Using Time Capsule and External FW Drive for TM Backups

Wondering if this can be done, or if anyone is successfully doing it.
Here's what I want to do:
Use a 1TB Time Capsule to backup wirelessly and a FW800 external drive for speed in case I need to reinstall. Therefore having 2 backups? I've been down the road of using SD (cloning) and am ready to move on to another backup strategy. Cloning works fine but it dedicates a drive 100% of the time where TM doesn't.
One thing I did with an old 2.5" 80GB HD in an enclosure that I like a lot is put 10.6.2 on it along with Disk Warrior 4.2, Tech Tool Pro, and Drive Genius to use as a startup and repair disk.

D/FW wrote:
Use a 1TB Time Capsule to backup wirelessly and a FW800 external drive for speed in case I need to reinstall. Therefore having 2 backups?
You can do that, but not simultaneously. TM only has one destination a a time; you can back up to the TC, then select the external HD via TM Preferences, then switch back.
I've been down the road of using SD (cloning) and am ready to move on to another backup strategy. Cloning works fine but it dedicates a drive 100% of the time where TM doesn't.
I don't know what you mean by that. I use CarbonCopyCloner (similar to SD) in addition to full TM backups, so I have two separate, independent backups, on two separate drives, and get the advantages of both. You can partition an external drive (but not a Time Capsule), so you could have your clone on one partition, and other things in one or more additional partitions (I do that as well). As long as the "clone" partition is the same size as your internal HD (or at a minimum, at least 15% larger than the amount of data on it), you can use the rest of the space for anything else.
See #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum for detailed instructions on setting-up a drive for Time Machine. The same procedure works for setting one up for a clone and other partition(s), too.

Similar Messages

  • Can i use time capsule as external hard drive for both mac and windows

    I have a mac book pro, ipad and iphone and ipod and a windows pc
    Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?

    You cannot access the TC from iOS devices without a browser. eg filebrowser.
    Can i use time capsule as a external hard disk only for all of the above ( including windows ) without the back up activity for mac ?
    Yes, with the following proviso.. the TC is not able to back itself up.. so if you store files on the TC without backups one day you will discover all your files are gone because of a hard drive failure of the TC. TM also cannot backup TC.. so you will need to buy a proper backup software.
    It is also much slower than a real NAS..
    And windows can be a bit painful.. especially windows 8.. other versions should work if you spend the time getting everything set right.

  • Using Time Machine and external USB drive for multiple Macs

    I just bought a 1.5TB external portable drive.  I have 4 macs in the household that might have about 400 - 500 GB of total HD capacity for the four of them.  I am very confused on whether to create a separate partition for each mac, or let Time Machine manage the entire, single-partition drive.
    The reason I ask is because I have run into issues with a smaller external HD where it didnt seem to know to remove old backups to make room for new ones.  But, its' possible the 750 GB drive was too small to do what it needed to do.
    So, I am looking for some definitive information on the best way to do this.  Obviously, i'd rather leave the 1.5TB as a single partition, and hope (and expect) Time Machine to manage the backups of the four macs in such a way that it can properly make room as backups are added to the drive.
    THoughts?

    D/FW wrote:
    Use a 1TB Time Capsule to backup wirelessly and a FW800 external drive for speed in case I need to reinstall. Therefore having 2 backups?
    You can do that, but not simultaneously. TM only has one destination a a time; you can back up to the TC, then select the external HD via TM Preferences, then switch back.
    I've been down the road of using SD (cloning) and am ready to move on to another backup strategy. Cloning works fine but it dedicates a drive 100% of the time where TM doesn't.
    I don't know what you mean by that. I use CarbonCopyCloner (similar to SD) in addition to full TM backups, so I have two separate, independent backups, on two separate drives, and get the advantages of both. You can partition an external drive (but not a Time Capsule), so you could have your clone on one partition, and other things in one or more additional partitions (I do that as well). As long as the "clone" partition is the same size as your internal HD (or at a minimum, at least 15% larger than the amount of data on it), you can use the rest of the space for anything else.
    See #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum for detailed instructions on setting-up a drive for Time Machine. The same procedure works for setting one up for a clone and other partition(s), too.

