Can I use my mac while time machine is running?

If I run Time Machine for the first time, do I have to stop using my iMac until the program is finished? Or can I continue to use it?

Technically, yes.
I try not to.  Think of the "composite picture".  If you have several files spread across several system-level and application-level directories, and related-files are changing at different rates, you may save different files that do not "match".
Given that most backups after the initial one should only take 5 minutes at most, I like to let at least a few backups each day be uninterrupted while I take a short walk.

Similar Messages

  • I have created a new partition on the Mac HD for Lion as I would like to dual boot. Do I need to install Snow Leopard on that partition before installing Lion? If so, can I use one of my Time Machine backups to do this?

    I have created a new partition on the Mac HD for Lion as I would like to dual boot. Do I need to install Snow Leopard on that partition before installing Lion? If so, can I use one of my Time Machine backups to do this?

    zoominnana wrote:
    Can I set up 2 different time capsule backups? one for the lion partition and one for the snow leopard partition?
    No, you can't partition a Time Capsule's internal HD.  Both partitions will back up to the same sparse bundle. keeping the backups for each partition separate.
    Time Machine will not take the two OSX partitions as two different computers, but for best results, exclude the Snow Leopard drive from backups on the Lion partition, and exclude the Lion partition from backups on the Snow Leopard partition.
    There may be some files on the Lion partition that Time Machine on Snow Leopard won't like, among other things.  See #10 in  Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions for details.

  • Can I use a mountain lion time machine back up on new mavericks macs?

    My macbook retina was stolen at my school. I was wondering because I used time machine having mountain lion, does it affect anything when if i purchase a mavericks macbook pro? the just announced one. I have all my pictures (iphoto) in that last back up. Can i use a mountain lion time machine back up on new mavericks macs?  My macbook retina was stolen on August 16? So I don't know if there was an update on my mac that might affect it in any way...

    It's ok you can use your ML TM to transfer your account.   iPhoto library and other things will be upgraded when you open the apps. 
    At the end of the Apple article it says:
    Migrating a Time Machine backup to a new Mac
    When you get a new Mac, you can transfer all of your applications, files, settings, and other information from a Time Machine backup you've already made. When you start up your new Mac for the first time, the Setup Assistant asks you if you would like to restore from backup. If you've already set up your new Mac, you can use theMigration Assistant (located in Applications/Utilities) to do the same thing.
    After Migration Assistant completes the transfer and you select your existing Time Machine backup drive, you will be prompted with "Inherit Backup History". Once selected you will be able to continue to use your existing Time Machine backup on your new Mac.

  • Can I use computer normally while T-machine is backing up stuff?

    Can I use computer normally while T-machine is backing up stuff for the first time? I have over 300gb of stuff.
    Thanks!
    Captain

    Shouldn't be a problem, it does it in the background without you even knowing. Might slow things down a bit with that much data, though, so you could leave it overnight.

  • Shut down Mac while Time Machine backs up

    Since I don't always check if Time Machine actually backs up, I was wondering if it matters to shut down your Mac while Time Machine is doing a backup. I guess Apple would make it more obvious, if it would matter, but anyway, does anybody know for sure?

    it does not matter. so long as you shut down properly (from the shut down menu and not by holding the power button) TM will stop cleanly and resume the interrupted backup when you power up the computer.

  • 4 a quick star--Can I close my macbook while Time Machine is doing it's bz

    Can I close my macbook while Time Machine is doing it's thing?
    I've read some conflicting info on sleep and TM
    It seems like I should be able to close it and walk away while it does its business.
    I'm all confused ???

    nerowolfe wrote:
    Bobsax wrote:
    Can I close my macbook while Time Machine is doing it's thing?
    I've read some conflicting info on sleep and TM
    It seems like I should be able to close it and walk away while it does its business.
    I'm all confused ???
    If closing your lid forces the machine to sleep, you will force TM to abort.
    If closing the lid allows TM to continue, then it's OK.
    TM does not work while the computer is sleeping.
    Since TM usually takes a minute or less after the first backup unless you have created a large file, why close the lid?
    My last backup took 1 minute 30 seconds. Hardly time to close the lid and open it again.
    I'm doing a full backup so it's taking awhile.
    Do people leave their external drive plugged in with TM on all the time??
    For me , I'm sure once a week or so will be fine.

