Western Digital to Time Capsule

[Gary86]

Ok i have a western digital EX HD that is NTFS formatted from a windows laptop, I want to buy a time capsule (mainly b/c I want everything APPLE), is it possible for me to just copy and paste everything from the WD to the Time Capsule?

Also, I heard the Capsules aren't that good, any opinions/experiences with it.

 

[Collin Bl]

Perhaps the better way to start is to identify what path you hope to follow - as with most things Apple there are more ways than one to .....
Have a look here at McBie's comments on backing up and then decide which scenario is going to work best for you.
My rough rule of thumb - if u are in an office scene with a LAN and multiple computers then Time Machine/Time Capsule is stellar. For the home user where being able to get past failures of their sole computer/HD etc. then an Ext HD and using Superduper or Carbon Copy cloner is the way to go but it needs to be with Firewire because it is quicker and you can boot your computer from the Superduper copy if you have to. doing Smart Updates is also quicker than Time Machine and Time Machine back up is not bootable in itself but needs an available OS to operate with for the restore.

As an all in one unit - HD, Router, Wireless device i have had no trouble with my Time Capsule, the only precaution i have taken is to mount it on furniture feet for slightly better cooling;


Click for full size

 

[Gary86]

So you wouldn't recommend it for home use, just for one computer?

 

[Collin Bl]

If u have heaps of money go for both you wont regret having them. But if u need to focus on what is best for you and have to get one or the other, hard for me to know. Wife and i both have an iMac on our LAN and both are backed up by Time Machine to Dual Antenna Time Capsule - allows wireless 11n for iMacs and 11g for iPhone - and i use this for off site back ups using 2 1TB HDs. But as i say depends on your set up.
I know if i did not have TC my wife's iMac would not be backed up and i would be in Deep S... if she could not get to her latest copy of....

 

[Gary86]

Ok well I would be using it solely for my computer, I didn't even know i could use it for my iPhone. I already have a portable WD ex HD too. Would I be able to take everything off the WD HD and put on the TC? I would give the time capsule to my Fiance, who uses PC

 

[Collin Bl]

is it possible for me to just copy and paste everything from the WD to the Time Capsule

yes but it will be slow, as connecting TC with USB and WB with USB will take time.
Just open a window for each and drag from one to the other.

here is my figures from my initial attempt with USB 2;

Copying 52,000 files and 58 GB - USB 2.0 = 33 hours
Using Firewire 800 for same - 44 minutes

 

[Gary86]

wow huge difference. So i should hook the TC up to firewire and the WD to the USB

 

[Gary86]

I think I'm going to buy the TC and us it as my EX HD, hopefully it will work and not fail. Been reading issues of ppls TC failing like within a month