Best use of an External HD

eutexian · Jan 10, 2012, 07:38 AM

I have been given a Firewire Lacie HD as a gift. it has 1TB.

I'm at a loss though as the best way to use it. Yes.. for Time Machine.. but what else?

Maybe this is a daft question But having this extra capacity sitting there unused seems wrong somehow.

Apart from Time machine is there anything else that it is in my best interests to put on the HD.. to get me up and running again quickly if the worst was to happen and the HD inside the Mac were to die horribly.

I have already created a partition 40% for Time machine and 60% 'free'

Its a Mac Mini 2011.

simsaladimbamba · Jan 10, 2012, 07:46 AM

I would also create a bootable copy of the internal HDD via CarbonCopyCloner, as that would keep you running even if the internal HDD fails.

For instance, I have a MBP with an SSD and HDD, where the SSD gets cloned to a partition on the HDD on a daily basis.
My iMac also has an SSD and that SSD gets backed up to an external FW800 HDD on a daily basis too, so if one SSD fails, I can still boot from the backup and use my iMac or/and MBP.

eutexian · Jan 10, 2012, 08:05 AM

Exactly the answer I was looking for. Many thanks.

KScottMyers · Jan 10, 2012, 12:11 PM

Just FYI...

You don't have to partition the drive for Time Machine and other files. Just stay out of the Backups.backupdb folder.

Other uses.

• Time Machine drive
• Store additional files/disk images
• Store your Parallels/Fusion VMs there
• Share a folder out to other machines on your network
• Make it your emergency boot drive

sbk1799 · Jan 10, 2012, 01:26 PM

I was in the same boat - a Lacie 1 TB drive just sitting around - and I knew there had to be a use for it somewhere in my house. My Lacie was a quadra so it had eSATA port. I connected it to my DVR's eSATA port, vastly increasing its storage size.

GGJstudios · Jan 10, 2012, 01:32 PM

In addition to bootable backups with CCC, I use external drives to store movies and TV shows, as well as other archives that I don't need available when I travel. I also split my iTunes library between internal and external drives, since it won't all fit on the internal. When I travel, I have my favorite music with me, and can still have the rest available when I'm on my wireless network.

theSeb · Jan 10, 2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KScottMyers

Just FYI...

You don't have to partition the drive for Time Machine and other files. Just stay out of the Backups.backupdb folder.

Other uses.

• Time Machine drive
• Store additional files/disk images
• Store your Parallels/Fusion VMs there
• Share a folder out to other machines on your network
• Make it your emergency boot drive

If you don't partition the drive, then TM will continue to use up as much space as is available due to incremental back ups.

eutexian · Jan 10, 2012, 02:58 PM

That was my understanding.. and my reason for allocating 40% of the drive to TM. I thought I was probably being over-generous too as I don't have TM running constantly.

EricMN1 · Jan 10, 2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbk1799

I was in the same boat - a Lacie 1 TB drive just sitting around - and I knew there had to be a use for it somewhere in my house. My Lacie was a quadra so it had eSATA port. I connected it to my DVR's eSATA port, vastly increasing its storage size.

I have a Directv HD receiver/DVR and was told it had to be a specific brand bought from them. While I never trusted their answer, I never bothered experimenting either. What kind of DVR are you using? Thanks!

sbk1799 · Jan 10, 2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricMN1

I have a Directv HD receiver/DVR and was told it had to be a specific brand bought from them. While I never trusted their answer, I never bothered experimenting either. What kind of DVR are you using? Thanks!

I'm with DirecTV, too. The DVR is definitely recording to the external HDD. After I accidentally disconnected the drive recently, my wife was in a panic that all her "Glee" episodes were gone. I then plugged the eSATA cable back in and, viola, all our recorded programs were there.

KScottMyers · Jan 11, 2012, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theSeb

If you don't partition the drive, then TM will continue to use up as much space as is available due to incremental back ups.

That is correct. My point was you don't have to partition the drive for TM to operate - so you're not forced to predetermine a partition size.

theSeb · Jan 11, 2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KScottMyers

That is correct. My point was you don't have to partition the drive for TM to operate - so you're not forced to predetermine a partition size.

Sure, but then you mentioned "Other uses" so I thought I would add that if you're planning on using a drive for both TM and other uses, it's best to partition it to keep TM in check.

KScottMyers · Jan 11, 2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theSeb

Sure, but then you mentioned "Other uses" so I thought I would add that if you're planning on using a drive for both TM and other uses, it's best to partition it to keep TM in check.

Agreed. Wasn't nesessarly suggesting doing all of these other things at the same time. Just suggesting other uses. Thanks.

Fishrrman · Jan 11, 2012, 09:15 AM

"I have already created a partition 40% for Time machine and 60% 'free'"

As another poster mentioned, use the "free" area to create a bootable clone backup using CarbonCopyCloner.

CCC is free and you can find it here:
http://www.bombich.com

BTW, CCC now has "Time Machine like" capabilities --- that is, it can not only maintain a bootable backup clone, but can also "archive" older-version (but changed) files, or files that you no longer keep on the main drive (and would otherwise be removed from your clone).

With these new capabilities, there is little need for TM at all. I consider it a HUGE waste of drive space.

