Should I use Time Machine?

I have a new Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB external hard drive. I also have an old PowerPC iBook G3, with a 40GB hard drive and a dead logic board. I can still access the iBook's HD by hooking it up to my current MacBook and starting it up in Target Disk mode. My current MacBook has a 120GB hard drive, which is getting full.
This is the first time I've ever used external storage. What I would like to do is:
a) copy the contents of the iBook's HD to the external HD;
b) back up the contents of the MacBook's HD;
c) free up some space on the MacBook's HD.
My questions:
1. Do I need to format the external drive before doing anything? If so, am I right in thinking that I should do this in Disk Utility > Erase, and choose 'Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)'?
2. If I do this, do I need to worry about the files that were already on the drive when it arrived from the manufacturer? (I might keep the User Guide pdf, but everything else seems to be .exe files, or files for which there is no default application specified to open them.)
3. Do I need to create a partition on the external HD for the contents of the old iBook HD?
4. Will Time Machine work on a partitioned external HD?
5. Should I use Time Machine to back up the contents of my MacBook, or do it manually? The things that I'm most concerned to back up are my photographs. However, these are also the files which take up the most room on my MacBook HD (I shoot in RAW - lots of 10MB+ files), so are the obvious candidates for files to keep on the external HD in order to free up space on the MacBook. If I back up using TM, then erase some photos from the MacBook hard drive, will TM then erase them from the external hard drive as well - either immediately or when the external hard drive fills up - or will they be safe forever? Sorry, I'm not entirely clear how TM actually works...
I'm a real novice here. Advice on any or all of the above will be much appreciated.
Michael

GoonInChief wrote:
My questions:
1. Do I need to format the external drive before doing anything? If so, am I right in thinking that I should do this in Disk Utility > Erase, and choose 'Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)'?
If it's not HFS+, it needs to be formatted to HFS+ (Mac OS Extended - Journaled) via Disk Utility. All data will be lost. See Answer 4.
2. If I do this, do I need to worry about the files that were already on the drive when it arrived from the manufacturer? (I might keep the User Guide pdf, but everything else seems to be .exe files, or files for which there is no default application specified to open them.)
If you want to keep the files, copy it to another location.
3. Do I need to create a partition on the external HD for the contents of the old iBook HD?
If you want to.
4. Will Time Machine work on a partitioned external HD?
Yes, but it needs to be formatted HFS+. If you are creating a separate partition, you use a GUID partition map for an Intel iMac (APM for PPC).
5. Should I use Time Machine to back up the contents of my MacBook, or do it manually? The things that I'm most concerned to back up are my photographs. However, these are also the files which take up the most room on my MacBook HD (I shoot in RAW - lots of 10MB+ files), so are the obvious candidates for files to keep on the external HD in order to free up space on the MacBook. If I back up using TM, then erase some photos from the MacBook hard drive, will TM then erase them from the external hard drive as well - either immediately or when the external hard drive fills up - or will they be safe forever? Sorry, I'm not entirely clear how TM actually works...
Absolutely NOT! TM is not for archiving. You delete files are NOT safe forever.

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Should I use time machine to backup server?

moving from 10.4 server running on an emac, to a 10.5 setup on a mac pro tower, 2 500gig hard drives. I used to use silverkeeper as an automatic backup utility, I am wondering if it is a good idea to use time machine. I like the idea of being able to go back in time to restore users files, or take the system back when something gets messed up. Any suggestions? I have about 100 users with home directories on server. Clients are mostly running 10.4 with some 10.3. I am not talking about allowing clients to time machine to server, but rather backing up the entire server to the 2nd drive using time machine.

I think this is a controversial topic.
Apple certainly doesn't support it. Apple omits a bunch of key folders depending on what you use your server for. For example, Time Machine does not backup /var/spool which is where the mail store is located. Additionally, Time Machine does not back up logs.
These exclusions can be seen, and commented out, here:
/System/Library/CoreServices/backupd.bundle/Contents/Resources/StdExclusions.pli st
I personally comment out the exclusion of /var/spool and additionally any logs. I also set ServerAdmin to roll my logs so that Time Machine isn't constantly backing up the same log file for more than 7 days.
Of course, you must re-verify that your changes are in place after any software update.
Once I made these changes, I've been very happy with the use of Time Machine to backup my server.

New Hard Drive- Should I use Time Machine for "fresh" install?

