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Time Machine backup to Mac Mini: Why can't both MacBook's use it?

dmk1974

dmk1974

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Sep 16, 2008
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I have searched over and over and can't figure out my issue. I have a TimeCapsule (previous gen) that has a Mac Mini (late 2012) ethernet connected to it. We also have 2 MacBooks (1 Air and 1 Retina Pro) that wirelessly connect to the network.

Both laptops, when navigating in Finder or other apps, can see the shared drives on the Mac Mini. However, only the MacBook Air can TimeMachine backup to both the Mac Mini and the Time Capsule. The MacBook Retina Pro can only backup to the Time Capsule (the TM settings for the Pro do not show the Mini in the Select Disk section).

I can't seem to figure out why...since I can see the Mini from the pro (and all of the files on the drive I want to back up to) I believe that I have the settings correct. And for whatever reason, no issues with the Air. Anyone ever experience this problem? Thanks!
 
Weaselboy

Weaselboy

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Do you have OS X Server installed in the Mini? That provides official Time Machine server support and may be why you are having problems.
 
dmk1974

dmk1974

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Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
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Weaselboy said:
Do you have OS X Server installed in the Mini? That provides official Time Machine server support and may be why you are having problems.
Click to expand...

No, just the "regular" version of Mavericks on the Mini. Seems to work fine for everything else, even backing up the other MacBook Air. And from the MBP I have no problems seeing the drive in finder and being able to read and write and so on. Just can't figure out what's different between the two laptops.
 
Weaselboy

Weaselboy

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dmk1974 said:
No, just the "regular" version of Mavericks on the Mini. Seems to work fine for everything else, even backing up the other MacBook Air. And from the MBP I have no problems seeing the drive in finder and being able to read and write and so on. Just can't figure out what's different between the two laptops.
Click to expand...

Just regular Mavs (without the server add-on) does not support TM backups, so that may be why it is inconsistent for you.
 
dmk1974

dmk1974

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Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
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Weaselboy said:
Just regular Mavs (without the server add-on) does not support TM backups, so that may be why it is inconsistent for you.
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to try it as long as it fixes it. Strange though that I don't need Server for the other one to work (for the past 7 months without issue) but just can't even see the Mini in the TimeMachine drive list from the MBP.

Any downsides to adding Server to my Mac Mini (which is just the base unit, not the purchased server model).
 
Weaselboy

Weaselboy

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dmk1974 said:
I'd be willing to try it as long as it fixes it. Strange though that I don't need Server for the other one to work (for the past 7 months without issue) but just can't even see the Mini in the TimeMachine drive list from the MBP.

Any downsides to adding Server to my Mac Mini (which is just the base unit, not the purchased server model).
Click to expand...

I don't really see any downside. It is only $20 and 179MB. You can see a list of features here.

I agree it is odd some machines work and others don't. :confused:
 
dmk1974

dmk1974

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Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
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Weaselboy said:
I don't really see any downside. It is only $20 and 179MB. You can see a list of features here.

I agree it is odd some machines work and others don't. :confused:
Click to expand...

I bought it and downloaded it a few hours ago. Seems to be working fine. I"m sure it has more capabilities than I need at the moment, but the TimeMachine backup is working fine from my MacBook. Thanks!
 
Weaselboy

Weaselboy

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Jan 23, 2005
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dmk1974 said:
I bought it and downloaded it a few hours ago. Seems to be working fine. I"m sure it has more capabilities than I need at the moment, but the TimeMachine backup is working fine from my MacBook. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Oh good! So the Air and the Retina can both do a TM backup to the Mini now?
 
dmk1974

dmk1974

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Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
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Weaselboy said:
Oh good! So the Air and the Retina can both do a TM backup to the Mini now?
Click to expand...

Yep, the Server app created a folder (Shared Items/Backups) on my USB drive that is connected to my Mini (where I had the MBA backup previously) and now both are backing up to that new folder just fine.
 
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