How does Time Machine saves data?

[LeandrodaFL]

I know Time Machine makes hourly backups. Since I have a 300GB hard disk, I tought my 500GB external hard drive (wich Im using for backup) would get filled in a day. It doenst, the first backup is of course your whole system, but then Time Machine simply add the upadtes aparantly.

How are these updates writen to the disk? I mean, does Time Machine simply ads an upadte folder, or it upadtes the current last backup and keep smaller files for previows "system snapshots"?

Im asking this cause I want to delete older backups cause I dont want my externla hard drvie filling up, but I fear "breaking" the backup.

 

[Mawal]

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427


deleting older backups is a very bad idea....do not touch anything on tm disk...

 

[jsm4182]

When your external drive gets full Time Machine automatically deletes older backups to make room for newer backups.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Time Machine FAQ

 

[LeandrodaFL]

Thanks, thread solved.

Im creating a new one, "how to tweak Time Machine"