Q: How to backup the entire iPhoto Library (only) directly to an extrenal hard drive ? ( Os10.6.8, iphoto 11 ver. 9.2.3 from a iMac Itel core 2 duo) -- thanks in advance.

Make sure the disk is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Most Simple Back Up:

Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.

Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.

Example of such apps: Chronosync - but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store

Simply drag the iPhoto Library package from your Pictures folder onto the external HD.  Be sure that drive is formatted OS X Extended (journaled).

If you plan of backing up frequently to that drive you might consider a backup application that can do incremental backups.  One application that can do incrementtal backups is Synk Pro. 

OT

Hey, I have been fairly successful with this method.

That mentions 4 different methods, one of which is not backing up the Library at all, and be very wary of online back ups...

Be very wary of online backups...why exactly?

Exactly why: they frequently mangle iPhoto Libraries. That's why.

Longer answer:

An iPhoto Library (which is also an Aperture Library) and indeed Libraries from some third party apps like DevonThink, is not a simple collection of files and folders. It's a ecosystem of files managed via a series of interlinked databases. They have to be backed up to the correct disk format and their relationships managed in a specific way. No online back up system uses the correct disk format, and so we find reports on here from folks who - after waiting days for their data to download - find their library corrupted.

I have an 84G iPhoto Library that I am trying to back up. I have a external drive connected through ethernet port directly to my iMac. I did have it connected to my router, but the file transfer was taking tooooo long. It's still says it will take about 5 days. Is this normal?

I know Time Machine is really the way to go and plan on setting that up, but I'm just trying to get my iPhoto Libraries backed up first because they are most important to me.

Ethernet is a network connection - you need a direct connection like Firewire - USB - thunderbolt - not a network connection

LN

That's the only choice I have with this hard drive. It's a WD MyBookLive Network Drive.

And what is the format?  Typically network drives are not a sutible format - to backup the iPhtoo library it must be Mac OS extended (journaled)

LN

Ok...

Terence Devlin wrote:

 

 

Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made.

That is exactly what I'm looking for...

But my iPhoto Library is >130GB and I would love to do a monthly offsite backup to a remote server. So my first backup (given on a good / great day, say I could push 1GB in 15 minutes) that would take about 32.5 hours. (of course it will be slower with network fluctuations throughout the day. So maybe 2 or 2.5 days to complete.

Now my problem and question is the iPhoto Library is a single file. So if I make a small change in iPhoto do I have to re-backup the entire 130GB file? or is there an app smart enough to (right click and only change the package contents inside the single iPhoto Library file?)

My backup tool of choice is Carbon Copy Cloner.

And I do subscribe to the 3-2-1 level of protection practice.

• 3 copies of any data that needs to be kept
• 2 different devices, for protection against device failure
• 1 location specifically designated for offsite data protection (fire / theft)

You can use a backup application like Synk Pro or ChronoSync  which can do incremental backups, i.e. it copies only new or modified files. I use Synk Pro and it can be set to backup the library continuously, i.e. as you're using it, or wait until iPhoto is closed then then it does it's thing.  That's how I set it up.

However, the backup should be on a local external HD formatted OS X Extended (journaled). The first backup will require a full backup but subsequent backups are very quick. Time Machine also does incremental backups. 

If you go to MacUpdate.com and search for "backup" you'll find a number of other possible candidates.

Old Toad,

I don't think you read my question...

by your own account Synk Pro or ChronoSync can do incremental backups on new or modified files.

So... if my iPhoto Library is 130GB and I open up iPhoto and add a single photo... I have "modified" the iPhoto Library file, correct?

So my question is will Synk Pro (or any other App) not re-backup the entire "modified" 130GB file?

Ops.  Forgot to tell you that the iPhoto Library is a Unix style package like applications and consists of many files and folders;

So the incremental backups are quick and easy.