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:
Option 1: use the time capsule as my main drive and back it up onto an external drive plugged at the back of it
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?
Many thanks

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.

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Backup a dual boot iMac with OSX + Vista to Time capsule and USB hard drive

I have just bought a Time Capsule which is now working as my WiFi Network base station and backs up an iMac and a Macbook. The iMac has both OSX and Vista (using Boot Camp) and I was using a USB Hard Drive that has 2 partitions (HFS+ for the Mac; NTFS for Vista) to back up the iMac. Rather than leave this attached to the iMac just to back up the Vista partition I would like to move it to the Time Capsule's USB port and use it as NAS. The idea being that it becomes a NAS with one partition used to back up the Windows data when I run the iMac with Vista and the other partition to archive the Time Machine backups from both the iMac and Macbook. I tried to connect it as it was but got an error and reading the forum it seems that it won't work unless both partitions are HFS+ or FAT. If I reformat the NTFS partition to HFS+ will I be able to use the built in backup function of Vista to back up the Vista partition to the USB hard drive? I read somewhere else that Time Capsule takes care of the formatting for an external NAS drive and Windows will be able to read and write to it even though it's not NTFS. Any ideas comments appreciated.

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.
You also do not need to use the TC as an intermediary between your iMac and MBP.. just turn on sharing in the computer.. so you can directly copy files from one to the other.. Macs have public access directory preconfigured for each user account.
As far as mounting the TC..
In finder use Go, Connect to server.. and type.
AFP://TCname or TCipaddress
Where TCname is the actual name of the TC.. I strongly recommend you follow SMB network rules.. ie if your TC has a name like
Fred Blog's Time Capsule 2445566.
It is too long.. it has spaces and it has non-alphanumeric characters.
Shorten it to FredTC
No spaces no characters that are NOT alphanumeric.
TCIPaddress is simply the standard IP.
You can also use CIFS://TCname which according to the article forces the connection back to SMB1 rather than SMB2 which as usual is broken.
But I would definitely use AFP if possible. I cannot understand the decision to move to SMB as standard.

I have backed my Mac Book pro up to my external hard drive using time machine. My iPhoto now does not show any images, even when I upload from my iPhone

I have backed my Mac Book pro up to my external hard drive using time machine. My iPhoto now does not show any images, even when I upload from my iPhone

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Problems with time machine and external hard drive

Hi all
In 2009 with my imac I bought a WD external hard drive which the computer says is 148GB formatted. I recall that the hard drive contained folders with files for the running of the hard drive when I bought it - and after it had been plugged in to a mac and used as a time machine, it no longer worked on windows computers.
Now I have used 195 GB on my computer's internal hard drive and wish to stop using the external hard drive as a time machine and instead use it for swapping files between computers and the like.
How can I wipe the time machine back ups and start using it as per usual again? do i need to obtain the WD files from somewhere?
thanks in advance
Nick

Hi Nick,
Avoid the WD files completely, not needed & often a problem.
You need to erase the Drive, & to use it on both Format it MS-DOS/FAT32, on the Mac or PC, but will have a 4 GB filesize limit, as well as other limitations.
One option not mentioned yet is MacDrive for your PCs... allows them to Read/Write & Format HFS+, so no need to reformat it...
http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive/

What is the best utility for mac book pro 10.10.2

What is the best utility/ antivirus program for a mac book pro running 10.10.2.

Drewski66 wrote:
What is the best utility/ antivirus program for a mac book pro running 10.10.2.
Nothing that is not already incorporated in OS X 10.10.2.
There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:
You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.
OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
"Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.
If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.
Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iCloud, iTunes, or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose:Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
Java can be disabled in System Preferences.
Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
The same precaution applies to Adobe Flash Player. Newly discovered Flash vulnerabilities appear almost weekly.
Beware spontaneous popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > check "Block popup windows".
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but unsolicited popups are commonly used to deceive people into installing unwanted software they would never intentionally install.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever receive a popup window indicating that your Mac is infected with some ick or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
The same goes for a spontaneously appearing dialog insisting that you upgrade your video player right this instant. Such popups are frequently associated with sites that promise to deliver "free" movies or other copyrighted content that is not normally "free".
The more insistent it is that you upgrade or install something, the more likely it is to be a scam. Close the window or tab and forget it.
Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. Most of these attempts are pathetic and are easily recognized, but that hasn't stopped prominent public figures from recently succumbing to this age-old scam.
OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.
Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

HT1751 What is the best way to move my iTunes library from an external PC drive to a Mac external drive?

