Time machine and wireless backup via USB and BT HomeHub wi-fi router

[radicaldog]

This has been discussed before, but since there seems to be some disagreement I'm just trying to consolidate some information. The BT HomeHub wi-fi router has a spare USB port. I have a 500Gb USB2 external hd. Using this as a wi-fi drive with Time Machine doesn't seem to work because of differences in formatting (Fat32 etc.). Is there a safe and reliable workaround this issue?

If not, what is a wi-fi backup alternative to Time Capsule? (I just don't want to pay for a wi-fi router that I don't need.)

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[spinnerlys]

Why don't you format the external HDD with Mac OS Extended (HFS+) then?

FAT32 is not supported by Time Machine, HFS+ is.

 

[radicaldog]

Why don't you format the external HDD with Mac OS Extended (HFS+) then?

FAT32 is not supported by Time Machine, HFS+ is.

Thanks. Is this possible with a Lacie 500 Gb USB2 drive? How does one do it? And has anyone successfully used it with the BT HomeHub?

 

[spinnerlys]

Thanks. Is this possible with a Lacie 500 Gb USB2 drive? How does one do it? And has anyone successfully used it with the BT HomeHub?

It is possible with almost any HDD, as the file system is something the user chooses not the HDD.

Go to http://macs.about.com/od/applications/ss/diskutilformat.htm and see for yourself.