Time Capsule for Time Machine and Photo Storage

Hi,
Can I use a Time Capsule to store my iPhoto Library and use it to back up my Mac at the Same time?
Thanks

My iPhoto Library is very large and I would like to put it on two or three separate external HDD's in Order to Save Space on my Mac and start fresh.
You have a question for the experts in the iPhoto support area. I would imagine that they will very strongly discourage this....even if it might be possible, which I doubt that it is since the library is a special package file.
iPhoto
Can I use a Time capsule to store Files at the Same Time as using it for Time machine?
Sure, but if you move an "original" file from a computer to the Time Capsule, then the only copy that you have of that file is now on the Time Capsule. You have no backup. So, I would only do this with data that you could afford to lose.
I would never put an iPhoto library on a Time Capsule unless it was strictly for backup purposes.....never for use as an "everyday" library.
if i have an external HDD Pfluges into my Mac when Time Machine is Banking up, will it Backup whatever is on the HDD?
Yes, as I already mentioned in the first response above.....
A much better and safer plan might be to add another USB or FireWire hard drive and connect it directly to your Mac. Move the iPhoto library (or other data) to the hard drive. Now, when Time Machine backs up, it will backup both your Mac and the iPhoto library. (on the attached hard drive).

Similar Messages

Partitioned external drive for Time Machine and Daily storage

Now that I've partitioned my I Terabyte external drive to two partitions using the disk utility with one partition for Time Machine and one partition as my new "hard drive"...my internal drive on the MacBook almost filled....I wanted to move...pix, movies, music..etc to the new drive and have all future storage pointed to that drive not the internal drive....need to have space available on the original drive on the MacBook....How do I move existing stored data and point ongoining saved music..files...etc to the new drive...???
Thank you...Bob

Yogabob wrote:
Now that I've partitioned my I Terabyte external drive to two partitions using the disk utility with one partition for Time Machine and one partition as my new "hard drive"...my internal drive on the MacBook almost filled....I wanted to move...pix, movies, music..etc to the new drive
You could use an application like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to copy them to the new partition, but it's probably just as easy to drag the files/folders to the new partition, then delete the originals.
and have all future storage pointed to that drive not the internal drive
You probably don't really want to do that. Files you're using will be accessed much faster if they're on your internal HD.
Another consideration is, you really should have backups of the moved files somewhere, in case you have a problem with the new drive. Although TM will back them up unless you exclude that partition, if the drive fails, you'll lose both copies.

Sharing a Time Capsule between Time Machine and Data Storage

I currently have a MBP with a 120 GB hard drive that is busting at the seams. I have a 500 GB time capsule which I use Time Machine on. I am going to move iphoto and itunes libraries onto an external drive and I was wondering whether I can share the Time Capsule between TM backup and being an external drive. It currently has more than 325 GB available. Appreciate any advice.

alastairandnicole wrote:
Sorry, I'm not that Mac literate. My plan was to connect the WD Book external hard drive by USB to the Time Capsule so that it will wirelessly mount. Will TM back that up automatically?
No TM will not back up network drives. as I said it has to be directly attached. if you attach the drive to the computer instead of the TC, TM will back it up.

HT201250 Do I need to partition my external hard drive if I'm using Time Machine and other storage?

I never used Time Machine before. I was storing select files on my external hard drive as well as using my libraries (IPhoto, ITune, IMovies) directly off of the external hard drive. That hard drive is giving me problems, so I bought a new one. I want to set up Time Machine on this one, but I also want to keep my active libraries on it. Do I need to partition the external hard drive?

You can partition the new drive, just don't make one of the partitons a TimeMachine drive, save a TM for a entire drive with more space than the boot drive as it saves "states" thus requires more room than most people expect.
I highly advise one drive to one drive for backups, and not placing too many backup eggs in one vulnerable hardware basket basically.
Drives are cheap, data is not. Hardware can fail just as often as software, so you need a multiple backup and storage stragedy to protect even against theft and fire.
Most commonly used backup methods

Using external HDD for Time Machine and files in one single partition ?

Hello everybody.
I've been searching for some time now and have encountered some contradictory answers, so I turn to you.
I would like to know if it's possible (one) and safe (two) to use a single partition for both Time Machine and file storage. I've read that this should be ok, since TM is actually only a single folder, which means the rest can easily be used as a standard Finder drive. Some people say however that this is not good to do so, because TM will run out of space quicker. But if the -let's say- 30Gb used for files where used by TM after a month, that would be the same, wouldn't it ? It would simply erase older backups. But is it safe to do so ? Will Time Machine not makes errors when accessing files or doing an entire system backup ? I don't won't to make a new partition really, that's why I'm asking you here, to let me know some arguments about it.
Thank you very much for your answers.

