I am preparing to upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard (10.6), but I want to perform the recommended system backup. How do I go about doing this? I've read something about "time machine" - I have no idea what this is, and something about getting an external hard drive? Do I really have to buy ANOTHER hard drive just to perform a backup? That seems a little excessive.
Please provide step-by-step instructions as if I were a 5 year old.
Thank you!
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
Read this: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3045
I prefer bootable clone because it serves as emergency system disk.
I too prefer to make a bootable clone using either SuperDuper (free for a full clone) or Carbon Copy Cloner (has a demo period allowing you full features before needing to pay).
I actually prefer 2 different backups to be on the safe side. That way if something goes wrong, I have 2 options for recovery which makes me much happier.
Quite true, Mr. Harris.
Once the OP has the basics of what methods exist, then the multiple backups will make more sense. I know I needed to ramp up a bit on CCC.
While you eventually have to pay for Carbon Copy Cloner (assuming you like it), it offers a few features not in SuperDuper.
It can backup and restore your "Recovery" partition.
You can easily select the files and directory trees you want to include/exclude from the backup.
You can use CCC to just move a directory tree from one place to another.
You can use CCC over the network between 2 Macs.
(I've used this to move things like my iTunes library and ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup from an older system to a new Macbook Pro, so I could continue sync'ing my iPod Touch.
There are most likely move features above and beyond SuperDuper, I am just familiar with the above.
NOTE: I ALSO use SuperDuper (at least 8 years now) and think it is an excellent cloning utility. SuperDuper has saved me more than once, and I am happy to recommend it. And for the OP's situation of wanting to backup for an upgrade, the fact that SuperDuper is free for a full disk clone makes it attractive.
Free is good. And Kappy believes SD will catch up the RecoveryPartition backup soon enough.
The final solution people choose is theirs, as long as they cover themselves.
Happy New Year, sir.
That's a nice round number you have there BobHarris.
or maybe it is 16.
He had a New Year's resolution ...
He had a New Year's resolution ...
So True!
I generally do not pay attention, but about 2 weeks ago I noticed a round number could be obtained, so I got busy answering questions 🙂
If I'm lucky, I can stay stable for 3 more hours, and then I can end the new year in my Time Zone with that round number 😀
perform backup?
