Have Macbook pro, running OSX 10.9.5. Time machine had formatted external drive for backups as Mac OS Extended (case sensitive). I just bought a new 4TB external drive and formatted as Mac OS Extended (journaled). How can I combine old backups on new drive?
MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)
OS X will not work properly with case-sensitive file system. Don't use it and stick to HFS+ Journaled. Time Machine does not format the backup drive with the case-sensitive filesystem You have to do that deliberately. Only be repartitioning the drive can you change back to Journaled.
I had allowed Time machine to format the old drive and when it did, it did as MAC OS Extended (case Sensitive). I had used this for the last 2 years with no problem and decided to go to a bigger external drive. When I formated this one, I formatted it as MAC OS Extended (journaled) as that is the best for a MAC, but now I can't transfer my old backups over and that is the reason for my question.
First, the answer you marked as correct is wrong. You already know that Time Machine always formats a volume as case sensitive.
Although Apple documentation says you can copy Time Machine backups in the Finder, it's very slow and sometimes doesn't work at all.
This technique will only work if the volume you're copying to is the same size, or larger than, the one you're copying from.
First, open the Time Machine preference pane and click the Select Disk... button. You may have to unlock the settings first by clicking the padlock icon in the lower left corner of the window. Authenticate as an administrator.
Delete the volume you're going to copy from the list of backup destinations. Then turn Time Machine OFF.
Launch Disk Utility, open the built-in help, and search for the term "Duplicate." Follow the instructions. All existing data on the destination volume will be erased. That shouldn't be a problem, because you don't want to mix backup and non-backup data on the same drive anyway.
If the volume you're copying was encrypted by Time Machine, you may have to unlock it first. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar of the Disk Utility window.
Turn Time Machine back ON and select the new volume as a backup destination. You can also continue to use the old volume, if you wish. The two will be alternated when both are available.
CAUTION: If the volume you're copying is corrupt, as shown by Repair Disk or Verify Disk in Disk Utility, then that corruption will be copied to the new drive. Don't copy data from a corrupt volume on a malfunctioning drive. Put the drive aside and don't use it until you're sure you'll no longer need the data. Then securely erase it and take it to a recycling center. Do the same if the Restore operation fails with "disk errors."
Thanks,
I incorrectly hit the "Correct Answer" button and then could not fiqure out how to turn it off.
Appreciate the answer. I may just need to hold off and save the old drive for a while in case I need any of the data.
If you back up the new drive (which you must do anyway) and copy the backup data as indicated, you can then restore the original data alongside the Time Machine data. But Apple recommends against dual use of Time Machine drives.
Actually, if you let TM do the formatting of the External HD (as I did), it will always automatically format the HD as MAC IS Extended (case sensitive), which is ultimately where the problem lies. While you are correct in that Apple recommends the Mac OS Extended (Journaled), TM unless you know to change it automatically formats as Case Sensitive.
From Apple's requirements:
A TM drive must be partitioned with either APM (PPC) or GUID (Intel) and formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
My answer was correct as you can see from my reply to the other poster. You did not accidentally hit the wrong button. You need not patronize the other party or demean me in the process.
Mac OS extended (journaled) vs Mac OS extended (case sensitive)
