Time Machine "Backing up to multiple hard drives"

I had problems when switching between two external hard drives using Time Machine.
Upon speaking to Apple Tech Support I learned that when getting an error code that prevents me from using one of my hard drives, that there is a work around. Seems that when using two hard drives at different times an issue may be encountered. The solution involves using Terminal in Utilities and typing in code from Apple plus the error number on your computer. I'm no expert so won't try to go step by step but the solution worked in Terminal and the code started with sudo chown `id -un` "/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/.0016cbd00dc9"
Disregard the numbers after Time Machine Backups since that is my own error code.
After entering the 'sudo, etc...' it will ask for your computer password.
Then, in Terminal type in sudo chmod 400 "/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/.0016cbd00dc9" and the return key again, and again your computer password.
That all helped solve a problem that even Disk Utility with the Installation Disk didn't help. The problem arises when trying to back up Time Machine between 2 different external hard drives.
Hope this helps some of you...

filterfactor wrote:
That all helped solve a problem that even Disk Utility with the Installation Disk didn't help. The problem arises when trying to back up Time Machine between 2 different external hard drives.
This will keep TM from objecting to the new drive, but you need to be sure the right things are getting backed-up to both drives. This has been discussed here before, and never confirmed, as far as I know. You can be a big help to us by confirming whether this actually works.
Do this please, both for us and so you're confident that both drives contain complete backups:
Download the TimeTracker app, from www.charlessoft.com.
It shows most of the files saved by TM for each backup (excluding some hidden/system files, etc.).
1. Turn TM off temporarily (so it doesn't interfere by doing a backup).
2. Perform backups to both drives.
3. Add a small test file to your home folder.
4. Do a +Back Up Now+ to the first drive.
5. Using +Time Tracker,+ confirm that the test file was backed-up to the first drive.
6. Do a +Back Up Now+ to the second drive.
7. Using +Time Tracker,+ see if the test file was backed-up to the second drive.
Post the results here. If it actually works (the file gets backed-up to both drives), we'll put this into step-by-step instructions for others who want to do this.

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See the topic about Time Machine support for USB disks in this Apple Support document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5924?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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GregT wrote:
Apple TV is GREAT, but it quickly filled up my hard drive. My thought is to take my folder that contains all of my personal files and put it on an 1TB external hard drive. I'd then "point" iTunes to where this new folder is. First, is that the right approach? Will that mess anything else up? Second, can I have Time Machine then back this external hard drive up?
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That would probably be safest.
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span98 wrote:
Am I able to use that second 2TB hard drive to back up both my iMac and also the shared storage drive that is attached to the Airport Extreme and not directly to my iMac??
basically yes. you should get a powered USB hub.
however, using TM to back up to a drive connected to a AEBS is not supported ! it may work, even for a while, but eventually corruption of the backups may occur.
here's what Apple says about such a setup: _*Disks that can be used with Time Machine*_.
JGG

Time Machine "Backing up to multiple hard drives"

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