Using network drive with time machine.  IS IT POSSIBLE?

There are lots of discussion on using network drives with time machine. I have not been able to make them work. Could somebody tell me if this is possible

Time Machine does not back up to network drives, except Time Capsules or USB drives connected to an Airport Extreme, or a drive on a Mac running Leopard.
Here's the official word: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1733
You may find some "hacks" that might make it work, in some cases, to a degree. But use them at your own risk.
First, since this is *unsupported by Apple,* there's nowhere to go when there's trouble.
Second, you're risking a future update preventing it from working, and perhaps rendering your backups useless.
If you still think this is a good idea, do yourself a favor before you bet your backups on it: be sure it really works, at least for now:
1. Get a copy of CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper! or the like, and make a full bootable clone of your internal HD, on an external disk. Test it by booting from it. Then reboot from your internal HD.
2. Let TM do it's first, full, initial backup.
3. Attempt a full system restore (like you'll need when, not if, your internal HD fails), via the instructions in item 14 of the of the Frequently Asked Questions post at the top of this forum.
Again, even if it works today, tomorrow is another day . . .

Similar Messages

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    Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
    According to several related Time Machine Error 45 threads in these forums, Time Machine is not well suited to backups on most non-Apple network drives.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/10744727#10744727
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/15643759#15643759
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/11929252#11929252
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/13164522#13164522
    One of the discussions provides an off-site link to these suggestions:
    http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html

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    Bergers wrote:
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  • Had to wipe my drive so I could do a clean install of snow leopard Now I look every where on how to move bookmarks, address book and I cal settings.  I have them back up on a external drive with Time machine but can not move, copy or restore my old sett d

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  • When I back up on my exertnal HD drive with time machine can I erase what on my computer HD for more space?

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    When you boot the new machine for the first time, you'll be prompted to import your data from a Time Machine backup.

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    I restored my hard drive with time machine but when I log in I get "home folder protected by fire vault and needs to be repaired. But I can't get past the regular log

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  • Can I use any external hard drive with Time Machine?

    I have a 1TB external hard drive and also a 16GB flash drive. Is it possible to use either of these with Time Machine?

    IMO Time Machine should be on its own Dedicated External Drive... one that is twice the size of the drive that it is backing up... the 16 GB Flash Drive is not appropiate for the task.
    See Here
    TM 101
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
    You may also find this Link of Interest...
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    Here's Apple's public statement at http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/timemachine.html for what devices work with TM.
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