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time machine backup from external and imac

If i placed my iphoto folder on an external drive how can i use time machine to back up as well as backing up folders on my imac.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 9, 2011 2:38 AM

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15 replies

Oct 11, 2011 5:24 PM in response to renaefowler

Just for clarification, yes, external HDs can be backed-up, if they're formatted for a Mac (any variation of Mac OS Extended).


By default, all internal disks or partititons (formatted for a Mac) are included; all externals are excluded.


So to back up an external, you must remove it from the exclusion list in TM Prefs > Options. Note that if you're using a directly-connected external for your backups, it will be listed there automatically, in gray, meaning that you cannot remove it.


Similarly, if another external is listed in gray, it means it's not formatted for a Mac and Time Machine cannot back it up.

Oct 11, 2011 8:30 PM in response to Pondini

Hi,

I have a similar issue. I'm currently backing up my HD and an External Drive (ED) dedicated for music. Actually, I forgot that my music ED was plugged in when I started the back-up. So, what happens later in the week when I run a future back-up of my HD without my Music ED plugged in to the computer? Will the future back-up wipe out the music since it is not plugged in?


I really don't have a problem with my music being backed up via Time Machine, I just don't quite understand what happens in future back-ups.

Oct 11, 2011 8:37 PM in response to barbarafrombarbara

barbarafrombarbara wrote:


Hi,

I have a similar issue. I'm currently backing up my HD and an External Drive (ED) dedicated for music. Actually, I forgot that my music ED was plugged in when I started the back-up. So, what happens later in the week when I run a future back-up of my HD without my Music ED plugged in to the computer? Will the future back-up wipe out the music since it is not plugged in?

No. The backups of the external will not be disturbed just because the external isn't connected. Time Machine will back up your internal HD when it can, and the external when it can.


I really don't have a problem with my music being backed up via Time Machine, I just don't quite understand what happens in future back-ups.

They're left alone, until your backup disk gets full and Time Machine has to start deleting old backups to make room for new ones. Then it will delete only the backups of files that are no longer on your system. But that would include backups of files on an external that's no longer connected (since they're not on your system at tht time).

Oct 11, 2011 8:41 PM in response to Pondini

Great. I did visit your website - just didn't quite understand . . .Currently, I have 1.2tb of space left on my back-up drive - so I should be fine for awhile.


Would you advise me to use Time Machine to back up my Movies&Pictures ED as well? I have a separate back-up system via DVD's . . . but, looking for a way to back-up my back-up . . . Again, I would only need to use TM for this once in awhile.


Thanks for your quick reply!

Oct 11, 2011 8:58 PM in response to barbarafrombarbara

Yes, it's always prudent to keep "secondary" backups (at least), especially if one is taken to a secure off-site location.


DVDs may work, for relatively small stuff, or a second external for larger amounts of data. See #27 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions for some suggestions.


There's no downside to backing-up frequently with Time Machine, as it will only back up what's new or changed since the previous backup.

Oct 11, 2011 9:13 PM in response to Pondini

Just one more. . .I just realized that my music ED has a folder labeled backups.backupdb on it - which has now been 'backed up' by TM to my dedicated TM ED.


Apparently, I tried to back up via Time Machine with my music ED (there was plenty of space for music + backup, but new it was a risky plan). So, I purchased and hooked up my dedicated TM ED one year ago.


Do you think I'll have any problems with the restore on TM should I need it? Will this extraneous backups.backupdb folder that was just 'backed-up' confuse anything?


Ideas?

time machine backup from external and imac

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