Need help turning previous internal drive into current backup external

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by dewey decibel, Dec 10, 2013.

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  1. dewey decibel, Dec 10, 2013

    dewey decibel macrumors member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2007
    #1
    I have a brand new Mackbook Pro running Mavericks. I also have the drive from my now dead Macbook running Snow Leopard installed in an external enclosure. What I'd like to do is install some of the applications and files from the external to the MBP, and then use the external as my backup. But here's the trick; I don't want everything on the MBP. There's files (pics, iTunes stuff, audio samples, etc) that I want to keep only on the external, I never want them on the MBP. There's also plenty I simply want erased. So I how do I accomplish this? Do I have to start by putting everything I want onto the MBP, then drag the desired files back?

    Is there a program that will help me with this? I started with migration assistant, but of course it wants to transfer everything. I had a different drive in the external I used for a backup with the old Macbook, and believe I was using SuperDuper to clone and it gave some options for transferring, I look back into it. Any help is appreciated!
     
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  2. Consultant, Dec 11, 2013

    Consultant macrumors G5

    Consultant

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2007
    #2
    Easily way:
    Use migration to put everything onto the MBP
    Erase external and make 2 partitions (one for backup only, one for files)
    Move the desired files back to the partition for files

    However I suggest getting a separate drive for backup.
     
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  3. Fishrrman, Dec 11, 2013

    Fishrrman macrumors G3

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2009
    #3
    I think you're going to need a SECOND external drive, as well.

    It's always a good idea to have a "clone backup" nearby (as you would create with SuperDuper or CarbonCopyCloner).

    But that means one of your externals will contain everything the internal drive has on it.

    I sense that what you need (beyond an ordinary "backup" drive) is an "archive" drive as well -- something that contains files you no longer want present on your internal (and backup) drives, but don't want to toss out.

    Here's one way it could be done:
    1. Internal drive
    2. External backup drive -- partition this into two partitions. One will be equal in size or slightly smaller than your internal drive (use for your SD clone). Other partition can contain "archived files" that have been off-loaded from internal drive
    3. Archival backup -- this drive will be a backup of your archives. You can use SD to do a clone of the archival partition to the archival backup.

    Do this, and you will always have a _second copy_ of your internal and archived files available -- in case of a drive failure.

    Suggestion:
    For a second external, consider a usb3/sata docking station instead of a pre-packaged "external drive". Then, just use a "bare drive" in it. To see what a dock is, go to amazon and enter "usb3 sata dock" into the search box -- you'll get many hits.
     
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  4. dewey decibel, Dec 12, 2013

    dewey decibel thread starter macrumors member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2007
    #4
    Thanks for the responses. I did always plan to get another backup but was hoping to wait a bit (this MBP wasn't cheap!). But yes, the idea of an "archive" drive sounds like what I'm looking for. I just opened Superduper and it looks like I'll be able to bounce the contents of one external to another external, so I guess I gotta go shopping.
     
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