Backups and External Hardrives

[steph123]

Looking for tips for backing up my files and pictures.

I recently made a post about trouble with getting my files from a Samsung SSD T5 onto my new macbook. I have figured that out, but now I dont want to ever make that mistake again and so I want to learn about backups. Advice please😊

 

[cyberhound]

Looking for tips for backing up my files and pictures.

I recently made a post about trouble with getting my files from a Samsung SSD T5 onto my new macbook. I have figured that out, but now I dont want to ever make that mistake again and so I want to learn about backups. Advice please😊

Well, let's start with that Samsung drive you have. It's fine for backups, but I would format it and wipe away the Samsung software. It may serve some purpose, but as you can see it got in the way of a really simple function you were trying to accomplish... Backup pictures and files and move them to another Mac.

Your Mac has an app called Time Machine built in. It is for backing up your files and such. As a built in solution, it generally works very well. The are other options such as CCC (Carbon Copy Cloner) and Super Duper which can both do what Time Machine does and more. They can clone your Mac's internal disk to another disk and if anything happens, you can boot from that disk as if nothing happened.

That said, you may just want to keep it simple. I have a disk dedicated to Time Machine and it's backups. I also have a second disk that I periodically backup my docs and photos to. I use a program called GetBackup Pro for that. It simply syncs the files I choose to the secondary backup disk. I do a one way sync so that it basically copies the changes I make to the source folder to the secondary backup. I use Time Machine if I need to go back in time for a file or if the system craps out and I have to start from scratch. CCC and SuperDuper give you a more "foolproof" way to backup with cloning, but I find them to be more than I need, and more technical to use.

What size is the internal drive on your Mac and what size is the T5 drive?

 

[steph123]

Well, let's start with that Samsung drive you have. It's fine for backups, but I would format it and wipe away the Samsung software. It may serve some purpose, but as you can see it got in the way of a really simple function you were trying to accomplish... Backup pictures and files and move them to another Mac.

Your Mac has an app called Time Machine built in. It is for backing up your files and such. As a built in solution, it generally works very well. The are other options such as CCC (Carbon Copy Cloner) and Super Duper which can both do what Time Machine does and more. They can clone your Mac's internal disk to another disk and if anything happens, you can boot from that disk as if nothing happened.

That said, you may just want to keep it simple. I have a disk dedicated to Time Machine and it's backups. I also have a second disk that I periodically backup my docs and photos to. I use a program called GetBackup Pro for that. It simply syncs the files I choose to the secondary backup disk. I do a one way sync so that it basically copies the changes I make to the source folder to the secondary backup. I use Time Machine if I need to go back in time for a file or if the system craps out and I have to start from scratch. CCC and SuperDuper give you a more "foolproof" way to backup with cloning, but I find them to be more than I need, and more technical to use.

What size is the internal drive on your Mac and what size is the T5 drive?

Thank you cyberhound! So my Samsung T5 is 2TB, and my MacBook is 16GB. Is that what you mean? (I don't know much about computers). Also, what do you mean by wiping away the Samsung software, how would I do that? I have turned off the need for the password, but that's it...

 

[steph123]

Well, let's start with that Samsung drive you have. It's fine for backups, but I would format it and wipe away the Samsung software. It may serve some purpose, but as you can see it got in the way of a really simple function you were trying to accomplish... Backup pictures and files and move them to another Mac.

Your Mac has an app called Time Machine built in. It is for backing up your files and such. As a built in solution, it generally works very well. The are other options such as CCC (Carbon Copy Cloner) and Super Duper which can both do what Time Machine does and more. They can clone your Mac's internal disk to another disk and if anything happens, you can boot from that disk as if nothing happened.

That said, you may just want to keep it simple. I have a disk dedicated to Time Machine and it's backups. I also have a second disk that I periodically backup my docs and photos to. I use a program called GetBackup Pro for that. It simply syncs the files I choose to the secondary backup disk. I do a one way sync so that it basically copies the changes I make to the source folder to the secondary backup. I use Time Machine if I need to go back in time for a file or if the system craps out and I have to start from scratch. CCC and SuperDuper give you a more "foolproof" way to backup with cloning, but I find them to be more than I need, and more technical to use.

What size is the internal drive on your Mac and what size is the T5 drive?

Oh, and somehow along the way while I got my Samsung SSD T5 sorted, the format changed from MS-DOS (FAT32) to either APFS or EXFAT (can't remember right now and I don't have it with me right now), but I didn't change it, weird?

 

[cyberhound]

Thank you cyberhound! So my Samsung T5 is 2TB, and my MacBook is 16GB. Is that what you mean? (I don't know much about computers). Also, what do you mean by wiping away the Samsung software, how would I do that? I have turned off the need for the password, but that's it...

