How to use Time Machine to backup a disk image

I have my iPhoto libray in a disk image in the shared folder so that it can be shared by two user accounts.  Is there a way to use Time Machine to backup the mounted image?  I don't want to backup the entire disk image file every time there is a change in iPhoto (over 200GB!).  I'd like to just backup the changes, but so far, it doesn't seem to work?

There is no way to back up a mounted, writable disk image with Time Machine. If you want to keep data on a disk image, the best option is to convert it to a sparsebundle, which consists of many small files instead of one big file. It will be backed up much more efficiently, but only when not mounted.

Similar Messages

  • Time Machine does Backup to Disk Image but won't browse.

    Hi Everyone,
    I really enjoy using Time-Machine as my backup-utility as it's build into the system, updated by Apple and comes at no extra cost. Still, there has never been an option to encrypt the Backup. As I'm usually keeping my Backup in the Office, I wanted it to be a little more secure otherwise everybody could just pick up the Disk and read all my private files.
    Anyway, I went ahead and manually created a TimeMachine Sparsebundle on my Local Partition (The ones TimeMachine usually creates on Network Volumes). I chose 256bit encryption and pointed the TimeMachine preferences at the Partition where I store my TimeMachine Sparsebundle.
    External HDD > Partition 2 'TimeCapsule' > Encryptet Sparse bundle 'TimeMachine'
    I had to manually create the TimeMachine Plist on the Volume and now it automatically mounts the Sparse bundle and does the Backup once every hour.
    THE PROBLEM: The issue is, when I decide to go back and restore files trough TimeMachine, it'll present me with the Partition the Sparse bundle is located on, which contains nothing. I can only get TimeMachine to browse trough my Sparse bundle (Backup) if I manually choose to browse other Backup disks.
    Is there any way to tell TimeMachine to always browse this particular bundle. I don't understand why it doesn't work as it also does the Backup.
    I hope somebody can help me with this.
    Thanks,
    OldSchoolMacs

    You can do it your way, but the intended way is to use FileVault to encrypt your Home folder. When you log out of your account then TM will begin the backup of the encrypted Home folder. No need for you to encrypt or decrypt your own disc image.
    If you allow TM to run hourly backups as you now do, then both your Home folder and your backups are not secure.

  • How do I use time machine to backup to an external hard drive plugged into my airport extreme

    How do I use time machine to backup to an external hard drive plugged into my airport extreme?  I used to be able to but now time machine will not recognize my hard drive to select as a backup when plugged into my airport extreme.  I'm not sure what happened or changed.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks

    First thing to do is go to the Pondini tips page, then follow the link to his full TM site for all the details.

  • How to use time machine to back up

    how to use time machine to back up files

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    See > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427
    To set up Time Machine, open System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Disk, and choose the external disk you want to use to make the backups. Time Machine will start making its first backup just after selecting your external drive.
    If you have more questions about Time Machine, see this website > http://pondini.org

  • I have just upgraded to Mavericks and have been using Time Machine on an external disk with Snow Leopard.  Can I continue to backup with Time Machine on the same external disk or do I need a new disk since the operating system has changed?

    I have just upgraded to Mavericks and have been using Time Machine on an external disk with Snow Leopard.  Can I continue to backup with Time Machine on the same external disk or do I need a new disk since the operating system has changed?

    Hi there,
    I found that Time Machine in Mavericks will sort it all out for you. You shouldn't need to buy another backup drive, unless you have insufficient space left and can't afford to delete whats on there. It should just work fine.

  • Using time machine to backup Logic Projects

    Hi
    I was wondering if it is possible to use time machine to backup my Logic Projects. I have a seperate internal drive that I use to keep all my user data on, like my Logic projects. I want to use time machine to back up these projects onto a external firewire drive.
    Can timemachine only backup your systems drive and therefore I would need to have my Logic projects based stored on it?

    Yes - time machine can back up any drive. I am using 3 drives: system drive, a USB2 drive for Time machine backups and a firewire 800 drive for Logic Studio projects, instruments, samples, audio, etc. TM backs up my system and FW drives to the USB drive.
    Time machine options (in system preferences) allow you to exclude/include drives so you just need to set it to include your second internal drive.
    The only thing I'm not sure of is whether this effects the loop browser. Oddly, when I was experimenting with using aliases for Apple loops, Logic actually found the TM backup files when it couldn't locate the original GB loops! After some file moving and index deleting I cleared all loops but now I have duplicate entries again in Logic - possibly due to TM, but I have not verified this.
    -Scott

  • Using Time Machine to backup a iMac G5 and restore to an intel iMac

    Is it possible to use Time Machine to backup my iMac G5 and restore my backup to a new intel iMac?
    The reason being is that I my mother-in-law's company bought her a new intel Mac and she wants to trade with me since she only uses her Mac for e-mail, photos and accounting software.
    I was thinking of making sure her data is preserved by using the migration assistant to transfer her data to my iMac G5 and then using my time machine backup to restore to her intel iMac. I have concerns about this method after reading about the intel/powerpc issues with time machine. I also have concerns that perhaps the version of MacOS 10.5 installed to my iMac G5 will not be optimized for intel.

