Time Capsule - Deleting Files from Laptop

I just purchased a TC with the understanding that it could be used as an external drive. My MacBook is almost filled up with files and my desire was to back up using the TC, erase the files from the MacBook with them being stored on the TC as a backup that I could retrieve as necessary and thereby freeing up space on the Mac. Is this a workable solution?

Time Machine is a backup utility. It is not designed to be used as mechanism for storing different files that you don't want on your main drive because you are running out of space. Time Machine does keep a history of what you had on your main drive but you cannot control what it will keep. It's great for ensuring you have a copy of your current files or files you have had recently, but to access them you need to restore them back to your MacBook hard drive.
You need to use the MyBook hard drive just as a hard drive when you want to access files, like photos that you don't want on you MacBook hard drive. For ordinary documents you can just move the files onto the drive. For iTunes and iPhoto you should check out the discussion areas for each of those applications.

Similar Messages

  • Time Capsule: deleted files

    Hello
    If the Time Capsule backs up my computer, and then I delete files from my computer, are the files still available on the time capsule?
    Thanks!

    A good backup plan means that you have an "original" copy on one drive and a "backup" on another drive.
    With your plan....
    When....not if....the Time Capsule fails or has a problem you will lose all of your important files.
    In other workds, if you delete the files from one drive.......you have no backups.
    Only the most foolhardy of users would consider this.

  • Time Machine Deleted Files From A Non-Full Backup?

    OK... I just noticed something strange... I had some movie files that I deleted sometime yesterday (don't need them anymore)... just now, I wanted to see to retrieve one of them with TM and they're gone!
    My backup drive is nowhere near full and TM didn't warn me about deleting anything... looking at my backups, I noticed that I only have backups for yesterday at 8:03AM and from 8:09PM (and on)... I'm guessing that's the case because anything before 8:09PM is now more than 24 hrs old... hence, it's 'thinned out'... I also noticed that I only have my initial backup from Friday... not the several it made afterwards... and that backup from Friday is missing some data I had that was captured by the later backups...
    What's going on here? Seems to me that it should have all of my stuff, no?

    jdelima wrote:
    If you have all of the hourly data essentially versioned and incorporated into the daily, then Joe wants to restore from 3 days ago, if he has a file there that he has changed every single hour for that particular day, then he has 24 possible files to restore! It becomes a versioning nightmare. Though my example is extreme it's possible.
    Yeah, but that is what computers are good at, though. You can even put a simple UI on this, where the most recent version (the last edited version before its untimely deletion) is the only thing you see, unless you want to delve deeper into the depths of versions of the file.
    Also consider what is currently done for backups. People manually, or to a schedule, do point in time backups. Not as frequently as time machine, but it still happens. They have the exact same issues, with the exception that TM may have people becoming relaxed about their data, falsely believing it always going to be in a backup set somewhere.
    Yeah, point-in-time backups are always an issue, because they are just a snapshot, and not a journal of things done to change a file, so you can't recover something if it was never in a point-in-time backup.
    Sure it has it's flaws, but overall it's better there than not.
    I totally agree with that. Getting people to use some backup (even if flawed) is way better than the dismal state of backups for end users. I guess I'm just advocating for improving even further the state of backups, to a point where you can actually rely on them 99.999%.
    In case anyone is interested, I have been participating in an Open Source backup project "Box Backup" for the last few years. It supports the keeping of deleted files as long as the backup server has space left. It also solves another TM problem, in that it backs up only what changed in a large file (like a Parallels virtual Disk), so you don't need to do full backups of every file every time it changes. It has many other features as well, such as network backups, encrypted backups, and multiple platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux, and more).
    Go to http://www.boxbackup.org/ to check it out.
    This, however is not a solution (yet) for the average Joe to use. It requires a server on which to run the backup server (which could be a Mac), and some setup, and use of Terminal.app, etc. But it does solve many of the issues with TM.
    Thanks,
    Per

  • Time Capsule with files other than backups

    I have installed a 3 TB Time Capsule. I use it for Time Machine backups from an iMac and a Macbook Air. The Time Capsule has a sparsebundle for each of the Time Machines.
    Question 1. If the Time Capsule runs out of space due to backups from the two computers what will happen? Will the iMac Time Machine delete files from the laptop sparsebundle if it is the first to do a backup after the TC is full?
    Question 2. If I store files other than the sparsebundle on the TC will they be deleted to make space for the sparsebundles to increase in size? If so, is there anyway to prevent the non-Time Machine files from being deleted?
    Thank you.
    Mike

