Time Machine setup Qs

[irishgrizzly]

I have a few questions on Time Machine. I'm using an external HD (time capsule) over ethernet.

1. How do I limit the total size of the space the saves take up on the HD (I don't want it to keep expanding, filling the whole HD, as it has to be shared with workmates with their own files).

2. How can I specify a sub folder? It just gives me the option to select the drive (not any of the folders already setup on it).

 

[r.j.s]

I have a few questions on Time Machine. I'm using an external HD (time capsule) over ethernet.

1. How do I limit the total size of the space the saves take up on the HD (I don't want it to keep expanding, filling the whole HD, as it has to be shared with workmates with their own files).

Partition the drive to set the size you want for just TM.

2. How can I specify a sub folder? It just gives me the option to select the drive (not any of the folders already setup on it).

You can't. You can only select the drive.

 

[irishgrizzly]

Thanks for the reply r.j.s.

As files are already on there, can I still partition leaving those files on there?

If not I'll probably use another backup option like silverkeeper. It's a shame as I like the ease and intergration of Time Machine.

 

[r.j.s]

I dont think you can partition without erasing everything.

 

[JML42691]

I dont think you can partition without erasing everything.

I was able to partition my external hard drive using Disk Utility a few months ago that already had about 5 months of Time Machine backups on it because I needed to store more stuff on it, but wanted Time Machine to have its own space. It partitioned fine and I didn't lose any data.

 

[r.j.s]

I was able to partition my external hard drive using Disk Utility a few months ago that already had about 5 months of Time Machine backups on it because I needed to store more stuff on it, but wanted Time Machine to have its own space. It partitioned fine and I didn't lose any data.

I guess you can then.

 

[JNB]

You can dynamically (nondestructively) resize the partitions on an HFS+ drive.

 

[Batt]

I have a few questions on Time Machine. I'm using an external HD (time capsule) over ethernet.

If this is true, you can't partition it.

 

[utradar]

How much hard drive space should be devoted to a partition for Time Machine?

 

[r.j.s]

If this is true, you can't partition it.

Really? I don't have a TC, so I wouldn't know.

How much hard drive space should be devoted to a partition for Time Machine?

I'd say at least 1.5 times the size of the drive to be backed up. e.g. 80GB HD should have a 120GB TM Drive

 

[darkcurse]

You can only partition a HFS+ drive if its formatted using the GUID partition table. If its MBR, I don't think you can non-destructively(i.e without formatting it) partition the drive.

 

[utradar]

Ok. Well what happens when it fills up? Do I delete it all and start over or will it just delete the oldest file to make room for the newest one etc. ?

 

[r.j.s]

Ok. Well what happens when it fills up? Do I delete it all and start over or will it just delete the oldest file to make room for the newest one etc. ?

TM will delete the oldest backups in order to make room, but it will always keep a copy of all the files needed to do a complete restore.

 

[utradar]

TM will delete the oldest backups in order to make room, but it will always keep a copy of all the files needed to do a complete restore.

Nice. Thanks.