.Mac Backup and Time Machine?

Do I still need the normal .mac backup if I use Time Machine?

First some quick background so you'll understand the asperity of my answer. I'm in IT and until 1993 I was an IT consultant to businesses and professionals that didn't require a full time IT staff. I've seen businesses go bankrupt due to data loss and I've experienced data loss myself on two occasions: one major and several minor. Today I consider any data loss completely unacceptable. Just imagine if you lost the only set of pictures of your child's first birthday party. Those are the stakes today.
Time Machine is very promising but at version 1 I consider it untested technology at present. I've seen too many little hiccups on its data acquisition cycle to consider it totally trustworthy. At this time I have my desktop connected to a FW drive and TM is doing its thing but I am also backing up my data weekly and daily using Deja Vu. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Note too that Time Machine is backing up data to a drive in your home/office. In the event of fire, flood, theft, or other disaster chances are the TM drive is going too. An off-site backup is very important! I back up my data to DVD regularly with a copy going with my wife to her work place.

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How can I see another mac backup on time machine?

how can I see another mac backup on time machine?

Bob thanks, but that didn't solve my problem, I went to question 17 and went into the Browse my Time Machine and it also didn't find or recognize the other Mac. I know it's in there because when I open the other Mac and Enter the Time Machine, I can see it through that Mac, and I have the same problem there, where I can't see my Mac.
In short, when I back up a Mac (doesn't matter which one) I can verify its backup as long as I use that Mac, but I cannont verfiy the backup on that Mac using another Mac and vice versa.
Also, I never used to have to do anything to see both on the same Mac. So I don't know what changed.
There must be another way.
Thanks

After install of Lion, secondary internal hard drive used for backup and time machine is not showing on the desktop.

After an install of Lion, my secondary internal hard drive used for backup and time machine is not showing on the desktop. Cannot be located with Disk Utility either. Contains vital files! please help...

I have a TB internal drive, but this is what it shows for memory slots:
Memory Slots:
ECC:    Enabled
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1:
Size:    2 GB
Type:    DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed:    800 MHz
Status:    OK
Manufacturer:    0x0000
Part Number:    0x000000463732353642363145353830304600
Serial Number:    0x00000000
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2:
Size:    2 GB
Type:    DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed:    800 MHz
Status:    OK
Manufacturer:    0x0000
Part Number:    0x000000463732353642363145353830304600
Serial Number:    0x00000000
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1:
Size:    1 GB
Type:    DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed:    800 MHz
Status:    OK
Manufacturer:    0x80AD
Part Number:    0x48594D5035313241373243503844332D5335
Serial Number:    0x42076007
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2:
Size:    1 GB
Type:    DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed:    800 MHz
Status:    OK
Manufacturer:    0x80AD
Part Number:    0x48594D5035313241373243503844332D5335
Serial Number:    0x4207631E
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3:
Size:    Empty
Type:    Empty
Speed:    Empty
Status:    Empty
Manufacturer:    Empty
Part Number:    Empty
Serial Number:    Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4:
Size:    Empty
Type:    Empty
Speed:    Empty
Status:    Empty
Manufacturer:    Empty
Part Number:    Empty
Serial Number:    Empty
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3:
Size:    Empty
Type:    Empty
Speed:    Empty
Status:    Empty
Manufacturer:    Empty
Part Number:    Empty
Serial Number:    Empty
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4:
Size:    Empty
Type:    Empty
Speed:    Empty
Status:    Empty
Manufacturer:    Empty
Part Number:    Empty
Serial Number:    Empty

Why won't my Western Digital (2TB) My Book for Mac backup to time Machine?

