07-18-2011, 01:58 PM

I currently have a 1 TB drive that I currently have divided into 2 separate partitions. On one partition I backup using Time Machine and the other I use Super Duper to backup my entire system.

On a second hard drive I back up the system as a sandbox anytime the Snow Leopard software has an update or to test new software to make sure it works properly before I add the changes to the main system.

(I also backup data only to the cloud but that is a last ditch failsafe and an extremely slow and arduous process.)

I want to eventually eliminate the cloud backup because of cost but I want to ensure that I have the most robust backup process that I can reasonable attain.

I have data that I cannot replace thus the question. I seem to remember reading somewhere in the forums that having two backup routines to the same HDD is not good.

I don't have all the answers so I would love to hear what the experts and long time Mac users BEST backup strategy is. I CANNOT lose data so that is the end result desired.

Thank you.

Pat

07-18-2011, 02:17 PM

2 backup apps to a single drive leaves you with 1 point of failure for everything. You never want a single point of failure for backups. Ever.

First: dedicate the whole drive to Time Machine. Let it do what it was designed to do and you will be OK.
Second: Data that absolutely cannot be lost, back up separately to some other media. I would recommend DL-DVDs (Dual Layer) - 8GB each.

07-18-2011, 02:27 PM

Thanks Brad for the ideas. My next question may seem naive but does Leopard already have the necessary software to burn the data to DL cd's or will this take added 3rd party software?

07-18-2011, 02:54 PM

You can burn to DL with the software built in. However, it will format the DVDs to be read only on other Mac's. If this isn't a problem, then you don't have to add anything extra. If you want to be able to read these on a different OS, you will want to look into some other burning software that will allow you to use other file systems.

There was a discussion on this just last week, but I dont remember which topic it was in. It had something to do with people not being able to boot from a DVD of Windows 7 they downloaded and burnt from Microsoft. Check the "Run Windows on your Mac" section and see if it is there.

07-18-2011, 03:11 PM

Hi PatM

The recommended optimum solution is called the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy.
Here is a link from Mac 101 describing it but basically it is:
- 3 copies of your important data
- 2 different media types or disks
- 1 copy should be stored off-site

Mac 101 | How-To: Setup a Reliable Backup Strategy For Your Mac

I hope this article helps.

DavidH

07-18-2011, 03:38 PM

Thanks Deckyon. Mac is wall I want to read from. The windows laptop has been relegated to bookend duty.

Tried your Link DavidH but couldn't get to the article. But I get the gist of it anyway. Thanks

Regards,

Pat

07-18-2011, 03:52 PM

Found the document DavidH. (I just love Google.)

Thanks

07-18-2011, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Deckyon

2 backup apps to a single drive leaves you with 1 point of failure for everything.

Is there anyway to take the existing Time Machine partition and enlarge it to the entire 1 TB drive without reformatting the drive and losing the existing Time Machine data, or do I essentially have to format the drive and just start the Time Machine backup from the new point?

Regards,

Pat

07-18-2011, 06:26 PM

Go with registered SuperDuper on the external. This is then a bootable backup drive and Time Machine is not bootable.

07-18-2011, 06:47 PM

I'm not sure what you are telling me. I use the registered version. Both Time Machine and SuperDuper are bootable on the external drive. I just want to eliminate the SuperDuper partition and allow Time Machine to use the complete drive but I want to do this without losing the existing Time Machine backups.

Pat

07-18-2011, 11:46 PM

Sorry TM is not bootable. That was the reason for suggestion SuperDuper. TM is a back up program which you can use to migrate files etc over after you do a clean install from your operating system discs.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0

07-19-2011, 07:02 AM

The system I use is to have two local external HDs -- one for Time Machine, one for Carbon Copy Cloner (a similar program to SuperDuper).

I sometimes (not regularly) "archive" important documents to both DVD disks and cloud storage (I'm already a MobileMe member so I have room for some of this). The cloud stuff only gets "small" irreplaceable items like bookmark files, keychains, address book, that sort of thing.

The TM and CCC backups are automatic, I don't have to do anything. The small "cloud" stuff is auto-backed up by Apple's Backup app (for MM users).

If I had business or other important records of that nature on this machine, I'd probably also do a periodic "off-site" backup of stuff that doesn't change much or at all, but at present the only thing I have on my HD that would be "irreplaceable" are my iPhoto and iMovie libraries, and I feel well-covered on that sufficiently for the time being.

07-19-2011, 08:39 AM

I only have a couple of suggestions to add to what's already been said.

1. I keep my offsite backup in a safe deposit box (I update this at least quarterly or when I have significant, important changes)
2. I keep my onsite backups in a fireproof media safe (a Time Machine Backup and a bootable CCC backup, each on a separate usb drive)
3. I keep an extra backup of my most critical files that change frequently (primarily financial) on a thumb drive that I can just stick in my pocket and take with me

07-19-2011, 10:35 AM

Thanks for all the good ideas. I am modifying my backup routine to take advantage of the ideas presented.

I have decided to put the Time Machine backup on the 1 TB drive utilizing the entire drive.

I have a second 500 GB drive that I will put Super Duper on. As well I will utilize a third drive (Not portable but a desktop drive.) that will be used as a sandbox. I rarely add programs to my system so I doubt that this will be utilized much thus the desktop rather than a portable drive. (And I don't need to spend anymore $$$.)

As well I will put the truly irreplaceable items on a CD and store them in my home safe.

Thanks again for all the ideas. I appreciate it.

Regards,

Pat