How do I copy my iPhoto library from an external HD to Time Capsule?

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How do I copy my iPhoto library from an external HD to Time Capsule?

I have just bought a 2GB TC. I want to use it for backup and storage for my wife's and my MBPs. How do I copy my iPhoto library, presently on an external HD to TC?

Posted on Mar 20, 2015 5:15 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 20, 2015 2:44 PM in response to mullumal

Apple recommends you do NOT do this.

You will corrupt the library.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168

Although mostly about FAT32 but it adds network drives.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198

Secondly you cannot backup the iphoto library if you move it to the TC.. so don't do it.. you MUST have a backup.

The iphoto library should be on a local drive. So using it on an external HD is exactly the right place.

I did find some useful info about setting up a shared iphoto setup.

A really good article on how to use iphoto in shared situation.. the comments also have some good suggestions.

http://macthing.co.uk/media-server/iphoto-9-5-sharing-and-maintaining-a-master-i photo-library/

Sync photos.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4236

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Answer 2

mullumal Author

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Mar 20, 2015 3:49 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks LaPastenague - even if it isn't the answer I wanted to hear. I have a 2012 i7 MBP with a 750gb HD, which I run with OS Yosemite. In order to free up space on the internal HD I have just exported my iPhoto library of 330gb to an external 1TB HD. I have two of these I use as TM backups. My intention was to partition both and use half on each for the iPhoto library and the other half for TM.However my problem then would be keeping them backed up, seeing as the library would no longer be on my MBP. My hope was that I'd be able to use the TC for both TM and as a hub to continually backup the iPhoto library using the USB port on TC. The TC is obviously a more limited device than I realised when I bought it - even if I do think it will meet our LAN requirements in the house. My wife also has a MBP and we intend to use the 2TB TC as our TM backup. Your links might have solved our question about how to share our iPhoto libraries - thank you - but I still have the problem of backing up my iPhoto library. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

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Answer 3

Mar 20, 2015 4:05 PM in response to mullumal

Time Machine is of limited use.. you need to recognise that TM is to backup your main drive.. once you step outside of that .. use a 3rd party utility.

I use Carbon Copy Cloner.. it is far more flexible and will allow you to backup network locations to other network locations..

Superduper when I check was more limited.. however it may have improved.

You can also create a fairly simple rsync script and it will do incremental backups for you from command line. It can manage to do nearly anything if you have the time and patience to learn the commands.. it is free and is already built into your Mac's OS. It can backup network locations to other network locations. However if the down and dirty approach is too hard... Carbon Copy Cloner is really a graphical front end on rsync.

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Answer 4

mullumal Author

Level 1

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Mar 20, 2015 4:23 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks La P. I"ll give it a bash.

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Answer 5

mullumal Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 22, 2015 4:11 AM in response to mullumal

Hi La Pastenague. I've downloaded CCC and used it to copy my iPhoto library from one external HD to another - exactly what I'm after. I've partitioned the two HDs and using the other halves for my TM backups - also exactly what I wanted to do. CCC was completely logical and easy to use. Thanks very much for your help. MullumAl.

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