Marekova wrote:
Yet, overlooking that, you say "safe: mostly", why is that ? where's the "danger" or, what where you thinking when you said that ? Aren't these simple folder's ? Do you mean that, because during a full backup, these "stranger" files could be a problem ? It would be great if that was clarified, since I've found no indication about it elsewhere, has anyone tryed it ?
Oh, yes folks have tried it. That's why I (and many others) recommended against it.
Here's a similar thread from just the other day: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1926893 Note the responses from the top 2 "gurus" on this forum.
I probably should have asked you what you mean by "safe." If you mean, will TM delete other files on it's partition, no, it won't. If you mean, can there be problems, then yes, there can be conflicts and difficulties, as mentioned.
As to whether TM backups are simple folders, no, they aren't. They look like normal files and folders, but they actually contain what are variously called "hard links," "multi-links," and (my own personal favorite term) "ghost clones." Think of them as very fancy aliases. So they're not to be fooled with directly, by us mere mortals.
If you want more on this: http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2007/10/mac-os-x-10-5.ars/14
and/or: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/12/roadto_mac_os_x_leopard_timemachine.html
and, if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#tutorial=leopardtimemachine
You should also know that, for some reason, TM stores it's backups differently when it does them wirelessly. In that case, they're in a "SparseBundle," very different from the structure used for directly-attached backups.
All the more reason to put each Mac's backups in a separate partition, and if you want to store other data there also, a 3rd partition for that.
I've been using Mac since many years now, but I have no idea about backups, so excuse me if the statements appear a little childish.
Nope. Even those of us who are "older than dirt" and have used many flavors and varieties of backup systems for decades are in a whole new world with Time Machine.
And most of the folks on this forum who found themselves in deep trouble got there because they assumed things or didn't ask.

Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

The external drive must be connected to the Mac using either USB or FireWire
You must remove the external hard drive from the list of items that are "excluded" from backups in Time Machine Preferences.
Here's how:
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Time Machine
Click Options
Look for the name of the hard drive in the list of "excluded" items and click on it to highlight it
Click the -- (minus) button at the bottom of the list to remove the hard drive from the list of "excluded" items....so it will now be backed up
Strongly recommend that you do the first backup using Ethenret from your computer to the Time Capsule since the entire contents of the external drive will be copied on the first pass. Ethernet will be 3-5 faster than wireless.
Once you have the first backup done, you can use wireless for subsequent backups since they will nornally be much smaller....unless you add large files to the external drive.

Use time capsule both for time machine and external disk

is there a tuto on how to configure the time capsule to be able to use it both as a time machine back-up utility and a storage external disk for music files and video files, for example?

Mixing Time Machine backups and other data on a TC's internal HD presents some conflicts. See #Q3 in Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule for an explanation and some workarounds.
Also . . . how are you planning to back up the "other" data?

Can I use my external HD for Time Machine and still use it for storage?

I have a 1TB external HD and my computer has yet to arrive. I was planning on backing it up via Time Machine and I'm wondering if my external HD will still be useable as a storage device once I pair it with Time Machine.
There's no way the backup will take up the full 1TB of space, so I'm hoping it doesn't just go to waste >.<

If you really only want backups of the current contents, don't use Time Machine.
It's designed to keep copies of things you've changed or deleted for as long as possible. This allows you an excellent chance to recover a previous version of something you changed or deleted in error.
It also allows you to revert your entire system to the exact state it was in at the time of any previous backup, even if that's a different version of OSX. It's rare, but if an OSX update, or installation of a kernel extension or 3rd-party app makes a huge mess, it's much easier and more reliable than rebuilding everything.
You might want to review the [Time Machine Tutorial|http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#timemachinebasics] and perhaps browse [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). See #1 there for size considerations.
For alternatives, see Kappy's post on [Basic Backup|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12366915#12366915].

Can I use Time Capsule for Time Machine and a place to put my iPhoto Library

Can I use Time Capsule for Time Machine and a place to put my iPhoto Library?

Only if you partition the Time Capsure into two partitions, one for TM and one for the iPhoto LIbrary. But you won't be able to backup that library as it will be on the same drive as the TM backups.
It's not recommended. An alternative solution is to get another EHD, move the library to it and run it from there. Then TM can backup both your boot drive and the working EHD drive.
OT

Can I view photos and movies from my external hard drive? I used Time Machine and a WD Passport for backup. Since my drive on my MacBook Pro is filling up I was planning to delete some of the movies and photos.

