Time Machine Work With Airport?

I am looking to buy a MacBook Pro and so am considering getting an Airport router so that I can plug in my printers via a USB powered hub that I already have.
Is it feasible to also use USB to plug in an external hard drive and expect the MBP to recognize it for use with TimeMachine?
If I were to do the initial backup using firewire 800 and then switch to the USB for incremental backups does that work?
And by the way are Time Machine backups bootable as SuperDooper ones are?

Thank you,
I am pretty much resigned to going with Firewire 800 and plugging/unplugging the cable as necessary.
However I wonder why it is such a bad idea? If it works I would be able to do backups where ever I am working in my studio instead of the odd times I would be working at the desk where the external drive is located. It is also my experience that if you have to plug in something that is non-essential (anything other than power, mouse and keyboard) that the plug ins will be forgotten when in a hurry or distracted.
Is it the speed of the airport connection that makes it a bad idea? Or something else?
My understanding is that Apple originally intended Airport Extreme to work with Time Machine, but that they dropped support for it subsequently. If true then Apple appears to have thought it a good idea at one time.

Similar Messages

Will time machine work with airport extreme?

Hi all, is there a way to create a time machine back up on a USB disk that is attached to an airport extreme? I've tried it a couple of different ways and it's not seeming that it works very well. Any help would be appreciated.

I've tried several configurations all of which started with formatting the drive with a single partition Mac OS Extended (Journaled) GUID.
The first configuration was where I did a 100GB Time Machine Backup to the drive while it was connected (so I wouldn't have to deal with a slow first backup over wireless, because my MacBook Pro is of the older 802.11G wireless versus N). Then moved the drive over to my Airport Extreme, mounted the drive and started the backup. It failed with the following error message "The backup volume is not in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format, which is required."
The second configuration was where, after reformatting to single partition to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) GUID, I connected the drive directly to the Airport Extreme without having done a Time Machine Backup. After mounting the drive, I started Time Machine and it began to run. I left it over nite to back-up and, while it got started, it did not make it past about 9GB after over 6 hours and it stopped.
Trying the second configuration again...and it is running but 7 hours later 25 of 101GB done.
Thanks for any insight!
Happy New Year

Will Time Machine work with an external hard drive connected (via usb) to Airport Extreme?

Will Time Machine work with an external hard drive connected (via usb) to Airport Extreme?

Sorry, but this article is about 4 years old, and was printed based on preliminary information at the time.
The bottom line here is that Apple does not officially support Time Machine backups to a drive at the USB port of the AirPort Extreme.
If it works for you, great.
You might want to review the Apple Support documents below, which are far more recent than the article you reference:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/15139.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
It is supported.....
This is NOT correct. Please do not post false information on the forums.

Does Time Machine work with a NAS?

Does Time Machine work with a network attached storage drive?
Thanks!
John

the only supported NAS for TM backups is Time Capsule. it also works with drives connected to an Airport Extreme Base Station. al other NASes are unsupported. there are hacks to make TM work with them but you are on your own if you use them
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080420211034137&query=time%2Bmach ine%2BNAS

Does time machine work with the trash folder?

Does time machine work with the trash folder? So if I have the entire aperture library backed up to the time machine. Is it safe to empty the trash folder in aperture? I am able to recover files from time machine later?

So make a top-level Project called "_Circular File". Put Images in there that you what to have out of your way but not discarded.
It really is good and proper to treat the Trash as trash. I instruct everyone to _empty_ the Aperture Trash at the end of _every_ session. The reason is this: it is the only time you will remember whether it is safe to delete the items in there. If you wait, you will then waste time trying to answer "Did I really mean to throw that out?" or, periodically, you'll give up trying to remember, and will empty the Trash without reviewing it. At the end of every session, examine the Trash, confirm that the items there are trash, and empty it.
Shocking, perhaps, but you should also empty your system trash every day. The real-life equivalents are good guides here. No-one in an office hoards their trash. If you mean to throw something out, throw it out. If you don't mean to throw it out, do not put it in the trash.
I don't know how TM handles the Aperture Trash. I do know, however, that I would not expect this behavior to remain consistent, and would absolutely recommend against a workflow based on it.

Does Time Machine work with Networked drives yet...?

Yes, I did search, and nothing recent came up.
I have a 500 GB lacie hard drive that is attached to my router, and it works great.
Without using any of those hacks, should Time Machine work properly with a networked drive?

