Does Time Machine overwrite files stored as network storage

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Level 1

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Does Time Machine overwrite files stored as network storage

I am planning to use my new 1 TB Time Capsule as a NAS as well as a location for my Time Machine backups. Will the files (like movies) that I store on the Time Capsule be overwritten when Time Machine runs out of room for backups? I read that it was true on another site, but it seemed too rediculous to be true! I want my documents secure! A back up program that deletes needed files is counterproductive. Also, when I save an archive of the HDD to another HDD for off site storage, would it transfer everything that was on the drive? Thanks for the help!

Macbook Pro 2010, Mac OS X (10.6.4), i7 Processor; 8 GB RAM; 15.4 inch anti-glare display

Posted on Jul 17, 2010 6:12 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,664 points

Jul 17, 2010 8:35 PM in response to Iceman692

Hello Iceman692. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

Will the files (like movies) that I store on the Time Capsule be overwritten when Time Machine runs out of room for backups?

No. Time Machine will not overwrite existing files stored on the Time Capsule. There will just be less space available for backups.

Also, when I save an archive of the HDD to another HDD for off site storage, would it transfer everything that was on the drive?

If you are referring to the Time Capsule's archive feature, then yes it would transfer everything on the Time Capsule's hard drive to a USB hard drive.

The archive goes into a dedicated folder on the USB drive and doesn't affect anything else on the drive. Subsequent archives don't delete the earlier ones; a new folder is created with a version number appended.

(ref: Time Capsule: Using AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or later to make a copy of the Time Capsule disk)

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Answer 2

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 17, 2010 9:30 PM in response to Iceman692

Iceman692 wrote:
I am planning to use my new 1 TB Time Capsule as a NAS as well as a location for my Time Machine backups. Will the files (like movies) that I store on the Time Capsule be overwritten when Time Machine runs out of room for backups?

As Tesserax says, no, it won't.

But Time Machine will use all the available empty space, sooner or later, so you'll eventually have a conflict. See #Q3 in Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

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