I have a first gen Mac Pro (beautiful machine). I also have a 2017 iMac. Can I turn my first gen. Mac Pro into a time machine and use it with my 2017 iMac for backup?
The 1st gen. Mac Pro has 8T of HD space that I want to use. It runs beautifully, like the first day I bought it almost 20yrs ago.
Mac shared as a Time Machine backup destination
You specify a folder on the Server Mac Pro to be a shared folder, then still inside File Sharing Preferences, you use the hidden "trick" of holding the Control key while you click on That folder, and described in this article:
Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support
... AND File Sharing MUST be enabled over SMB, not ONLY Apple File Protocol.
The format of the destination drive does not matter, because a sparse-bundle disk image will be created inside the shared folder.
Once the destination folder is set up on the Mac Pro, you tell Time machine on the iMac to use it as its destination.
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You can alternate your old locally-attached drive with the new Network backup on the Mac Pro until you are confident the new one is working to your satisfaction. Every-other backup automatically goes to every-other drive, and the new destination will be a new stand-alone backup starting with today's data.
when you use time machine APP (not to be confused with Time machine control panel) to look at back at what is available for restoring, you will see the composite from both backups combined into one unified presentation.
I remember, I purchased Time capsule which worked with Time Machine. I still have the time capsule. But time machine no longer recognizes it, because of how old it is.
Yes, my Time Capsule is too old that’s why it’s not compatible. It’s the 1st gen. Or second gen.
Its in my parents basement. It still has old files backed up on it.
menu > about This mac
Which model Mac Pro do you have, exactly?
careful not to post your serial number, it attracts vermin.
My Mac Pro is put in the box in my closet and Time Capsule is at my parents. I will pull it out and setup later.
Let me double check later what OS is on that Mac Pro. I know the last time I downloaded the OS was between 2010 and 2015.
Yes, you should be able to use the TC with your iMac.
I have a first gen Mac Pro (beautiful machine). I also have a 2017 iMac. Can I turn my first gen. Mac Pro Time Machine.