    Question 1. If the Time Capsule runs out of space due to backups from the two computers what will happen? Will the iMac Time Machine delete files from the laptop sparsebundle if it is the first to do a backup after the TC is full?
    No, it will only delete files from its own sparsebundle.
    Question 2. If I store files other than the sparsebundle on the TC will they be deleted to make space for the sparsebundles to increase in size? If so, is there anyway to prevent the non-Time Machine files from being deleted?
    Again No.. the TM has no ability to do anything outside its own sparsebundle.. it will not affect your files.. mixing up data and TM backups is not necessarily a great idea though.
    http://pondini.org/TM/TCQ3.html

  • If I delete files from my computer, do they remain on the time capsule and how do I access them?

    If I delete files from my computer's hard drive do they remain on time capsule? Where? How do I access them?

    So long as the deleted files have been backed up to Time Machine then they will be there for you to acces in the following manner:
    From the Time Machine icon in the Menu Bar click and hold to expose the drop-down menu. Select "Enter Time Machine". [The Time Machine volume must be attached to your Mac, of course, otherwise this procedure will not work.] Once you are in Time Machine go to the date when you remember the file being on your internal drive; you can also do a Search for the file name. Once the file has been located you highlight it and click "Replace" and the file will be replaced; if a file of the same name is in the exact same location you will be presented with the option to replace or keep both.

  • Deleted files from Time Capsule by mistake. How can i recover them?

    I was using DiskTracker to organize the contents of Time Capsule. I deleted some folders from within DiskTracker unaware that this would delete files from Time Capsule itself.
    I have several recovery software but none of them is able to see Time Capsule, as it is connected through my Lan. I have a lot of valuable data and i would appreciate any suggestion or help on recovering these folders. Please note that i have not written or deleted any files since the accident.

    I have the same issue and am about to make another post ... Have you head anything or gotten any tips?

  • Is it possible to delete files from time machine?

    Is it possible to delete files from time machine? I had a drive crash, restored the files to a new drive, and now the old versions and the new versions of the files are both backed up, taking up a mountain of drive space. Do I just have to wait 'til the drive gets full and then tell it what to delete first?

    Hi, I need help in a related problem. I have 500gb time capsule. I needed larger hard drive, so I now use TM to back up to a different 1tb hard drive. So I don't need the TC as a TM back up device. But I want to use the TC's hard drive as an extra external hard drive. I deleted the files that were on it. but it still shows it has a sparsebundle file with a size of over 400gb ( probably the size of the old backups). When I use disk utility to try to erase it, I am not offered the erase tab. This "disk" does show on the desk top as a mounted disk (I think) with only 53 gb free. How can I set this up so all the disk space is free and I can use it for storing files, not as a back up? Thanks

  • If I use Time Machine to back-up my files, can I delete files from my Mac Air?

    My Macbook Air hard drive is full, and I want to move photos to an external drive.  Once Time Machine has done a back-up, can I simply delete files from the Macbook Air?

    If you can attach an external drive to the MacBook Air, you could move your image library to the external drive, then configure Time Machine to back up both your MacBook Air and the external drive.
    This way, you would have your "originals" 'on one drive and "backups" on another drive. That is what backups are all about. If you move your images to the Time Capsule, they will be deleted sooner or later when Time Machine is looking for more backup space. In the meantime, even if you have the images on the Time Capsule....you will have no backups in the event of a problem with the Time Capsule or drive you are using for Time Machine.

  • My 2 TB Time Capsule's memory is full because it will not automatically delete old files as it is supposed to, so it is giving me zero backup of my two computers now.  How can this be fixed so my Time Capsule deletes the old data and saves the new?

    My 2 TB Time Capsule’s memory is full because it will notautomatically delete old files as it is supposed to, so it is giving me zerobackup of my two computers now. How can this be fixed so my Time Capsule deletes the old data and savesthe new?
    Neither my local computer consultant nor I have been ableto change any of the settings in Time Machine to correct this problem.  Working with the choices in the TimeMachine, there does not appear that there is any way to change the frequency ofthe backups either, so, after a year has elapsed, the time capsule is full, andmy only choice appears to be to erase all the current data on the Time Capsuleand start over, something that I do not want to at all let alone repeat on anannual basis.  My questions are:
    What can be done to have my Time Capsule delete old filesas it is supposed to do, so it has memory available to allow my computers toback up? 
    Is this a software problem that can be fixed online or isdoes this require a mechanical fix of defective hardware?