Can I view photos and movies from my external hard drive? I used Time Machine and a WD Passport for backup. Since my drive on my MacBook Pro is filling up I was planning to delete some of the movies and photos. I wanted to see if I could view them from the hard drive. Thanks

Hello, eco1.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
This sounds like you are wanting to move your iTunes media folder to an external drive and have iTunes this folder from this location. If this is the case then I would recommend taking a look at the article below.
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
Cheers,
Jason H.

I have 2 WD external HD for back up. One is hooked up to the Time Machine and the other is used to store all my large photo files. The time machine excludes the second one. I need to back this up as well . How do I reformat it so it will ?

I just purchased 2 WD TB external hard drives. I have one formatted to be used with the time machine and it is working well. the other that i am using to store large files is excluded from the time machine. I can't click on it and add as per instructions. It won't allow me to. I need to back t his up as well. Ive backed up this one so I am able to reformat it but it doesn't recognize the drive unless it is formatted in FAT which is what WD advices it be formatted in. It should be in Mac extended journaling but I can't get it to mount in that. Help?

In addition, TM will not backup drives partitioned in FAT as the OP stated his 2nd EHD is formatted. My recommendation to the OP is to reformat the 2nd EHD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then include it in his TM backups. Of course in order to do this the OP must first move the data on the FAT partitioned drive to his internal HD and then once the EHD is re-partitioned correctly he can move it back.
In addition as Pondini mentioned the 2nd EHD must be directly connected to the iMac rather than be a network drive, TM is NOT, repeat NOT a network backup solution with the single caveat of using a Time Capsule backup.

Can I have two Time Capsules in the same network, use one as Time Machine and other to expand network?

I need to purchase a divice to expand my Wi-fi network. I was looking at the AirPort Extreme, but a friend has a brand new Time Capsule for sale. So, for the same price of the AirPort Extreme, I´m getting the Time Capsule.
I already own one and using it as Time Machine and wireless router. If I decide to purchase another TC would it have any conflict with the one that I already have?
Is it possible to use one as Time Machine and wireless router and the other to just expand network and storage only (not as Time Machine)?

If I decide to purchase another TC would it have any conflict with the one that I already have?
No
Is it possible to use one as Time Machine and wireless router and the other to just expand network and storage only (not as Time Machine)?
Yes. The important thing to remember is that the "extending" Time Capsule must be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from your "main" Time Capsule.

Using Time Capsule with Time Machine AND as iTunes Library

I want to use Time Capsule as Back up solution for Time Machine and additional as storage for my iTunes Library. We have as a family 3 three Macs and want to use TC as back up solution for each Mac. That is no problem. But is it possible to use TC as external iTunes library as well. Meaning as TM back up solution AND iTunes library?
Any ideas how it works?

HarryWessling wrote:
I want to use Time Capsule as Back up solution for Time Machine and additional as storage for my iTunes Library. We have as a family 3 three Macs and want to use TC as back up solution for each Mac. That is no problem. But is it possible to use TC as external iTunes library as well. Meaning as TM back up solution AND iTunes library?
Time Machine will eventually consume all the space on its partition. This will cause problems if you're using that same partition for your iTunes library. I see two options around this problem:
1) Partition the Time Capsule volume into two volumes, one for Time Machine, the other for iTunes. I understand that this can be done, but can't give you any advice on the method.
2) Attach a USB external drive to your Time Capsule and put your iTunes library on that drive.

How do I view the photos ? I backed up with iPhoto closed as is recommended , when I enter time machine and click on iPhoto library is calculates there is 11gb so photos are there when I click on view using iPhoto nothing happens ????

how do I view the photos ? I backed up with iPhoto closed as recommended but when I enter the Time Machine and click on iPhoto library it calculates there is 11gb in there so files must be present but when i click on open with iPhoto nothing happens ? any help welcome please !!??

The external hard drive must connect to your Mac using a USB or FireWire connection.
Note that the hard drive must be formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to work correctly with the iPhoto Library and be backed up to the Time Capsule and with the backups of your Mac.
We are really talking about iPhoto uses here, so you should post in the iPhoto Support area for more details about this. The link is just below.
iPhoto for Mac

HT201250 Can I partition my external hard drive and use one partion for time machine and the other one for data that i may want to use in different computers?

I have this doubt. I've just bought an external drive, especifically a Seagate GoFlex Desk 3 tb.
I want to know if it is recomendable to make a partion exclusively for time machine and let another one so I can put there music, photos, videos, etc that I should need to use or copy to another computer.
May half and half, 1.5 tb for time machine and 1.5 tb for data.
I have an internal hard drive of 500 GB (499.25 GB) in my macbook pro.
Any recommendation?

As I said, yes. Be sure your Time Machine partition has at least 1 TB for backups.
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 two (2). 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.

Time Capsule for Time Machine and Photo Storage

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