03-11-2012, 07:39 PM

Just purchased a 1.5TB Seagate Goflex desk ext HD and I am trying to decide the best way to back-up. I know I have to reformat but I would like to not only back up my entire macbook but also drag and drop files for mass storage. My concerns are:
1. If I back-up then delete files to free up space on the macbook, will time machine delete the version with the extra files as ext HD space is occupied resulting in file loss.
2. Will time machine share the hard drive so I can use it for extra storage not kept on my macbook? This is the source of my drag and drop concern.
3. Is time machine the best option for my concerns? I have looked at carbon copy clone and like it, but i'm not sure if it shares the hard drive, allows drag and drop, and shares for mass storage?
4. Should I just strictly drag and drop important files and not worry about the entire hard drive with operating system and apps.
5. Am I worried about too much and it's much easier than this?

03-11-2012, 07:57 PM

Time Machine will nicely share your external hard drive without overwriting or destroying existing data. CCC and SuperDuper will do likewise but the drive must be partitioned in order to do so.

I use both Time Machine and CCC for my backup regimen, however, I have them dedicated each to their own external drive.