How do I backup my IMac on CD or DVD

[lukeanded]

I have a Mac OS X Version 10.4.11. I want to backup everything on my entire computer if that is even possible. Is there an easy way to do that if I do not own an external hard drive?

Make sure to dumb it down for me because I really don't know what I'm doing. I appreciate any help you can give. Thank you!

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I have a Mac OS X Version 10.4.11. I want to backup everything on my entire computer if that is even possible. Is there an easy way to do that if I do not own an external hard drive?

Make sure to dumb it down for me because I really don't know what I'm doing. I appreciate any help you can give. Thank you!

Buy an external hard drive, its impractical to backup in entirety onto DVDs (and even more so on CD's) and its also not safe, if one out the maybe 30-40 DVDs fails, you are lost !

 

[mperkins37]

I second that, Buy a backup drive big enough for a year or 2 expansion
1-2 tb should be good for most.

 

[mperkins37]

Just hit my 500th Post
Glad I could help....or not.......

 

[donuttakedonuts]

Um i used to back up onto DVDs with Retrospect, but unless for some reason you don't want to use an HD, I would recommend backing up onto a disk.

 

[lukeanded]

I can't afford the hard drive right now

Buy an external hard drive, its impractical to backup in entirety onto DVDs (and even more so on CD's) and its also not safe, if one out the maybe 30-40 DVDs fails, you are lost !

Unfortunatly for now, I can't afford a hard drive but I do have access to DVD's. So could you please direct me to or just maybe tell me what to do to back everything up on DVD's? Thanks!

Ryan

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Unfortunatly for now, I can't afford a hard drive but I do have access to DVD's. So could you please direct me to or just maybe tell me what to do to back everything up on DVD's? Thanks!

Ryan

DVDs is a waste of time, is going to take you about 20-30 hours, (I'm guessing for a 200Gb disk) and when one of those fails, your backup is toast, so you wasted the time (and whatever the DVDs cost) and you dont have a backup any more. You'll probably discover the DVD is bad only when you come to recover,when you need it.

Use the time you'd waste backing up, to get the money to a disk. I bet you could buy a s/h one for $25 on eBay.

 

[HBOC]

i don't know about Tiger, but when I insert a blank DVD-R into my MBP, it will ask if i want to show the blank disk in finder (in the side bar).

From there you can just drag the apps or programs/etc into the disk. I am not sure what you are wanting to save. I am sure you have some programs, but you would have the install discs, so that would be a waste of dvd/time to back up programs that you have the retail discs of.

I have backed up my stuff onto DVD-DLs. My itunes library (as of early July, 5900 songs) on DVD-DLs. I have an external HD as well, but those fail (eventually). I also have my pictures backed up. I will back up freeware programs, which might seem redundant, but sometimes (i reformatted a few months back) and forgot about some of the programs that i used. So for that reason, I will back up. Even programs that you don't get a disc with (ie; candybar, BBEdit, etc) I will back up, just because it is easier for me to do that, and sometimes i will be somewhere where i have no internet.

This will do until you get an external HD. They are getting cheaper and cheaper everyweek. I say a Seagate portable (fits in the pocket, almost) at OfficeMAx for $79. It was a 250GB. So I know you can get them cheaper online.

 

[lukeanded]

i don't know about Tiger, but when I insert a blank DVD-R into my MBP, it will ask if i want to show the blank disk in finder (in the side bar).

From there you can just drag the apps or programs/etc into the disk. I am not sure what you are wanting to save. I am sure you have some programs, but you would have the install discs, so that would be a waste of dvd/time to back up programs that you have the retail discs of.

I have backed up my stuff onto DVD-DLs. My itunes library (as of early July, 5900 songs) on DVD-DLs. I have an external HD as well, but those fail (eventually). I also have my pictures backed up. I will back up freeware programs, which might seem redundant, but sometimes (i reformatted a few months back) and forgot about some of the programs that i used. So for that reason, I will back up. Even programs that you don't get a disc with (ie; candybar, BBEdit, etc) I will back up, just because it is easier for me to do that, and sometimes i will be somewhere where i have no internet.

This will do until you get an external HD. They are getting cheaper and cheaper everyweek. I say a Seagate portable (fits in the pocket, almost) at OfficeMAx for $79. It was a 250GB. So I know you can get them cheaper online.

Thank you everyone for your replies. It looks like I need to buy a hard drive for now. Thanks for all of the help.