back up problems

[davidhp]

Hi I use a seagate external backup drive to keep invoices etc on, when I save a file on my iMac it backs up on the seagate which is fine.
The problem I have is when I want to delete a file on my iMac it automatically deletes on the seagate and this is where I want to keep it.
Is there a setting I can change ? thanks

 

[Weaselboy]

What software are you using to do the backups?

 

[davidhp]

What software are you using to do the backups?

I’m using a sea gate free agent desk top

 

[NoBoMac]

Don't think it's a Mac issue. Sounds like you have turned on Seagate's Sync component, which works much like Dropbox etc. Delete the file, deletes from all locations it's synced to.

Probably want to turn that off and turn on backup component. Not sure what the scheduling options are, to make sure frequent backups are done (ie. not run into the situation where create doc, shortly delete doc, doc is not on backup drive).

Can repurpose the drive for TimeMachine. TimeMachine keeps snapshot copies local until they get pushed to the drive during TM scheduled run.

 

[Fishrrman]

My suggestion:

STOP using the Seagate backup software.

Instead, download and try CarbonCopyCloner.
Leave the "safety net" feature ON (very important that you do this!).

This will archive changed (old) data files, but still maintain a cloned copy of your source drive as well.

 

[Weaselboy]

I’m using a sea gate free agent desk top

Yeah... I think that is just a feature of that software as @NoBoMac mentioned and you may be better served by using something else. The macOS built in Time Machine software will do what you want and not delete old versions as long as there is drive space left. I would just erase the Seagate drive and use Time Machine to backup.

 

[NoBoMac]

Instead, download and try CarbonCopyCloner.
Leave the "safety net" feature ON (very important that you do this!).

Or that.

Also seen (and used) some freeware programs out there that do similar functions (ie. copies to external any new/changed files). Unfortunately, cannot recall which ones I've used in the past right now (been a few years now).