Can I backup two macs onto one external time machine?

Can I backup two macs onto one external time machine drive? I am trying to do this over Wi-Fi.

Yes, the external drive has to be formatted correctly to HFS+ and shared to the network.
It doesn't matter how the second machine logs into the network but wireless back will be extremely slow as it will involve double hop wireless, I presume to a wifi router somewhere. For incremental backups this is no biggie but do the initial backup with the drive plugged into that particular computer or over ethernet.. gigabit for preference.
Pondini has some instructions as he has for most things.
http://pondini.org/TM/4.html
Also look at Q33 where he lists using a shared drive on another Mac.
If you are planning using something other than wifi router give clear information about the network layout you have and hope to use.

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Booting two Macs from one external drive: 10.8 and App Store?

I boot two Macs from one external harddrive. Does this mean that when 10.8 is sold exclusively via the App Store and thereby linked to a unique hardware identifier, I am going to have issues with activation/authentification each time I switch machines? I have avoided the App Store since I discovered that an app I bought there, and which I really needed to open automatically on log-in, had to be manually re-activated with my Apple ID after every switch (so that I eventually deleted it and reverted to an earlier, non-App Store version).

Welcome to the forum!
There are a couple of "solutions" to your problem. The easiest, and possibly the best for you (although it is a bit slower) is to copy your catalog onto the external drive as well.
Then when you plug in the drive, you will always have your latest catalog for access.
The other way is to keep a local copy of your catalog, and copy it onto the local drive as a way to transfer it from one computer to the other.
This has the problem of possibly not being in sync, that is, you forgot to copy it over once and did some editing. Then you would end up with essentually two different catalogs, instead of one in two places.
You can copy the catalog either with your OS, or you can "export as catalog" and specify the external drive as the destination. Then, on your other computer, "import from catalog" and only take the meta-data settings (it's on the import dialog box).
Personally, when I'm traveling, I have my catalog on my external drive as well. It just makes life easier, and I don't have to worry about it being out of sync, or losing it (and not the images).
So, I would go with the first method, at least to start. To get your catalog over there, you can either export as catalog or copy it, either one will work.
You can find the location of your catalog file (if you don't know where it is) in the catalog settings menu prompt. Both the location and the name will be displayed.
Cheers!

Can I backup 2 macs on one hardrive

Can I backup 2 macs on one hardrive?

Yes, if space is available, but as you might imagine...if the drive fails or has a problem, you lose the backups of both Macs.

Lighroom 3 on two Macs utilising one external drive

Hello
This my first post
I use Lightroom 3 on a MacBook Pro. My photographs(library) is held on external disk
I have recently purchased a MacBook Air for use in the field, I have installed LR3 and have
what I thought would be a simple issue.
How can i access the photographs from both Macs??
grateful for any input

Welcome to the forum!
There are a couple of "solutions" to your problem. The easiest, and possibly the best for you (although it is a bit slower) is to copy your catalog onto the external drive as well.
Then when you plug in the drive, you will always have your latest catalog for access.
The other way is to keep a local copy of your catalog, and copy it onto the local drive as a way to transfer it from one computer to the other.
This has the problem of possibly not being in sync, that is, you forgot to copy it over once and did some editing. Then you would end up with essentually two different catalogs, instead of one in two places.
You can copy the catalog either with your OS, or you can "export as catalog" and specify the external drive as the destination. Then, on your other computer, "import from catalog" and only take the meta-data settings (it's on the import dialog box).
Personally, when I'm traveling, I have my catalog on my external drive as well. It just makes life easier, and I don't have to worry about it being out of sync, or losing it (and not the images).
So, I would go with the first method, at least to start. To get your catalog over there, you can either export as catalog or copy it, either one will work.
You can find the location of your catalog file (if you don't know where it is) in the catalog settings menu prompt. Both the location and the name will be displayed.
Cheers!

Can I control two Macs with one keyboard & mouse simultaneously?

I'm presently the operator and head audio tech for a major Off-Broadway show. I'm running the show on Ableton Live 6 through a Mac Mini, using a MOTU 828mkIII as the Firewire audio interface to the console. "Show control" is basically straight music playback, plus arming and disarming loops, triggering sound FX cues, and stopping and starting playback. The show has been exceedingly stable, no real reason to worry - but the fact that I don't have a redundant backup system concerns me. Theoretically, I can use our Denon CD players to run the show off of discs I've burned, but it's only viable for me because I know the show; a sub running the show would be up the creek - and if we hit a snag and run out of loops, forget it. Furthermore, those of you who've worked with Live know that in a performance based/show control situation, you can remain in an audio loop indefinitely, without any worry of a CD running out of prerecorded loops. (This is a specific reason why we're using Ableton for this show - the music can keep "vamping" until automation and rigging give me the clear to proceed.)
Considering that I'll be taking some time off this summer, I don't want this to be a concern for my sub(s), so I've charged myself with the task of building a redundant backup. Problem is, I'm not sure how to do it.
What I've been looking at is a dual Ableton Live/Mac Mini/Firewire interface system. Basically, to duplicate what's running the show presently, and have it running in tandem while the main playback system goes to the house - but for both to be controlled by only one mouse, keyboard and screen, so there's no delay in the event of a crash. If one fails, I send the audio from the backup into the theatre. There would be no disruption of playback, except for the operator`s response time in switching to the backup`s audio output.
Software like Synergy and Teleport let me share a single keyboard, mouse, and screen over two or more computers - +but only control one computer at a time+. And I've looked for KVM switches and USB "splitters" but they also seem to be toggle devices between one or another computer - which leads me to think I may have to network the two...
Any ideas are appreciated, even the obvious ones, as I may have overlooked some or assumed some to be out of the question.
That`s basically it - *simultaneous realtime* control of two computers from one keyboard and mouse. Both Minis performing the same task at the same time.
Is there software/hardware that can do it, or can I network the backup as a "slave" that mimics the master?
Thanks.

