Time Machine question(s)

[lucore]

Haven't been using it as I should - really need to get back to doing it.
Anyway - from what I've been reading, it seems that TM backs up automatically hourly, daily, weekly etc. Is there a way to manually set it to a different schedule? Just once a week? Once a month? Or is that even necessary, since it will have that backup already (due to the daily backup)?
Just curious, because it may have an effect on my next question . . .
TM states "The oldest backups are deleted when your backup drive becomes full"
If there are hourly and daily backups, will these fill the ext drive, so that earlier backups are deleted when space is gone?
And, could I lose any data (pics, documents, etc.) that I have on my ext drive that gets crowded out because it's too old and getting replaced by newer backups?
Again, I'm not too tech savvy, hence my questions, but also the reason for wanting to make sure I can backup my stuff - I'd never be able to access anything should my computer falter.
Thanks

 

[lucore]

Cancelled

 

[vansmith]

Merged threads - please don't crosspost.

There's an old application here that purports to let you manage the schedule (see here).

Hourly and daily backups probably won't fill the drive quickly as only changes are backed up (in other words, it's not a full HD backup every time).

 

[lucore]

Appreciate the link - Thanks
Any comment about possibility of losing older data?

 

[IWT]

Hi lucore

Time Machine (TM) backs up in a way that conserves storage space. Only things that have changed since the last BU are added and TM has a complex structure of links to previous BUs that again minimises storage space.

There are one or two other things to consider. The great value of TM is that you can restore a document, photo or file which you inadvertently deleted in the past.

TM also provides a means of restoring all your files & settings should you need to wipe your HD or buy a new computer.

However, you cannot boot from TM. For that purpose, cloning software is advised. Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper! are usually regarded as the leading contenders, although there are others. You will best served if you use a different EHD for this purpose (best if it is not the same one you use for TM).

But TM should not be viewed as means of long term storage of files etc. Its primary functions are detailed above. Critical photos, files and the like should, ideally, be stored on a separate EHD.

A great deal depends on what you use your Mac for and what files are more, or less, important to you. EHDs are cheap—certainly in comparison with any computer.

So, depending on your usage, TM may be enough. Adding cloning software provides a further BU with the ability of booting the Mac from it. A further EHD could be used for critical and confidential storage along with, say, your iPhoto & iTunes libraries. But that requires regular manual updating.

Finally, if you wish to space out your TM backups to once daily, once weekly or whatever—one way of doing this is to turn off TM via System Preferences and then turn it on again to execute a BU at your command.

Hope all that helps!

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

You can also space out the TM backups by using TimeMachineEditor and not have to worry about forgetting to backup and discover it the hard way when you need it.