This past fall (2012) I was notified by apple that the hard drive on my 2010 iMac might need to be replaced due to issues. Before doing so I was prompted to back up all of my data with an external hard drive using Time Machine. I purchased a Western Digital 2TB external hard drive and set it up easily. The setup parameters were such that the thing should backup my iMac to Time Machine on the hour every hour. This worked well and also allowed me to restore my user preferences for nearly everything when I got my computer back with its new hard drive. This was around October.
Recently (mid-March), my WD My Book no longer backs up to Time Machine. The computer recognizes the drive, allows me to access it, but will not backup to Time Machine. I have no hypotheses as to why this has started happening, but it just did. I have tried shutting Time Machine off and turning it back on to the particular external hard drive. This has not worked. I have tried to prompt a manual backup, but the computer gets stuck when preparing to back the drive up. It never actually commences the backup.
I understand that just like anything else that things fail. I also understand that sometimes things fail within the first few months of purchase (half a year-ish in my case). I just cannot understand what might be causing it. Any speculation?
Here are some screenshots associated with my current problems:

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

My external hard drive for backup and Time Machine is full. I bought a new HD. Can I just begin using it, or must I transfer old BkUp and TM to the new HD?

My external hard drive for Back Up and Time Machine is full. I bought a new HD. Can I just begin using it and rely on the old HD for past Time Machine versions, or must I transfer the old Back Up and Time Machine files to the new HD?

It is your choice.
If you don't want to be able to far back into the time slots covered by the old disk then just start using the new disk.
If you want to retain the ability to go back into those time slots then copy it.
Allan

.Mac Backup vs Time Machine

Not sure I've got this figured out. Do I use both .Mac's Backup along with TM or do I use one or the other? How/why would I use both?

1) Dot Mac's Backup is extremely flexible in meeting many different user backup scenarios
-Apple provides numerous Quickpicks for easy data type and Application's data backup selections
-Easily configurable for any single data item to numerous data items to be backed up
-Can create multiple backup Plans each with their own backup time schedule
-Any Plan can backup to a combination of media each with their own backup schedule
-Can backup in compressed form to a user's .Mac iDisk (requires a .Mac subscription of ~$100/year)
-Provides a flexible restore feature
-Has a specific .Mac Backup User forum for getting technical help from other users
-Can be used on Mac OS X version prior to Leopard as well as Leopard (Leopard does require Backup v3.1.2)
-The flexibility can confuse a user because of the multiple choices provided
-Provides a traditional Full + Incremental backups and uses backup space less efficient than for Time Machine but does retain data for as long as user wishes to keep it.
-Backup time schedules are done only on a daily basis. That is, a Plan can backup to a specific media only once per day automatically. To perform backups more frequently the user must do so manually.
2) Time Machine (only available with Leopard)
-Apple provides a single interface for controlling what is to be backed up. This is done by a counter intuitive 'exclusion list'
-Time Machine will silently remove backup data (at least in its current form) which may be poorly understood by the user
-Time Machine, once setup, operates in the background automatically and captures data once per hour every day.
-Time Machine is restricted to backing up to HDs only. Backup to optical media and tape for example is not supported.
-Time machine has a easy to use browser for reviewing backups, managing backups, deleting unwanted data from backups and for restoring data.
-The Time Machine browser is tightly coupled with Apple's Address Book, Mail and iPhoto at this time. The Time Machine APIs are known to 3rd party developers for integrating their Apps much like Apple has done for Address Book for example.
-Time Machine User forum for technical help is available
-Time Machine is bundled with Leopard and does not require a .Mac subscription of ~$100/year. Mind you, Backup can be continued to be used after an initial $100 subscription expires.
-Time Machine uses the backup space very efficiently and far more so than does the traditional Backup's Full+Incrementals.
-Time Machine offers a single backup Plan whereas Backup provides numerous Plans. Plans in both can be changed at any time is user so desires.
I'm sure others can chip in with other pros/cons for you. However, this should provide you with a starting point for comparing the two.
BTW - Time Machine and Backup co-exist without issues.

Bootable backup and time machine/capsule

Is it possible to create a bootable backup using time capsule?

No. TM cannot make bootable backups. You can make bootable backups using the Restore option of Disk Utility or any of the following backup utilities (not an all-inclusive list:)
1. Retrospect Desktop (Commercial)
2. Synchronize! Pro X (Commercial)
3. Synk (Backup, Standard, or Pro)
4. Deja Vu (Shareware)
5. Carbon Copy Cloner (Donationware)
6. SuperDuper! (Commercial)
7. Intego Personal Backup (Commercial)
8. Data Backup (Commercial)
9. SilverKeeper 2.0 (Freeware)
10. MimMac (Commercial)
11. Tri-Backup (Commercial)

Can I restore my mac from a Time Machine backup once I have used BootCamp to partition and set up Windows (without erasing all of the Windows content)?