Your MacBook has 16GB of RAM memory. How much storage (or internal hard drive space) does it have?

It is a bit strange that your T5's format would have changed.

You can wipe (erase, or format) the drive using disk utility. That would delete everything on it. That's why you would want to make sure your files are stored somewhere else. But, if you have turned off the password feature, and can easily access your files and can now easily copy to and from the T5, you may want to just roll that way.

If you wanted to use Time Machine, for the average user, a reasonable amount of storage space for Time Machine back ups would likely be 2 to 4 times as much space as the data you want to back up (not necessarily the size of the drive your data is stored on). But for easy math, let's just say your Mac has a 500GB internal hard drive, and you are going to be using most of the storage space. You might want to use a 2TB external drive for Time Machine back ups.

 

[steph123]

Oh I see. Ok where do I check the storage space on my macbook?

Yes, so after reading online I checked in the utility disk for the format before and it was MS-DOS (FAT32), I even took a screen shot of it so I wasnt just making stuff up lol, but then while I was on the phone with apple, they had me open up utility disk near the end and thats when I noticed it had changed. But I definitely did not erase the disk or change it on my own.

 

[cyberhound]

Oh I see. Ok where do I check the storage space on my macbook?

Yes, so after reading online I checked in the utility disk for the format before and it was MS-DOS (FAT32), I even took a screen shot of it so I wasnt just making stuff up lol, but then while I was on the phone with apple, they had me open up utility disk near the end and thats when I noticed it had changed. But I definitely did not erase the disk or change it on my own.

Click the  logo in the top left of the screen. Then click About This Mac. Then click on the storage button. That will show you the size of your internal hard drive.

Question... Did you copy the files from your T5 over to your new Mac?

 

[steph123]

Ok I will check.

Yes, I copied all onto a folder on my mac. But now what do I do?! I tried time machine but seems it wants me to backup to an external hardrive? I thought it keeps a copy somehow without using an external

 

[cyberhound]

Ok I will check.

Yes, I copied all onto a folder on my mac. But now what do I do?! I tried time machine but seems it wants me to backup to an external hardrive? I thought it keeps a copy somehow without using an external

It does keep "local snapshots" on your internal drive I believe. But, if your internal drive dies or has an issue, so goes your local snapshots. Defeats the purpose of backing up...

You really want to use an external drive for a back up. Here's my opinion to keep it simple and easy.

If you have the funds, I would get another drive to use for Time Machine. You can go the SSD route, or buy an external HDD drive which is cheaper. You can use that drive for Time Machine and use your T5 for one off back ups.

If you don't have the funds, AND you are confident you have moved your files over to the new Mac, you can make sure your T5 is properly formatted and use it for Time Machine back ups.

I'd go the route of having 2 drives using one for Time Machine, but that depends on your funding.

 

[steph123]

Ok so my storage on my mac is 994.66GB

I have both a Samsung SSD T5 & T3
I know the T3 has less space, just can’t remember how much right now.

Should I erase one of them and use it for Time machine? Currently they both hold all my files.

 

[cyberhound]

Ok so my storage on my mac is 994.66GB

I have both a Samsung SSD T5 & T3
I know the T3 has less space, just can’t remember how much right now.

Should I erase one of them and use it for Time machine? Currently they both hold all my files.

So, you have a 1TB internal hard drive. You could use the T5 for Time Machine since it is 2TB, it just won't hold as long a history of backups. The T3, if smaller, would likely not be a good choice for Time Machine. As long as you are comfortable in the fact that you have a copy of all of your files on your Mac and/or on the T3, you can erase the T5 and use it for Time Machine. Then use your T3 for one off back ups.

 

[steph123]

Is it correct that the those Samsung SSD’s only last a few years?

 

[cyberhound]

May

Is it correct that the those Samsung SSD’s only last a few years?

Maybe. It's not years, it's a measure of how much data can be written to the drive. SSDs have a capacity for the total amount of data that can be written to them before they start to fail. It's called TBW. You can think of it like an old cassette tape. You can copy and erase over it many times, but eventually the tape will degrade and wear out. If you use it intensively, then it will wear out faster. If you don't it will wear slower. I don't see Time Machine wearing out a SSD before you decide to upgrade your Mac for the next one.

 

[macdos]

Looking for tips for backing up my files and pictures.

I recently made a post about trouble with getting my files from a Samsung SSD T5 onto my new macbook. I have figured that out, but now I dont want to ever make that mistake again and so I want to learn about backups. Advice please😊

Your mileage may vary, but I use an external 16 TB harddrive for manual backup. It is mostly offline, and so not prone to malicious encryption attacks.

Time machine automates stuff, but is inreliable and insecure. Manual backup requires some discipline, but is secure and still easy to perform, say once a week or so.