I have a first generation Early 2008 MacbookPro. Warranty just ended and I want to replace the hard drive w/ the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid. I'm getting a bunch of spin wheel action and things are just running slowly/sluggish. I'm questioning whether or not I should just do a real "fresh" install and load my applications onto the new drive or use TimeMachine. If I use TM am I not adding all the stuff/files that are not needed? Am I adding bloat that I've collected over the past couple of years? Is it better to start w/ a new clean operating system? I do have CS5 and some photo programs that I think I can reinstall. Anyway I wanted to get people's perspective.
Message was edited by: mikked

It's usually best to clean your system up, and deal with any problems before doing major surgery.
With any other scenario, if something goes wrong, how will you know what it was, much less how to fix it?
I'd start with this: [Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509].
Then Verify your internal HD, and repair your Time Machine drive, per #A5 in [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
Then run a +*Repair Permissions+* on your internal HD, via Disk Utility.
Then replace the drive, do a full system restore and run for a while to be sure the new drive and everything else is ok. See #14 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum), for details.
Then start deleting the apps and files you don't need.
Note that, unlike Windoze, leftover files and apps may take up a bit of space, but don't cause any performace problems, unless they're actually running.
The main problems with trying to transfer things selectively are:
Permissions. If you install OSX and set up a user account, that account, even if it has the same name, may not have permission to restore the files on your backups or other drives.
Applications. Simple apps can be transferred individually, such as by restoring from Time Machine. Complex ones usually can't, as their installers put other files in other places. If you don't know what and where they all are, and restore them, too, the app won't work properly, if at all. But if you have all the original discs (and serial numbers/purchase keys), you can just reinstall them.

Should I use time machine, CCC or a bootable installer for OS X Yosemite

I am about to change my mid-2010 MBP and install a Samsung 850 pro. I have Yosemite (by the way: Yosemite performance is good, no slowness; hdd filled only 50%) - I have VPN Tracker and Microsoft Remote Desktop as main applications at the moment. I will also use it for itunes.
I have made a backup on time machine.
The process instructions on the net vary:
1) After replacing the HDD with the SSD, press down Command + R, this opens boot utility of Yosemite; then with disk utility format the SSD as MacOs ext journal. then: Back-up from time machine.
2) OR: Use Carbon Copy Cloner. Connect the SSD on a USB tray (I have one) and commence from there before installing. On re
3) OR: Should I first - Create a bootable installer for OS X Yosemite; the instruction says: Download the OS X Installer app from the Mac App Store. But I can't find it. And then clone as Kappy describes.
- Isn't that replaced by the Command + R startup procedure?
& I am looking for insight in this tip:
4) I read someone failed in installing an SSD because he forgot an I/F sensor connection (Temperature gauge??) ; but I see such a connector nowhere in the video's.
Of course I prefer 1), looks most straightforward as being within the Apple software mindset.
anything will help me.

First I would explore the potential problems you may face installing a third party SSD in a MBA running Yosemite. Just a sample:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/os-x-yosemite-and-third-party-ssds-heres-what-you-n eed-to-know/
The simplest way of installing a new storage device is to connect it to the MBP via USB and then format it Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in Disk Utility>Erase.
Then use CCC or Disk Utility>Restore to copy the data to the SSD from the internal HDD.
Then test to see if the external SSD will boot the MBP. If so, make the physical swap.
Ciao.

Should I use Time Machine or SuperDuper to revert?

Just before "upgrading" to iTunes 11, my iMac was backed up - twice - I have an external hardrive partitioned for use with both Time Machine and SuperDuper.
After fooling around with iTunes 11, I now need to revert to one of my back ups. I believe my options are:
A. Use my Time Machine backup to revert to my system as it was just before the software was updated.
B. Boot from the SuperDuper clone, and reverse clone it, writing the pre-upgrade files over the present system.
Assuming each back up is identical, is there any advantage to using one method over the other?
-gw

I have not upgraded the OS since making my backups. All I've done is:
Ugrade iTunes from 10.7 to 11.something, and,
Totally screwed up my iTunes library.
OK, maybe I'll loose a few emails and text doucments which I can live without.
So, I believe my next step is to boot from the SuperDuper clone, and write the clone to my iMac, using "Erase, then Copy"
BTW, I tried to find a forum devoted to Time machine, but couldn't find one. I just discovered there is a "Time Machine" subcategory under the "Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard" forum. That is where I probably should have posted this question - and if an administrator wants to move it there, that would be fine by me.
Message was edited by: Gary Wright4 for brevity

Should I use time machine if I am going to use bootcamp?

Hello,
I am planning on downloading Windows 7 on bootcamp for the main purpose of playing windows only games on steam.
Is it a good idea to back everything up on Time Machine? I have 800GB of free space, but would I need a disk drive? At the moment, I cannot get a disk drive so can I still backup everything on Time Machine? Will my hard drive be ruined?
Also, can I buy Windows 7 for bootcamp online or do I have to buy a physical disk or something?
Thanks.

batsassin wrote:
Do i need a seperate disk drive to back everything up or can I back it up on my current drive (which came with my mac)
Backing up to your internal drive is foolish, when it fails your data, and your backups are lost. Time Machine will not backup Boot Camp at all.