  • Can I keep working on my mac while Time Machine does its first back up?

    Just wanting to double check before I do anything I am sorry about. I am getting ready to do my first Time Machine back-up. I have my documents all backed up with an on line service, but feel like I need to back up the whole system (better safe than sorry) and will back up to an external hard drive. I have plenty of space as I have about 60GB to back up on a 320GB drive. I know after the first backup it will only back up changes or additions to my mac and I will probably not notice anything, but is there anything I should be watching out for during this first time?
    Thank you
    laverne's mom

    Thanks for your quick response. I expect it will take a while for it to complete. It took a little more than two days for just the documents to be backed up. I'll give it a good long time before I panic.

  • Can Not Use Air Disk for Time Machine Backup

    I have my Lacie 750 GB drive plugged into my AEBS, and it shows up on my network. I can not get Time Machine to recognize it so I can backup. I would appreciate any specific setup info. anyone has that can fix this problem.
    Thanks -
    Dudley Warner

    Have you installed the most recent Airport updates? BTW, while the update now allows AEBS with a tethered drive to be used for TimeMachine Apple doesn't support it. So far I've had no trouble, backing up and restoring, but that doesn't mean there couldn't be hidden problems waiting to get us. Also, since Apple doesn't support it, if there are problems, we are on our own.

  • Can i use one hardrive for time machine and other data?

    i want to buy an external drive for my macbook pro retina. i want to knwo if i were to buy an external hardrive big enought ot back up my 768 on my retina could i also put other media on it (like video and movie) without it overwriting or something like that

    screenfreak wrote:
    i want to buy an external drive for my macbook pro retina. i want to knwo if i were to buy an external hardrive big enought ot back up my 768 on my retina could i also put other media on it (like video and movie) without it overwriting or something like that
    Buy one hard drive for TimeMachine, large as possible for maximum amount of saved states, keep it connected more often so it updates more often to recover deleted files.
    Buy one hard drive the same size or slightly larger to clone your boot drive to it, it will be a hold option key bootable clone in case your boot drive fails to boot. Update it before doing anything major to your machine. Keep it disconnected in case of malware so it doesn't get infected or delete your files.
    Buy one hard drive for extra storage if your boot drive is getting full for instance.
    Buy one hard drive to backup the extra storage drive and treat it like the clone, make sure you have clean extra storage drive before connecting and updating it.
    Label and date each drive, your memory will fail you and you'll accidentally overwrite a drive.
    Keep your drives separate and in their respective purposes, in other words do not use partitions or use TimeMachine to backup other drives.
    Never use Filevault, it's cracked, it's worthless, impossible to recover data and you'll have to give up the password for repair or customs/searches anyway. Use a external hardware based encrypted drives and USB Iron Keys. This way your sensitive data is off the machine and can be used with another machine.
    Despite how many drives and backups, it's good to also make burned and labeled DVD's of your most important files like music for instance when you first get them. It's because sectors fail on hard drives and takes out your data and thus on all backups made afterwards. With burned DVD's it's permanent, unless you scratch it, melt it or loose it.
    Hardware also fails, more often than software because it's moved/abused while in operation.
    If you lose your TM drive, you ALSO lose what's on the other partitions on the drive or data that TM drive was backing up from other drives.
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  • Can I use 'Macintosh HD' folder time machine creates like any other hard drive folder?