  • Please Help - Time Capsule and External hard drive Issues

    Recently, I switched from Comcast to AT&T uverse as my internet provider and I started experiencing problems.
    (1) I have a 4th generation Apple Time Capsule which I am using as my router.
    (2) Connected to the Apple Time Capsule - USB - is an external hard drive (not for backup with Time Machine.)
    (3) I have a 2011 Macbook pro which I use to access my file on my time capsule and external hard drive.
    (4) I had been using my AT&T portable Hotspot from my cell phone to get internet access on my MacBook pro from remote locations to gain access to my external hard drive which is attached to the time capsule.
    (5) On August 2, 2014, I switched from Comcast to AT&T and had the AT&T turn off the router function. (I have been using the router from my apple time capsule)
    (6) Under Network I switched to bridge mode.
    (7) And since August 2, 2014 my time capsule has not been backup.
    THE PROBLEM - I need to be able to use the hotspot function from my cell phone to gain access on the external hard drive using my MacBook Pro which I was able to do before. Now it is showing time capsule under finder but unable to connect.
    Do I need to reset my Time Capsule since I have a new service provider. Everything else works fine - meaning able to get internet signal but unable to access my external hard drive and backup my time capsule. Please HELP.

    (5) On August 2, 2014, I switched from Comcast to AT&T and had the AT&T turn off the router function. (I have been using the router from my apple time capsule)
    (6) Under Network I switched to bridge mode.
    (7) And since August 2, 2014 my time capsule has not been backup.
    If you got ATT to turn off router function in their modem..
    Then 6. is wrong.. You cannot have the Network switched to bridge mode..
    You must have it set to dhcp and nat.
    That is also why you cannot backup.. the TC is off the network.
    Please change back to router mode in the TC.
    Ensure the internet tab shows dhcp and you create a wireless network.
    Then power down the TC... power down the ATT modem.. wait about 20min (you can try 5min.. but it might not be long enough).
    Power up the ATT modem.. wait 2min for things to flash lights in de right blinkin order.. then start the TC.
    Open the airport utility and make sure your TC captured the public IP and is now working as the router.
    That should fix that end of it.. the hotspot end??
    Tell us what happens.

  • Using Time Capsule as external hard drive on a PC, and beyond...

    I need to achieve two separate things with my new 500GB TC. The first is to send it to a friend on the other side of the country for her to use Time Capsule with her PC as an external hard drive.
    I then want to take those files (once sent back to me from CA), and put them on my computer. After that I just want to use Time Capsule with Time Machine, but I'm pretty sure I can figure that set-up out.
    My question is, is this possible? And if so, what is the easiest process to tell my PC friend in order for her to connect Time Capsule as an external?
    The reason I am attempting to do this is because I didn't see a need to buy an external and TC as well. The guy at the Mac store said it would be easy to do this, but I'm rather computer illiterate.
    That being said, I apologize for my ignorance in regards to the use of Time Capsule, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
    Brody M. Nasse

    Well, you just hook the Time Capsule up (either wirelessly or wired via ethernet) and for the PC you will want to install AirPort Utility, run it, and then she will be able to copy files to it. Then when it gets back to you you can run AirPort Utility (it is located in Applications/Utilities) and then access the files she put on your Time Capsule.

  • 1st Gen Time Capsule and External Hard Drive Issues

    I have a 1st generation Time Capsule and have never had any luck connecting an external hard drive (both Western Digital MyBook and Seagate FreeAgent Pro) via an USB hub for an extended period. They will connect for a few hours or up to a day or two before they lose the connection and look up the wi-fi connection (although the internet and connected printer don't seem affected). Thought it might be an issue with the powered hub, but have same issue with both (Belkin and APC). I have read that others have had similar issues.
    For laughs, I connected a dinky personal drive (WD My Passpoert 750gb) to the USB hub and it came up instantly and had no issues for the 12+ hours it was connected. Question #1: can I run a portable drive for an extended period of time (weeks, months, years) via USB hub without killing it?
    Also, I would like to house my large iTunes and iPhoto libraries to be accessed by 3 different MacBooks. Question #2: is a NAS drive connected directly via ethernet to the TC is the best answer?
    I am spoiled by the simplicity of the plug-and-play connectivity of Apple products. Is there a mysterious sequence of procedures that I need to follow to get the Time Capsule to play well with the USB connected HDs?
    Thanks in advance for your help.

