Does time machine backup open files that I am currently working on?

Will time machine backup files that are open? I have a quickbooks file or others that sometimes will be open for as long as a week. I was having problems with a file I was working on that had days worth of data that I had been changed. When I tried to restore a file with time machine, I had to go back a week. All my changes were lost. I assumed that time machine would be backing up a file even as I was working on it. Maybe not? Can find very little info anywhere. Yosemite 10.10.1

I don't believe it does. I know that there was an issue in the past where it wouldn't back up any of the iPhoto Library if iPhoto was open. I don't know if that was fixed. But, like you, I can't find anything else to verify my suspicion.
If the program supports Auto-save and Versions, then you would be able to go back through the versions, but I don't think QuickBooks would support that.

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Does Time Machine backup open applications/files?

I recently lost my calendars (in Entourage, Ical, Mobileme, etc.), and wanted to restore from a time machine backup.
I tried to restore the Entourage identity from a day or two before only to see that the date in Time Machine for the file was way old.
I suspected that because I leave the app open all the time, particularly all night when my backups run at 11 pm that the file never got backed up. Does this sound right?
Ical, on the other hand (which is synched to mobile me and entourage), even though I rarely open it and use it, seemed to have the updated data.
How does Time Machine deal with files that are in use?

Entourage needs some special handling. I don't use it, so can't tell you exactly how to do it, but if you search this forum for Entourage you should find a post or two (by Kappy and/or Baltwo, I think) with good advice.

Does Time Machine backup system files (/usr/local/*)?

Does Time Machine backup system files (/usr/local/*)?
If so how do you locate them in the Time Machine interface?
If I go into Time Machine mode and type say "/usr/local" in the Time Machine search bar I get nothing although I can open a terminal application and cd to /usr/local and see bin, lib, include, etc.
Of course I can never see /usr/local in Finder either ... only at the command line.
Thanks.

John, another tech pro ("baltwo") suggests:
Run this in the Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1
OPTION-click and hold on Finder's Dock icon->Relaunch which reveals all hidden files. Then, look for that file and delete it. To hide all of those, use the same command, substituiting zero for the one, and relaunch the Finder.

Does time capsule back-up files which I am currently working on in a program?

Hey everybody,
If I am working on a file in a program, does time capsule back this file up? So if the program(third party) crashes after half an hour for example, can I still get the file back or would it be incomplete because it was open during back-up?
Thanks in advance.
Jelle

Most apps don't work with the actual file on disk; they copy it into memory and make the changes there.
Like most backup apps, Time Machine doesn't (can't) back up anything in memory, only things on disk.
When you Save a file you're working on, or done with, it goes to disk and will be included on the next backup.
Similarly, if the app has an "autosave" facitity, that will copy the "working" version to disk. Many apps do that to a separate file (often named the same as the original, but with something like "autosaved" appended). Lion apps that support Lion's AutoSave facility save it to the original file.

HT201250 Every time I add/delete music to itunes, does time machine backup my entire library? If so can I limit backup just to added music?

Usimg time machine-every time I add/delete music in itunes library does time machine backup entire file? If so,an I set it up to just backup added music?

It shouldn't be backing up the whole thing again, just the changes.

I am trying to get space on an external hard drive which has some old time machine back up files that I do not need but can not eliminate, even by going into the time machine, clicking on the backup file to be eliminated and using the drop down eliminate

I am trying to get space on an external hard drive which has some old time machine back up files that I do not need but can not eliminate, even by going into the time machine, clicking on the backup file to be eliminated and using the drop down menu with the gear box symbol to eliminate

I cannot find this 300GB "Backup" in the Finder, only in the Storage info when I check "About This Mac".
You are probably using Time Machine to backup your MacBook Pro, right? Then the additional 300 GB could be local Time Machine snapshots. Time Machine will write the hourly backups to the free space on your hard disk, if the backup drive is temporarily not connected. You do not see these local backups in the Finder, and MacOS will delete them, when you make a regular backup to Time Machine, or when you need the space for other data.
See Pondini's page for more explanation: What are Local Snapshots? http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
I have restarted my computer, but the information remains the same. How do I reclaim the use of the 300GB? Why is it showing up as "Backups" when it used to indicate "Photos"? Are my photos safe on the external drive?
You have tested the library on the external drive, and so your photos are save there.
The local TimeMachine snapshot probably now contains a backup of the moved library. Try, if connecting your Time Machine drive will reduce the size of your local Time Machine snapshots.

