HT201510: Setting up Time Capsule for the first time

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ppithermo

Q: time machine on a western digital my passport wireless.

Has anyone had success in seeing up time machine to backup wirelessly on a western digital my passport wireless?

a bit of guidance would be greatly appreciated

thanks

various macs, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Feb 8, 2015 3:01 PM

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Q: time machine on a western digital my passport wireless.

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  • by ppithermo,

    ppithermo ppithermo Feb 8, 2015 3:02 PM in response to ppithermo
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    Feb 8, 2015 3:02 PM in response to ppithermo

    I should mention osX 10.10.2

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 8, 2015 4:16 PM in response to ppithermo
    Level 10 (207,995 points)
    Applications
    Feb 8, 2015 4:16 PM in response to ppithermo

    A third-party NAS is unsuitable for use with Time Machine, especially if it's your only backup. I know this isn't what you want to hear. I know that Time Machine accepts the NAS as a backup destination. I know that the manufacturer says the device will work with Time Machine, and I also know that it usually seems to work. Except when you try to restore, and find that you can't.

    Apple has published a specification for network devices that work with Time Machine. None of the third-party NAS vendors, as far as I know, meets that specification. They all use the incomplete, obsolete Netatalk implementation of Apple Filing Protocol.

    If you want network backup, use as the destination either an Apple Time Capsule or an external storage device connected to another Mac or to an 802.11ac AirPort base station. Only the 802.11ac base stations support Time Machine, not any older model.

    Otherwise, don't use Time Machine at all. There are other ways to back up, though none of them is anywhere near as efficient or as well integrated with OS X. I don't have a specific recommendation.

    If you're determined to keep using the NAS with Time Machine, your only recourse for any problems that result is to the manufacturer (which will blame Apple, or you, or anyone but itself.)

  • by ppithermo,

    ppithermo ppithermo Feb 9, 2015 2:00 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 9, 2015 2:00 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Excellent advice.  The solution suggesting an external disk connected to another mac is very good.

    thank you very much.