Time Machine question

[stevenpa]

I'm pretty sure the answer is on this forum, just can't find it via search.

Question is if I set up Time Machine, will I be use the backups to restore just a single file? So it would be like using the disk like a standard external.

 

[talmy]

Yes, you can. But it isn't like using a standard external, you go through the TimeMachine GUI.

 

[stevenpa]

Yes, you can. But it isn't like using a standard external, you go through the TimeMachine GUI.

Ok thanks. Yeah I know it'd be going through Time Machine, just wanted to make sure I had this feature. Always just used externals in the past but without the Lion drive on physical hardware, I'd like to have it set up to be able to restore quickly in case of any problems.

 

[basher]

In the TM interface you can even spotlightbsearch for files to restore.

 

[Foogoofish]

Why not partition your backup disk? Then you can have a section for Time Machine (over 2x your internal HDD size), and a section to use as a normal external hard drive. They even show up as two normal different drives for ease of use.

 

[seong]

Why not partition your backup disk? Then you can have a section for Time Machine (over 2x your internal HDD size), and a section to use as a normal external hard drive. They even show up as two normal different drives for ease of use.

Nah. That's not really useful unless the OP is going to install Mac OS X on the other partition. Once you start using backup, there will be file created in the drive, and everything else will be stored inside. If you want to store something like 50GB of home movies and bunch of other files, you can just use it like a normal external HDD.

Plus, you never know when the Time Machine partition, or the free space, will run out of space, and the other one doesn't.

 

[Foogoofish]

Nah. That's not really useful unless the OP is going to install Mac OS X on the other partition. Once you start using backup, there will be file created in the drive, and everything else will be stored inside. If you want to store something like 50GB of home movies and bunch of other files, you can just use it like a normal external HDD.

I agree with you, but if you keep the two separate then you are less likely to run into problems on the time machine partition / delete something important (the file) by accident if you select all without thinking. I guess I am just optimistic that my 320Gb MBP HDD will not fill 1.2TB of ExtHDD anytime soon!

 

[curtisinoc]

another time machine question

If my mail app (mac mail) is not completely closed / running in background and I "enter time machine", I see that time machine opens by displaying my mail account / app. I can't seem to access my other files on time machine unless I completely close the mail app and re-enter time machine.

Is this normal?

thanks

 

[talmy]

Doesn't seem normal to me. As long as a Finder window has the focus, that should be what TimeMachine starts with.

 

[curtisinoc]

Doesn't seem normal to me. As long as a Finder window has the focus, that should be what TimeMachine starts with.

Yeah, it doesn't seem "normal" or logical to me either but maybe this is by design?? (for whatever reason). Try entering time machine while your mac mail app is open . . strange.

 

[talmy]

OK, I just did. If Mail has focus ("Mail" in the menu bar) then Time Machine opens on Mail. If Finder has focus then TimeMachine opens on Finder. If programs not supported by time machine have focus then TimeMachine opens on the Desktop in Finder. Nothing unusual there.

 

[curtisinoc]

OK, I just did. If Mail has focus ("Mail" in the menu bar) then Time Machine opens on Mail. If Finder has focus then TimeMachine opens on Finder. If programs not supported by time machine have focus then TimeMachine opens on the Desktop in Finder. Nothing unusual there.

That makes sense . . thanks talmy