Perhaps you could setup a parallel processing network:
http://daugerresearch.com/pooch/
The website was last updated 5 days ago according to Google. Hopefully their server will be back up soon. I noticed it wasn't connecting when I tried.

Can't boot my Mac after attempt of Time Machine backup

So guys,
I just bought new Macbook Pro and it came with Yosemite. It is one thing that I specifically asked not to get with it, but I did. Anyway, since I didn't want it, I instantly went to Time Machine backup my previous Mac to the new one.
I booted my new Mac in recovery and started the time machine process. It went trough, found a backup that I wanted, asked me for my password and all looked nice. When the process started, it said something is wrong and rebooted. Now each time I want to start time machine backup process, I get the same message that says "searching for disks" when it comes to the moment of finding the system drive in the lap top. It will not boot any longer to the system. When i wanted to reinstall Yosemite, it doesn't see the drive that is supposed to see to install it. It sees only some small recovery drive. When I go to disk utility, I see Machintosh HD and some disk 1 drive that has sub group OS X Base System. Non of the options on drives like erase, format or similar are available. I basically can't do anything.
Someone has any idea what should I do?
Thanks in front!

Please install OS X on an external device (USB/FW/TB/Flash disk-16GB) using OS X: Installing OS X on an external volume - Apple Support and boot from it.
Post the output of the following command from OS X Terminal when booted from this external device. Enter your password when prompted, and it will not be echoed back.
sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

Can I daisy chain macs to act as time machines?

Say I have a lab of macs numbered between 1 - 16. All of these macs are connected via a switch so they can all see each other.
What I am thinking is to partition the HDD on every mac so that there are 2 partitions each. One of the partitions will be for the OS and the local files and the other will be for the back up of another mac. Doing it this way I was hoping to daisy chain them
Mac ID#
Partition 1
Partition 2
1
Local 1
16's Local
2
Local 2
1's Local
3
Local 3
2's Local
4
Local 4
3's Local
5
Local 5
4's Local
6
Local 6
5's Local
16
Local 16
15's Local
I was thinking of making the 2nd partition of each mac as a time machine target and having it sync the files nightly.
The reason for this is due to the amount of data generated on each mac that getting a dedicated backup server would be too expensive (I would need ~7 TB) for my budget ($0).
Is this possible? Is there a better way?

I don't know, I presume you would share the 2nd partition so the other Mac could see it. Unless someone knows a definite answer then you can only try it and see what happens.
One problem I see is not the Macs but the switch, inexpensive switches generally don't have an ASIC per port, this would reduce the bandwidth the switch could handle at any one time. The more expensive switches I used to work with had one ASIC per 2 ports or one on each port but they were expensive, probably the same price as a backup system you cannot afford.
Hope someone as a definitive answer for you.

Can I backup two devices to one iCloud account?

I have an iphone and an ipad using the same user id. I backup my iphone to icloud, but can I also back up my ipad to the same iCloud account?
Nathan

Yes, you could use one account for storing data and backups of multiple devices. It is made for that and because of the syncing services it wouldn't make any sense to set up separate accounts for different accounts.

Can I use two Macs with one iTunes library?

I currently have an iMac with my iTunes library stored on an external drive, and a shiny new MacBook Pro waiting for me at the Apple Store. If I transfer my entire library from the external drive to a new MacBook, can I still access my library seemlessly on my old iMac [possibly using Home Sharing]? I would like to use both computers to access the same content, in an office and then mobile setting.
Also, if I continue to make purchases on my old iMac from Amazon or eMusic, is there a way to automatically store/transfer those on the new MacBook, the same way they are automatically stored on the external drive now?
I do have the capability and plan on connecting my external drive to my AirPort Extreme after the transfer, if that makes any difference.

See I wouldn't want to necessarily make a copy, but rather copy the library itself; so it is no longer stored on the external drive, and it's new home would be the MacBook Pro. I was wondering if I could access the MacBook library from my iMac the same way I access the external drive on my iMac. Or if I'm overthinking the Home Sharing service and really have nothing to worry about.
I do have my entire library in the iCloud, and am a Match subscriber, but it is important that I have the songs actually stored on my MacBook so I can access them when I am without an internet connection.

