Time Machine for Windows

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Level 1

36 points

Time Machine for Windows

My hard drive is partitioned for Windows. Up until now I have neither backed up the OS X side or the Windows side and I think it about time I start! Almost all of my "data to be saved" is on the Windows partition so I will start there. A few questions:

1. I assume I cannot use Time Machine to back up the Windows side (even if I do not use it for the OS X side). I would guess that TM works within OS X only.

2. Assuming above is correct what software packages would work with a Mac to back up the Windows side.

3. Lastly would it be necessary to have two separate hard drives, one working with TM (and a Time Capsule say) and another external HD for the software installed on the Windows side.

Many thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 3.06 8800M GS

Posted on Apr 27, 2010 7:50 AM

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Answer 1

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Apr 27, 2010 8:39 PM in response to crutchy

Hi dealbata,

dealbata wrote:
My hard drive is partitioned for Windows. Up until now I have neither backed up the OS X side or the Windows side and I think it about time I start! Almost all of my "data to be saved" is on the Windows partition so I will start there. A few questions:

1. I assume I cannot use Time Machine to back up the Windows side (even if I do not use it for the OS X side). I would guess that TM works within OS X only.

You assume correctly. Time Machine only works with OSX partitions/volumes.

2. Assuming above is correct what software packages would work with a Mac to back up the Windows side.

Depending on the Windows you use. Windows 7 comes with a very descent backup program.
For other Windows do a google search. I personally have my files on an external harddisk and use WinClone to image/clone my Windows partition.

3. Lastly would it be necessary to have two separate hard drives, one working with TM (and a Time Capsule say) and another external HD for the software installed on the Windows side.

Since Windows can not see/use Mac OSX partitions withou additional help, I would strongly suggest to use two partitions.

Many thanks

Hope it helps

Stefan

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Answer 2

crutchy Author

Level 1

36 points

Apr 28, 2010 1:09 AM in response to Fortuny

Hi Fortuny,

Thanks for that, very useful. One point of clarification and then this is "solved". Your very last sentence refers to *"two partitions"*. I interpret this as meaning two hard drives. One when using the Mac partition and one when using the windows partition.

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Answer 3

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Apr 28, 2010 4:18 AM in response to crutchy

Hi dealbata,

overlooked the mentioned Time Capsule. 🙂

With a directly connected external harddisk you could make two partitions on it and use one for OSX Time Machine and one for the Windows backup.

But assuming that most (if not all) Windows backup programs can not access the Time Capsule harddisk, you indeed need two externals.
The Time Capsule one for Time Machine and a second, directly connected to your Mac, for the Windows backup.

Stefan

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Answer 4

crutchy Author

Level 1

36 points

Apr 28, 2010 4:31 AM in response to Fortuny

Hi!
Understood many thanks.

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