I just bought a new MacBook Pro. I used my Passport for Mac to transfer my data from my old MacBook to the new which worked fine. However, since then I haven’t been able to back up to Time Machine. I can find the Passport in the Disk Utility and see it registered as connected through USB. The passport seems to be doing it and quits blinking but no backup occurs. What should I try?
Probably at this point to get a new external USB storage drive of 2TB or 4TB
and use Time Machine to set it up as a replacement. Maybe keep older one
for the older Mac.
It’s a 4T Passport. Sometimes a message comes on that it has data from a different computer on it. Should I erase it since all the prior data is now on my current MacBook?
Should your older macbook still exist and running that same
old system, you may keep the external backup aside for use
with older mac's system. ~ I have at least one backup drive
'Time Machine' for each of my 4 Macs; portable & desktop.
iForgot how to make copy of a Time Machine backup's content.
[If you didn't have a second one ahead of a failed backup drive.]
IF you could trust the Passport, after using disk utility
repair(?) ~ that still may be a gamble to re-use again.
Thank you. I erased and traded in my old computer. What is the risk if I use an erased Passport?
There may be damage to physical structure; or electronic defects.
Mostly trust issues. For better storage options, look into OWC for
desktop drives, & reliable power supplies. ~ For drive health, you
could try a utility; a good one for 'system drives' is Drive DX.
(An un-interruptable UPS backup/battery, with 'automatic voltage
regulation' for Macs, is advised. ~ At least 1500 VA runtime.)
Several storage drive brands were lost, or consolidated during earlier
of the great 'recessions.' Ones that resurfaced, 'returned-in-name' only.
[I still have some bootable clones for Mac systems no longer owned.]
Those full systems run hardware, if needed; to restore older macs.
Don't chance data loss or failure with marginal backup storage drives.
Same with internal drives, which are tasked with active file handling.
I’m embarrassed to say that I’m not very computer literate and didn’t follow much of your last response. Can you recommend a specific external backup drive that would likely do well with MacBook Pro? Sorry to be a pest.
Should you have an indoor location where a larger durable desktop
external hard drive enclosure could be set, to get and use something
on scale of an example such as this, can be a good tool to have/use.
This model example could be purchased and arrive with internal drives
already installed, 1 TB to 18 TB capacity. Uses its own power adapter, does
not require the computer power or battery to operate. While not exactly
portable, this example uses various rotational 7200-RPM hard drives..
IF I were to recommend only one, this may be it. In addition to 'less
costly backup USB port-powered' drives bought locally in Anchorage.
My choices are biased, and would fit a niche, in other hardware needs.
OWC Mercury Elite Pro - Production-Grade External Hard Drive
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
This brand has a good standing in Mac community; with limited 3yr guaranty
several examples of port-power (USB) external powered models are available.
(And one like this, could've been useful to me over the past 10 years.)
For more portability, lighter port-powered models are good, within their limits.
Examples of these are end user configurable; one buys an enclosure & chooses
to have some different capacity of storage inside, at a price. Or get an enclosure
and put together a kit of your own choosing.
Lighter ones, like 2 T/4TB plastic+alumimum-cased WB or Seagate, or other brand
are just a small box with 2.5-inch rotational drive inside; small enough to carefully
stow in computer pack with other accessories. Larger ones can stay at home..
If configured with faster SSD with their own power supply, could run a macOS from
their external enclosure. Then you'd more easily consider making a Clone, for that.
Cables, of faster-speed data flow & correct port adapters (or use with powered Hub)
are versatile; enclosed with their own external power supply, are durable hardware.
There are at least twenty different build model configurations; or DIY ones could
be assembled as a Kit, at home. Later, the drive inside, can be upgraded/replaced.
A fair selection of various examples are online or stocked @ resellers; from OWC.
The backup category is extensive, across several boundaries of usefulness.
Thanks for your help. I’ll look into these options.
Question: Passport for Mac
