Using Time Machine to backup an External Drive

Leukeh · Leukeh #1 (**permalink**)

07-10-2009, 09:21 AM

I have two external hard drives - one portable one, and one not portable. The not portable one I use as a time machine backup drive. Currently, it only backs up the local hard drive.
Is there any way to get it to also back up my portable hard drive? I've tried removing it from the "Do Not Back Up" list, but the option is grayed out.

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

07-10-2009, 02:40 PM

Apple support will tell you it doesn't, but apparently it does. You have to remove the external drives from the excluded list. (I know, you've already tried that.) However, Time Machine will not backup any drive, internal or external that's not formatted to HFS+.

What format is your external drive using? Also see the following discussion on another forum - same subject: Link

Regards.

Leukeh · Leukeh #3 (**permalink**)

07-10-2009, 09:02 PM

Thanks for your help! Unfortunately I need it formatted to FAT-32 since I use it on both Mac and PC. I haven't been able to find a work around for this... someone on another forum said to put this into Terminal:
com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1
but that did nothing except give me a "Command not found" error.

I guess I'll have to live with it!

Leukeh #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 21, 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,173 Mac Specs: 13" MBP, 2.26GHz, 8gb RAM	07-10-2009, 09:21 AM I have two external hard drives - one portable one, and one not portable. The not portable one I use as a time machine backup drive. Currently, it only backs up the local hard drive. Is there any way to get it to also back up my portable hard drive? I've tried removing it from the "Do Not Back Up" list, but the option is grayed out. Behance Design/Photography Porfolio
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chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,985 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	07-10-2009, 02:40 PM Apple support will tell you it doesn't, but apparently it does. You have to remove the external drives from the excluded list. (I know, you've already tried that.) However, Time Machine will not backup any drive, internal or external that's not formatted to HFS+. What format is your external drive using? Also see the following discussion on another forum - same subject: Link Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

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