    Well, not entirely. You cannot install or restore a PPC version of OS X to an Intel Mac because the PPC system will not work on an Intel Mac. You can copy your personal files, most preference files, and third-party applications (although it would be preferable to update all PPC-only apps to universal binaries which perform better on Intel machines.
    Another possible concern is if your mother's company is transferring the ownership to her or simply purchasing the unit for her to use. In the latter case the computer belongs to the company, not your mother. She cannot then give it to you because it isn't hers. This problem should be resolved beforehand because the company may one day want the computer back.
    Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
    From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
    In your /Home/Library/ folder:
    /Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
    Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
    /Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
    /Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
    /Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
    /Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
    If you want cookies:
    /Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
    /Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
    For Entourage users:
    Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
    Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
    For FireFox:
    /Home/Library/Applications Support/FireFox
    /Home/Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist
    Credit goes to another forum user for this information.

  • Can I use time machine to backup on my server HD?

    I've mac Leapard with Time Machine but never made use of it because:
    - I don't have and don't want to have an external HD.
    - Don't have Time Capsule, and cannot afford it.
    Yet I was wondering if it was somehow possible to use Time Machine, to backup directly to my server (online) for example.

    -(.)^(.)- wrote:
    Time Machine backups are NOT supported for NAS devices except Time Capsule or a USB HDD connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station. All other options are hacks.
    I would add that even if a network drive were available, unless it was formatted HFS+ with either GUID or APM depending, it would not be acceptable anyway for TM.

  • Is there a way to use Time Machine to backup my Macbook Pro to an external drive connected to my iMac?

    I recently purchased a Seagate Goflex Desk 2TB and I've already used Time Machine to backup my iMac running 10.5.8 to the drive. Is there a way to backup my Macbook Pro running 10.6.8 to the drive using Time Machine while the drive is still connected to my iMac? Any help is appreciated!

    Choose Connect to Server from the Finder's Go menu, provide the first computer's IP address, log in, and set it up in the Time Machine pane of System Preferences.
    (59008)

  • Where did this backup window come from on my desktop.  I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing.  Where did it come from?  Thanks for any help

    where did this backup window come from on my desktop. It specifies personal data & settings and tells me when the next backup is scheduled [which I never set up].   I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing.  Where did it come from?  Thanks for any help

    To check your S.M.A.R.T status open disk utility and click on your drive and then click on the info icon.

  • My Seagate external 250GB hard drive ejects improperly without command.  I am trying to use Time Machine to backup my macbook via usb cable...  I keep getting the message that the disked ejected improperly...  Any solutions...

    My Seagate external 250GB hard drive ejects improperly without command.  I am trying to use Time Machine to backup my macbook via usb cable...  I keep getting the message that the disked ejected improperly...  Any solutions...

    You are not alone. Thousands have this problem, on various models of Macs. Short answer, it has something to do with the disk going to sleep (possibly?). You can't do anything about it and Apple won't address the problem. Maybe you should buy a time capsule. Just keep giving them money and use their proprietary equipment.
    For a more complete answer, see this thread (all 65+ pages of it with NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT... except for some 3rd party solutions that sometimes work, sometimes don't): Disk Drive ejecting itself

  • Can Time Machine write to a Disk Image on a Time Capsule?

    I just inherited a Gen 1 Time Machine (500gb).  I have three Macs on my network.  In my current set up I have an external 500gb drive split into three equal partitions, one for each Mac. 
    I know I cannot partition the TC HD, but I also know I can create one or more Disk Images.
    Question:  Can Time Machine write to a Disk Image on a Time Capsule?
    Thanks.
    MotionMan

    I know the backups will not mix.
    One of the Macs is a MacBook that only hooks up to the network every couple weeks.  Before I partitioned my existing TM backup disk, the TM backups of the other two Macs were filling the disk.  When the MacBook then tried to make a backup, the oldest backups of the MacBook would drop off.
    So, the other two Macs had backps for months, but the MacBook ended up with much less.  That is what lead me to the 3 partitions, so each Mac had an equal space for their backups.
    Odd that there there is no good solution for this.
    MotionMan

  • HOW CAN I USE TIME MACHINE TO BACKUP ONLY PART OF MY FILES ON EXTERNAL D?