Also, if you spend some time browsing the forums here at MacRumors, you are going to see post after post from users who are trying to access their TM backups in a moment of need, and.... can't.

There is nothing you can have backup-wise that is more useful in a moment of extreme need than a second, bootable drive. CCC can create this for you.

madridista59 · Jan 11, 2012, 10:00 AM

Looking to finally jump the gun and pick myself up a mini. After reading the threads on here I also decided it'd be a good idea to get an external HDD with at least 1TB for Time Machine. Do you guys have any recommendations? I was looking at these two:

http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-Minimus-...pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...6297556&sr=1-4

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Jan 10, 2012, 07:38 AM	#1
eutexian macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mapperley, Nottingham UK	Best use of an External HD I have been given a Firewire Lacie HD as a gift. it has 1TB. I'm at a loss though as the best way to use it. Yes.. for Time Machine.. but what else? Maybe this is a daft question But having this extra capacity sitting there unused seems wrong somehow. Apart from Time machine is there anything else that it is in my best interests to put on the HD.. to get me up and running again quickly if the worst was to happen and the HD inside the Mac were to die horribly. I have already created a partition 40% for Time machine and 60% 'free' Its a Mac Mini 2011.
	0

Jan 10, 2012, 07:46 AM	#2
simsaladimbamba macrumors Core Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: right in back of you	I would also create a bootable copy of the internal HDD via CarbonCopyCloner, as that would keep you running even if the internal HDD fails. For instance, I have a MBP with an SSD and HDD, where the SSD gets cloned to a partition on the HDD on a daily basis. My iMac also has an SSD and that SSD gets backed up to an external FW800 HDD on a daily basis too, so if one SSD fails, I can still boot from the backup and use my iMac or/and MBP. __________________ This is not
	0

Jan 10, 2012, 01:26 PM	#5
sbk1799 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	Only Firewire? I was in the same boat - a Lacie 1 TB drive just sitting around - and I knew there had to be a use for it somewhere in my house. My Lacie was a quadra so it had eSATA port. I connected it to my DVR's eSATA port, vastly increasing its storage size.
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
can TM backup external HD and how	guido.coza	Mac Basics and Help	1	Dec 15, 2011 04:17 PM
Best way to partition an external HD in preparation for boot camp	rustmonster	Windows, Linux & others on the Mac	3	Sep 22, 2009 02:56 PM
Can an iPod Be Used as an External HD?	HappyDude20	iPod	1	Sep 11, 2008 04:33 PM
Best way to backup media from an external HD to another external HD?	downingp	Mac Basics and Help	0	May 8, 2008 07:34 PM
Can i use an external hd enclosure when factory hd busts?	shawsinio	Buying Tips and Advice	3	Jul 5, 2006 04:17 AM

Jan 10, 2012, 08:05 AM	#3
eutexian Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mapperley, Nottingham UK	Exactly the answer I was looking for. Many thanks.
	0

Jan 10, 2012, 12:11 PM	#4
KScottMyers macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando, FL	Just FYI... You don't have to partition the drive for Time Machine and other files. Just stay out of the Backups.backupdb folder. Other uses. • Time Machine drive • Store additional files/disk images • Store your Parallels/Fusion VMs there • Share a folder out to other machines on your network • Make it your emergency boot drive
	0

Jan 10, 2012, 01:32 PM	#6
GGJstudios macrumors Westmere Join Date: May 2008	In addition to bootable backups with CCC, I use external drives to store movies and TV shows, as well as other archives that I don't need available when I travel. I also split my iTunes library between internal and external drives, since it won't all fit on the internal. When I travel, I have my favorite music with me, and can still have the rest available when I'm on my wireless network.
	0

Jan 10, 2012, 02:58 PM	#8
eutexian Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mapperley, Nottingham UK	That was my understanding.. and my reason for allocating 40% of the drive to TM. I thought I was probably being over-generous too as I don't have TM running constantly.
	0

Jan 11, 2012, 09:15 AM	#14
Fishrrman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009	"I have already created a partition 40% for Time machine and 60% 'free'" As another poster mentioned, use the "free" area to create a bootable clone backup using CarbonCopyCloner. CCC is free and you can find it here: http://www.bombich.com BTW, CCC now has "Time Machine like" capabilities --- that is, it can not only maintain a bootable backup clone, but can also "archive" older-version (but changed) files, or files that you no longer keep on the main drive (and would otherwise be removed from your clone). With these new capabilities, there is little need for TM at all. I consider it a HUGE waste of drive space. Also, if you spend some time browsing the forums here at MacRumors, you are going to see post after post from users who are trying to access their TM backups in a moment of need, and.... can't. There is nothing you can have backup-wise that is more useful in a moment of extreme need than a second, bootable drive. CCC can create this for you.
	0

Jan 11, 2012, 10:00 AM	#15
madridista59 macrumors member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX	Looking to finally jump the gun and pick myself up a mini. After reading the threads on here I also decided it'd be a good idea to get an external HDD with at least 1TB for Time Machine. Do you guys have any recommendations? I was looking at these two: http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-Minimus-...pr_product_top http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...6297556&sr=1-4 Thanks in advance for your opinions!
	0