I just make the move to Mac computers. My iTunes library is currently on a PC formatted external drive. I would like to move it to an external drive that i have formatted for Mac. What is the best way to do this?

Is the entire library on the external drive or just the media folder? If it is the latter, and you still have access to the PC then see make a split library portable.
If the drive is in FAT32 format you can connect a portable library directly to the Mac, holding down Option as you start iTunes. Otherwise you either need to copy it to a local drive (Mac should be able to read NTFS) or install a full service NTFS driver so that the library can be read and updated.
tt2

How can I get my new Mac book Pro to read my external hard drive?

I have recently upgraded to the new MacBook Pro and have a new 2T external hard drive. I used my old MacBook Pro to transfer all my files from my old 1T hard drive of the same make to the new one. This all worked without isssue and I can open the ne external hard drive on my old Mac but my new Mac is reading it. It does not show up in finder at all but it does show up in Disk Utility. Any suggestions? Do I need to do something on my new Mac for it to be read? The new Mac has no problem with the smaller USBs I use.

How do you have Finder Preferences set?
Ciao.

My Mac Book won't recognize my external hard drive

I currently have an external hard drive that I'm connecting to a usb port and nothing happens. I can see that the lights on the actual hard drive are on and it's spinning but the mac isn't showing up as an available drive.

Go to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility and see if the drives show in the left column. Also from the Finder under the Apple/About This Mac/More Info select USB in the left column. Is the HD list there?
Is the hard drive new?
Is there and OS on it?
Do other peripherals work from the hub?
Will it work when plugged in direct?
Joe

Time Capsule as external hard-drive, as back-up drive with Time Machine

Two questions today:
I understand that I can use the Time Capsule as an external hard-drive while using it as my back-up location, using Time Machine. It has been suggested that to do this, it is best to partition the Time Capsule to prevent the TM program from confusing the files it manages, the data files from the backed-up files. (I hope I got that right.) I believe I read in this forum that one can partition the TC after the fact, and not destroy any data on it. Is this possible? A clerk at the Apple Store in San Francisco told me that I would want to partition, but that it would require that I erase the TC. Which to believe?
Secondly, how does TM create the back-ups? I have used SuperDuper and appreciated the difference in how (and what) it backs up. My example: my first back-up involved having an 80gb external drive attached to my computer and TM backed up both my HD and the External Drive. I then turned off the TM. Today I turned it on and allowed it to back-up every hour as it is designed to do, but without the 80gb External drive attached. When I checked the newer back-ups, they all showed the original configuration of HD and 80gb external drive.
So for it's incremental back-ups, does TM back up new files and updated files without deleting missing files? Is it an additive process? Or does it at some point delete missing files from it's most recent back-up? Or since it recognized that it was backing-up two different drives, it will always keep them separate, maintaining one (80gb External drive), even as it backs-up and changes the other (the HD)?
O.K. a third request. Has anyone published a manual on TM and/or TC with this level of understanding so we can make the most of it's 1 TB storage capacity?
Thanks in advance, LeRoy

LeroyHoward wrote: So, does this mean that TM never deletes a file?
It will when it starts to run out of space and it should likely be the oldest deleted files first.
As I understand it, as long as I have a multi-linked file icon on the TM, I have the original data. And everytime the TM backs-up, it recreates every multi-linked file icon on the previous back-up. Right? So, if you delete a file by mistake, you can go back and find it. But I see a contradiction here. If you delete it on your desktop, shouldn't it be deleted from the back-up of that desktop? We expect it to be on earlier back-ups, but not the most recent one right? So, eventually as the TM fills up and begins deleting earlier back-ups, that data will be lost.
The newest timeline will not point/display the deleted file(s), but it still exists on the backup until the backup drive fills up and needs to erase deleted data.
I'm trying to understand this aspect of the TC and TM, because we want to use it as both an external HD and as one of our back-ups. Any light you can shed on this will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, LeRoy
Read Glenn's response to dedicating TC to TM backup and the difficulty in partitioning the TC HDD.
Glenn Carter wrote:
However, this is not an option for Time Capsule users as there is not an easy way of partitioning the Time Capsules’ internal had disk without elaborate effort. In this case, use the Time Capsule hard disk solely for Time Machine backups. Then attach an additional hard disk to the Time Capsules USB port and store additional files there. This added disk will still be available to all Macs that can access the Time Capsule.
This works to share the files on the USB HDD attached to TC, but if you want this drive backed up by TM (and this drive is formatted HFS+), then it needs to remain plugged into the Mac directly for TM to back it up.

