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Mistaken 4 Strangers

Q: Can Time Machine backup files stored on external hard drive

Can Time Machine back up files that are stored on external hard drive and save them on a different external hard drive?

 

I have my pictures stored on an external hard drive connected to my iMac. I want to make an exact copy of the pictures folder on a separate external hard drive. Can Time Machine do that?

 

If yes, how?

 

If no, what's a good way to create a mirror of the folder on External Hard Drive #1 (the original) on External Hard Drive #2 (the backup)?

 

I am not opposed to manually copying every couple weeks or month, but (1) it's less convenient and (2) I got an error message the first time I tried this saying the files couldn't be copied because some of the files being copied had the same name as each other (not exactly that, I'm at work and don't have the message in front of me right now, but that was the gist of it).

 

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 31, 2014 12:58 PM

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Q: Can Time Machine backup files stored on external hard drive

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  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Jul 31, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Mistaken 4 Strangers
    Level 10 (313,402 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Mistaken 4 Strangers

    1. Yes, if both drives are formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

    2. Reformat the drives if needed, open the Time Machine pane of System Preferences, and remove the drive with the pictures from the list of items set to be excluded.

     

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