A few months ago I partitioned my mac using BootCamp and successfully installed Windows and a few Windows-only programs (games). I never restored my mac from the Time Machine backup and now I would really like all of my files back on my mac. I am wondering if I insert the osx install disc and restore from Time Machine backup, will that get rid of the partition I made for Windows? Will the Windows side of my hard drive stay in tact or will everything on that side get erased when I restore the mac side from the Time Machine backup. It was a HUUUUUUUGE pain to do the BootCamp partition and get everything Windows set up and I would really like to not have to do that all over again. I just want to make sure that if I insert the mac osx install disc and restore from Time Machine backup it will only affect the Mac partition, NOT the Windows partition.

Hi,
Time Machine does not touch your BootCamp Windows.
It simply said ignores it completely.
Nonetheless, I am curious as to why you wanna restore a Time Machine backup.
Usually during partitioning with the BootCamp Assistant in OSX to make the Windows partition your OSX stays intact.
Regards
Stefan

I just bought and backed up my computer and time machine with a "Seagate BackUp Plus for Mac". Now my time machine is empty. Panicked. can anyone help?

I just bought and backed up my computer and time machine with a "Seagate BackUp Plus for Mac". Now my time machine is empty. Panicked. can anyone help?

Lets start over...
Please restart the network.. shut down everything..
Restart in order.. modem.. router.. if different to TC.. or TC.. client devices.. wait 2min between each startup.
If the TC does not show up on the computer, in finder.. then we need more info.. what OS are you running?
Does the TC show up in Airport utility? Are you running wireless or ethernet?
If you still have issues.. plug the TC directly into the computer by ethernet.
Do a full factory reset of the TC.. and see if it now shows up.
Please tell us exactly what model TC it is and how old.. the A1xxx model number from the base will help if you don't know.
You take a screen shot of the TC opened in finder.
eg..
My TC is named Tardis4.. click on it.. and then open the data folder.. on this one called Tardisdata.
Then take a screen shot of it so we can see what the problem is.. screenshot.. with area selection.. control + shift + 4 .. the picture goes into the desktop.. and then you click the picture icon in the posting web page controls and select the picture.

Can I backup with Time machine and continue to use my mac?

Hi I backed up my complete system with time machine and left the system alone. My question is when I do future backups can I continue to use the computer whilst the backup is happening or should I leave it alone whilst the backup is happening?
Thanks!

The automatic backups aren't nearly as noticeable as the initial backup. Time Machine is designed to do its thing politely in the background while you use your computer. I rarely even notice it. However, if you are using resource intensive apps you might want to turn off Time Machine in System Preferences until your are finished so your apps have access to all available horsepower.

I'm having a hard time setting up my external hard from with my AirPort Extreme and Time Machine Backups.

I have been using a Mac Mini with an external hard and Time Machine. I bought an Airport Extreme and have had problem setting up the hard drive using the USB port on the Airport Extreme. I also just recently bought a Mac Book Air and hope to have both computers back up to the external hard drive using Time Machine and Airport Extreme. I have been using the optical drive from the Mac mini to load programs into the Mac Book Air. I think I'm just getting confused in Finder. I am just not seeing the hard drive. I ended up plugging the hard drive back into the Mac Mini and that is work fine again. How do I setting the external hard drive up to the AirPort Extreme and use for both computers? Or at least to start with the Mac mini.

It's critical to understand that Time Machine (TM) stores backups differently between local and network drives. That would mean the TM backup on your locally attached USB hard drive will not be directly useable when it is connected to the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS). There is a way to copy a local version to a network version, but it is not fool-proof. When you do connect this drive and point TM to it, TM will start a brand new backup, leaving your existing backup as is.
If your current backup is critical to you, you may want to consider getting a second USB drive to attach to the Extreme and use your existing one as a backup ... or use TM's multi-backup process to backup to more than one destination drive alternatively.
So, at this point, you may want to make a decision on how you want to go forward to help provide a solution for you.
To directly answer your question, when you go to select a destination for a Time Machine backup, the drive(s) that show up under "Backup Disks" are those that TM already recognizes and has backed up to. Those listed under "Available Disks" are drives (either local or on the network) that TM can back up to.

