Q: Backing up to a NTFS External Hard Drive (I have Paragon NTFS)
Dear Apple experts,
I have a Macbook Pro OS X 10.6.8 and a 1.5 TB Hard Drive (USB 2.0), to which I'd like to create a backup disk image.
- the 1.5 TB Hard Drive already has about 300 GB of data on it and is formatted NTFS
- Macbook has Paragon NTFS on it, allowing it to write to the hard drive
I've researched and have read HT1553: Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6: How to back up and restore your files
"http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US"
I had a few ideas:
1. Partitioning the drive into 2 and formatting: 50% is NTFS and 50% is OS Extended.
- Can this can be done via Disk Utility?
- Can it be done without having to format, potentially losing all existing data on the external hard drive?
2. Buying another drive and formatting it to OS Extended
3. Simply creating a backup disk image to the hard drive without partitioning and formatting - seems straightforward?
- this is what I would like to do. If it's not ideal, what would you suggest?
Questions:
1. Since the Macbook has Paragon NTFS, does that mean a backup disk image can be created onto the hard drive (NTFS format)?
2. Importantly, if my Macbook fails, can it read this backup disk image and thus be restored?
BACKUP
If yes to the above, can it be done this way:
- Start from Macbook (without the install disk)
- Choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
- Select the disk I wish to back up (Macintosh HD) in the source pane on the left.
- Click "Verify Disk" to check the hard disk for issues. If an issue is found, click "Repair Disk" to repair.
- Click the "New Image" button in the toolbar.
- Give your image a useful name such as "04-15-2009 Macintosh HD backup". A date in the name makes it easy to tell when the backup was made.
- Save destination is a location to the external hard disk, then click "Save" to continue.
- Enter your admin name and password if prompted. Imaging process starts.
- Expect to take 2-3 hours?
- May I use the computer while it is doing this?
9. When the imaging process is complete, select the newly created disk image in the device pane.
Then, choose Images > Scan Image for Restore... from the menu bar, and let the scan complete.
- is this step to make sure that the disk image is bootable?
10. Quit Disk Utility (press Command-Q). Then press Command-Q to quit the Mac OS X installer; you will be prompted to restart
RESTORE
In the event, that my laptop dies.
- Go to apple store to get hard disk replaced?
- How much will this cost?
- Or do I get a new laptop altogether?
- Connect external hard drive to laptop
- Start from your Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6 Install DVD. (Insert the disc, then restart and hold the C key.)
- Select your language. Do not start an installation.
- Choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
- Select your internal Mac OS X disk that you want to restore to.
- Click the Restore tab.
- Drag your internal disk to the "Destination:" field.
- Click the "Image..." button next to the "Source:" field.
- Navigate to the location of the backup image you want to restore (located on your external disk).
- Click "Open" to continue.
- Click the "Restore" button. Confirm you want to "Restore to Disk" by clicking "Restore" again.
- Enter your admin name and password when prompted. If the backup disk image is encrypted, enter the disk image password if necessary. The time it takes to restore from the image depends on factors such as the amount of data on your backup disk image.
What computer will be back to the way it was ?
Q: In what circumstances would I need to use Migration Assistant?
- If I bought a new Macbook? For a new macbook, is there any reason why I cannot perform the above steps?
Other
My MacPro is about 3 years old at the moment. It's mainly used at home now, connected to an external monitor, though I used to take it to university.
I hope I didn't significantly shorten it's life by taking it everywhere with me.
- How long typically do they last?
- When should I expect that there could be 'something wrong'
- What maintenance can I do? Verify and repair disks? Take it to the Apple Store to clean the internal fans? It's on 24/7 and sometimes whirs quite loudly.
Sorry if these questions are simplistic, just want to be sure.
Hopefully, your help can assist me and others also in my position.
We appreciate your help
Posted on Nov 24, 2013 7:12 AM
Hey Kurt,
Thank you for your response. Very very helpful.
I'm going to follow your advice, but I want to use my 1.5 TB external disk drive.
May you please give me step-by-step instructions on how to format it, partition it and then create the clone/backup? Do I need to use the install disk at all?
My current Macbook has 250GB capacity. The external hard drive has 100GB of music and movies, the rest are backup files from the Macbook (I have been manually backing up; did not realise that I can clone until recently).
When you mentioned at least 50GB of empty space, did you mean have a partition of at least 250GB + 50GB for the Mac OS Extended and 1200GB for the NTFS?
Again, sorry for the ignorance.
Also, meant to say "when should I suspect that there could be something wrong." The fan noises worry me.
Appreciate your help Kurt.
Posted on Nov 24, 2013 1:22 PM


