Have SeaGate HD as backup, not sure how to handle multiple copies

Question

That's the main issue.
Several backups created up to 4x the copies of everything. It never occurred to me to actually scan the backup hard drive of what it had done.
Then installing a fresh load back onto laptop, It was noticed.
iPhoto came out the worst with 8000 instead of 2000 images.
As backup was in progress, I could only assume all the nonsense was comparing files.
What a worthless concept for backup and be lead astray by default.
I recall in the past seeing software that looks and then eliminates the copies.
This couldn't be part a purpose built External Hard Drive?
I tried to scan through iPhoto to remove copies, but has taken forever. And mistakes are possible.
I suspect I should just dump iPhoto complete, and reload it proper. Or rip drive clean again.
The way it is now, all folders that were subject titled are missing.
It shows the years 2005 - 2008, Early photos, Last Roll, Last 12 Mon, Trash
I searched the Store here, and ALL I see is TIME MACHINE/TIME CAPSULE.
That's down the road doing a wireless HD. I need to cure current issue.
This is the older Powerbook using the limit of 10.4.11. Till new machine, no upgrade is planned. Searching Apple, I was hoping for real time results, but it's not very helpful.
Do I go ahead and just do the time machine/capsule now to back up laptop, and will it take care of the mess on the laptop? Chaos has gotten the best of me here.
Then import original external backup to capsule to sort it's mess.
My files change name on a regular basis, so I was thinking maybe this time, relabel all laptop files by adding a number at the end. So if I look at the backup HD, I will see file name ( Isuzu 8 ), for Aug.
Then I could easily see the other files, and delete lower level copies.
I seem to have a hard time trusting what is claimed of software.
I also worry a little about APERTURE, in all this chaos.
As it has grown quite a bit in size. But now it's time to make some serious room on the laptop. Getting down to about 9 GB left.
If someone can sort out the best steps to take with links to it, I will gladly offer them a happy hour of their choice.
A huge Thanks' in advance.
Phil
Mpls Mn

Answer 1

Philscbx:
I use a registered copy of SuperDuper and a external firewire HDD for all my backups needs (I guess I should say 2 external FW HDDs, as I have two backups which I rotate on different days). Many users prefer and use Carbon Copy Cloner, each of which does essentially the same thing. These utilities scans the Source disk and the Destination disk, compares the contents, the updates the Destination disk so that it becomes an identical copy (clone) of the Source disk. After the initial clone, each subsequent cumulative update (SmartUpdate as SuperDuper calls it), only new material on the Source disk is written to the Destination while material on the Destination disk not on the Source is deleted so that it is always an exact copy of the Source.
This may not be what you need, but it is an option that many of us use quite successfully.
Good luck.
cornelius