    Very simply, is it possible, after using Time Machine to back up my Laptop, to use the 'Macintosh HD' Folder it creates like I would any other hard drive by selecting and extracting specific folders and backed up items as I see fit instead of going in to the Time Machine software and asking it to restore the drive to one of its 'backups' -essentially governing what exactly goes back in to my freshly cleared out laptop's internal hard drive? Will I run in to any problems? I am asking as I have picked up a software bug that I need to wipe off laptop hdd that would still be in the backups I have done and go back on to the laptop if I just asked Time Machine to restore.

    See Pondini's site for all of your Time Machine questions http://pondini.org/TM/Home.html
    In your case specifically http://pondini.org/TM/15.html

  • Can I use Automator to turn Time Machine on & off automatically?

    My Time Machine seems to hog my Wi-Fi once an hour.  I don't need such frequent back-ups so wondered if it were possible to set something up that would wake Time Machine up in the early hours of the morning when the Wi-Fi is unlikely to be in use and to do it's back-up then?

    Time Machine Editor will allow you to set up and schedule backups to occur whenever you like.
    You might want to take a look:
    TimeMachineEditor - Time Software - Free

  • HT201250 I've just used an external drive to back up my Mac with Time Machine. I have Lion, but didn't click and check the "Encrypt Backup Disc". What should I do? Can I delete the external drive and start again, or can I encrypt later?

    I've just used an external drive to back up my Mac with Time Machine. I have Lion, but didn't click and check the "Encrypt Backup Disc". What should I do? Can I delete the external drive and start again, or can I encrypt later?

    I guess if stolen or lost it would protect my "stuff", and if I'm travelling would protect my privacy.
    You must understand the purpose and implications of encryption before deciding whether to use it.
    Encryption locks your data with a password. If you forget that password, the data is lost beyond any chance of recovery. Neither Apple nor anyone else will be able to help you recover that data if you don't know the password.
    By the same token, the password must be strong enough to provide the security you want. For example, if you're the potential target of industrial espionage by a government or large corporation, you need the strongest possible password. To create and manage such a password safely is a task in itself, not to be undertaken lightly.
    If you're only concerned about casual snooping by someone with no special skill, a weak, easily-remembered password is appropriate.
    But regardless of the strength of the password, if you lose it, the data is gone forever.
    Another point to remember is that if you encrypt your data on one storage device, you must also encrypt it on all other storage devices that would be accessible to the same attacker. Otherwise the data isn't protected. For example, if you keep your computer and your backup drive in the same room, and the internal drive of the computer is not encrypted, then there's no point in encrypting the backup drive.

  • Can anyone help please with my Time Machine, I have been getting the following message The backup disk image "/Volumes/Mac Backup/Stephen Smith's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

    Can anyone help please with my Time Machine, I have been getting the following message The backup disk image “/Volumes/Mac Backup/Stephen Smith’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.

    See > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

  • HT201250 Can I restore photo files from Time Machine without the use of an external drive?  I'm trying to restore lost photo files and I see them listed in Time Machine (without use of an external drive), but when I try to restore I get a error code 36.

    Can I restore photo files from Time Machine without the use of an external drive?  While I was transferring photos back and forth from a thumb drive something went haywire and my IPhoto was wiped clean!  When I click on Time Machine I see all the dated pages (without an external storage drive connected), go back to a date where all my photo files are there, click "restore", and I get the message:  "The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in file cant be read or written (error code - 36)"

    Thanks so much Terence.  I tried some of the fixes from that page, but then discovered the suggestion to compress the Time Machine Back up of the original library and transfer it as a zip back to my computer as detailed here:
    http://pondini.org/TM/E9.html
    That worked like a charm.  I really appreciate it. 

  • I baught Seagate Backup plus 2T hard drive to use as my Backup time machine. But its not working when i connect to time machine its not coping files, it keep saying preparing files. Can someone help me please...

    i baught Seagate Backup plus 2T hard drive to use as my Backup time machine. But its not working. when i connect to time machine its not coping files, it keep saying preparing files. Can someone help me please...

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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