Computer in sleep mode or continuous?

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Level 1

7 points

Computer in sleep mode or continuous?

I have a quick question in my new MBP which it amazing! I have Crashplan which is an online backup system in addtion to TM. Now in order for Crashplan to backup my my 100 gigs or so, it will take about a total of 8 or 9 days. I have to keep the MBP computer running 24 hours a day in order for Crashplan to always be backing up until its complete. So I took the sleep mode off until this is done which means my MBP computer is always running. My question is, will this be ok and not hurt the MBP? I will be putting it back into sleep mode when this is complete but just wondering if for the time being it is ok to leave it running on contiuous. Thanks!

Posted on Jun 27, 2013 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 27, 2013 4:50 PM in response to jd261808

It shouldn't hurt the Mac but it's not necessary to use two different backups. Time Machine is all you need.

100GB's ... no wonder it takes so long and that may depend on your internet upload speed.

Check the upload speed > Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

If it's less than 10 Mbps... you may want to contact your ISP to check for broadband upgrade options.

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Answer 2

jd261808 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 27, 2013 4:56 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Well I use Crashplan in case my computer was ever stolen, who knows. But I hate to say that my upload speed here is a super fast 1Mbps.. LOL!! I know its slow as heck but its the fastest upload speed I can get in my area as I searched all the companies through and through.

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Answer 3

Network 23

Level 6

12,333 points

Jun 27, 2013 6:51 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Carolyn Samit wrote:

It shouldn't hurt the Mac but it's not necessary to use two different backups. Time Machine is all you need.

I disagree. Best practice is to have at least one backup off site in case something (fire, burglary) happens to the property where the Time Machine backup is stored. Crashplan is a perfectly reasonable way to get an offline backup.

However, 100GB is a huge amount to back up unless you have super fast upload speed. Some backup services allow you to "seed" your first online backup by sending in a hard drive which they then use as your baseline backup. That means you only have to use your bandwidth for the ongoing updates which should be small. Does Crashplan let you send in a hard drive for the first backup?

As far as leaving the MacBook Pro on, don't worry about that. OS X is based on the Unix system which was originally designed for servers which must run 24 hours a day 7 days a week (never turned off, basically). As long as your MacBook Pro is not exceeding reasonable temperatures, there is no problem leaving it on as long as you like.

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Answer 4

jd261808 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 28, 2013 5:54 AM in response to Network 23

I have to look into sending the drive in, I have not heard of anything about it. I have 4 more days with my super slow 1Mbps upload speed, so I am getting there. Lol! But just wanted to make sure leaving this on isnt going to stress the drive or anything. I will be putting it back into sleep mode when not in use and when the Crashplan backup is complete.

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