Use 2 disks for Time Machine

[Neo-Tech]

Hey,

I have 2 hard disks which I use for Time Machine, one for the main system, and one for my data. However, whenever I backup, I have to reconfigure what it backs up, and this is quite an annoyance as Time Machine is supposed to be a simple. Is there anyway I can save a configuration file for it that I can use for each drive? If this is not possible, is there any workarounds for this?

Thanks
Neo-Tech

 

[spinnerlys]

Maybe you can use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to backup your system (OS) and use Time Machine for backing up your Home Folder.

The advantage of using CCC or SD is you have a bootable copy of Mac OS X, but make sure you have set up an extra user account (admin) to back up via CCC or SD, to have a user to login to, especially if you use TM to back up your user (Home folder).

 

[brijazz]

Time Machine IS simple; it's your usage of it (different disks for different parts of your system) that's complicated. I give a big +1 to the suggestion that you look into SuperDuper, which will give you the flexibility that you need.

 

[Neo-Tech]

Maybe you can use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to backup your system (OS) and use Time Machine for backing up your Home Folder.

The advantage of using CCC or SD is you have a bootable copy of Mac OS X, but make sure you have set up an extra user account (admin) to back up via CCC or SD, to have a user to login to, especially if you use TM to back up your user (Home folder).

Thanks for the fast reply So I can exclude my home folder being backed up in CCC/SuperDuper? And a new admin account to backup using CCC/SuperDuper?

Time Machine IS simple; it's your usage of it (different disks for different parts of your system) that's complicated. I give a big +1 to the suggestion that you look into SuperDuper, which will give you the flexibility that you need.

Haha, I was expecting someone to say that.

 

[maflynn]

Apple is about simplicity and ease of use. Most people will only want a single disk for backing up. Apple really doesn't provide any options for those who want something a little more complex

 

[Neo-Tech]

Sometimes a bit too simple I guess. I've thought about using ChronoSync again for my Home folder, but then if I used TM for the main OS, I wouldn't be able to boot it which is a bit of an annoyance I guess.

Thoughts?

 

[maflynn]

Simple, yes but that's the apple way.

I use Time Machine on one external drive, which I use for those times when I want recover a specific file. I then use Carbon Copy Cloner on a second external drive, for those times that the system gets messed up - CCC is much faster restoring the TM.

I also use CCC on a portable drive and take that drive offsite.

 

[Neo-Tech]

So basically Time Machine for my files, and CCC for the main system.

I'll just exclude everything in my home folder, apart from my Library folder, that should work if I ever need to restore?

Thanks for the help so far, really appreciated

 

[maflynn]

I don't exclude my home folder when backing up my system using CCC. I'm paranoid and I want to keep my data backed up in multiple locations. I'm actually less concerned about restoring my system. Its easy enough to reinstall OSX/APPs if I have too. My documents, photoshop files, music and pictures are invaluable - I can't take a chance on them

 

[Neo-Tech]

I see, but my hard drive spaces are limited, that's why I'm having to split backups across. I've got one 320GB hard disk which I'm gonna use for the system, and a 500GB split as 300GB and 200GB. First partition for my data on my Mac, second partition for the PS3 as it can't backup to a HFS+ file system.

 

[Neo-Tech]

Woo, got it all working (Just letting you guys know)

So I'm using CCC to backup my main system excluding my home folder but including my Library folder as the drive isn't big enough, also set it up as a Weekly task. And I'm using Time Machine to backup the rest of my Home folder.

Thanks for all your help, you are all AWESOME.