Going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drive should I buy to back up computer using "time machine". Have 320 gb hard drive.

I am going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drives should I buy in order to use time machine. I have a 320 GB hard drive. Don't have too much on computer.

patmc102 wrote:
I am going to upgrade to Lion. First have to back up computer. What external hard drives should I buy in order to use time machine. I have a 320 GB hard drive. Don't have too much on computer.
Buy an external drive 320G or larger (much larger is preferable). I do not recommend you use TM for this, instead download a copy of Carbon Copy Cloner and make a clone of your drive. Once this is done you have 2 choices, you can download and install Lion on your internal drive just as you planned or download and install Lion to the external clone, the 2nd method allows you to test the Lion install before committing to it. If the clone with Lion is to your liking then just clone it back to the internal.

Imac has crashed..need new hard drive....had external drive connected...was using time machine.....so...itunes file should be on external drive....how do i import them to my new mac mini?

my iMac has crashed...was told I need a new hard drive.....meantime I bought a mac mini.....I had an external drive connected to the mac....and was using time machine for backups....so....how do i move itunes music files to my new mac mini from the external drive?

Turn Time Machine OFF temporarily in its preference pane. Leave the window open.
Navigate in the Finder to your backup disk, and then to the folder named "Backups.backupdb" at the top level of the volume. If you back up over a network, you'll first have to mount the disk image file containing your backups by double-clicking it. Descend into the folder until you see the snapshots, which are represented by folders with a name that begins with the date of the snapshot. Find the one you want to restore from. There's a link named "Latest" representing the most recent snapshot. Use that one, if possible. Otherwise, you'll have to remember the date of the snapshot you choose.
Inside the snapshot folder is a folder hierarchy like the one on the source volume. Find one of the items you can't restore and select it. Open the Info dialog for the selected item. In the Sharing & Permissions section, you may see an entry in the access list that shows "Fetching…" in the Name column. If so, click the lock icon in the lower right corner of the dialog and authenticate. Then delete the "Fetching…" item from the access list. Give yourself read access if you don't already have it. Click the gear icon below the list and select Apply to enclosed items from the popup menu.
Now you should be able either to copy the item in the Finder or to restore it in the time-travel view. If you use the time-travel view, be sure to select the snapshot you just modified. If successful, repeat the operation with the other items you were unable to restore. You can select multiple items in the Finder and open a single Info dialog for all of them by pressing the key combination option-command-I.
When you're done, turn TM back ON and close its preference pane.

I am backing up my computer to an external hard drive using Time Machine. It has been at 288.91 "used" for a while... should I just let it ride? It's been going for about 7 hours now.

I am backing up my computer to an external hard drive using Time Machine. It has been at 288.91 "used" for a while... should I just let it ride? It's been going for about 7 hours now

It does not immediately delete the files that are missing.. it merely tries to backup the new files it has discovered on the external drive. Since you moved the files there, the backup at least for a while will contain both copies.. and that is why it doesn't have enough space to backup.
Fixing the problem.. hmm pondini is the expert.. you should be able to delete the backup of the photos in existing backup.. there are instructions to do it.. but it is a very poor way to do things.
Much better. .archive off the existing backup.. this is long and slow but worth it. you need a usb drive of the same size as the TC drive. Then erase the TC and start a fresh set of backups.
The alternative is to use the USB drive as a new target.. but it is much slower than the TC internal drive.
http://pondini.org/TM/12.html

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

Hello Drake, I suspect one or more of the Drives needs repairing, but...
Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Can't imaging something not being covered there.

New to Using Time Machine, Should I Even Use It in This Case?

Hey everyone
So I just started a full Time Machine backup on my Macbook Pro to my Seagate 2TB External Hard drive. I make music, so I have a lot of projects and sounds, which I would like to have backed up just incase something happens to my Macbook. I have around 250GB of stuff on my computer, and it says that's it's going to take around 12 hours to back everything up. I'm new to using Time Machine, so I have a few questions:
Will this occur all the time if Time Machine is running? Like, will it keep updating the data I already have and replacing it, or will it just backup new changes/files after this first backup is complete? Is there an option/preference I can change so it only backs up new changes/files instead fully backing up every day?
Does Time Machine store the files/folders onto the external hard drive, or is it just like a backup file that you run which backs up everything?
Thank you guys in advance, really need help with this!

You should not use a Time Machine backup drive for permanent data storage. Use a separate drive for that purpose. It's much safer. Time Machine will over time delete files if they are deleted from the source drive which makes Time Machine a poor long term storage option. If you want a permanent storage option buy a separate drive for that purpose, but do not use Time Machine. User other backup software:
Suggested Backup Software
1. Carbon Copy Cloner
2. Get Backup
3. Deja Vu
4. SuperDuper!
5. Synk Pro
6. Tri-Backup
Others may be found at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on backup and restore. Also read How to Back Up and Restore Your Files.

