Extn. hard drive backups...why
Jun 14, 2022 16:25:43 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
When I copy my computer (MacBookPro 15") to an external hard drive, I expect it to copy everything on the computer.
What has happened is, the only thing copied is the Internal hard drive, the HD icon on the desktop, but no folders on the desktop. I thought what is on the desktop is also on the computer.
What I'm now doing is taking all the extra folders on the desktop and putting them into a new folder "z miscel" into the main H.D. icon. Copy all, then afterwards, taking those extra folders out and putting them back on the desktop, (frequent folds I use).
Why is the stuff on the desktop not copied automatically along with the main hard drive ?
What is it I don't understand ?
Peter
What has happened is, the only thing copied is the Internal hard drive, the HD icon on the desktop, but no folders on the desktop. I thought what is on the desktop is also on the computer.
What I'm now doing is taking all the extra folders on the desktop and putting them into a new folder "z miscel" into the main H.D. icon. Copy all, then afterwards, taking those extra folders out and putting them back on the desktop, (frequent folds I use).
Why is the stuff on the desktop not copied automatically along with the main hard drive ?
What is it I don't understand ?
Peter
Jun 14, 2022 16:42:19 #
I'm not familiar with Mac but it seems they basically copy like a PC. Yes it is all on your hard drive. But the copy or back up program only copies certain folders. Why? Don't know. They also cannot or will not copy your OS. You need special software to actually copy or clone a drive. There is some free software for cloning drives from drive manufacturers if that's what you are trying to do.
Jun 14, 2022 16:51:49 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
I'm just trying to prepare myself if the computer fails, to keep my valuable files....which are my photos. I keep my master photo file on the desktop because I'm so frequently into it.
Jun 14, 2022 16:56:37 #
What method did you use to copy the files? You didn't say.
Jun 14, 2022 17:01:00 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
Plug and play ! Plug in hard drive USB cord to laptop, use timer icon at the top of my desktop, the icon next to the radar looking icon for internet reception.
Jun 14, 2022 17:15:23 #
Jun 14, 2022 17:27:27 #
Jun 14, 2022 17:50:40 #
I'm new to Mac, but this is what it looks like to me:
Time Machine defaults to saving your local stuff.
I don't see a way to add additional stuff to the backup. System Preferences => Time Machine has an Options button which allows you to exclude things from the backup but I don't see a way to add things.
Of course if you have things on an external drive and can attach a second external drive you can just copy files from one to the other.
We need someone familiar with Time Machine to chime in and let us know if it's possible to add things to the Time Machine backup.
Any Mac guys out there?
Time Machine defaults to saving your local stuff.
I don't see a way to add additional stuff to the backup. System Preferences => Time Machine has an Options button which allows you to exclude things from the backup but I don't see a way to add things.
Of course if you have things on an external drive and can attach a second external drive you can just copy files from one to the other.
We need someone familiar with Time Machine to chime in and let us know if it's possible to add things to the Time Machine backup.
Any Mac guys out there?
Jun 14, 2022 19:18:15 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
https://alternativeto.net/software/aomei-partition-assistant/?platform=mac
Never tried it.
I DO own the pro AOMEI Windows version.
THIS SW is kinda odd to use- especially if you're a Mac.
But I use it- and Teracopy- religiously.
Never tried it.
I DO own the pro AOMEI Windows version.
THIS SW is kinda odd to use- especially if you're a Mac.
But I use it- and Teracopy- religiously.
Jun 14, 2022 19:28:17 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
Not sure what you are suggesting with AOMEI !
Yes, I'm on a MAC.
I started this talk "why does the Time Machine not copy everything on the computer, the internal hard drive plus whatever is on the desktop. The desktop is part of the computer, No?
Yes, I'm on a MAC.
I started this talk "why does the Time Machine not copy everything on the computer, the internal hard drive plus whatever is on the desktop. The desktop is part of the computer, No?
Jun 14, 2022 21:08:03 #
Mr. SONY
Loc: LI, NY
One backup drive isn't safe enough.
You need at least two, three's better.
I have five exact copies of all my files.
Their cheap and it's better to be safe than sorry.
You need at least two, three's better.
I have five exact copies of all my files.
Their cheap and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Jun 14, 2022 21:12:28 #
Mr. SONY wrote:
One backup drive isn't safe enough.
You need at least two, three's better.
I have five exact copies of all my files.
Their cheap and it's better to be safe than sorry.
You need at least two, three's better.
I have five exact copies of all my files.
Their cheap and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Related, but not quite within the scope of the original post (question).
(10 is safer....)
Jun 14, 2022 21:56:29 #
petercbrandt wrote:
When I copy my computer (MacBookPro 15") to a... (show quote)
If you want to copy absolutely everything, you have to CLONE the drive, using something like Bombich Carbon Copy Cloner ($40 after a 30-Day free trial). https://bombich.com This can allow the clone to start up your Mac the same way your internal drive does. (Hold down the Option key at startup — after the chime and until a drive menu presents itself.) Drive clones are invaluable to rescue your Mac from an internal drive failure.
If you want to make file backups, use Apple's Time Machine feature (in the System Preferences panel). Format an external drive specifically for use with Time Machine and nothing else. It will keep your files backed up automatically.
If you put ALL your folders in the Documents folder and then put just aliases on the Desktop, what you want to happen will happen because the files are where the operating system is designed to find them. An alias is similar to a Windows Shortcut, but smarter.
Jun 14, 2022 23:34:00 #
Mr. SONY
Loc: LI, NY
[quote=Longshadow]Related, but not quite within the scope of the original post (question).
True that is.
I like to remind people that one backup isn't enough.
As a retired computer tech I've seen enough people with tears in their eyes after having to inform them
all their pictures, data, videos are lost forever because of poor backup planning.
So, I repeat myself for their sake.
True that is.
I like to remind people that one backup isn't enough.
As a retired computer tech I've seen enough people with tears in their eyes after having to inform them
all their pictures, data, videos are lost forever because of poor backup planning.
So, I repeat myself for their sake.
Jun 15, 2022 05:29:31 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
Another quirk of Apple. Do this on Windows and your desktop is copied to the backup drive. You just need to know where to find it. And you also need to know what the difference is between a jpg/document and an app shortcut.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.