Using Mac Mini, Time Machine and External Hard Drives as a Backup Server

Hello...
I own a graphic design studio and have been looking for a long time to create/buy a no-thinker backup system for my macs. I have 4 workstations that I would like to backup to one central "server".
So what I was thinking was buying a Mac Mini, 3-4 external USB 2.0 Hard drives, external Blu-Ray burner and upgrade all our systems to OS 10.5. What I need to know is, will each work station with Time Machine on it back up across the network to a specific drive on the Mac Mini? If I have each workstation automatically mount one external across the network onto the desktop, will Time Machine recognize that hard drive as a legitimate drive to backup to?
Having the external Blu-Ray disc burner will give me the ability to burn data to a disc so I will have a way to take some of my information off-site. Since we are a graphic design studio, we use large amounts of disc space and regular DVD-R (4.6 gigs) is just not enough to back up some projects.
Can someone enlighten me, and tell me if this would work or not. It's the only way I can see me creating something that has enough space, will back up automatically across the network and allow me to make off-site copies of my data without spending $5,000.00.
Thanks for any comments you might have on this topic.
-SoupGFX

I'm a member of a freelance graphic artist team and have been scraping by with my MacMini and CS3. I recently obtained a used iMac (approx. 2 years old) and, instead of painstakingly transferring everything left on the Mini to the iMac, I wanted to know if it's possible to turn the MacMini into a pseudo external hard drive using the FW800 port.
I already had an external attached to the Mini and plan on using that as well, but I tend to hoarde information and run out of space really quickly. So keeping the mini around, preferably in a way that I can access it as an external through my iMac, would be perfect. I have very little experience with networking and don't have a wireless connection (yay modem cables!) so I don't quite know how to figure this out.
Has anyone done this? Would a FireWire 800 work? Would I need to set up a network between the two and use them as independently connected computers?

Using time capsule as external hard drive with air

About to go full Mac, looking for seemless integration and organization of music and photos. Can a pairing of Airbook with Time Capsule work not just as backup by as an external hard drive to acces all of my things? Adding an external HD to the Time Capsule seems excessive. Hearing that iphoto doesn't really like to be anywhere by on local drive in OS. I'm not very Mac litereate yet so any heavfy kung-fu manipulation might be more than I can bargain for at this time.
Thanks!
Toshiba Satellite
Extreme
iphone 5
ipad original
ipad mini (x2)

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.

HT201250 Mac's Time Machine and external hard drive usage.

If you back up your Mac to an external hard drive with Time Machine, can all those files on the external drive be transferred to a new Mac later?

Yes.

What are the exact differences betweern mac book air and mac book pro

I have not used mac book b4, and now I consider to buy a mac book. I am a college student and majoring in computer science. Can someone tell me what are the exact differences between MBP and MBA? I know the CPU in MBP is better than MBA and what else? Which one would you recommend me to buy? Waiting for your response. Thank you so much!

This forum is
Apple Support Communities > Notebooks > MacBook Pro > Discussions
So the question is relevant at least to the extent that it is asking for a comparison between a MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air
MacBookAir definitely favors portability and sports a dual core i5 at 1.5GHz (max RAM is 4GB not user upgradable)
MacBook Pro has upto a quad core i7 at 2.4GHz (ships with 4GB and upgradeable to as much as 16GB on some models)

