Time Machine Files & Folders Question

The_Grudge · The_Grudge #1 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 12:12 PM

I've been using Time Machine for a few months now. Seems like it's doing the job. I just have a question about how it stores the files on my external drive.

I notice there is a folder called "backups.backupdb" on my drive and within that there is a folder for my computer "____iMac" and within that there are folders for each backup.

Here's my question.

If I go into these folders they all seem to contain all of the data on my computer (music, movies, documents), so about 200GB worth. That can't be though...there are several folders and if each one was 200GB well, you get the idea.

Is there a file it stores somewhere with the actual data and the folders just contain shortcuts to it or something?

I just ask because if I ever want to restore these files without TM I want to know how/where to go.

Slydude · Slydude #2 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 02:56 PM

Time Machine does not store the entire file every time it backs up. The first time a file is backed yup the file gets backed up. On the next backup, if that file has not changed, Time Machine creates a "hard link" to the original file. The hard link points to the original file and take up much less space.

The Unix gurus around here can explain those better than I can.

The_Grudge · The_Grudge #3 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 08:37 PM

Thanks Slydude. I guess that's what I'm wondering. I'm curious to know (from the Unix Masters?) how it works.

Slydude · Slydude #4 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 09:43 PM

I'll leave it to the Unix geeks

gurus around here to explain.

You might find my article ATPM 15.03 - How To: Time Travel: Introduction to Time Machine helpful. Apparently I didn't include the information about how to restore a Time Machine backup from the Finder. You can find that information at Approaches for restoring files using Time Machine | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews

RoarinRow · RoarinRow #5 (**permalink**)

12-14-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slydude

I'll leave it to the Unix geeks

gurus around here to explain.

You might find my article ATPM 15.03 - How To: Time Travel: Introduction to Time Machine helpful. Apparently I didn't include the information about how to restore a Time Machine backup from the Finder. You can find that information at Approaches for restoring files using Time Machine | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews

Thanks for the link on the Time Machine background. Can't wait to go home and reconfigure mine lol

Slydude · Slydude #6 (**permalink**)

12-14-2009, 08:54 PM

Hope you find that information useful. I am sure there is a lot more information/Time Machine tips out there. Maybe there is enough extra information out there for a sequel.

Slydude #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 3,879 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	12-13-2009, 02:56 PM Time Machine does not store the entire file every time it backs up. The first time a file is backed yup the file gets backed up. On the next backup, if that file has not changed, Time Machine creates a "hard link" to the original file. The hard link points to the original file and take up much less space. The Unix gurus around here can explain those better than I can. Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 3,879 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	12-13-2009, 09:43 PM I'll leave it to the Unix geeks gurus around here to explain. You might find my article ATPM 15.03 - How To: Time Travel: Introduction to Time Machine helpful. Apparently I didn't include the information about how to restore a Time Machine backup from the Finder. You can find that information at Approaches for restoring files using Time Machine \| MacFixIt - CNET Reviews Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 3,879 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	12-14-2009, 08:54 PM Hope you find that information useful. I am sure there is a lot more information/Time Machine tips out there. Maybe there is enough extra information out there for a sequel. Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

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The_Grudge #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 20, 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 82 Mac Specs: 20" iMac	12-13-2009, 12:12 PM I've been using Time Machine for a few months now. Seems like it's doing the job. I just have a question about how it stores the files on my external drive. I notice there is a folder called "backups.backupdb" on my drive and within that there is a folder for my computer "____iMac" and within that there are folders for each backup. Here's my question. If I go into these folders they all seem to contain all of the data on my computer (music, movies, documents), so about 200GB worth. That can't be though...there are several folders and if each one was 200GB well, you get the idea. Is there a file it stores somewhere with the actual data and the folders just contain shortcuts to it or something? I just ask because if I ever want to restore these files without TM I want to know how/where to go.
	QUOTE Thanks

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