10-28-2009, 08:32 PM

I want to activate Time Machine, but I am getting stuck during the very first steps.

I have an EHDD connected to my AE. I am able to connect to the EHDD wirelessly. I wish to use my EHDD as the storage device for Time Machine.

My EHDD is not listed among the backup disks (there are none) and I can continue by setting up Time Capsule. This allows me to change the settings of my AE, but I can't see what I should change to enable Time Machine.

One last question, does Time Machine compress the data? I have about 40 GB on the EHDD but have used 100 GB on my Macbook Pro. Is it out of the question that I use my EHDD as my backup?

10-28-2009, 08:51 PM

Take a look here:

Stephan Fassmann: How to Setup Time Machine on an Airport Extreme Basestation

10-28-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Trolle

One last question, does Time Machine compress the data? I have about 40 GB on the EHDD but have used 100 GB on my Macbook Pro. Is it out of the question that I use my EHDD as my backup?

Your backup drive for Time Machine should be (and is recommended to be) larger than your computer's hard drive. You could get a 250 GB EHDD with no problems. You can look at Best Buy, they sell many varieties of EHDDs, many under $100.

EHDDs at Best Buy

*note: the site shows sale prices, the regular prices are in small font in blue underneath. The page I linked shows a Western Digital 1TB EHDD for about $87, but it's regular price is about $350. Also look at the ratings for the products. Just giving you a heads up

For some other information, you won't have to worry about filling up the EHDD either, Time Machine will delete the oldest backups to make room for newer ones.