Time Machine Failed To Backup
- Thread starter pc-modd
- Start date
Associate
Scripts?!Ughhh!
So, any idea why TM is running dry (assuming no new big other files have been added to the folders being backed up)?
So, any idea why TM is running dry (assuming no new big other files have been added to the folders being backed up)?
Have you seen Automator? It's a graphical tool to build your own workflows in OS X; not exactly the usual text script that you write yourself.
Associate
Oh yeah, I remember now, the robot icon app.
But this isn't going to solve the space issue is it, even if it is helpful.
But this isn't going to solve the space issue is it, even if it is helpful.
Associate
It's been pointed out and you seemed to have accepted that time machine is designed for full system back ups - with, yes, the option to exclude designated folders. So, why are you still knocking it when you're trying to use it for a purpose for which it's not intended? You clearly need a higher capacity external drive or to look at other options such as have been suggested to you.
On the space 'issue', time machine keeps copies of versions of files for, as is clearly found in preferences, hourly for 24 hours, daily for one month, weekly for one year. Understand? Every time you change your files it's storing the old version and the old version.
On the space 'issue', time machine keeps copies of versions of files for, as is clearly found in preferences, hourly for 24 hours, daily for one month, weekly for one year. Understand? Every time you change your files it's storing the old version and the old version.
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Associate
Associate
The fact that it is intended for system back ups seems clear to me and you're trying to use TM for something other than it was intended. The ability to exclude folders is very useful, for example i don't want huge virtual machine files to be backed up every time they're changed. This does not mean it's not a system back up solution.
It seems to me time machine works very, very well for most people. Of course it's not fit for every purpose - show me a back up solution that is - but you're expecting functionality it doesn't have. Your space 'issue' obviously stems purely from the fact that time machine isn't intended for such a small disk.
It seems to me time machine works very, very well for most people. Of course it's not fit for every purpose - show me a back up solution that is - but you're expecting functionality it doesn't have. Your space 'issue' obviously stems purely from the fact that time machine isn't intended for such a small disk.
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Associate
Anyone else buy that theory?
Associate
Associate
Like I said, anyone else care to comment...
Why? It's clearly been stated that Time Machine is to back up a whole disk, with the option to exclude some things that you may not want backing up.
For what you want it totally seems TM is not what you need - but you keep coming back to it.
Scripts, or Automator are the way forward - took me about 15 mins to write a Automator script to copy a selected group of folders into a designated place every week, even got it to ammend a date stamp on the end of each set so I had incremental backups of selected folders dated for ease of search.
Look into Automator, it's what you need.
Rich
Associate
Am I not permitted to get a second, third, fourth opinion then?
I only come back to it, because members haven't actually been able to substantiate why it doesn't work.
This is hardly a matter of black ad white either. By your own words, and as before, "Time Machine is to back up a whole disk, with the option to exclude some things that you may not want backing up.".
So by definition, that is exactly how I use it. I back up the Mac HD, but just happen to discount a larger amount of things I don't want backing up.
Apple don't (afaik) disclaimer a dip in the effectiveness of TM when many folders are discounted in the options. Therefore it should surely work with all permutations?
As for Automator, I'm looking into it.
I only come back to it, because members haven't actually been able to substantiate why it doesn't work.
This is hardly a matter of black ad white either. By your own words, and as before, "Time Machine is to back up a whole disk, with the option to exclude some things that you may not want backing up.".
So by definition, that is exactly how I use it. I back up the Mac HD, but just happen to discount a larger amount of things I don't want backing up.
Apple don't (afaik) disclaimer a dip in the effectiveness of TM when many folders are discounted in the options. Therefore it should surely work with all permutations?
As for Automator, I'm looking into it.
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Just back up your whole HDD? What's the issue?!
It's only "by definition" how you use it if you are going to be pedantic about it - you are saying that you are using it by definition by excluding all folders except a handful, you are using a piece of software designed to backup 100% of your disk to only back up 5% - it's like buying a Ford GT to go to church on sundays - a wierd misuse of an application.
Rich
Associate
The issue is that he is trying to use a small sd card with time machine where apple recommend an external disk twice the size of the macs internal drive. He stubbornly insists that it should work and therefore time machine is a poor product, despite that fact that he's using it for something other than its intended purpose.
Associate
With all due respect, the only thing that seems stubborn here is you. You don't seem able to just give your opinion and leave it. Why is it so important for you to pursue this relentlessly? Do you need to be shown as gospel amongst your peers? I'm positing a suggestion, inviting members to disprove it, which they're can't - something very different to insisting.
Additionally, at no point have I directly said TM is a poor product. That's YOUR interpretation. I've merely said I find it trying my patience.
So really, the real issue here still, is nobody can actually justify exactly why TM isn't working. The only defence proposed, is it isn't designed for it, which explains nothing.
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Associate
I maybe am being argumentative, but only due to being a little frustrated that you simply wont accept what seems to me to be an entirely reasonable explanation. That said I'm sorry and will shut up. 
Associate
Mate, I don't want you to feel like you can't speak. I'm all for freedom of speech, and your helps been appreciated.
It's just, I need or want, someone to explain exactly why TM adds files to my chosen ones, which tips it over the ext. drive's limit. I accept TM wasn't designed for this per se, but Apple neither say it can't be done as such?
It's just, I need or want, someone to explain exactly why TM adds files to my chosen ones, which tips it over the ext. drive's limit. I accept TM wasn't designed for this per se, but Apple neither say it can't be done as such?
Associate
I understand you but don't know the answer. Probably have more luck asking here. If you do, post a link so I can follow the conversation.