MacBook56

Q: Copy backup from one external hard drive to another

Hoping someone can explain to me how to copy a backup from one external hard to another.  I managed to get a full backup of my sister's old iMac just before it died.  The backup is on a WD My Passport for Mac and I would like to copy the backup to another external hard drive, retaining the original on the My Passport for Mac, just for safe keeping in case one of the external drives fails.  This backup contains the only copy of hundreds of photos.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 6:07 PM

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Q: Copy backup from one external hard drive to another

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  • by Niel,Apple recommended

    Niel Niel Sep 22, 2016 6:24 PM in response to MacBook56
    Level 10 (313,441 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 6:24 PM in response to MacBook56

    If it’s a Time Machine backup, click here for information.

    If it’s a bootable clone, rerun the cloning utility, but with the new source and destination drives.

     

    (144833)

  • by babowa,Apple recommended

    babowa babowa Sep 22, 2016 6:24 PM in response to MacBook56
    Level 7 (32,117 points)
    iPad
    Sep 22, 2016 6:24 PM in response to MacBook56

    Well, one way is to simply plug in both hard drives to your Mac . Make sure the new one is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID partition scheme. Then, if you created the backup by drag 'n drop method, create a folder or partition on the empty drive and manually drag (copy/paste) the files from the existing drive to the new one.

     

    Or, if the current backup is a clone (that is done with either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper), you could simply clone it to the new hard drive.

     

    In either case, both need to be plugged into your Mac so you can access their drives on the desktop.

  • by MacBook56,

    MacBook56 MacBook56 Sep 22, 2016 6:22 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 6:22 PM in response to babowa

    Thank you.  I think the drag and drop will work fine if I plug both drives in.

  • by MacBook56,

    MacBook56 MacBook56 Sep 22, 2016 6:25 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 6:25 PM in response to Niel

    Yes it is a Time Machine backup.  Thanks.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Sep 22, 2016 6:38 PM in response to MacBook56
    Level 7 (32,117 points)
    iPad
    Sep 22, 2016 6:38 PM in response to MacBook56

    Hmmm, I am not sure a drag 'n drop will work with a TM backup. You might want to try to have TM create a backup on the new drive - but: I do not use TM, so I am not sure.