No. At present on drives attached to a Time Capsule seem to work.
My AEBS has a 500GB USB drive attached - and Time Machine won't use it.
My Time Capsule has both the internal 1TB disk and a 1TB external Western Digital drive attached - and the Time Capsule drive and all of the partitions on the USB drive are available for use by Time Machine.
Time Capsule comes with a new version of the Airport Utility (5.3) - I don't see that this is available as a separate download right now.
Perhaps Airports will support Time Machine in the future - but that is by no means guaranteed. I don't think many people know what the hardware differences between an Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule really are.

Time Machine worked- with caveats- but worked

Ok, TIme Machine rocks!
I screwed with some applications, I tried to make the dock and desktop my own and F'd things up.
What I was trying to do was to create stacks in doc.
I wanted stacks for apple apps, stacks for business apps, stack for art, and stacks for personal.
Plus I wanted easy buttons for kids to pick out games as well.
Idea was good but I did not execute it well.
While I can do everything that I wanted to do, what I needed to do was create alias of apps and then put those into folders and drag them into doc. I did not I put apps in folders and tried to put those in dock. I screwed up the computer, BUT I had Time Machine.
With Time Machine you can rescue the whole drive. There are a few caveats here too.
One you have to do this reinstall with the OS-X install disk.
Information is not truly clear on line and I called apple.
When I was trying install the screen said it was going to reinstall system. This made me think that I was going to install system and applications but what about my docs. I was not sure. I called apple and the tech I got on line said no problem I would get all back, he was sure! Then he put me on hold, ask someone made sure, but came back saying I would get everything back. System, programs and docs.
When you do a restart from install disk it gives you choice of install, you have to choose from the above drop down menus- reinstall from time mach. NOT install from main instruction on screen. This is a little hidden but for those with some experience should be easy to find.
I then ran into another issue. I ran reinstall and it looked good till about 4% was completed and then failed. Message said try again or lose all. Not a great message. I did this over and over 5 time, each time same results. I at this point thought I maybe was losing battle. For anyone that has lost data, they know it is a battle to get back data.
I then thought that I have external drives in a dazzy chain over firewire configuration. How about taking the drive with Time Machine back up and making 1st and the solo drive- WORKED.
Took about 3 hours to back up. I have older iMac and others may go quicker.
I did get everything back and was very happy.
Interesting thing after reboot was that the computer had to reintroduce it self.
Programs came up like mail and had too find accounts, mail saved, trashed and still valid.
iphoto and iTunes needed to find their associated files. As when iTunes came up it 1st showed no music, no video, Tv shows, but quickly started to find items.
Lastly Time Machine had to rescan the computer as it does when you 1st install program.
So over all great program!
My one question would be if I am using time mach and computer dies and I tried this reinstall on a new computer would it work as well?

This looks like it was a TERRIBLE restore. The whole point of restoring from a backup is that everything should work as it did on the date of the backup. No missing files, no reconfiguration of applications...

Help: Set up Time Machine Drive with Airport Extreme

I've read a few posts on this topic, none of which addressed my specific issue, but all of which stated that this functionality is not officially supported. I really hope this is not true because I bought my Airport Extreme and Hard Drive based on numerous Apple Store clerks assuring me that this was possible. So any help would be most appreciated. Here's the details/story:
I have a 13" MBP 2.53ghz, running 10.5.8 I've been backing up to a local 1TB HDD over FW800 since July with no problems.
I bought an Airport Extreme and am trying to move the drive to the AE to back up wirelessly. Here's what's happened so far:
1. I connected the drive with USB to the AE. It mounted no problem and I could see all my backups easily, but Time Machine did not recognize it as my back up drive. When I used the "Change Drive" button in the hopes of "finding" the drive, it just tried to start a new Time Machine back up set, wirelessly. So I think the broad concept is working, it just a matter of getting TM to recognize the back up set.
2. I plugged the drive in locally with USB (rather than FW800) and did a back up, no problem. After doing this, and plugging the drive back into the AE, TM no recognizes my backup set as mine, and tries to start the next backup, but I got an error message about not being able to write to the drive.
3. I did some reading online to get some ideas, I used Disk Utility to verify and repair the drive (over USB locally) Disk utility did find some errors, but it didn't seem like anything major.
4. Now, TM really starts to get going doing a backup, but when it actually comes time to transfer/write the new data over, I get an new error, that my drive is not formatted as a Mac OS Extended (Journaled). I use disk utitilty again, which confirms that the drive IS Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and is partitioned GUID (which I read is also a requirement)
And this is where I am. Any one have any ideas?
Thanks in advance for your help.

