I dont have an external hard drive. How do I back up my computer before installing the Snow Leopard?

I am upgrading my computer from leopard to snow leopard. Is it necessary that I back up? I'm afraid I will lose all my data. I dont have an external hard drive. Is there another way to backup? I dont even know how to use Time Machine...
AGH!! PLEASE HELP!

Go out and buy one. You should have a backup.
To upgrade you don't need a backup, but if the upgrade goes awry then what? You've got nothing but a ocmputer that doesn't work. Now you must erase the drive and restore everything from scratch. And, all your data are gone. Is that all worth the risk?
If you choose not to make a backup then at least do this before installing Snow Leopard:
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your 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. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Now, boot from the Snow Leopard DVD and install it.

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Ok here goes. I have so much music I don't want to store it all on my computer and would like to store on an external hard drive. So if all my music is on the external hard drive, how will iTunes see it in order to play the music. Thanks

ok here goes. I have so much music I don't want to store it all on my computer and would like to store on an external hard drive. So if all my music is on the external hard drive, how will iTunes see it in order to play the music. Thanks

This article might help you moving/relocating your library :
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
Cheers AF

Re Time Machine I have an external hard drive with files I backed up manually over the past 2 years 1TB of memory. I am finally taking the leap to use Time machine to back everything. will I have to reformat that drive, thus wiping my previous bac

Re Time Machine
I have an external hard drive with files I backed up manually over the past 2 years 1TB of memory.
I am finally taking the leap to use Time machine to back everything.
will I have to reformat that drive, thus wiping my previous back ups?
can I split it the drive in two partitions?
Also
as I have two separate Macbook Pro's- one older than the other.
OSX 10.68
the other is
OSX 10.75
can I back them up separately?
or even synch and merge files and folders etc? between the two?

You CAN use a drive with files already on it to store Time Machine backups. But long term, that is not recommended. You do not need to reformat or re-partition the drive to do this. Once Time Machine Backups are established, you could remove the old files.
But do not delete Time Machines files with the Finder -- that can cause it to lose its place and lose everything.
With the cost of backup drives under US$100, it might be a better idea in the long run to get another drive. Best results from Time Machine is a drive about 3 times larger than the drive(s) you are backing up.

My computer has had to have a new hard drive how do i get my iphone to sync all the music and info on it please?

I Have had to have a new hard drive fitted to my sony computer and it has wiped everything off. I have reinstaled itunes, how do i sync the info on my iphone to my computer as i cant seem to sync the contacts or the music. Please can sombody help me as i'm not great with computers?

If you don't have the prior computer backup files, you may want to look at this to get your information from the phone:
http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/index.php

I am new to a MAC. I have an external hard drive that I used with my Windows XP computer. Can I reformat it

I am new to MAC. I have an external hard drive that I used with my former computer running Windows XP. Can I reformat it to use with my new MAC? If so, how do I do it?

Yes you can. See the following:
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.

I have never done a backup; i don't have an external hard drive ; i want to intall snow leopard...is it important to do a backup first?

i have never done a backup; i do not have an external hard drive;
do i need to do a backup before i upgrade/install snow leopard?

Most commonly used backup methods
OS X 10.4/10.5 need to upgrade, 10.6.8 ok still
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents

My drive collapsed. I have an external hard drive. How can I put all my files there, using disk utility?

So my MacBook Pro collapsed one day, and it turns on but only "Restarts" and shuts itself down on the procesa. The only thing I have access to is that 'Command + R' thing. There I tried "Verifying" and "Reparing" the Diak but the message of "Cant repair disk backup as many files as possible, reformat the disk and restore" popped up. So I have am external hard drive with more than enough space to put all of my files in there. my question is: HOW DO I DO THAT? from disk utility. Can somone please help me? Please! Step by step cause ptherwise I will mess it up and I really dont want to lose all the memories I have in my computer.

After you restart so you have access to Disk Utility, with the external drive connected, choose the external drive from the left sidebar of the DU window. If the drive has not been formatted for the Mac, choose Partition from the buttons top center of the main window. Give the drive a name, you can leave it as one partition if you like, make sure the format is set as Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), and the partition table is GUID. Then Apply and acknowledge that you know this will erase the disk.
Then go to the button that says Restore. Drag and drop the internal drive, Macintosh HD is most common, to the Source box, and drag and drop the external drive to Destination box. Then Restore.
That will create a clone of the internal and that will be a bootable clone.

I have an external hard drive that was formatted by a PC and has files and directories etc. I want to format it and use it on my IMAC for backup but I can't seem to write to it nor can I delete current content. How do I initialize it for use with the MAC?

I have an external hard drive that was formatted by a PC and has files and directories copied to it etc. I want to use it on my IMAC for backup. I see it on my my IMAC . I can open files etc. But I can't seem to write to it nor can I delete current content. I don't care if I lose current content. How do I initialize it for use with the MAC?

You can't write to it because it's formatted as NTFS which OS X will read but not write to. If you want to continue using the drive with both a PC and OS X you will need to download and install NTFS-3G so you can then write to it from your Mac. You can get NTFS-3G at:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/24481/ntfs-3g
If you want to use the drive exclusively with your Mac then move the data off it and reformat it in Disk Utility (Applications - Utilities - Disk Utilities) as Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

HT1766 I am trying to backup my ipad on the imac but keep getting not enough room on this computer to backup !! I have to external hard drives on the iMac 1TB and 2TB. How do i get the ipad to back up to one of these where there is plenty of spce availabl

I have an imac and ipad 2 which I am currently trying to back up to the computer in order that I can wipe the pad completely and pass it on to someone else as I now have a new pad.
The problem I am getting is that the ipad back up cannot be complete as there is not enough space available on the computer?
I have a 1TB and a 2TB external hard drives available with space on both so how do I back up the ipad to one of these then load back onto the new pad??