 

[steph123]

Your mileage may vary, but I use an external 16 TB harddrive for manual backup. It is mostly offline, and so not prone to malicious encryption attacks.

Time machine automates stuff, but is inreliable and insecure. Manual backup requires some discipline, but is secure and still easy to perform, say once a week or so.

Hmm, so are you saying it would be good to use both Time Machine, plus another external hardrive and do it manually on that?

 

[steph123]

May

Maybe. It's not years, it's a measure of how much data can be written to the drive. SSDs have a capacity for the total amount of data that can be written to them before they start to fail. It's called TBW. You can think of it like an old cassette tape. You can copy and erase over it many times, but eventually the tape will degrade and wear out. If you use it intensively, then it will wear out faster. If you don't it will wear slower. I don't see Time Machine wearing out a SSD before you decide to upgrade your Mac for the next one.

Ok I see

 

[IowaLynn]

Ok so my storage on my mac is 994.66GB

I have both a Samsung SSD T5 & T3
I know the T3 has less space, just can’t remember how much right now.

Should I erase one of them and use it for Time machine? Currently they both hold all my files.

Time machine needs about 3.5x the amount as what it is baking up. If you use 50% of your internal drive, which is what I am for, then 1.5TB would work.
Carbon Copy Cloner is an excellent alternate method.
I like to have good redundancy, two sets of each. Can choose to keep a set untouched that is a month old. Even prior OS in case Monterey or an update or problems arise.
SSDs have reserved cell pages if needed, probably 10%?
Tests have been done writing 100's of TB to see how well SSD hold up over time, expected lifetime. The T3 came out 6 years ago, and T5 updated to USB-C 3.1 gen 2. The T7 are what I am buying now.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"I dont want to ever make that mistake again and so I want to learn about backups. Advice please"

I have just one word (or is it 3?) for you:
CarbonCopyCloner
Carbon Copy Cloner - Download

Well, ok, there's an alternative app:
SuperDuper

SuperDuper!

Both are FREE to download and use for 30 days.
You don't need to ask questions about "how they work", both are so simple to use the only thing you need to do is download one (or both) and start using it (them).

CCC is one of the best Mac apps in existence.

SuperDuper will run FOREVER in "free mode", however, to do "incremental" backups (not the entire drive) you need to register it.

 

[steph123]

I downloaded CCC. It is asking me to select a destination. I'm confused, do I need another external hardrive?

 

[mikzn]

I downloaded CCC. It is asking me to select a destination. I'm confused, do I need another external hardrive?

Yes for a clone - but not for a folder to folder copy - they just need to be different folders

that said, for a true back up (clone ?) - you should have a separate drive - so if the source drive fails - your copies are still available on the separate drive

 

[steph123]

Yes for a clone - but not for a folder to folder copy - they just need to be different folders

that said, for a true back up (clone ?) - you should have a separate drive - so if the source drive fails - your copies are still available on the separate drive

I'm so sorry, I'm quite confused. Can you please explain to me what the purpose of the CCC is?

 

[elvisimprsntr]

1. Repurpose/build/buy a Network Attached Storage (NAS) running enterprise class open source NAS SW https://www.truenas.com
2. Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy. https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/definition/3-2-1-Backup-Strategy

 

[mikzn]

I'm so sorry, I'm quite confused. Can you please explain to me what the purpose of the CCC is?

No worries 😃 - that is what these threads are for 👍

as per @Fishrrman - see above post #18 - good advice 👍

CCC - Carbon Copy Cloner - great software for back ups and drive cloning - See this thread for more info

 

[IowaLynn]

Being able to boot from another drive has gotten... harder. Might need to erase/restore the internal drive. You have 3rd party tools like TechTool Pro you want to run. Maybe take your drive and keep it off site, or with you for travel and work, or you are going to travel and know your files are safe. Because TimeMachine alone is not a good insurance policy (and still good idea to have two there, also). Daily, weekly, monthly snapshots.

 

[cyberhound]

Steph123. My understanding is that you simply want to back up your photos and files and want to avoid the issues you had with the your Samsung T5 software? If that is the case, cloning drives and such is like using a bulldozer to move an ant hill. I don't mean this to be an insult, but I take it from your own comments you are not a "power user", and it doesn't seem you want to do or are trying to do "power user" things. My suggestion is to keep things simple.

1. If you are confident that your files and pictures are copied from your T5 to your Mac, then format the T5 using disk utility.
2. You can periodically, manually back up your files to your T3 or T5 drive. It's a simple copy and paste.
3. You can use Time Machine as a "secondary" back up if you say, manually back up to the T3, and use Time Machine on the T5.
4. Or you can use CCC or SuperDuper to sync your files and photos folders to the T5. Since you have CCC already, here is a link to the CCC site showing you how you can set up the sync process...

Folder-to-Folder Backups | Bombich Software

bombich.com