Mac mini 128 SSD + 1TB iomega minimax backup help needed

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8 points

Mac mini 128 SSD + 1TB iomega minimax backup help needed

Hi guys. My mac mini 2.53mhz hard drive failed. Luckily had a TimeCapsule working away in background for years. So I decided to replace the 500GB HD for a fast 128SSD to run MacOsx and put all media ie photos and music on external fire wire 800 ioemga minimax, and my dvd films (from my own collection, burn with Wondershare) on a DLINK NAS drive. The films are backed up as DLIN 320 = raid. However ... backing up the new Mini 128SSD + ioemga minimax does not seem as straigh forward. Where will my TimeCapsule (only 500GB) fit in ? Will I have to just back up the iomega independently ? I realise I may have to give up the full funtionality of the TimeCapsule, which basically reboots your whole system. Any recommendations ? I am currently trying to win bidding for a Lacie Big2 1TBx2 .... maybe could fit that into the system .... or will my TC 500GB still have life sitting on my network. The big issue is obviously my digital life ... and hard drives fail. Thanks for your help.

Set up

Mac Mini 2.53 8GB 128SSD El Capitain ... super fast now. Very happy.

Iomege Mini Max 1TB fire 800 (particion 980, 20 to make a bootable drive)

DLINK 320l 2x1TB (WD green) : films
Network run through power plugs

Time Capsule 1st gen? 500GB ... been wizzing non stop for years and saved me two times and helped with migrating computers.

Have a small 160 GB external fire wire 400 that I have a bootable version of El Capitain

I just can't see hoe TIME CAPSULE can now back up my system as before given the set up is 2 drives SSD + iomega.

Thanks for your help / best ideas

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), 2.53Mhz 09, 8gig; 128SSD (+ext 1TB)

Posted on Dec 13, 2015 2:58 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 13, 2015 3:22 AM in response to cosmiconion

Time Capsule 1st gen? 500GB ... been wizzing non stop for years

It is amazing it is still running.. most died long ago.

I would strongly recommend its replacement.. There is no way it can now fit your current setup.

You can however plug in a USB drive.. 2TB or more.. and do TM backup of both the internal and external drive.

Only I am not sure it is worth it.. You would be better plugging the USB drive into your mini and doing it locally. Even if usb 2 is slow it is faster than via the TC over network. It is also faster than backup over gigabit even to the newest TC.. so local drives are always better than network.. plus TM is more reliable on network drives.

I would however say your external drive perhaps is less in need of backup cf your small internal drive.. and using Carbon Copy Cloner or something of that type.. (chronosync) is well worth using for the external drive.. even if you continue to use TM for the internal.

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Answer 2

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:01 PM in response to LaPastenague

I was worried. No question about it. You forget to test your back up drive. So when something goes wrong you feel very exposed. I need to change my back up strategy now . As set up in Mini 128SSD, iomega mini max 1TB, iomega mini max 750. They will all sit ontop of each other. I may to TC between the two iomega externals, effectively backing up photos and music. Unfortunately I don't think you can set up more than one Time Machine, as I have the old TC that could back up the SSD . Maybe I nee to invest in a DLINK 320L NAS drive (2xdrives) hide that in the house and back my photo and music periodically via network and another software.

Not sure ....
But ... old TC still literally burning away (they get hot)

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Answer 3

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:14 PM in response to LaPastenague

this is good advice ... and I need to think about this
I guess I could just TM on my TC for the time being until 500GB used up.
Think there is a fix to make it back up an external (rather than internal)

Obviously I am exposed if SSD fails (and all programs lost) ... ie my Microsoft is now lost (my mini originally had Microsoft, which TimeM successfully transferred to my spair MIni), but I cannot now coppy the program into my Mini with SSD ... I need a key to re-install (and I don't have originals) .... makes sense MS don't want fraud (but in my case I bought my Mini in good faith).

I have partitioned the 1TB iomega mini max, 20 - 980 . I plan to put a bootable version of 10.11 on the 20 (only needed 8 I know) .
Interesting , you said I can plug a US into TimeCapsule , and that can be used ... that way I can just hide TC (I have a wired network over copper wire at 200Bps) and that can just work in the back ground.