Mac - How to Move the iPhone & iPad iTunes Backup folder to an External Hard Drive
http://osxdaily.com/2011/03/05/how-to-move-the-iphoneipad-itunes-backup-folder-t o-an-external-hard-drive/
How to Change the Location of Your iPhone Backup (Mac)
http://ismashphone.com/2012/05/how-to-change-the-location-of-your-iphone-backup. html
 Cheers, Tom

When I plug in my ipad it automatically tries to back up and download all the contents to the C drive - the PC is too full and I have iTunes on an external hard drive, how do I tell the system to do the backup to the hard drive please?

When I plug in my ipad it automatically tires to back up and download all the contents to the C drive - the PC is too full and I have iTunes on an external hard drive, how do I tell the system to do the backup to the hard drive please?

You can open a command prompt by hitting the start button and typing CMD<Enter> in the search box that opens up.
To move the current backup folder from C: to D: type in this command and press <Enter>
Move "C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\Backup"
Where <User> is your Windows user name.
To make iTunes look for the data in the new location type in this command and press <Enter>
MkLink /J "C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\Backup"
If your external drive has a different letter or you already have a folder called "Backup" then edit "D:\Backup" accordingly in both commands.
tt2

I have a 3rd party SSD to put in my mac mini how do i get osx on it i do not have a external hard drive

I want to put a 3rd party SSD in my mac mini and I no how to put in inside the mac mini but, how do I get osx on it preferably Yosemite I do not have a external hard drive just the one that comes with the mac mini and my 3rd party internal SSD please help me.

The easy way is to Purchase an External Enclosure like the Startech USB 3.0 S2510BPU33 with UASP, its a Super Fast connection, SATA 3.1 @ 6 Gb/s.
Just Pop your SSD inside the enclosure and use OS X Disk Utility to clone your existing HDD. This enclosure is So Fast you would not even have to open up your Mini to install the SSD, just Boot Externally you would Never Know the difference and your Warranty won't be affected by opening it up.
What Mini do you have ?
Link to Enclosure http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817707313&cm_re=startech_3 .0-_-17-707-313-_-Product

I have an external hard drive. How do i put stuff on it?

Yes i have an external hard drive a iomega. I have stuff already on it , from when i used to have windows. I have tried to put some files onto it but it wont accept. I tried doing it through the Time machine option but it is saying it will wipe out all previous stuff that is on there. How can i go about putting new stuff on there without having to erase whats already on there. If that makes sense.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
RAY.

If the drive is formatted fat32 you can copy files to and from that drive. If it is NTFS you cannot write to it (unless maybe you install macfuse), only read.
You don't want to use (can't use) Time Machine since it would want to write to the drive using its own file format and wants an entire volume. And using standard backup programs to copy entire drives are problems too. But you could copy files and folders by explicitly dragging them to that drive (assuming it is fat32). Backup programs like Carbon Copy Cloner could be used so long as you limit the backup to a specific folder.
Frankly you would do better just to get another drive if you want to leave that windows drive alone. That or back up the stuff to a dvd or whatever and then reformat the drive to use on your mac.

Hi, Can anyone recommended software to import dvd to iMovies. I need to import about a dozen homemade DVD's and edit them into a single DVD comprising the 'best bits'. How best can I do this. I have an external hard drive available for the job

Hi, Can anyone recommended software to import dvd to iMovies. I need to import about a dozen homemade DVD's and edit them into a single DVD comprising the 'best bits'. How best can I do this. I have an external hard drive available for the job

You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D2187Z/A/quicktime-mpeg-2-playback-component-f or-mac-os-x
(unless you are running Lion in which case see below))
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.
And from the TOU of these forums:
Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store.
If you are running Lion or later:
From the MPEG Streamclip homepage
The installer of the MPEG-2 Playback Component may refuse to install the component in Lion. Apple states the component is unnecessary in Lion onwards, however MPEG Streamclip still needs it. See this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3381
To install the component in Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b7 beta above; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required.
The current versions of MPEG Streamclip cannot take advantage of the built-in MPEG-2 functionality of Lion. For MPEG-2 files you still need to install the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, which is not preinstalled in Lion. (The same applies to Mountain Lion even though that has it preinstalled.) You don't have to install QuickTime 7.

I have an external hard drive with numerous WMA files that I would like to download to iTunes. How do I do this on my MAC?

I have an external hard drive with numerous WMA files that I would like to download to iTunes. How do I do this on my MAC?

You can't write to it because it's formatted as NTFS which OS X will read but not write to. If you want to continue using the drive with both a PC and OS X you will need to download and install NTFS-3G so you can then write to it from your Mac. You can get NTFS-3G at:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/24481/ntfs-3g
If you want to use the drive exclusively with your Mac then move the data off it and reformat it in Disk Utility (Applications - Utilities - Disk Utilities) as Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

I have a external hard drive not an apple product. How do I save data from itunes to this hard drivet

I have an external hard drive that is not an apple product. How do I save my Itunes music to this external hard drive? It would clear space in Itunes.

Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

I dont have an external hard drive. How do I back up my computer before installing the Snow Leopard?

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