TSomers wrote:
I'd hate to think it's just to sell their $500 2TB Timecapsule (which is more than 2x the cost of competing 2Tb drives). Maybe Apple should share their secret sauce with the other drive makers so that they all can work.
Though you seem to hate it, you have indeed hit the nail... I also had issues with USB attached drives on my AEBS (Airport Extreme Base Station). This problem occurred before Apple had the policy statement in place and they ended up exchanging my AEBS, since it was crashing the AEBS when the USB drive did not become accessible (it was a WD brand that didn't play nice with any USB connection, as it later turned out). I suspect there was nothing wrong then with my original AEBS' USB connection, but the replacement was more reliable overall however, so it proved a boon. Perhaps Apple learned something from my previous problems.
Anyway, Apple is not without its reasons for this policy. That's the long story.
Short story? Use supported configurations only if you want a reliable backup. In my case, can easily move my drive to a Mini and have it run in a supported configuration whether by sparse bundle format or otherwise.
Network connections do indeed format the way described. You can check this very thorough article...Suggest you read the unofficially sanctioned discussion list article by Pondini (kudos for your thoroughness, sir/madam!) first. Many great suggestions and nifty storage ideas to maximize your use of available media in your particular situation will come from a careful reading.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1964018

External disk attached to APE - does Time Machine work with it?

Hi everyone,
I'm interested in getting the AirPort Extreme (802.11n) for a few reasons, but notably to attach an external disk and use it with Time Machine.
I've heard mixed results, however, about whether this is possible or not. After some Google-ing I've discovered this feature was initially not available for the official release of Leopard, but was re-introduced in 2008 sometime as a software update. But after reviewing the product page, it makes no mention to Time Machine and it's ability to backup to external AirPort disks. Only the Time Capsule product page gets this kind of treatment.
So the question is... does Time Machine play nicely with AirPort disks or not? I was hoping you guys would be able to debunk the myths so I can get a straight-forward answer so I can make a decision on if I'll purchase it or not.
And while on the topic... can multiple people use the external AirPort disk at the same time? For example, I currently have a DIR-628 router (which I'll be taking back if Time Machine plays nicely with AirPort disks) and with the silly proprietary software from D-Link, it only lets one computer use it at one time, having each user remember to connect and disconnect each time they want to use it to share files or backup using Time Machine. Not a biggie, but kind of annoying.
Thanks for any help I receive, I really appreciate it!

Duane wrote:
As I said above, Apple does not officially support this operation. So if you have any problems or questions about using the disk with Time Machine, Apple will not provide support.
True and correct. This is likely because of their misguided SOX interpretation, which they seem to think precludes the addition of features not available at sale time through firmware updates.
Sort of like putting a diesel engine in a Toyota Prius. You may be able to do it but it is not officially supported.
It’s really nothing like that at all.
To answer the OP, yes, you can. I’ve been backing up my machine to a disk attached to my AEBS since the day the firmware supported it, and it works great for me.

Will Time Machine work with my networked hard drive?

I asked this question this question a couple years ago https://discussions.apple.com/message/9961900#9961900 and was wondering if there was an update as to whether Time Machine will work with a networked drive?
Will it work?
Does Apple officially support this method?
I'm using Chronosync now, and it's good, but every once in a while it'll hickup.
Thanks so much

Nothing has changed, other than the fact that we are seeing a lot more posts from users having probems who have tried this unsupported method of backups.
Apple is prety clear on this in their support documentation. They say that you cannot do this.
Results vary with users who try this anyway. Some have difficulties immediately with corruption issues, others have successful backups for a few weeks to even a few months before they have difficuties. Count me as one who thought they had somehow beat the system, but after 4 weeks, things collapsed.
Forum expert Pondini has an appropriate saying about this issue, which I am sure I am not quoting exactly:
There are two types of users who attempt Time Machine backups to a drive attached to the USB port on the AirPort Extreme....those who have problems, and those who will have problems.

Can two macs use same disk for Time Machine backup with Airport Extreme?

