Backing up multiple computers

Question

Backing up multiple computers

Hello,

I'm going to start with an apology, as I'm not very technically minded, as so this is most likely a very simple question!

I use an iMac and MacBook Air, both of which have very little space left on them now. I would like to be able to back both computers up to one hard drive, delete the majority of files from both computers so as to free up the space again, but easily be able to access the backed up files as they are needed.

What is the best set up for this?

Thank you in advance,

Claire

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 12:26 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

743,885 points

Feb 7, 2016 10:11 AM in response to Claire Hardeman

Get two external drives, format them as Mac OS Extended, drag-copy the files to one, and back up both it and the internal drives to the second external one.

(139030)

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 7, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Claire Hardeman

Thanks Niel.

Is there a way of connecting them to a network so I can access the data without having to physically be connected to the drive? I am guessing this depends on the type of external hard drive? I had thought about one of the 'cloud' type drives, but I'm guessing if I delete a file completely from a computer it wouldn't then show up in the cloud drive?

Sorry for all the questions, as I said, I'm not very good with all the technical stuff!

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 3, 2016 1:56 PM in response to Claire Hardeman

FWIW, I have this question too, and related questions. I hope to find a tutorial someday. I have a 1T hard drive on which I'm doing Time Machine for two one-quarter-full 64G MBPs. I'm not sure whether this is imprudent, or how (internally) the Time Machine Database is organized should I ever need to move it all to another hard drive. Probably a true PITB for a dual-use hard drive. I'm not sure how to phrase the question as a new post in discussions, so for now I'll just leave this reply and keep looking elsewhere online for more documentation. So there.

Reply

Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

685,341 points

Oct 3, 2016 2:37 PM in response to F J Poblam

I'm not sure I understand all your concerns, but there is no problem backing up 2 computers to 1 drive. The 2 backups are independent files, which can be copied by themselves to another drive.

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 3, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks, Eric. I appreciate (and certainly didn't anticipate) your reply. Yes, I've had no trouble *doing* it. (FWIW, I've done it through two drives: one went south and we had to start all over on the 1T Seagate.) I was just unsure, for example, as to how to look at "Mac2’s" backup from "Mac1". And how, if necessary, to use "Mac1" to transfer the entire contents of the Seagate drive to a new external drive (should the need arise) and let both "Mac1" and "Mac2" inherit the Time Machine history on the new drive. I *think* my answers may be found at pondini. The "TM" directory has a "FAQ" page with links to various Time Machine tutorials that I've found enlightening. I will, with great gratitude, mark your prompt response as helpful!

Reply