Time Machine backup question

Forums › Mac OS › Time Machine backup question

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#127501 13-Aug-2013 00:14

hi Huys,

I have a 2tb WD ELEMENTS external Harddisk, I want to partition it to 750gb & 1.25TB so I can use 750GB as backup space for my macbook Pro (mid 2012) OSX ML, 750GB HDD. The rest I would like to use it as a network storage for files which could be access on both windows & mac. I have a 3rd generation airport extreme to which i would connect the external hard disk to.

I'm not sure if somebody has already tried this but would really appreciate if anyone can help me choose the right format for partitions.

Also this is my very first post on geek zone, (i have been reading forums on here for over a couple of years) so please do ask if I have missed anything

Cheers
X

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79294 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#876226 13-Aug-2013 07:53

How full is your 750MB HDD now? Better question: what is the size for the backup? A backup is only good if you have a few versions of files. If you currently need 500 MB for an entire set (one version), how much change happens and how much will you need for each change?

For example 500 MB for the full backup, then every day you need another 5 MB for changes and you will keep those for a month. This means another 150 MB needed per month until you create another set.

If you have 750 MB and each set uses 500 MB then you will only ever have one set plus changes. This means you will have to delete the existing backup set to make space for a new backup set. At which point your HDD doesn't have a backup until the new one is completed.

I have a 128 GB HDD but iIn total, personal files that need backup only use really 60GB and that's how much I have copied to my NAS (and uploaded to Crashplan).

Also a Time Machine copies the whole HDD so there may be a bigger need of daily space than you think.

There's a bit of planning there to do...

BTR

1527 posts

Uber Geek

#876228 13-Aug-2013 07:56

Hi,

Yes this can be done easily using "Disk Utility" in the utilities folder. Be aware that partitioning the disk will erase all of the data so backup anything first.

Once you are in disk utility click on the hard disk (Not the volume) and then click on partition from the buttons at the top. You can then change the partition structure so its suits you i.e. multiple partitions of various sizes.

A video here shows you how its done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwyHdDbtHXE

Good luck!

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#876483 13-Aug-2013 14:15

Thanks for the help guys.
The hdd is 750gb and around 180gb is used.

I will have a go with it when I get home from work

Will let you know if it works
cheers

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#876735 13-Aug-2013 20:44

now that i have done a partition on my HDD into two partitions (750GB Mac OS extended & 1.25TB exFAT). i was able to successfully do a backup on mac os partition (connected via USB). when i connected my HDD to airport extreme 3rd gen. it started blinking orange. I had a look at the airport utility and it had a notification saying that "Disk needs repair". I detached it from airport extreme and did a repair on the partition but in vain. It did not worked.

Can anybody help me with this and tell me whats going on. all my softwares are up to date. if you guys need more information please let me know

your help is very much appreciated

Cheers!

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#876764 13-Aug-2013 21:30

Leave the usb drive connected and restart the AEBS, this should deal with the orange light.

Jon

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#876769 13-Aug-2013 21:37

hi John,

I tried what you said unfortunately it did not worked :)

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#876771 13-Aug-2013 21:41

Try rolling back the firmware to the previous version, there were some remarks about the stability of 7.6.3 (hold down the option key when clicking on the current firmware version).

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#876778 13-Aug-2013 22:03

ok will give it a go

Jashan

78 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#876794 13-Aug-2013 23:03

it was my second partition(exFAT) which was creating problems. I reformatted it to MSDOS-FAT it worked fine.

i also followed instructions on this link http://computertreeofdavidson.com/how-to-back-up-wirelessly-using-airport-extreme-and-an-external-hard-drive/

thanks for your help guys

Cheers!