    How much data is being backed-up from each Mac?  (see what's shown for Estimated size of full backup under the exclusions box in Time Machine Prefs > Options).
    Is there any other data on your Time Capsule, besides the backups?
    Most likely, there just isn't room.  Time Machine may be trying to do a very large (or full) backup of one or both Macs, and can't.  Since it won't ever delete the most recent backup, there has to be enough room for one full backup plus whatever it's trying to back up now, plus 20% (for workspace).
    Also see #C4 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting for more details.

  • How the files are decreasing from RBS storage after some time i delete docs from document library, where shld I check the settings for this?

    HI
    I created a web application and configured  rbs storage ,
    I uploaded documents (for ex: 18 number)
     after uploaded  documents ,  and observed the RBS storage folder, number of files are increasing (39 number) , its working fine
    and also  I run the querys to check the rows increasing or not , (when I upload new doc rows are increased its fine also)
    select count(*) from alldocs
    Select count(*) from AllDocstreams
    but when I delete some docs from document library ,
    1)the doc itself deleted from document library
    2)when I check the rbs storage  there is no number of files are decreased(its still 39 files ), its same as  before doc deleted from doc library
    after some time I found the number of files are decreasing from RBS storage folder in sql server,
    here I want to know the how the files are decreasing from RBS storage  after some time, where  shld I check the settings for this? and how I control on it
    here how I know the settings for cleaning up orphan BLBOS how  these deleted BLOB
    adil

    1. WHen you delete the file from Sharepoint, it is still present in Recycle bin. This is a default setting in sharepoint for 30 days. Once files are deleted fro Recycle bin, it can also be delete from RBS
    2. There is a RBS cleanup job which deletes files from RBS. for more info check 
    http://mehuljamod.blogspot.in/2012/09/remote-blob-storage-maintainer-rbs.html

  • How do you delete file from time machine back up?

    How do you delete file from time machine back up?

    This from Apple KB Article  If Time Machine is not in your Dock, you can enter Time Machine from the Menu Bar or System Preferences.
    Deleting data from a Time Machine backup
    To delete all backups of one or more items from a Time Machine backup, follow these steps:
    Click the Time Machine icon on your Dock to enter the Time Machine restore interface.
    Click on the item you would like to delete. Command-click to select multiple items.
    Control-click (or right click) the highlighted item(s) and select "Delete All Backups of..." from the contextual menu, or select "Delete all backups of..." from the Action Item menu.
    Authenticate with an administrator password when prompted.

  • HT3275 TIme Machine deleting files I deleted from my home drive

    This seems like a very basic problem but I cant find an answer and am no longer able to use Apple Support.  I am trying to erase files from my very crowded home drive.  I bought an external drive and backed up all fikles there.  However, now when I delete files from my home drive and plug in the external drive, Time Machine delets the files I deleted from my home drive on the external drive which defeats my purpose.  Can anyone help a hopelsessly tech savvyless stranger.
    Thanks So much

    Copy the files to the external drive in the Finder instead of going through Time Machine. If you want that drive to have a bootable OS, you'll need to use software such as Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper.
    Time Machine backups are designed for recovery of accidentally or inadvertently deleted files. They aren't meant for primary storage of files you don't want on any other drive. In any case, drives eventually fail; anything you want to keep shouldn't be on only one drive.
    (70364)

  • Deleting files from macbook after time machine back up

    My macbook's hard drive is almost full so I bought an external hard drive. I used the time machine to back up my hard drive. My intention was to delete some files (photos, video and music) from my macbook to free up space but I read from the FAQs that I am not supposed to do that. How then can I free up space on my macbook's hard drive?
    Thanks.

    You can delete files from your hard drive to free up space, but within the month those files will also be removed from your TM backup. If you want to save the files you would delete, then you need to save them in some other free storage space, but do not use TM. TM's backups are dynamic and change with the changes on your hard drive. They are not a substitute for permanent storage space.
    You might consider partitioning the backup drive and using one of the partitions for TM and the other for permanent storage. Be clear that you should allocate about twice the capacity of your hard drive to the TM partition.

  • Finding password email in time capsule backup file

    My iMac died last week and is in the Apple shop getting a new logic board and hard drive.
    In the meantime, there is a web site that I want to access, but I don't have the password. My iMac always recalls the file when I used to log in from there.
    I've used the "Back-in-Time" application to access some files from my Time Capsule while using my laptop. Is there a way to find a web site password? (I've already tried the 'forgot your password' link, and for some reason it did not send the password to me).
    I also know I have an email in Apple Mail with the password on it. They sent it to me when I originally joined the site. Is there a way to search for specific emails from "Back-in-Time"?

