Help with getting an ext hard drive for 2 comp's.

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by answerSeeker, Dec 7, 2008.

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  1. answerSeeker, Dec 7, 2008

    answerSeeker macrumors newbie

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    #1
    I have an imac G5 and an ibook Intel core 2 duo that I think I should probably back up. I've never done that. Don't have a lot of stuff on these, but some short movies and pics, etc. Should I copy the OS, too. Don't remember if I got start up disc with the G5 a few yrs. ago, but may have them somewhere. Also, as I'm new to Macs, are there ways to clean up the computer as I have duplicates of a lot of pics.
     
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  2. spinnerlys, Dec 7, 2008

    spinnerlys Guest

    spinnerlys

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    #2
    You could clone your G5's hard drive with SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner, but that would be best down with an extra partition on the external drive, as cloning with Super Duper at least erases all data on the target drive.

    You can find duplicates with a software called Find Duplicate Files (it's a demo, but you can use it for 7 days), or a lot of other software. Search MacUpdate for similar software.

    On backing up, if you have Leopard, you could make a partition for each Mac with 10.5 on the external drive and set it up as Time Machine.

    I did that for my iMac and MacBook, it worked.
     
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  3. answerSeeker, Dec 7, 2008

    answerSeeker thread starter macrumors newbie

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    #3
    I don't have Leopard. It's Tiger OS on both computers. I don't want to erase data on either computer. Any more ideas, good external drive to get? Is it easier to get 2 h.d.'s that are smaller? Thanks for info on ridding of duplicates.
     
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  4. teflon, Dec 7, 2008

    teflon macrumors 6502a

    teflon

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    Getting two smaller HDs is easier for you to set up, as you won't have to partition the drives. If your computers are not close, it may be a little more convenient too, as you can just keep it close to the computer and not shuffle it back and forth. Also, if one fails, at least you only lose the backup of one computer. As for the external HD, are you going to build it yourself or buy them? Either way, I recommend Seagate drives. Very reliable, and the 5 year warranty can't be beat.
     
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