Does Time Machine backup iCal?

I had a problem with some lost todo items the other day and checked to see if I could see a backup calendar as a quick way to solve the problem. If I am on address book and enter time machine, I see backups of my old address books and if I am on mail, I get all my old mail messages on the screen (though the todo item is grayed out), but if I am on iCal, I simply get the Finder window.
Does Time Machine backup iCal or do I need to do a manual backup and then let Time Machine backup that file from finder?

Since reading some of the first messages, I have been backing up my calendar each week and putting the backup file in my documents folder. I know that file is backed up, so I assume in case of a major problem, I could pull it from Time Machine and restore the data.
Out of curiosity, though, I explored the folders in my library/calendar path and found a number of folders, each containing a file that was dated either today or within the last few days. I assume each folder is for a different calendar and that in case of total disaster, I could restore these from Time Machine.
My question at this point: When I export the calendar from iCal, if the All Calendars option is checked, am I safe in concluding each of the separate calendars would be there? If I accidentally had one calendar highlighted, would only that calendar be backed up?

HT201250 Does Time Machine backup and restore Bootcamp?

I am replacing defective hard drive in an iMac that I primarily use as a pc under Bootcamp. I have to find some way to clone and restore the bootcamp partition. I was told today by a Genius at the Apple store that I should buy a 2 TB external (which I did for $150) and run Time Machine. He assured me that my bootcamp partition would be backed up along with the entire mac partition and that I would be able to restore everything perfectly on the new hd. Now that I am home and continuing my research, I can't find anywhere that says it will work. Documentation on Time Machine fails to mention bootcamp. So, does Time Machine backup and restore bootcamp or not? And will it be bootable after the restore? Help!

I think you've got it! I have never used WinClone so I cannot attest to how well it will work, but it's pretty much all lthere is. You will have to create a new Boot Camp partition on the new drive, and it should be the same size as the partition you cloned.
Be sure you prep the new hard drive:
Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your Snow Leopard 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 Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
7. Quit DU upon completion and return to the installer. Now install Snow Leopard or restore from your Time Machine backup.

HT201250 Will Time Machine backup the files on my desktop?

Will Time Machine backup the files on my desktop? Backup files anywhere on my computer even if they're not neatly in the document folders?

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3107
Most commonly used backup methods explained

Lacie 1TB external HDD recently stopped doing Time Machine backups. Disk Utility recommends that the disk needs to be repaired.

I've been using my Lacie 1TB external HDD for my Time Machine backups for quite sometime. Its never given me any problems until now.
It recently stopped doing the backups, so I checked Disk Utility and it recommended that I repair the disk. How long does it take for Disk Utility to repair a 1TB external HDD?
Other things to consider:
- Cant find the disk in the Finder, I used to be able to do that before.
- When I tried to go a Time Machine backup, it said the disk was not available.
Upon using disk utiliy, I successfully verified the disk. Then I initiated the disk repair process.
The current status:
- checking file system
- Volume repair complete
- Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
The progress bar says "Verify and Repair volume "LaCie"" - the progress bar does not indicate how much has been done or how long it will take.
Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,204,476,416 Bytes)
Mount Point: Not Mounted
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
All other status fields blank.
Any one know how long it will take for Disk Utility to repair the external HDD? Any other ideas as to how I can get the Lacie HDD to reconnect with the Macbook and resume normal operations? i.e. Time Machine backups, accessing contents through the Finder.

purduegrad_macguy wrote:
I've been using my Lacie 1TB external HDD for my Time Machine backups for quite sometime. Its never given me any problems until now.
Mine Failed after 3 years and 4 months of using it as a Dedicated TM Backup drive...
When I used Disk Utility for repairs... it went from 7 minutes to 4 hours and after about 10 minutes it was saying 40 hours...
So I just replace it with a New EHD...

