Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Best backup practice (using portable drive)?

  • 26-07-2011 5:27pm
    #1
    Cianos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭


    Hey,
    I got a portable drive to keep important files/folders backed up externally. Now I'm wondering what the best, most convenient method is for ensuring everything stays backed up.

    I don't want to have to drag and drop files every few days. It'd be nice if I just had to plug in the drive and the backup happened automatically.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Just use Time Machine. When you connect the drive, click on the TM menu and tell it to backup now. But it's best if you leave it connected as much possible.


  • #3
    Magic Beans
    Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭Magic Beans


    Most important thing is to maintain multiple backups. One set of backup files is next to useless.

    Create a new folder called say "Backup 2011-07-26" on your main drive and copy you files into it. Now copy not move the folder to your ext drive.
    Next backup - create a new folder with a new date based title.
    Wash, rinse and repeat ad infinitum.

    When space starts getting tight delete a few of the oldest backup folders and continue as before.

    The reason for leaving the folders on your main drive as well is that external drives have been know to suffer fatal falls from desks etc. You wouldn't loose all your backups in that event.


  • #4
    Cianos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Cianos


    @MagicBeans, this method requires me to always copy in the new files to the new folder, then copy that folder to the external, and to keep doing that each time I remember to make a back up, right?

    I'm looking for a more convenient solution as I know I'll just put it off if it takes that much effort! Plus it'd be hassle remembering which files are to be backed up and which aren't.

    Regarding Time Machine, doesn't that create an image of the entire Mac? I was planning on doing a fresh install of the OS and making an image of the Mac when I have all the apps I want installed, before I start using it, so I can always revert back to the machine when it was at that first fresh install point.


  • #5
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    TM doesn't create an image. If left connected it will update the backup hourly. You can then use it to restore any files that you might have accidentally deleted.

    If you want to create an image use Carbon Copy Cloner.


  • #6
    Deep Thought
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,565 ✭✭✭Deep Thought


    Sad Professor wrote: »
    TM doesn't create an image. If left connected it will update the backup hourly. You can then use it to restore any files that you might have accidentally deleted.

    If you want to create an image use Carbon Copy Cloner.

    +1, thats what I do

    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



  • Advertisement
Advertisement