    VecchieAbitudini wrote:
    Can I use it as storage (iTunes library, iPhoto pictures, iMovie stuff...) directly from iMac ? Is it visible as a normal network drive where I can store files ?
    Yes, but as Bob says, your best bet will be to create one or more +disk images+ (via Disk Utility, in your Applications/Utilities folder) for that data.
    The reason for this is, Time Machine is designed to use all the space available to it for backups; once it's full, TM begins deleting the oldest backup(s) when it needs room for new ones.
    Thus making +disk image(s)+ will reserve a certain amount of space that Time Machine can't fill.
    Also, be sure you have other backups of any data you put there. When the TC's disk fails (and all disk drives fail, sooner or later), you may lose anything on it.

  • New External Drive connected to Time Capsule moving files problem

    I have a late 2009 13" unibody MacBook Pro, that I primarily use for video editing/converting. I use my Time Capsule as a network through which I can connect to my external hard drives via USB for videos and such. I've used at least two other external hard drives along with my Time Capsule for a year and a half with very few problems, aside from the inevitable crash of one. Before yesterday, I had a 1TB Western Digital MyBook (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=210) and a 2TB Verbatim Desktop HD (http://www.verbatim.com/prod/hard-drives/desktop/usb-2.0/) connected through my 1TB Time Capsule and aside from the Verbatim drive being rather sluggish most of the time, everything was working fine.
    Yesterday, I got a new external drive, an iOmega MiniMax 2TB (http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/external-hard-drive-desktop/ultramax-minimax /minimax800/?partner=4760). I spent yesterday and most of today moving files around and whatnot through a wired connection (iOmega via firewire 800, Verbatim via USB, MyBook via USB, and Time Capsule via Ethernet), and everything moved quickly and without any problems.
    I hooked my Time Capsule up to my modem, plugged in the iOmega and Verbatim drives via USB to the TC, and started my laptop. When I opened the drives, everything was working fine... And then I tried to move a file to the iOmega drive... I was moving an episode of The Killing. I dragged it into the folder and went to Safari to look something up and suddenly realized ten minutes later that I still hadn't heard the noise telling me that the file had finished. I looked at the move dialogue box and it said "156.8 MB of 323.8 MB - About 10 Seconds". I watched it for another ten minutes and it didn't move. So I clicked cancel move and the rainbow wheel of death came up and I had to force reboot my computer.
    When I restarted, I opened up finder to access the drives through my Time Capsule, and it "failed to connect" to my Time Capsule. So I went back into my office to flip the switch on the surge protector in order to restart the process. I turned on my computer and I had no problem accessing my hard drives... Until I tried to move an episode of United States of Tara into the iOmega hard drive. This time, it said, "192.5 MB of 202.6 MB - About 5 Seconds" and completely stopped moving again. And the same thing happened when I clicked the little grey "x" to cancel the move.
    I repeated the process several more times with no luck. Then I thought it might help to see if it does the same thing with documents. So I dragged just a random document to the iOmega and it took about 30 seconds, but it did it successfully. So I tried to move the episode of The Killing again and I let it go for, like, 25-30 minutes. After this time, I got a notification from finder saying, "Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in "[the file]" can't be read or written. (Error Code -36)". Then when I went back into the "Shared" part of the sidebar to go back into my Time Capsule folder, it said "Connection Failed"
    So what exactly does this mean? Are the Time Capsule and iOmega not compatible? Can I only move the files through a wired connection [which would be unfortunate]? Do I need to rejigger the USB configuration? Is the error code just for these two episodes and it's just a random coincidence that it happened the day after I got a new drive?
    Thanks for any help anyone can give me!
    - Alex

    I have attached the macbook to the tc via ethernet cable. Should I turn off my wireless connection or will itunes recognize to go with the faster connection on it's own?
    You MBP will try to connect based on the order of the list of network devices on the System Preferences > Network window. If Ethernet is not at the top of the list, then go ahead and temporarily disable AirPort.
    After all this is done will the wireless connection be fast enough for normal itunes operation?
    For audio streaming it should be, but just be aware that your iTunes host will have to get the audio source wirelessly from the TC, which in turn will have to get the data from the USB hard drive. Finally, the iTunes host will have to wirelessly stream the iTunes audio via AirTunes to the AirPort Express.

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