    To answer the general question, a drive that is constantly spinning is both more likely to be damaged and less likely to give issues of access to the USB.. the one fights the other. Feel the small passport drive and see if it is continually spinning.. if so that could account for it maintaining connection.. although according to your testing 12hrs is not long enough to know for sure. Feel the other drives. If they spin down and then when you try to access them, do they spin up? Or is it the spin down time that dictates the time they are available on the network. It may simply be a case of usb connected to a router is not getting the correct spin up info.
    IMHO a NAS is the right way to do this.. especially if you have multiple computers accessing it. USB is not a fast connection. Especially hanging off the TC series 1, were not renowned for speed. A NAS is not that expensive now and using a mirrored raid you at least have some protection. Remember to always have the source files in mulitple locations. A NAS can also work as an itunes server, which the TC cannot. And the connection from gigabit ethernet to sata is not made via usb.
    As a secondary option.. open your series 1 TC and put in a 2TB hdd.. this is well documented.. larger sizes give trouble but the series one can easily be updated to 2TB.. remember also the power supply in a series one can go at any moment. Get ready for it, plan for it.. one day it will happen.

  • Setting up Time Capsule and external hard drive

    Hi,
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    I've now purchased a Time Capsule and want to know the best way to transfer my backup data from the External HD to my Time Capsule.
    Once that is done, i want to mount my External HD to the Time Capsule so i can use it as external storage for music, photos etc. and access it from my laptop when required.
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    read these hypertexts and then you'll determine its a no no...different file system.
    http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/04/exploringtime_capsule_feature_and_suitabilityreview.html

  • Use time capsule as external hard drive

    Hi, I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!

    OK.. I am going to do battle on this one.
    The OP asked..
    I'd like to know if can I use my time capsule as an external wi-fi hard drive, I just want to copy selected files to it, and call them when I need it, thanks!
    I took the JUST seriously.. he just wants to use it for external wifi hard drive.. so how does he get internet and how is the TC connected into the mixture..
    We cleared that up.. he then asked.
    My question is, can I use that "hard drive" to save some info that I use frecuently (I'm a recording studio owner and I have a lot of recording sessions) So, I'd like to save it in my time capsule and call them whenever I want
    Now if you were advising somebody for external storage of recording sessions.. as a studio owner.. ie this is a business and recording sessions are pretty valuable I imagine.. and pretty big.. would you in all honest recommend a Time Capsule..
    You already stated you would not recommend it in business and then you want to fight me because I did not recommend it.. ???
    He also said the files are used frecuently (sic).. and is the TC suitable for frequently used files.. each time you access the file the hard disk has to spin up.. as it is designed to spin down within a min of inactivity.. and that spin down cannot be reset.. because the TC is designed as a backup target for Time Machine not a NAS.. try it yourself.. open a file on a stopped TC and see how long it takes before the TC is ready to even respond.. and open the file. Many applications will toss up errors if they cannot open a file within a few seconds.. this will be a constant problem if directly using the files on the TC.

  • Using Time Capsule as external hard drive

    Hi.  I have a Mac Book Pro, and external hard drive, and now, a Time Capsule.  Since I don't have a Mac, all photos and music (occasional backups, etc.) have been stored on the one external hard drive.  I got the Time Capsule to replace the external hard drive as primary (keeping it as secondary)–in addition to using the Time Machine.
    If I'm understanding correctly, I open finder, open Shared>AirPort>Data–and then drag and drop all the files currently on the external hard drive onto this window?  Is this correct?  Will it COPY, and be accessibe, and not cause problems? 
    Will it mean, as I hope it means, that my MacBook and iPad will be able to open and use iTunes and iPhoto through this AirPort?  (Instead of having to plug-in the external drive.)
    I'd love to use the Time Machine as well.  But can hold off, continuing to back up only occassionally, since this dual purposing may not to be advised?
    Thank you for your guidance.

    Will there be a problem running Time Machine in the back ground while using the Time Capsule's internal hard drive manually?
    No.
    Thus far, instead of using Time Machine in an automated mode, I've turned it on when I want to make a new back-up.  Will it be necessary to run Time Machine in manual mode only or can I use its automated feature?
    Or–I may be seeing the light–will running the two in tandem allow me to save each new back-up on both devices simultaneously, keeping both drives up to date?
    I would suggest that you consider changing your backup strategy. Time Machine was designed to be an automatic "run and forget" operation that performs incremental backups of your Mac's internal hard drive. It will also backup an external hard drive attached directly to your Mac. Running it manually is not very effecient and you stand the chance of not getting a very recent (they run once an hour) backup when you need it.
    For Time Machine I would suggest that you continue to use your external hard drive as is and dedicate your new Time Capsule for Time Machine backups. If you still need more external storage, you can always add additional external USB hard drives to the USB port on the Time Capsule.
    Even better you will also want to include a second "full-clone" method to your backup strategy. This method will make a full copy of your Mac's internal disk drive that is bootable. Why do this? In case your Mac has a fatal hard disk crash, you can use the clone backup to boot your Mac back up and continue to use it within seconds. Without the clone backup, you would first need to install a new drive, then load a fresh copy of OS X, and then, perform a restore from Time Machine. This can take a while.
    To perform these clone backups, I would recommend that you get another external USB hard drive with a capacity at least twice that of your current internal drive. I use Western Digital My Passport drives for this purpose, but any similar drive should do. To create the clone backup I would suggest using either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner.
    I would suggest that you create a new clone backup at least once a month or more often if your data is critical to you. Just connect a dedicated clone drive to any available USB port on your Mac and run the clone software to make the clone backup.