What is the best way to set up my time capsule with Existing Uverse

Hello,
I have read through some of the threads regarding the co-existence of Uverse and a time capsule. But it all seems very advanced to me. Here is what I'm wanting to do.
I currently have Uverse. I have the box in my living room attached to a wall outlet, via Ethernet. I have 3 TVs, all with Uverse boxes. Wirelessly, I have several devices connected to the Wifi at any given time. An iMac, 2 iPads, a MacBook Air, 3 iPhones, Apple TV, an XBox and 2 smart TVs.
So my Uverse Wifi pretty much stinks. It's not bad right in the livingroom where the box is, but in my bedroom and office it's pretty poor. When I try to watch Apple TV in the bedroom I end up watching a lot of spinning as it waits to connect:(
I was told at the Apple Store that a time capsule could help with that in addition to creating a back up of my computers. Excellent! So I purchased it. But here is my issue. My main iMac, the newest computer with the most up to date software, is in my office. But my Uverse equipment is in the living room with the TV. So do I have to hook up an Ethernet cable to both the Uverse AND my computer from the Time Capsule? Because they are rooms away from each other:( Is ther any way someone can take me through this step by step like setup for dummies?:) I would be so grateful!
Thanks!!

So do I have to hook up an Ethernet cable to both the Uverse AND my computer from the Time Capsule?
I'm not sure that I understand everything that you want to do and where devices will be located.
The Time Capsule must connect to the "main" Uverse router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection. An Ethernet cable can be run up to 300+ feet with virtually no loss, so you should be able to locate the Time Capsule wherever you want.....unless you have a very large estate.
If you want the Time Capsule to strengthen the wireless signal provided by the Uverse router, then the Time Capsule must be located in the area where you need that additional signal strength.
If I understand your post correctly, you plan to install the Time Capsule in the office? When you do this, you can configure the Time Capsule to create a wireless signal that uses the exact same wireless network name and password as the Uverse wireless network.
That will provide a much stronger signal for your Uverse wireless network in the office area. Hopefully, the bedroom that you mention is close to the office, so it will pick up the stronger wireless signal from the Time Capsule.
The iMac in the office can connect to the Time Capsule using another short Ethernet cable connection, or the iMac can connect using wireless. A wired connection is always preferred, if possible.
At this point, I guess the first question would be.......
Do you have a location for the Time Capsule that will be close to the office....and...the bedroom where you want a stronger wireless signal?

What is the best way to recover a corrupted file from a failing Hard Drive?

I have a 3TB WD internal drive that is starting to fail with Bad blocks. I noticed it when I had some write errors and so got a new disc as fast as possible to get the data off before it dies completely.
However, some files are failing to be copied with the Finder. What tools are best for trying to recover these mainly video files? I have Tech Tool Pro but its utility seems aimed at finding accidently deleted files. I seem to remember a utility from way back that would repeatedly try to read a back block and re constitute the file.
All suggestions are welcome!
Thanks.

Choose and use only a single background process to monitor health of a drive, they really are not safe to use multiple tools. And SoftRAID does its scan and checking in background during idle time for weak sectors - they are not really black/white but more xx tries to read/write.
as I mentioned, and you fit the profile, DW is one trick pony and can be used when you need to mount or access files to recover and backup.
Yes, DW will create a new directory. It has an advanced deep scan to scavenge for files.
Sometimes you just need to use DW's Preview to see what the drive volume 'looks like" now and what it would be after a rebuild/create directory. but sometimes you just want Data Rescue 3. both are in the $95 range.
Too often large backups, like 10 drives, are not well categorized or 'where is what."
Clone of a drive means you can restore the volume... TM to keep versions. But I don't have the 200% faith in TM sets or backup.
Sometimes a RAID6 is the ideal method for a large viideo catalogue or collection. And some people or businesses keep duplicate RAID6 sets, to mirror each other.
I liken 3TB drive sometimes as putting too many or all the eggs in one basket.
also, to keep any drive to 40% free which may sound wasteful, unless you consider the data' value.
SoftRAID 4 could be useful to zero and test the drive. Or to to 'take over' the drive even. Then to build a mirror from it. MPG recommends using it even in non-array use for some of those very reasons.
choice now going forward: clone with Superduper / CCC / recovery with DR3 / and build the directory (or not) with DW 4.x.
With externals sometimes the weak link is the case and interface or drive enclosure, plus the bridge if any (SATA native and none is my preference). And controllers, which may be needed.
Instead of having to order a drive? always have spares and extras. Always have a clone and an extra that can be used to put into service. And order more.

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

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