How might I move my Time Machine Backups.backupdb file to a partition on a different drive to enable reformatting the drive it is on, so that might put it back in place later?

I have an external drive I use as my Time Machine backup location.
Recently, I started getting an error on it. It tells me there is a problem, and to repair it with Disk Utility. Disk Utility cannot verify the disk, and needs me to repair it, but it cannot repair it. It advises me to copy all of the important files from this disk to another location, and then reformat the drive.
So, I have copied all of the files that were not part of the Backups.backupdb folder structure to a partition on another disk, and removed them from the defecting drive, leaving ~250GB of files in the Time Machine backups files.
I cannot seem to get this to copy to a ~350GB folder on another drive, formatted Journaled, Extended as recommended.
What do I do?

A Time Machine backup is owned by TM.. this is standard kind of issue.. the very fact that you cannot copy it suggests it is corrupt.. or you cannot change permissions on the whole file.. let me assure you the way TM works.. what you have so far copied is completely useless.
Have you run a verify of the backup??
The fact that disk utility is not working means something is wrong.. it should be able to fix a drive..
And the fact the drive is only 12-18months old is also not relevant.. the present state of the drive is too poor to be considered reliable.
What type of drive is it.. ie USB2 USB3 and what brand??
It is not just the disk that can go bad but the controller/power supply as well.. and some brands seem to have bad batches.. eg seagate USB drives I was seeing recently.
I prefer drives where I buy a shell and put the drive into it.. so I can move the drive to another shell without breaking warranty (or the case).
The actual command for terminal I always just look up when I want to do them.. I am getting old and I have no space left for command line stuff.. although it was all there in the past.
eg today I hit. http://www.cnet.com/au/news/using-the-os-x-terminal-instead-of-the-finder-to-cop y-files/
This includes the rsync command.. lets try this one..
I can copy my downloads directory to a time capsule disk. I start with login as super user just to make sure I don't have permissions issues.. you should definitely do this. running rsync is great as it will give you info when it fails and it will do incremental if you run it again later. You construct the command by simply dragging the folder from finder into terminal and slightly modifying it as per the article above.. So my actual command as I am copying deliberately to a new folder on the TC.. You don't want files to land on the root.. even if it creates another folder.
$ sudo su
Password:
sh-3.2# rsync -av /Users/Ray/Downloads/* /Volumes/DataTCgen3/downloads/
building file list ... done
#A 12v25v Descrip.doc
$T2eC16V,!)!E9s2fB+iqBQNKwsSzpQ~~60_3.JPG
$_12.JPG
0198f23d9wahwkzzsf20dk15czcy.pdf
0340039AINETCNCTKGS.PDF
I have 60GB or so in this folder and it is copying at about 20MB/s over ethernet.. so it is not super fast.. but there is probably some error checking going on at the same time.

How does Time Machine handle alias files on the backup volume?

I have been trying to find some info on how Time Machine handles alias files on the backup volume, but can't find anything on that topic. Neither here in this discussion or at the Apple support pages.
My concern is if an alias file on the backup volume is backed up »as is«, or if it is resolved and the original file is backed up? The last would be most annoying as this will make the size of the backup much larger.
Even though I do not know of folders having been renamed (which will cause that folder and all its content to be backed up again) Time Machine often backs up a surprisingly large amount of data, so I suspect that alias files could be resolved.
Any info on this will be appreciated.

Alias files are NOT followed, AFAIK.
For more info on how TM works, see this ars technica review.
Good luck!
Message was edited by: joshz

Does time machine identify any file replications?

