How to backup an external USB HDD onto an AirPort

Question

How to backup an external USB HDD onto an AirPort

Hi all,

Ok, I must admit I don't know much about Apple Macs, but am having to work on my boss's computer and need your help please.

So, he has one of the new Mac 27" 3.5GHz machines that flys and an old AirPort Base Station (I do not know which one but have asked him to let me know which one, but I know it isa 3Tb one). What I want to do is put a USB HDD on his Mac and tell iTunes to use that to store all his must as his 1Tb SSD is filling up with music that doesn't need to be on an SSD, So I have ordered him a 2TB USB 3 drive so that his music and movies can go onto that. I know that will work, BUT the question is will his AirPort be able to backup his Mac AND the USB HDD? If so, how would I do this?

Sorry to ask so much, but this is all new to me as I am not used to working on Macs, and want to keep him happy!

Thanks all for any help you can give.

Alan

iMac, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Dec 17, 2013 9:56 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

742,769 points

Dec 17, 2013 10:01 AM in response to AlanWonderSheep

An AirPort base station, except for the Time Capsule, doesn't contain an internal drive and isn't a backup device. To use Time Machine to back up an external drive, open the Time Machine pane of System Preferences and ensure that it's not excluded.

(94966)

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2013 2:57 AM in response to Niel

Ah, thank you very much Niel for the information. So, he must then have an AirPort Time Capsule since it has a 3Tb hard drive in it. So now I need to get a manual to find out how to delete the existing backups of his old machine and then set it up to backup his new iMac. I don't supose it would be an easy thing to do that doesn't take many steps, or am I best to search for a manual and study it.

Thanks again for your help so far.

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