Howard2k

I bought an external drive with a FW interface.

I was planning on using it for backing up my data. Potentially even keeping it in a fireproof safe downstairs (when not connected.)

I created a Mac partition on it and copied my files over to it. I assume that if the worst happens I can install Tiger again and then worst case I'd have to take ownership of the files right? Since the current "me" and the new "me" would be different.

Any other backup advice you guys can share? Any applications I should look at?

MacDoc

Use SuperDuper instead. Then you have a complete bootable backup with all your files intact.
IF you have critical files we recommend alternating backups.
How big is the FW drive and how big is the drive in your Mac

__________________
Spring Cleaning Sale email for flyer..sweet prices across the board • Many Retina's, Airs, new iMacs all on sale - great • OWC at par Trades welcome

Howard2k

80GB on the Mac, 120GB on the drive.

I'll check out Super Duper. Thanks.

Pelao

I also recommend SuperDuper. Simple and effective.

I also agree it's a good idea to have alternate backup drives if the Mac is used for work and holds critical documents. If not, at least back up your photos and crucial docs on archival quality CDs.

__________________
A MacPro 2.66 Xeon, an iMac G5, a Uni MB, a wee PowerBook 12" 1.5, an eMac, a couple of cameras, a lens collection and a wonderful iPod. Oh, and a delicious wife.

"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little." Tom Stoppard

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader".
Robert Frost

Howard2k

Thanks.

I keep my iTunes on my iPod (obviously), my Mac and I have a copy of both my iTunes and iPhoto libraries on my PC too. So this is just an extra precaution..

Brian Scully

Tech Support on SuperDuper is beyond belief I emailed a problem before lunch and before I got back there was an answer from Dave. He does not have the time with programming and marketing and tech support to come to Ehmac (yes I invited him) but you can contact him at www.shirtpocket.com.

I have a 160 gig Maxtor external firewire drive and 3 back up partitions which i rotate on a daily basis (which I admit is overkill for a hobbyist) but the backup takes only 12 minutes for about 16 gigs of files and 4 of that is repairing permissions which SuperDuper does automatically. One nice thing about SD is that it shuts down and reboots from the backup so you know that it was successful . I then reboot manually to the internal to save wear and tear on the Maxtor. It is scriptable to do automatic backups but this is beyond my knowledge. Perhaps MacDoc can explain these features
Well worth the 20 dollar US for the full featured version

GratuitousApplesauce

So does SuperDuper do the same thing as CarbonCopyCloner?

Is it better than CCC? CCC certainly wasn't always exactly user-friendly.

For me, I want a bootable back-up clone on the external FW drive that I can seamlessly use if the internal HD goes tits up, or if a system update hoses something.

__________________
The price of apathy toward public affairs, is to be ruled by evil men. -- Plato.

Pelao

I went with SuperDuper because I found CCC too much work - just not intuitive. The SuperDuper copy is a nice clean, cloned copy, ready for your enjoyment.

__________________
A MacPro 2.66 Xeon, an iMac G5, a Uni MB, a wee PowerBook 12" 1.5, an eMac, a couple of cameras, a lens collection and a wonderful iPod. Oh, and a delicious wife.

"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little." Tom Stoppard

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader".
Robert Frost

GratuitousApplesauce

I dl'd SuperDuper and while it looks promising, I don't want to use it, because it appears to want to erase everything on the backup drive, before it backs up.

CCC didn't do this, and I keep a few applications and files on the FW back-up that I don't have room for on my tiny 20 gb internal drive. I know, I need to get a bigger internal drive, just haven't done that yet.

I also keep all my OS9 stuff and the system on a second internal 10gb drive and have that backed up serparately on the FW drive.

I guess I could partition the FW drive. Never done this before, is it possible to do without erasing all the files on it?

__________________
The price of apathy toward public affairs, is to be ruled by evil men. -- Plato.

IronMac

I've got the same questions as GA...does SD erase everything on the backup drive or can you keep some files/apps/whatever on the backup drive and simply use SD to back up to a partition?