Hi all,
I am wondering whether anyone knows more about this, looked into this.
- I know that time machine does use links to ensure that files that belong to multiple snapshots (successive snapshots)
are not backed more than once.
However, recently I had to reset my Mac (MacBook Pro) from 10.7.5 to 10.7.4, because there were problems in operation.
(actually with time machine and Spotlight, but I do not think, this is the issue here).
I simply reinstalled the version from about two weeks earlier - in the meantime there were not a large number of changes.
However, the next time the backup was about 80 GB.
This made me wonder under which conditions does TM actually identify a file that it has already backuped before
and it does only need to link it and not back up it up again:
only if it is at the very same position and it has no modified change date (of course also no content change)?
- this would mean the complete system actully would have been backuped again - not nice, but would roughly fit the size.
or are there more conditions?
It also seems that any files that are moved lead to a replicate backup. - the file at the new position is treated as a new backup.
Also if temporarily some location was excluded from the backup and then the exclusion is removed, it seems the next backup contains
an all-fresh replica.
In these and many other cases, a lot of space could be gained, if multiple occurances of files would be treated as a single file with
a hard-link in the backup.
a) It seems this is in no way addressed by TM
b) It seems that this might be compatible with the way TM manages backups. (files can be hardlinks)
Thus, does an utility exist, which is able to identify such copies in a backup and replace the identical copies by a single
copy with hard links? Does someone know more about the inner management of TM-backups? Could this approach work?
I know that this is not directly supported by TM, but I am just curious whether something like this exists, it seems to me
that due to my restoration and the way I handle data (e.g., put everything for working on the desktop - later move it to the
final destination), there would be very many opportunities to thus compress the size of TM-backups.
Cheers
Klaus

It says it will notify you after a backup is deleted. That's the only option available. You will have to open the TM backup and see where the file dates you wish to keep are and manually track them if you need TM to store files you deleted from your current system.
If you delete a file from your current system that you need to keep long term, then I wouldn't rely on a TM backup to store it. You should either keep it on the computer and you will always have a TM backup. If you need to clear space on the computer, you should back up important files to another location such as a flash drive or external drive.

Does Time Machine backup Entourage properly?

If a user is using Entourage (an account is open) does Time Machine back it up properly? Anybody who has experience with this?
Reason I ask is that backup programmes like ChronoSync will return a error if any user has an open account. In other words one needs to quit entourage first and than back up to have it work properly.

I have found that Time Machine seems to re-visit a file it backed up if that file changes before TM finishes backing up the remainder of the drive...but I'm not 100% sure about that.
I exclude the Entourage database from Time Machine via TM's prefs panel. Instead, I periodically (according to a schedule I determine) back it up to an "archive" folder on my internal drive via an Automator workflow (see <http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/01/alternativemethod_to_use_entourage_and_timemachine.html>). Additionally, I avoid the hourly schedule imposed by TM by using TimeMachineEditor (<http://timemachineeditor.en.softonic.com/mac>). In combination, this provides very flexible control of the frequency that multi-GB files are backed up by TM.

Does Time Machine backup items on the time machine disk?

If I designate disk B as my Time Machine disk, are items on disk B, that aren't part of what Time Machine puts there, backed up? In other words, can I use a disk for both storage and Time Machine backups and have those stored items backed up too?

If you intend to use disk B as both a Time Machine Backup Disk and a Data disk to hold your files, the only way to do that would be to partion the Disk B volume.
How do I partition an external hard drive ?
When an external is connected to a mac, the computer sees that Hard Drive as a Volume. Paritioning the volume is the ability to "Split" the volume in more parts that are limited by size. Time Machine will use the entire partition of a volume if the whole volume is used as a single partition. If you use the right tools and "Split" the external hard drive in smaller logical volumes then you can comfortably use the external hard drive for both your Time Machine Backups and your Data that you want to carry on an external drive.
The easiest way to partition a volume in more the one partition or logical volumes is to use the Disk Utility application that comes with every mac. Use the Finder to go to your Utilities folder and open Disk Utility, or search for it in Spotlight. Whit Disk Utility you can select your external Hard Drive and either change the partition to add a second one or erase all data on the existing external hard drive and create 2 Partitions that you can adjust in size. Remember Make sure you understand that if you choose to erase the existing external drive to make room for a new partition , that all data present on the external drive will be deleted.
Now that you have your two new partitions you can assign one to Time Machine and use the second one for Data. And with Time Machine Options you will be able to exclude or include your new external data partition to backup to your new Time Machine Backup Partition !

Does time machine backup open files that I am currently working on?

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