Time Machine HD partition

Unix Novice · 11-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Hi, I am new and want to ask a very basic question. Currnetly using Snow Leopard on a MacBook (2007). I first started with a Time Machine using FireWire, now switched to another Drive with USB.
I want to upgrade my TM to higher capacity. What is the best and easier way to copy my entire TM HD to newer one? Can I partition the newer higher capacity HD to work as a TM and the second partition as a substitute external HD that can work as a system Disk to work on a Target mode

I will really appreciate to get get a solution.

Regards
Unix Novice

Hal Itosis · 11-05-2009, 07:12 PM

>> What is the best and easier way to copy my entire TM HD to newer one?

I can't find any links to post just this instant, but i believe the crucial part is to have the disk utility do a *block*-level copy [as opposed to a typical file-level copy]. This ensures that the new volume looks exactly like the old one in every way... so Time Machine will proceed as if nothing has changed.

[i believe another tip i read was to turn off Spotlight's indexing for the target volume before running the copy process. Once the copying is done, then turn Spotlight back on.]

DISCLAIMER: of course, that's just some stuff i recall reading somewhere... haven't actually tested it myself.

--

If this indeed was a "Unix" question, i guess i'd say checkout man asr and man mdutil.

Hal Itosis · 11-06-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hal Itosis


	[i believe another tip i read was to turn off Spotlight's indexing for the target volume before running the copy process. Once the copying is done, then turn Spotlight back on.] .

Although -- by the very nature/definition of a "block"-copy -- one would expect that either that action itself would be able to keep Spotlight at bay... or that Spotlight would be smart enough to back off during the process (or otherwise unable to interfere) somehow. I wonder which (or what) the real story is.

Mikey-San · 11-06-2009, 06:59 AM

If you're running Snow Leopard, all you need to do is drag your Backups.backupdb folder from the old disk to the new disk. Finder will do the right thing.

When the copy is complete, select the new disk in the Time Machine preferences.

11-04-2009, 11:41 PM	#1
Unix Novice Prospect Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Time Machine HD partition Hi, I am new and want to ask a very basic question. Currnetly using Snow Leopard on a MacBook (2007). I first started with a Time Machine using FireWire, now switched to another Drive with USB. I want to upgrade my TM to higher capacity. What is the best and easier way to copy my entire TM HD to newer one? Can I partition the newer higher capacity HD to work as a TM and the second partition as a substitute external HD that can work as a system Disk to work on a Target mode I will really appreciate to get get a solution. Regards Unix Novice

11-05-2009, 07:12 PM	#2
Hal Itosis MVP Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,114	>> What is the best and easier way to copy my entire TM HD to newer one? I can't find any links to post just this instant, but i believe the crucial part is to have the disk utility do a block-level copy [as opposed to a typical file-level copy]. This ensures that the new volume looks exactly like the old one in every way... so Time Machine will proceed as if nothing has changed. [i believe another tip i read was to turn off Spotlight's indexing for the target volume before running the copy process. Once the copying is done, then turn Spotlight back on.] DISCLAIMER: of course, that's just some stuff i recall reading somewhere... haven't actually tested it myself. -- If this indeed was a "Unix" question, i guess i'd say checkout man asr and man mdutil. Last edited by Hal Itosis; 11-06-2009 at 12:13 AM.

11-06-2009, 06:59 AM	#4
Mikey-San Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: twitter.com/mikeysan Posts: 3,481	If you're running Snow Leopard, all you need to do is drag your Backups.backupdb folder from the old disk to the new disk. Finder will do the right thing. When the copy is complete, select the new disk in the Time Machine preferences. __________________ COMPUTER TYPE SOME SPECIFICATIONS I COPIED FROM THE BOX STUFF I INSTALLED ALL BY MYSELF "WITTY QUOTE" Last edited by Mikey-San; 11-06-2009 at 07:02 AM.

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