How can I backup my files to an external drive

how can I backup my files to an external drive??  Can't seem to drag files to the external drive icon

Is the drive formatted for the Mac? Is it a new drive? If so it's not formatted properly:
Drive Preparation
1.Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. 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.

Similar Messages

  • IMac is not booting - How can I copy my files to an external drive

    Hello,
    my iMac (late 2009 model, OS X 10.7.4) is not booting anymore. The iMac stopps booting at the Apple logo and the spinning gear.
    I tried a couple of things that I found here in the community but nothing worked.
    start in safe mode => iMac shuts off after a couple of seconds
    start with safe boot (Shift-Command-V) => I'll get a couple of error messages, e.g. disk0s2: I/O error.   SATA WARNING: Enable Drive PHY PM failed
    reset the NVRAM/PRAM => no change
    But when I try to get access on the HD with the FireWire Target Disk Mode, I can see the following folders: Applications, Library, System, Users. But the statusbar shows 0 items for each folder and it shows that the HD has 650 GB available. I have the original 1TB HD. When I try to start OS X from an external drive I can see the same folders. I tried Data Rescue 3 to scan my files, but the software stopps with an error.
    My TimeMachine backup was not working, so I have no actual backup and need to find a solution to copy my files to an external drive.
    Instead of Data Rescue 3, I can use TechTools Pro 6 alternatively.
    Would Data Rescue 3 find files if I erase and create a new partition on the HD?
    What I found out so far, it looks like a corrupted file system.
    Have anyone an idea or a tip, how I can copy my files?
    I would be more than happy if someone can help me.
    Thank you very much for all answers in advance.

    The internal drive is failing, or has failed. You may not be able to save the data.
    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to fully boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    1. Boot into Recovery (command-R at startup) or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in the support article linked below, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
    How to back up and restore your files
    2. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode by holding down the key combination command-T at the startup chime. Connect the two Macs with a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable. The internal drive of the machine running in target mode will mount as an external drive on the other machine. Copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
    How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode
    3. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.

  • My time machine is not working and the disk utilities cant repair it and is asking me to format the drive again. How can I backup the files before formatting the drive so that I don't lose my files?

    Hi
    My time machine hard drive has stopped working after the latest update and the Disk Utilities says,:
    Error: Disk Utility can’t repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files."
    How can I back up my files before reformatting when I can't even open the drive's folder?
    Thanks for the help.

    I think my time machine is not working correctly and I dont know how to get it back... I really need to get back my photos!!!!!
    Exactly this was the way I USED to make restores of files and photos..
    but know I CANT!!!!
    When I am inside iPhoto y click on the Time Machine icon at the Dock and it goes to this...
    at my right side there are the backups but when i click them nothing happens they are like NOT CLICKABLE...
    PLEASEE!!! Help me!!

  • How can I move mp3 files from my ext.drive to my iPad via MB Air 11 ?

    How can I move mp3 files from my ext.drive to my iPad via MB Air 11 ?
    Thx

    You could drag your files to your macbook air's desktop then plug in you iPad...? I don't really know about this as i don't have a iPad. =S

  • Updated to Mavericks OS X but can't use my external drive by WD My Passport. The Mac reads it but I can't add/remove files to the external drive. Help?!

    Updated to Mavericks OS X but can't use my external drive by WD My Passport. The Mac reads it but I can't add/remove files to the external drive. Help?!
    The WD My Passport, I purchased back in early December 2013 & I just used it the other day after I updated my Macbook... & of course it says in the online manual it works for Mac Lion, Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard but not this new Maverick update. Is there anything I can do?

    I like the free demo of SuperDuper to make clones. It's free, Tiger and Leopard ready and is easy to use. If you buy the full version you can do incremental backups.
    You should use Disk Utility to do a Disk Repair, as shown in this link, booted up on your install disk, before you make a clone of it.
    I then partition my external disk, in Disk Utility, with a partition that is the same size , actually a tad bigger, as my system disk. I then use SuperDuper to clone my system disk over to that partition.
    With a clone on an external FireWire drive (USB drives are not bootable on some Macs) you can bootup on it to do your repairs or just run your Mac anytime you have trouble with your main drive. Be careful, there are a few external FireWire drives out there that are not bootable on Macs. Check the drive's manual to be sure.
     DALE

  • How can I export a project on an external drive in the latest version of iMovie?

    Before the latest release of iMovie I easily managed to export a project on an external usb drive and re-import such project on a different Mac... In the latest iMovie version, however, I cannot see my drive any more..
    So, how can I export a project on an external drive in the latest version of iMovie?
    Thank you in advance

    I'm not sure this is the best way, but you could create a new iMovie Library, move your project to that Library, then close the library. Then move the Library to your USB drive. Then, on the other Mac, in iMovie open the Library.

  • How can transfer images from lightroom to LaCie external drive?

    How can i export images from lightroom toLaCie external drive?

    Hi welcome!
    It's possible that your description of what you want to do is a bit ambiguous.
    Are you wanting to move your images from an internal drive to an external drive?
    Are you wanitng to actually export images out of Lightroom with the destination being an external drive (a very different propostion to the above option)?
    Is there something else that you are actually wanting to do?
    Also Lightroom does not hold the images themselves.
    Lightroom has a database (called a catalog) that references the location of images that have been imported.
    Tony Jay

  • How can I use iTunes without connecting the external drive that has all my music on it?