Should I upgrade to Mac OS X v10.7 before I use Time Machine for the first time?

I bought a macbook pro in 2008. I recently purchased an external hard drive and I can't decide what's the best option:
1. Use Time Machine using Snow Leopard 10.6.8 ?
2. Upgrade to Lion before I use Time Machine (first time)
3. Or just drag my photos and music manually (those are the only things I need to back up)
Thoughts?

I see. My only fear is there seems to be a lot of people who orginally were using Time Machine on SL, then upgraded to Lion and now Time Machine becomes screwy.
Also, if I buy a new Mac (eventually) with Lion, I worry that if I've been using TM on SL, the transition to Lion wont be smooth. I may be overthinking this, but I just want to get it right.
But I see your point: I need to get a full back up of my system as it is now before I make any changes. Thanks for your help.

I just backed up my mac to an external hard drive using Time Machine. What would happen if I turn Time Machine off and then plug the external hard drive back into my computer?

I just backed up my mac to an external hard drive using Time Machine. What would happen if I turn Time Machine off and then plug the external hard drive back into my computer?
What I am ultimately wanting to do is make more room on my computer by backing up all of my files onto the external hard drive and then deleting them off of my computer. However, neededing to be able to retrieve them from the external hard drive later down the road.
From what I have read and am trying to understand, is that I probably shouldn't have used time machine. I need to use the external hard drive like a basic flash drive where I can put things on and get things off without having it automatically update through time machine everytime I connect it to my computer.
Not tech savvy at all and barely understand basics. I need very simple and easy to understand explanations.

sydababy wrote:
and then deleting them off of my computer.
BIG BIG MISTAKE ..... youre making a linchpin deathtrap for your data trying to shove everything on a single fragile HD.
Dont suffer the tragedy other people make, buy another or 2 more HD, theyre cheap as dust.
The number of people who have experienced terror by having a single external HD backup is enormous. One failure that WILL HAPPEN, and kaput,......all gone!
Dont do it, its all about redundancy, redundancy, redundancy.
follow here:
Methodology to protect your data. Backups vs. Archives. Long-term data protection
Deleting them off your computer is fine....having only ONE copy is extremely BAD.
The Tragedy that will be, the tragedy that never should be
Always presume correctly that your data is priceless and takes a very long time to create and often is irreplaceable. Always presume accurately that hard drives are extremely cheap, and you have no excuse not to have multiple redundant copies of your data copied on hard drives and squirreled away several places, lockboxes, safes, fireboxes, offsite and otherwise.
Hard drives aren't prone to failure…hard drives are guaranteed to fail (the very same is true of SSD). Hard drives dont die when aged, hard drives die at any age, and peak in death when young and slowly increase in risk as they age.
Never practice at any time for any reason the false premise and unreal sense of security in thinking your data is safe on any single external hard drive. This is never the case and has proven to be the single most common horrible tragedy of data loss that exists.
Many 100s of millions of hours of lost work and data are lost each year due to this single common false security. This is an unnatural disaster that can avoid by making all data redundant and then redundant again. If you let a $60 additional redundant hard drive and 3 hours of copying stand between you and years of work, then you've made a fundamental mistake countless 1000s of people each year have come to regret.

I got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does someone has a fix???

i got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does anybody has a fix???

Does your external hard drive have it's own power supply? It should.
Is your external hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system? It won't work.
It needs to be formatted either with Mac OS Extended or FAT32.
(There are drivers available to add NTFS support to OS X but their quality is unknown, especially the "free" ones.)

How can I use time machine to back up and play media?

I just bought an external hard drive that I wanted to back up some media files onto (music and photos). I also want to stove videos/movies on the hard drive and play them from there. A few questions:
1. Is that the same as backing up with time machine or is it referred to as something else?
2. Can I use time machine to add new files, or should I do that manually?
3. Once the files are on my hard drive, can I remove them from my computer or should I keep them there?
I know that these questions may seem obvious, but I'm concerned about losing files because I don't understand what time machine actually does. Please feel free to ask me questions if you need to understand my question better. Thanks!

Time Machine makes a backup of your hard drive, which you can restore from, but not use as a repository of data.
Time Machine automatically makes incremental backups as you change things on the Mac HD.
Time Machine is not an archive, meaning if you make a backup, and then delete the originals from your Mac, Time Machine will eventually delete the copies it has made.
However, if you copy the files directly to the external, then you can remove them from the computer. But, those will be your only copies. If that disk dies, they'll be gone. So, that's really not a backup. It's the only source.
You can back up to Time Machine and also store other files on the same disk.

Should I use Time Machine?

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