HT201250 can you have two macs on one time machine

I just bought my wife a macbook air and want to add her to the system on her own separate backup. when i turned hers on it said it could not complete due to unavailable space... i guess i have been hogging the 500g so what should i do? I want to have it working both machines independently

johnmacamania wrote:
when i do succesfully backup my wifes new macair will it keep our data separate without my having to select such a parameter?
Better to Partiton the TM drive (you won't lose your data), and use the 2nd partiton for the MBA

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

Can I choose which backup for Time Machine to use if I have backups from two macs on one drive?

I have Time Machine backup on an external drive. I want to mirgrate all my files onto the new Mac Pro but migration is getting hung up and cant find the drive. Can I set up Time Machine for the new mac on this same drive and then select the old macs backup from within Time Machine?

Most likely, some folders were excluded from your backups as the result of a failed or aborted software installation.
Starting from a clean installation of OS X, set up a new administrator account and log in. Enter Time Machine and press the key combination shift-command-C. The front window will show all mounted volumes. All snapshots should now be accessible.* Select the one you want and navigate to your home folder (in the Users folder at the top level of the old startup volume.)
You should now be able to restore your user data. I suggest you do this in two stages. Quit all applications except the Finder before you begin.
Restore all the visible items at the top level of your home folder.
Hold down the option key and select Go ▹ Library from the Finder menu bar. Enter Time Machine and restore all items in the Library folder. Log out and log back in as soon as the restore is complete.
Any other invisible folders or files at the top level of your home folder that you want to preserve will have to be restored separately. For most users, that isn't necessary.
You'll have to reinstall all third-party applications from scratch, or restore them from another kind of backup, if you have one.
You'll have another problem if this is a new computer, or if you erased the startup volume: The next time you back up, Time Machine won't recognize any files as being the same as they were before, and will make a full copy of all files. There might not be enough space on one or more of your backup volumes for that. There are different ways of dealing with that situation, depending on your needs. The easiest way is to set your backup drives aside, if possible, until you're sure you'll no longer need the data on them, then erase them and start over. Meanwhile start a new backup on one or more empty storage devices. If that solution isn't workable for you, ask for instructions.
*If you don't see any snapshots in Time Machine, exit the time-travel view and then hold down the option key while selecting
Browse Other Backup Disks...
from the Time Machine menu, which has an icon that looks like a clock running backwards. Select the backups of your computer by its previous name. If you don't have the Time Machine menu, open the Time Machine preference pane in System Preferences and check the box marked
Show Time Machine in menu bar

I have three computers backing up onto the same Time Machine. The Hard drive of one has now failed, and I'd like to restore certain items (principally photographs) to one of the other two computers. How can I do this?

I have three computers backing up onto the same Time Machine. The Hard drive of one has now failed, and I'd like to restore certain items (principally photographs) to one of the other two computers. How can I do this?

"You can also browse the original backup disk for past backups by using "Browse other Time Machine Disks"--to see this choice, hold the Option key then click the Time Machine menu in the Finder (to see the menu, "Show Time Machine status in the menu bar" must be selected in Time Machine preferences."
Mac 101: Time Machine

Can I download music and pictures from 2 different MacBooks onto one external hard drive?

I have looked around for the community, but have not found an answer here. Both my wife and I have 2 seperate MacBooks, but we wanted to put all of my pictures and music and all of her music and pictures onto one external hard drive. I read on another board that we can, but only if we purchase a Mini. Is it possible to do that without having to purchase a Mini? Or is purchasing a Mini the only way to be able to do that? Thanks in advance for any replies!

There is no reason that you cannot use a common external HDD for your communal data. Naturally you would have to disconnect it from one MBP and then connect it to the other when you wish to access the data or perform a download.
Any compatible external HDD will do, but make certain that you format it in Disk Utility to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Ciao.

Can I backup two devices (with different documents) to one iCloud account? For example: iPad and iPhone, not everything is synced between the two, but I would like to backup each (seperately in the cloud), is this possible?

Hello Apple Community,
Can I backup two devices (with different documents) to one iCloud account?
For example: iPad Air and iPhone 5, not everything is synced between the two, but I would like to backup each (seperately in the cloud). Is this possible?
This way when I change from an old ipad to a new, I can restore with the ipad backup, and when I change from an old iphone to a new, I can restore from the
iphone backup.
Thank you in advance!

Terminology check here. Do you really mean a "CD"? There's a difference in Cloud behavior between content from a physical CD you ripped (which only has Cloud content if you have iTunes Match) and an "album" you bought from the iTunes Store.
Read references for Home Sharing.
iTunes: How to share music and video - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2688 - about Music Sharing and Home Sharing
Home Sharing Support page - http://www.apple.com/support/homesharing/
iOS: Setting up Home Sharing on your device - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4557 - "With Home Sharing in iOS 4.3 or later, you can stream your entire iTunes library over your home Wi-Fi network from your Mac or PC right to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch."
The above can get pretty complicated. You are probably best off by syncing both devices to a single library and/or updating the libraries on both computers to have the same content.

Can I backup two macs onto one external time machine?

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