    I have all my music on an external drive.  Sometimes I would like to access iTunes, for purchases and other, without having that drive plugged in.  I used to be able to do this, but something has changed and I can no longer figure out how.  There must be a way.
    Thanks

    Well, you can always ignore the fact it will automatically direct anything to a new blank library it will create on the internal drive.  Just let it do it (as long as you keep track of any purchases that download, or maybe you can turn off automatic downloading )  The next time you need to use it with the external drive hold down the option/alt key while starting iTunes and select the library file on the external drive.
    iTunes Store: How to enable Automatic Downloads - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4539

  • How do i move a file from one external drive to another

    This is my first Mac computer and I have no idea how to move/copy a file from one external hard drive to another? It won't let me drag and drop from one Finder window to another and there is no copy/paste option on the left mouse click.

    mediamagnate03 wrote:
    This is my first Mac computer and I have no idea how to move/copy a file from one external hard drive to another? It won't let me drag and drop from one Finder window to another and there is no copy/paste option on the left mouse click.
    That is because it is on the Right Click, and the menu.

  • How do i back up files to a external drive

    How do I back up files to an external drive

    See the Help file:
    http://help.adobe.com/en_US/elementsorganizer/using/WSae2ea3b149d0c3591ae939f103860b3d59-7 f50_WIN.html
    Ken

  • How to trasfer Iphoto pictures files into an external drive

    My Mac book pro version of OS X 10.8.5 is running out of storage space, and is working very slow. I would like to maximize my files nto an external Drive, I have a seagate 1TB portable, and I would want to move the Iphotos and all my pics in it. I don't know if it make sense. I have only 44. GB avail out of 332.  and I don't know how to maintain my main Hard drive back up and create a new external moving only the pictures there. is it even possible to have an outer disk as resource for you IPhoto? or should I take all the photos out of Iphoto? and is yes how?
    I appreciate anybody that could give me a clue!
    Thanks ,
    Jade

    Assuming you're using the default Managed Library:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    Regards
    TD

  • How can I backup my files from a dead hard drive?

    When I startup my mac I get a blinking question mark on a folder.
    I assume I have to replace my hard drive but there are files that I absolutely cannot lose on there!
    I know my files are there so how can I get to them?
    I've tried holding C on bootup and nothing happened, and when I hold Option and click my boot drive, I still get the blinking question mark.
    I need my files! Please help! Thank you.
    -Ryan

    The blinking folder doesn't necessarily mean the drive is dead but it does mean the computer cannot find a valid system to boot from. There are lots of reasons this can happen and in some cases the data can be retrieved and sometimes it cannot. You'll need a valid boot disk - holding the option key merely tells the computer you want to choose the startup drive. If you only have one startup drive and it isn't functioning, you aren't going to get anywhere.
    Since you appear to have no backup (or at least a recent one) you have a couple choices. You can try starting up the computer with the restore DVD that came with the computer (hold the C key as your restart), attempt to repair the drive, and reinstall the operating system. Under no circumstances should you reformat or repartition the drive. That will destroy the data - at least in terms of recovering it inexpensively. (If after booting with the restore disc you see no hard drive, that would indicate the drive is dead.)
    Unfortunately, the restore DVD doesn't let you access the Finder and data which is why I always have a clone external drive I can use to boot up the computer and access the internal drive. If you have no internal drive you can get one at virtually any big box store today - it doesn't have to have a Made for Mac symbol on it. Connect it to the computer, restart with your restore disc, and then install the operating system on the external drive. Then restart with the external drive by holding the option key as you restart. If the internal drive mounts to the desktop you can copy your files. If it doesn't mount you can attempt repairing the drive with Disk Utility.
    Assuming the drive is functional, a third possibility is a piece of software called Data Recovery. This is one of the tools in my arsenal and I've had pretty good luck with it retrieving files from drives that were badly corrupted. The program must be run either from a bootable DVD or another bootable drive and it requires a drive to put the data on. I keep a copy on my external hard drive (and you can download the program.)
    Good luck

  • How can i backup my files in recovery mode?

    i went into recovery mode and tried to repair my hard drive and it says it can't be repaired and I have to restore my computer. is there anyway i can backup my files from recovery mode onto a new disk?

    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    1. Start up from the Recovery partition, from Internet Recovery, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
    2. If Method 1 fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
    3. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
    4. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.

  • How can I backup the files in my ipod touch to my pc?

    Help please!
    I've just re-installed my windows XP, after I connected my ipod touch to my PC, opened itune, and tried to sync but it wouldn't backup my files (pitures,applications...) to itune? Anyone know how to tansfer my files and applications back to my itune?
    Thanks,
    Juliette

    I did that.. but in my itune, it's still blank under application, photos etc...?
    I tried to sync applications, it said all existing app and their data on the ipod will be replaced with applications from this itunes library... but there's no app in the library??
    Thanks!

  • How can I backup my files on an iPhone and iPad? I have a PC, not a MAC computer.

    I would like to backup the files on my iPhone and iPad. I usually back them up on a regular PC and external hard drive (a WD My Passport). I do not have a MAC computer.

    iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad back up to iTunes on your PC, or to iCloud.
    See this Apple document for more information about iOS backups:
    Back up and restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support

Maybe you are looking for