I just backed-up with an external hard drive for the first time but my user profile with my folders for pictures, documents, and movies are not there

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Level 1

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I just backed-up with an external hard drive for the first time but my user profile with my folders for pictures, documents, and movies are not there

Hello,

So I finally got an external hard drive. I formatted for Mac (the device was verified as being ok), and then it started to do a backup, which said a full backup would take 95GB. However, it only backed up 19GB. When I 'opened' my backup drive, I saw that only the "Macintosh HD" was backed up, not my User Profile with all my folders containing documents, pictures, movies, etc...

I'm quite confused, because I thought it would backup everything. I am planning on upgrading from Snow Leopard to El Capitan, but if something goes wrong or I don't like it, I'm afraid I won't be able to Restore all my personal folders - but just the applications located on my Macintosh HD.

Should I delete everything in my backup drive and try again?

This is an image of what is inside my external hard drive:

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Serial# W8******X85

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 6:11 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:12 AM in response to Binderoo

You did not indicate how you backed up, if you used Time Machine then you are doing things the hard way and you will find TM very difficult. Please use the Time Machine interface to locate your backed up data. You may benefit by looking over:

Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support, the section you want to look for is the Restore section.

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Answer 2

Binderoo Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Hi. Yes, I used Time Machine. After reading the link you gave me, I see that I DID get a message saying 'unable to complete backup' which explains only the 19GB.. But it didn't tell me why or what to do. I "verified" the disk and it said everything was 'ok'. That is why I'm confused.

Also, why is there an option to "exclude" something from backing up, but no option to "include" (ie. my folders) something for back up...

Do you think if I delete the backup that is there now, and then begin a new backup that will work?

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:24 AM in response to Binderoo

You may have another problem, what kind of external HD do you have and how is it formatted? Also (and please answer this) are you really still running 10.6.8?

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Answer 4

Binderoo Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:28 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I have a (HGST) Hitachi Portable Touro 500GB USB 3.0. It is formatted for OS Extended(X) (Journaled), GUID.

And, yes, I am still using 10.6.8! I am desperate to upgrade to El Capitan today, if I can make sure my personal folders are backed up 🙂

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 4:08 PM in response to Binderoo

Well the first thing to try is to reset the SMC (2-3 times) and the reset the PRAM. Please see the instructions for both resets in iMac SMC and PRAM reset

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Answer 6

Binderoo Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:57 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Okay, I reset the SMC 3 times, and then the PRAM 1 time. I did these things with the external hard drive disconnected. What should I do now?

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 8:00 AM in response to Binderoo

Backup and test!

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Answer 8

Binderoo Author

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Sep 22, 2016 8:05 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I clicked on 'backup now' and then I opened it up and it backed up the same thing. Not my full computer of 95GB.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 8:31 AM in response to Binderoo

Did you open Time Machine per the original link I sent you and then select today's date and then navigate to a file or folder you want to restore to test?

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Answer 10

Binderoo Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 22, 2016 8:35 AM in response to rkaufmann87

No, I didn't. I erased the backup drive, re-formatted it and am now running another full system backup. It'll take a couple of hours, and if it works i'll let you know. If it doesn't work, then I will do this 'test' you mention above.

Thank you for your help and suggestions so far...I'll let you know how it goes.

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Answer 11

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Sep 22, 2016 8:43 AM in response to Binderoo

Remember I can't help if you don't follow the directions. Time Machine is likely operating just fine, you need to learn how to use it correctly though. Once you do, you will find it is extremely intuitive.

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