Can you change the frequency of Time Machine backups?

A quick google shows you this:
http://www.klieme.com/TimeMachineScheduler.html

 

The terminal command doesn't really work (if you ever do come across it).
I find that this Time Machine scheduler sucks, doesn't really work for me. But tons of other people say it does, so it's worth a shot.

 

MacPilot allows you to tweak the interval; it's basically a utility that puts a GUI on all sorts of stuff you'd otherwise have to do via Terminal. You could demo it. There may be others like it.

 

Not working for me at all. Can't even get to first base. TMS refuses to do anything as no matter what the actual state of Time Machine is insists "Backup is running..." and refuses to allow any changes at all. Ugh.

I was hoping to set a time to not backup.



Mike

 

No... nothing is clickable, aside from "About."

Oh wait. Just checked again and the backup is running message is gone. I was able to set options and load scheduler.

Still a little confused though. Anytime I do anything in Time Machine prefs the backup is running message appears, locking me out for a period of time. This happens when no backup is actually running.

Also not clear if this app turns Time Machine Backups on as needed, or if it needs to be left on as usual.



Michael

 

What happens if you turn Time Machine on, does the scheduler work or does TM continue to work as if there was no scheduler?

Wish there was more than the most basic of docs.



Mike

 

I'm surprised no one mentioned Time Machine Editor
http://timesoftware.free.fr/timemachineeditor/
I've been using it for years to change from hourly backups to twice a day (6AM and 6PM) and it's never let me down.

 

It had me at "FAQ" .

Uninstalled Time Machine Scheduler and trying Time Machine Editor. I like the app-based approach rather than pref pane too.




Mike

 

It does require you to shut off Time Machine so it can handle the scheduling...I can't compare it to Scheduler because once I found it, I never had the need to try something else.

I've seen no cons for my use (twice a day backups) - it's worked fine through Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion on both my Mac Mini and iMac.

 

I have used both now and will be sticking with Time Machine Editor. The only thing I liked better about Time Machine Scheduler was its--at least apparent--ability to exclude certain times from backing up. But with Time Machine Editor's seemingly unlimited ability to set schedules that feature can be duplicated.

I like that TME is just an app not a preference pane that requires the original installation DMG to uninstall. You can even delete the app and the schedule you set beforehand will continue to run--till you turn Time Machine back on, reverting to the usual hourly backups.

For me it is Time Machine Editor.



Michael