I need to back up my old, Macbook Pro circa 2015, so I got a Scandisk SSD to use with Time Machine. As I go through the process Time Machine wants to erase files currently on the disk. There is a Install Security Mac.zip file. What is this and do I care if it is erased?
MacBook Pro 15″, OS X 10.11
Third-party drives like MyBook and Sandisk came with software, and the manufacturer suggested you install that software.
What that software does is to "spare you the annoyance of having to re-initialize the drive" from its factory set Windows New Technology File System (NTFS) or similar unusual (on a Mac) format. Instead, the software they provided would simulate a MacOS drive inside an NTFS file for your Mac.
CAUTION: The downside of using the manufacturer's software is that if the manufacturer's software is not loaded, the Macintosh Volume is not readable. This means that in startup manager, Installer, and in recovery such as after a data loss, the Macintosh Volume will not be visible.
The standard advice given here to all users, including novice users, is to discard the manufacturers software and NEVER use it. "Best Practice" is to Erase the drive when new, using only MacOS Disk Utility, and create the fundamental data structures needed for consistent, reliable use by MacOS under all circumstances.
Third-party drives like MyBook and Sandisk came with software, and the manufacturer suggested you install that software.
What that software does is to "spare you the annoyance of having to re-initialize the drive" from its factory set Windows New Technology File System (NTFS) or similar unusual (on a Mac) format. Instead, the software they provided would simulate a MacOS drive inside an NTFS file for your Mac.
CAUTION: The downside of using the manufacturer's software is that if the manufacturer's software is not loaded, the Macintosh Volume is not readable. This means that in startup manager, Installer, and in recovery such as after a data loss, the Macintosh Volume will not be visible.
The standard advice given here to all users, including novice users, is to discard the manufacturers software and NEVER use it. "Best Practice" is to Erase the drive when new, using only MacOS Disk Utility, and create the fundamental data structures needed for consistent, reliable use by MacOS under all circumstances.
If it was mine I would erase it. Also see: https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/23348/~/how-to-install-sandisk-security-%28mac%29
I know the feeling. I think disk vendors add stuff like that to try to differentiate their brand from others. The first thing I do is remove that type of software if there is any.
Thank you. I actually did read that section on the ScanDisk website but that only confused me more.
Just like everything else. Thanks again
Thank you for that detailed response. I actually think I understood some of it.
Using Time Machine for the First Time