Given the two drive set up SSD internal and iomega external ... one TM back up is not going to work (as you said, TC not really suited)

Thx

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Answer 4

Dec 13, 2015 3:15 PM in response to cosmiconion

I still have a TC.. but trust it less and less.

I run a Synology NAS.. much the superior cf Dlink and other brands for Mac use..

Plus I use CCC to external USB at times.. not every day but in a cycle of about once a month.

CCC can backup to any destination, network or local.. but only way to get a bootable clone is local since Mac is not possible to network boot.

But ... old TC still literally burning away (they get hot)

That is why I am amazed it still works.. but I would now get rid of it.. since it is going to cost you more than it is worth to fix up.. and is hardly worth using even if you want to run it merely as airport without a hard disk since the wireless is so much better in say an airport extreme gen5 which you can get from ebay for $50.

But It is well worth thinking outside the square.. TM and TC.. they don't cut it.

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Answer 5

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:17 PM in response to LaPastenague

you said this "You can however plug in a USB drive.. 2TB or more.. and do TM backup of both the internal and external drive."

How would this work, if you did a full recovery . Would TM put everything back in the right place ? ie on SSD and external drive ?

If so a 2TB TC or if possible (and I like this idea) current 500 TC + USB drive. TC basically turns an external into a NAS (I like this!). and I can save some money.

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Answer 6

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:31 PM in response to LaPastenague

many thanks, again . will look at those programs. Synology I have heard the best. Not really in my budget. The DLINK320 doing the job for the film Library . Sits by DV plugged into my copper wires. The DLINK software works on iPad , so I can wirelessly transfer films onto iPad so kids have stuff, good for when gong on holday. I guess I can live with Airplay method .... or Raspberry Pi 0 ;-) £4 solution if I can figure out how to turn it into a dlna media hub thing ...

Just bought £10 off ebay iomega 750 whoo hooo .... could use one of your software ideas carbon clone .... creating a mini tower. But stil think hiding a NAS backup makes sens ... thieves come in , they take your computers ... my TC was hidden from view .... tucked away doing its job ... so may explore the TC / TM option (hard wired) .... or using the TC to make a cheap USB drive NAS over the copper wire (I prefer to run things through the copper, rather than microwaving our heads).

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Answer 7

Dec 13, 2015 3:34 PM in response to cosmiconion

Would TM put everything back in the right place ? ie on SSD and external drive ?

Yes, it can do that.

Read Pondini.. a bit out of date but still useful.

http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html

Read Q32 .. backing up multiple disks.

Read Q34.. rotating backup disks. (for some time TM is able to use multiple destinations).

If so a 2TB TC or if possible (and I like this idea) current 500 TC + USB drive. TC basically turns an external into a NAS (I like this!). and I can save some money.

It can work. reliability is no where near as good as internal disk. But if you are prepared to fiddle.. well fix up your TC and put a 2TB or larger.. green drive into it.. but you also need to fix up the power supply of the TC which is not great and do some work on cooling.

Everything is here.

https://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/a-deconstruction-of-routers-and-modem s/apple-time-capsule-repair

I used to do heaps of them.. but it is really better to buy a second hand gen3 or gen4 TC from ebay.. maybe $100 depending on where you are in the world.

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Answer 8

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:38 PM in response to LaPastenague

thanks again ... will look that up . you have been most helpful. I realise there is never one way to do this. TM is a style , its a backup. You have to restore. The other methods I guess are business as normal, one drive fails, you just plug in back up and off you go. There is something to be said for TM (but you have to trust it) ... you have NO idea really if it is doing what it is supposed to do until the day you need to recover. I'm signing off ... bed .... but thanks again , will look out for any other post from you tomorrow. Best David.

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Answer 9

cosmiconion Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 13, 2015 3:43 PM in response to LaPastenague

I would just use the USB on the TC if that is possible, rather than open up the olf TC .... as you said design .... I could fry eggs on it. Just missed out on ebay Lacie Big2 2x1TB drives (not NAS) ... probably a good thing. Maybe , as you said if can handle my SSD and external and put things back as it should , just invest in a big 3/4th gen .... and hid it away. then one local attached CC and I am done. Good night. and thanks again.

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