using time machine and backing up other files

TuckerdogAVL

TuckerdogAVL

Registered
I understand that "Time Machine" likes to just have a hard drive all to itself. But, I have a 300gb harddrive and a 500gb external backup drive. Is it possible to put folders or files from another computer - a different computer - onto the same backup drive without Time Machine going wonky? If I were to create a folder and drag files that may be named the same (you know, how photos can end up being called photo1.jpg, photo2.jpg) into it, would Time Machine see Computer1/photos/photo1.jpg and Foldercomputer2/photos/photo1.jpg as the same?
 
Should be no problem with that as Time Machine keeps all of its files inside the Backups.backupdb folder at the root of the disk. If you're still concerned, you could partition the external drive and have a separate partition for all those other files.
 
I second (rather, highly recommend) the partitioning route rather than trying to "share" a drive with Time Machine.

Time Machine likes to fill a drive to a certain point, leaving only about ~5% to ~10% free space on the drive. Let's say you start copying some files to the Time Machine drive intending to copy some more later, and later on, Time Machine kicks in and does a backup -- and fills your drive, leaving little space left. Where you gonna put those files now?

I recommend (rather, implore) you partition the drive into two partitions -- one for Time Machine backups (which must be equal to or greater than the size of the drive you're backing up -- 300GB [301 to be safe!]) and the other partition for your data (the rest of the drive -- probably around 170GB, give or take).

If I were to create a folder and drag files that may be named the same (you know, how photos can end up being called photo1.jpg, photo2.jpg) into it, would Time Machine see Computer1/photos/photo1.jpg and Foldercomputer2/photos/photo1.jpg as the same?
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If you choose the single partition route, then Time Machine isn't going to back up any of the data that you copy to the Time Machine drive. Time Machine only backs up your internal boot drive (and other drives you specify), and cannot backup "itself."
 
earthsaver said:
Should be no problem with that as Time Machine keeps all of its files inside the Backups.backupdb folder at the root of the disk. If you're still concerned, you could partition the external drive and have a separate partition for all those other files.
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When I reformatted from the PC to "Mac journaled, extended, Partitioning wasn't a choice on the tabs for some reason.
 
I know this is probably a silly question, but can I partition after I've already backed up? It's no big deal, I can simply eliminate the first back up and start over.

Here's an adjunct question: I have a 10.4.11 macbook that doesn't have time machine on it yet (I need it at 10.4.11 so I can still use an old version of Photoshop 7 as I can't afford the upgrade right now).

If I partition, can I put silverkeeper on that computer and use that backup program with partition b....and use time machine on computer #1 as partition a?

Thanks again.

PS I opened DISK UTILITY and see that I was choosing the wrong icon and went ahead and partitioned the drive anyway. I see what happens now...that two icons show up on the "home" drive. One partition I marked "Time Machine" (330g) and the other, "MacBook (135g)" which should be more than enough wiggle room for both. Now, I'll just setup Time Machine again for the MacBookPro and await the answer re: Silverkeeper....
 
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Partitions are treated as separate volumes. You can do whatever you like with the second one and it won't affect the first.
 
thanks. the first backup is half way thru...and I'll move to the other computer in a bit (and run the silverkeeper program on that one).
 
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