How does the time machine icon appear on HDMcIntosh drive in a Mac

Question

How does the time machine icon appear on HDMcIntosh drive in a Mac

Ask to look at an elderly friend's Mac because of trouble with Time Machine. Much to my surprise he had two drives with Time Machine icon - an external, but also his main Mac drive??? I got the external reset and reinitiated as Time Machine, leaving the main drive alone. Now there is a difficulty with Time Machine over a "Untitled" (file?, drive?) on this main drive.

I suspect that he originally designated his main drive as his Time Machine. I hesitate to try to delete or change too much on his main drive in that it might be wiped out? I also, suspect, however that the Time Machine is actually continuing to back up his main drive in the main drive.

Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Posted on Jun 24, 2020 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,189 points

Jun 25, 2020 12:17 PM in response to Richard Reiling

No, it shouldn't wipe anything... Sys Prefs>Time Machine>Select Disk... if the Internal is listed there, highlight that drive & click the Remove button.

These are drives used as to where to put the TM backup, not what drives will be backed up.

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Answer 2

Jun 25, 2020 8:52 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks. I am not sure what you mean. ? Remove the internal drive ...from what? Clearly, he wants to back up his main drive via Time Machine. The Time Machine icon is on his main internal drive! My concern is that doing something to remove whatever Time Machine in the main drive will wipe the whole drive!

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Answer 3

Jul 2, 2020 4:45 PM in response to BDAqua

Some. I still get the HDMcIntosh icon that is the same as the Time Machine. Also the Time Machine returns the message that was backed up to "Untitled" What in the world is "Untitled"? a virtual drive? a phantom file?

I really would like to reset his computer but am concerned that his back-up is not adequate. Thanks for the reply.

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