"No configured AirPort base stations have been found." I can see the content of the TimeCapsule's drive in finder and Time Machine but it no longer is making backups. Ideas?

Bought new TimeCapsule March 2013. Worked fine. Now get "No configured AirPort base stations have been found." I can see the content of the TimeCapsule's drive in finder and Time Machine but it no longer is making backups. Ideas?

Make sure that you have AirPort Utility 6.3.1 installed on your Mac.
AirPort Utility 6.3.1 for Mac - Support - Apple
Then, power off the entire network...all devices...in any order that you want
Wait a minute, then start the modem first and let it run a full minute
Start the next device connected to the modem, which may be your Time Capsule and let it run a minute
Keep starting devices one at a time the same way until the entire network is back up
See if AirPort Utility can "see" the Time Capsule now.
If yes, try another backup. If you encounter an error message, post back with the exact message.

I have a 500 gb hard drive partitioned for files and time machine but when i connect it to my mac only the time machine one shows up

well as the title says i have a 500gb hard drive with 2 partitions one with time machine and one for files it worked perefectly until yesterday only the time machine partition appeared in finder, i checked disk utility and both partitions appeared but the one for files appeared in grey and when i press mount an error comes up.

The repair shop likely replaced a major circuit board on your MacBook Pro, so Time Machine thinks that you have a "new" computer and it wants to make a new complete backup of your Mac.
You are going to have to make a decision to either add another new Time Capsule....or USB drive to your existing Time Capsule....and in effect start over with a new backup of your Mac and then move forward again.
For "most" users, I think this is probably the best plan because you preserve all your old backups in case you need them at some point, and you start over again with a new Time Capsule so you have plenty of room for years of new backups.
Or, as you have mentioned, you have the option of erasing the Time Capsule drive and starting all over again. The upside is that you start over and have plenty of room for new backups. The downside is that you lose years of backups.
Another option....trying to manually delete old backups individually....is tricky business....and very time consuming. To get an idea of what is involved here, study this FAQ by Pondini, our resident Time Capsule and Time Machine expert on the Community Support area. In particular, study the pink box.
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/12.html
Once you look through this, I think you may agree that this type of surgery is not for the faint of heart. I would suggest that you consider this only if one of the other options just cannot work for you.

I recently deleted imovie 9 .and i don't have a cd and i have not made backup from time machine ..i want it back.plz help me..

i recently deleted imovie 9 .and i don't have a cd and i have not made backup from time machine ..i want it back.plz help me..

It depends how you installed it.
If you installed from your iLife 11 DVD, then you can insert the DVD and install it again.
If you purchased it from the Mac App Store, you can open the Mac App Store, go to the Purchases tab, and reinstall from there.

Spotlight constantly indexing and Time Machine endlessly preparing backup

Hi,
I have a Macbook Pro 5,5 and Mac OS X 10.8.4
Lately I noticed that Spotlight was pretty much constantly indexing, so I went to "System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy" and I dragged my HD there to prevent Spotlight from indexing it. Then rebooted my laptop and removed my HD again, which caused my Spolight to start indexing again.
After a night of indexing, everything seemed to be working fine. Nevertheless, today Spotlight is once again constantly indexing my computer, and the bar just won't go beyond "Estimating Indexing Time". What could I do to solve this issue?
Related to this, I assume, is my inability to backup through Time Machine. I feel like Time Machine is waiting for Spotlight to complete its indexing in order to start its backup-job, is that correct?
Thanks for your help,
Sander

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
syslog -k Sender mdworker -o -k Sender mds | grep -v boxd | tail | open -f -a TextEdit
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V).
The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear.
A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. If the command produced no output, the window will be empty. Post the contents of the TextEdit window (not the Terminal window), if any — the text, please, not a screenshot. The title of the window doesn't matter, and you don't need to post that.

.Mac Backup and Time Machine?

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