    Hi, I am using time machine to back up all my files at the moment. but I want to get rid of video and photo material from my laptop and keep it on the external hard drive to which the time machine backs up my stuff.
    how can i do this without losing the video and photo files permamnently?
    thank a lot!

    nefsi wrote:
    doesn't time machine back up my files on the External hard disk?
    By default, Time Machine backs-up almost everything on your internal HD to your External HD. It can also back up things on an external HD, if you want it to.
    What I would like is, to find a way so that I could back up everything, but not have all the videos and photos I do not use often, on my laptop. instead I want to put them on the external hard drive and have time machine update all the other files.
    Yes, you can do that, but there are two considerations:
    You should partition the external HD so the TM backups are in one partition, and the other files are in the other partition. A partition (also called a volume), is treated like a separate disk for most purposes. See #3 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum.
    You should find another way to back-up the videos and photos in that other partition, such as archiving them to CDs/DVDs.
    In other words, can Time machine back up only some of my files?
    Yes. You can exclude things from Time Machine. See #10 in the FAQ Tip. If you partition your TM drive, the other partition on it should be excluded automatically; but if it isn't, you can easily add it to the +Do not back up+ list in TM Preferences > Options.
    For detailed instructions on making another partition on your external HD, see #6 in the FAQ Tip. It shows how to add a TM partition to a drive that already has other data on it, but the procedure is the same.

  • How do I use Time Machine to backup a network drive

    Let me clarify up-front... I DON'T want to use my NAS as my Time Machine backup drive. I want to backup my NAS to another drive using Time Machine. Here is my current configuation:
    iMac 27" with 2TB HD backed up to a Firewire Drive using TM. I swap out an exact duplicate of that drive once-a-month and keep one of these drives off-site for disaster recovery.
    I want to add a 3TB NAS drive for all of my media. But I'd like to backup ALL of the media on that NAS the same way that I backup the iMac, with TM -- routinely swapping out 3TB backup drives and keeping one off-site for disaster recovery.
    In a perfect world, I could do this in the cloud. But transfer speeds and cost preclude me from choosing that option.
    Here are my questions:
    1) Can TM work on the 3TB NAS, standalone, to allow it to backup to that set of new 3TB backup drives?
    2) I currently have a brand-new Hitachi 3TB HD in an older PowerPC Mac Pro. Could I fire that up and share it on the network as an NAS? I know I could run TM off of that configuration. But, I think that I would be compromising speed and performance vs. the new NAS drives out there. Am I wrong? Also, I'm not sure if that configuration would allow me to stream reliably as a UPnP server.
    I know it's a long-winded request, but I would really appreciate the insight of others who have possibly solved this problem. Thanks!

    Time Machine will only back up internal and directly connected external drives. It will not back up a network attached storage device.  You'll have to use some other software to back up the NAS.

  • Can I use Time Machine to backup ONLY an external drive?

    I am having problems with the internal HD on my iMac and Disk Utility is telling me I need to reformat the drive and restore from backup. Only problem is that my 3TB Lacie Thunderbolt drive I was using for Time Machine recently failed (think it may have happened during an electrical storm brownout). Yep, I know, ***** to be me
    The issues with the internal HD are preventing the iMac from booting and I would prefer not to have to purchase various repair software to find one that really works such as Disk Warrior or similar ((despite it getting very good reviews). I suspect it make be HFS corruption but no way to really tell that I am aware of.
    I have setup an external drive with Yosemite and booted from that so now my old internal drive is seen as an "external drive".
    I am using Disk Utility to make an image copy to a new 3TB external drive I purchased. Writing the DMG is going to take some time.
    What I would like to do is to set up Time Machine to backup to a separate external 3TB hard drive (the second one I purchased) and have TM create a backup of ONLY the old internal drive - not the new system as well as the old internal unit.
    Is this possible and if so can anyone advise how to do this. Does not seem I can exclude the system drive I am now booted from so that it is not backed up. (This makes sense that TM would be designed this way given its primary purpose is to backup a system).
    If TM cannot be configured in this way, is there another option I can use?
    Thanks
    Andrew

    Thanks for that advice. I have heard of it but a friend who does IT support at a University nearby suggested using Disk Utility to save an image - hence this is currently underway at present. Once this is finished I will try Carbon Copy Cloner.
    I have another friend who has an older version of CCC - do you know if an old version will work ok or if only the latest supports Yosemite?
    Also once I have the clone completed from CCC, is the process then to reformat the old internal drive and then clone from the CCC external drive back to the internal and then reboot and trust all is well?
    Appreciate your help Csound1.
    Regards
    Andrew

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