Hi
I use a Western Digital disk as a wireless Time Machine backup connected to the USB port on my Airport Extreme and it works great. My question is: can my girlfriend use that same disk for Time Machine backup from HER computer too? (I don't mind formatting the disk if needed.)
If she can't, is it then possible to connect a USB hub and have two disks hooked up to the Airport Extreme?
Thanks for helping. I am constantly in awe of all the help people like you give people like me. Thanks!!!
Jakob

I've gone through the manual setup and the assisted setup and can't seem to get my MacBook to use the Time Machine. Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated.
Well, as the Jolly Giant points out....+this type of configuration is not supported by Apple+, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to provide a fix for something that Apple says that you cannot do. Reference these Apple Support documents regarding this topic:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/15139.html
Your situation is not unlike other users who try this and find that one computer may backup...(usually for a limited time before corruption issues start to creep in)...but another computer cannot backup. Count me as one of those users who thought that because things seemed to work that I had somehow "beat the system".
I started getting the corruption error messages after 4-5 weeks of successful backups, so I figured that it did not make sense to continue to try to get a second computer to backup (yes, I too could not setup a second Mac to backup).
Sorry, I could not get a second machine to backup, so can't tell you how to accomplish that goal. If you want to continue to try backing up this way, you might want to also think about a second backup strategy...just in case backups become corrupted on the WD drive.
Maybe if Apple says you cannot do this, they just may be right?
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Does time machine work with iphoto 6

Just connected an external drive and turned on time machine in Leopard. Doesn't seem to work with iphoto. Do I need to upgrade to 8?

jmcdow71
While TM should still back up the iPhoto Library Folder you cannot interact with TM from within iPhoto if you're using v6.
For best advice post on the TM forum:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1227
Regards
TD

TIme Capsule working with Airport Extream

Hello I have a home office in a two story home with a MacBook Pro, IMac, AirPort Extreme for my cable modem. I have on order a Time Capsule. The AirPort Extreme works great for our two story home, very well on the bottom level, and has about 70 to signal strength on the upper level of the home. I would like to unplug the AirPort Extreme in the office on the lower level, set up the TIme Capsule in the office for the lower level, perform all backups that are needed. Then take the AirPort Extreme and move it upstairs to help make my wifi much stronger upstairs and around my property. Any ideas? Good idea, bad idea? Things I need to do first or think about? Thank you.

Hi Bob, another question for you if you have time. Time Capsule is on it's way via mail and I had been going over this set pre set up in my head and you said something that made me think more about the Airport Extreme.
You said, "You'll need to reconfigure the AirPort Extreme to "extend a wireless network"
I'm going to start to learn about the correct way to do this in the next day or two, but my question is.
Should I reset the Airport Extreme back to it's "factory settings" pre setting up the Time Capsule.
Then perform the work of the back up of the Time Capsule like you had suggested.
Then take the Airport Extreme up stairs and start the set up of "extending the network?" with a fresh Airport Extreme.
Or leave the Airport Extreme as is, move up stairs, and "just extend" as it will already be configured to my Imac/MacBook Pro Iphone, ect?
Thank you again, and I hope that I was a clear enough.
Darek

Time machine wirelessly with Airport Express

I am curious if I can backup my MBP with Time Machine wirelessly through my Airport Express. I have attached my external HD to my AE via USB cable and it does not appear on the desktop. It would simply make backing up more convenient.

If you mean an Airport Extreme, yes, you may be able to do that, but backing-up that way is unreliable and not supported by Apple. See: Using Time Machine with an Airport Extreme Air Disk.
If you mean an Airport Express, no, it doesn't support connecting a hard drive at all.

How does Time Machine work with Boot Camp?

Hello, I'm going to install windows (I don't know if 7 or 8.1 yet) by bootcamp,
and I need to know if TIME CAPSULE work also in Windows mode, and if I have to configure it in a particular way.
I apologize for my poor english. Thank you at all. Andrea.

I have no really knowledge of how Parallels work other than it is a Virual Machine software program that create a Virtual Machine, Mimics REAL Hardware (Virtual Hardware), to run Windows under Mac OS X. So with that all the files are OS X files, Mac Format files, and Time Machine can and will back those up. But that will not backup what is on the Boot Camp partition. To do that you need either a Windows backup program or WinClone to do it when you are booting from OS X.
Google WinClone to find out what it is.

Time Machine Work With Airport?

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