Removing a TM partition from ex hd.

[zowenso]

Hello. I recently got a new external hd for my time machine back up. If I wanted I use my older external hd and remove that partition that was made for the time machine back up, is that possible? Will I lose data on that drive if I try to remove it? Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

Was the old drive used for storage other than time machine?

You may be able to use disk utility to remove the tm partition.

IF you only used the drive for tm, the easiest method is to use disk utility to ERASE it.
I'd recommend "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

But BE AWARE that this will "wipe the drive clean" -- nothing else left on it !!!

 

[zowenso]

Was the old drive used for storage other than time machine?

You may be able to use disk utility to remove the tm partition.

IF you only used the drive for tm, the easiest method is to use disk utility to ERASE it.
I'd recommend "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

But BE AWARE that this will "wipe the drive clean" -- nothing else left on it !!!

Thanks for the response. It was used for the TM back up only, but also has many folders with photos and videos. So the process will delete all those folders? Appreciate the help.

 

[Fishrrman]

" It was used for the TM back up only, but also has many folders with photos and videos. So the process will delete all those folders? Appreciate the help."

Yes, EVERYTHING will be gone if you erase the entire drive.
Can you move those folders somewhere else before you erase?

Did you say that Disk utility won't let you delete ONLY the tm partition?
Can you take a screenshot of what you're seeing and post it?

 

[zowenso]

" It was used for the TM back up only, but also has many folders with photos and videos. So the process will delete all those folders? Appreciate the help."

Yes, EVERYTHING will be gone if you erase the entire drive.
Can you move those folders somewhere else before you erase?

Did you say that Disk utility won't let you delete ONLY the tm partition?
Can you take a screenshot of what you're seeing and post it?

Thanks a lot. I haven’t attempted yet. So, If I open up disk utility will I see the external hard drive and the partitions on? Then you think I may have the option to delete that partition for the TM back up? I appreciate the help.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd try deleting the partition first.
And then... you may have to RE-SIZE the other partition.

BUT... if the other partition WILL NOT re-size, the only way to "get all the space back" will be to erase the ENTIRE drive and start over.

If you do this, you have to move the files on the other (non tm) partition to another drive, or they'll be wiped out by the erase...

 

[zowenso]

I'd try deleting the partition first.
And then... you may have to RE-SIZE the other partition.

BUT... if the other partition WILL NOT re-size, the only way to "get all the space back" will be to erase the ENTIRE drive and start over.

If you do this, you have to move the files on the other (non tm) partition to another drive, or they'll be wiped out by the erase...

Great. Thanks for the info and help.