMachine application.
    Assuming you frequently plug the TimeMachine drive in and let it backup and assuming the newer files are on the computer - they are being backed up and TimeMachine will be able to restore the entire drive if/when it is needed.
    Just keep these things in mind. TimeMachine runs every hour (when it is connected to your computer - so be sure to connect it at least once a day and let it do a backup) and backs up new and edited files. It is guaranteed to keep any file that is currently on your computer. If you delete a file from your computer TimeMachine may delete it if extra space is needed. The drive you use for TimeMachine really shouldn't be used for any other purpose.

  • Backup External Hard Drive with Time Machine

    I have several external hard drives and am wondering if I can use Time Machine to backup External Hard Drive #1 on Hard Drive #2? Or is it only possible to backup your Main Machine on an External Hard Drive?
    Thanks

    These issues with non-apple format drives that you mention, would they concern the dedicated Time Machine external hard drive, the external hard drive one is looking to backup, or both?
    What are the issues raised? My current 500GB external hard drive is FAT-32 and I want to use an additional 500GB external hard drive [fresh out the box so I can determine whatever format it is fairly easily] as the dedicated Time Machine backup. Would you suggest reformatting my 500GB FAT-32 drive before initiating the new drive as the dedicated Time Machine backup? It's possible to do so, but would take quite some time. Also, this may move into a different subject, but I enjoy being able to share files with a PC with Windows XP using my external hard drive; would any of the formats you mentioned as being Time Machine-safe allow me to continue to do so?

  • Can I use any external hard drive with Time Machine?

    I have a 1TB external hard drive and also a 16GB flash drive. Is it possible to use either of these with Time Machine?

    IMO Time Machine should be on its own Dedicated External Drive... one that is twice the size of the drive that it is backing up... the 16 GB Flash Drive is not appropiate for the task.
    See Here
    TM 101
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
    You may also find this Link of Interest...
    Time Machine vs. Clones and Archives

  • When I use my portable hard drive with time machine, can I still use it to put stuff on etc??

    Can I use it with time machine and then use it to store stuff on as well?? Or when I plug it in will it back up automatically and I can't do anything else with it??
    Thanks for your help

    It is recommended that Time Machine has it's Own Dedicated Drive.
    - Corza - wrote:
    Can I use it with time machine and then use it to store stuff on as well??..
    See here  >  Can I use my TM disk for other stuff?
    From Here  >  http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html

  • Can you SEPARATELY backup multiple hard drives with Time Machine?

    I have an IMAC (let's call it HD A) and an external HD (Let's say HD B) with all my photos on. I would like to use time machine to back HD A on another external HD (HD C) and HD B (the one with the photos) on another HD called HD D. Is that possible?

    Thank you. I want to do that because the backup of HD A + HD B is larger than each one of HD C and HD D. So I wanted to split the backup. But I guess it is not possible (see below). Switching config each time takes too much time and is prone to errors so I won't do that. Maybe there is some software that can do that.

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