  • What is the best configuration with Mac Book air, time capsule and external hard drive?

    Hi, I just bought a MacBook Air with the new Time Capsule and I was wondering what is the best set up:
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    or Option 2: use the external drive as the main drive and use the time capsule as the back up? in that case, would the ext drive need to be plugged to the MacBook Air?
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    Option 2 is far superior.. and actually the only one that works.
    That is without killing yourself or having continual issues accessing your files.
    You do need to plug the external disk into the MBA.

  • Want to use Time Capsule as external hard drive / Time Capsule als externe Festplatte

    Can somebody tell me what steps I have to take to use my TC as an external hard drive? Thanks! / Kann mir jemand einmal genau erklären, wie ich meine Time Capsule als externe Festplatte für meine Fotos etc. nutzen kann? Mein 128 GB Mac Book Air kommt nämlich an seine Grenzen:) Brauche ich dafür eine weitere externe Festplatte oder kann ich den Speicherplatz nutzen, den die TC hat und auf dem im Moment immer die automatischen Bachups über Time Machine gespeichert werden? Danke!

    There might be a big improvement in the new photo app.
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  • 2TB Time Capsule or External Hard Drive for use with Mac MINI and AppleTV

    Hi,
    My current setup is I have a 1TB Hard Drive linked to my intel Mac Mini via FireWire 400, the Mini shares my music and films through iTunes so that my AppleTV can pick them up.
    All devices are connected to an AEBS 802.11n (early model) via Cat6 Gigabit cables.
    As I have run out of space and am looking for a bigger drive, I wanted to know if I would be able to use the 2TB Time Capsule to hold my films and be able to stream them to the Mac Mini so that it may stream them through iTunes to the AppleTV.
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    The obvious answers is just to buy a bigger hard drive with FW400, however I would like to reduce the number of boxes I have under the TV, I plan to upgrade my AEBS to the latest one anyway so just thought it made sense to explore this option.
    looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

    Hello,
    It should work in theory, but the disk access time of the TC is much slower. I was setup like you are with an external drive connected to a Mini via FW and I had true Gigabit transfer between computers.
    When my hard drive failed I sold my Linksys gigabit router and bought a TC to reduce the number of boxes, but I soon learned that the read/write speed on a TC is a little bit faster than on a thumb drive! Not that great. All my machines are also connected with Cat6.
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  • Time capsule and external hard drive

    Can I attach a USB drive to time capsule to expand storage for my auto backups?

    Just to add a warning.. the external USB plugged into the TC is very slow. It won't matter a lot for small incremental backups but you will really notice it for large backups.. Make sure the external is used for least amount of data transfer devices. And slower ones on wireless it will be less noticable.

  • Can I use Time Capsule as external hard drive?

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    If I've just wasted 400 bucks on something I didn't really want....what SHOULD I get to store stuff on but that I can still access via iTunes, or my Apple TV, etc?
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    1. You can, but are better off putting it on a regular external drive and using the Time Capsule for backups and as a router.
    2. Yes.
    3. Launch iTunes with the Option key held down and choose a library on it.
    4. Noting #1, a regular external drive. You can generally use any USB one, but ones not specifically intended for Macs will need to be reformatted first.
    (112894)

  • Airport Time Capsule and external hard drive issue

    I have an external hard drive connected to my 3TB airport time capsule. It no longer shows up in the finder sidebar on my iMac, which is connected via ethernet. It does appear on my Macbook Pro, connected via Wi Fi. It worked normally when first set up. I no longer have a way to drag files from my iMack to the hard drive so I can share them with my MacBook Pro. I am running Mavericks.

    This is crude but if you need a work around, just plug the USB drive directly into the iMac.. copy the files to it.. then plug it into the TC.
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