I need a big drive with backup features - Page 4

Mark · 04-08-2008, 08:25

He won't be needing an Airport Extreme if he's getting a Time Capsule.

I'm always a little sheepish about proprietary backup technologies, but for a Mac user Apple seem to have worked the wrinkles out.

Burble · 04-08-2008, 08:32

To offer another view on the Time Capsule - it's crap. I have to delete my backup every month or so as the sparsebundle gets corrupted and causes the TC to reboot every time the Macbook starts to do a backup.

The problem is less common since Apple released new firmware (7.3.2 I believe) but it still happens and for me, that makes it totally useless as a backup.

So I don't use it any more! I image the Macbook drive then shove that image onto my NAS.

Mark · 04-08-2008, 08:54

That's what I was worried about. No point in having a backup solution if when you come to need it you can't actually rely on the the thing. Pity if that's more than just an isolated case.

Feek · 04-08-2008, 09:31

That's a bit of a generalisation, Burbs. In your view, it's crap but I'm sure that not everyone has the same experience. In your configuration it's not working properly but I'm pretty confident that there are many people out there for whom it is working perfectly.

Me for example, I needed to grab some old files from a couple of months ago and 'it just worked' and I was able to get them, and this is on a hackintosh

Burble · 04-08-2008, 09:40

I think we're talking at cross purposes slightly - I'm talking about the Time Capsule and I think you're talking about the Time Machine.

Personally I think the way that TM backups are stored is laughable and even an Apple guy I spoke to in Cupertino admitted that it was 'some way from perfect.' Have a look at the TC Apple support forums and you'll see this particular problem is extremely common.

Time Machine has the potential to be fantastic - a setup and forget backup method with very granular restore possibilities sounds amazing. Unfortunately the IT guy in me worries about using sparsebundles to store the backups.

But yeah, I'm only basing my opinion on my own experience.

Feek · 04-08-2008, 09:47

Ooops yes. sorry - Confused Capsule with Machine, doh!

petemc · 04-08-2008, 10:31

I read a review that confirms what Burble said, but they also said that the problems went away with a new update. Oh and I think the reason why this drive keeps failing is because the fan is dead. Its my oldest usb drive so I guess that was bound to happen.

Burble · 04-08-2008, 11:17

It happens much less frequently (it was a bi-daily problem pre 7.3.2) but the fact that it still happens means that I can't trust it.

I'm always cautious of proprietary backup methods but in the case of the Time Capsule I wnated an 802.11n AP and having a bit of NAS in the same box was appealing.

Daz and I are very much singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to backup methodologies.

petemc · 04-08-2008, 11:19

I guess if the worst comes to it you can switch off Time Machine and simply use it as a NAS drive? Run SuperDuper or some other backup program perhaps.

Burble · 04-08-2008, 11:28

I don't think SuperDuper lets you use a TC as a target but you could image to another drive then copy over to the TC.

Personally I don't consider imaging programs as good backup methodology. They're great if you lose a hard drive but if you just want to restore a file or a bunch of files they're a total pain in the arse.

04-08-2008, 08:54	#33
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	That's what I was worried about. No point in having a backup solution if when you come to need it you can't actually rely on the the thing. Pity if that's more than just an isolated case. Last edited by Mark; 04-08-2008 at 10:16. Reason: Had to make a quick exit due to bed delivery arriving. :/

04-08-2008, 09:31	#34
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	That's a bit of a generalisation, Burbs. In your view, it's crap but I'm sure that not everyone has the same experience. In your configuration it's not working properly but I'm pretty confident that there are many people out there for whom it is working perfectly. Me for example, I needed to grab some old files from a couple of months ago and 'it just worked' and I was able to get them, and this is on a hackintosh __________________

04-08-2008, 09:47	#36
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Ooops yes. sorry - Confused Capsule with Machine, doh! __________________

04-08-2008, 10:31	#37
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	I read a review that confirms what Burble said, but they also said that the problems went away with a new update. Oh and I think the reason why this drive keeps failing is because the fan is dead. Its my oldest usb drive so I guess that was bound to happen. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station! Last edited by petemc; 04-08-2008 at 10:45.

04-08-2008, 11:19	#39
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	I guess if the worst comes to it you can switch off Time Machine and simply use it as a NAS drive? Run SuperDuper or some other backup program perhaps. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

04-08-2008, 08:25	#31
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	He won't be needing an Airport Extreme if he's getting a Time Capsule. I'm always a little sheepish about proprietary backup technologies, but for a Mac user Apple seem to have worked the wrinkles out.

04-08-2008, 08:32	#32
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	To offer another view on the Time Capsule - it's crap. I have to delete my backup every month or so as the sparsebundle gets corrupted and causes the TC to reboot every time the Macbook starts to do a backup. The problem is less common since Apple released new firmware (7.3.2 I believe) but it still happens and for me, that makes it totally useless as a backup. So I don't use it any more! I image the Macbook drive then shove that image onto my NAS.

04-08-2008, 09:40	#35
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I think we're talking at cross purposes slightly - I'm talking about the Time Capsule and I think you're talking about the Time Machine. Personally I think the way that TM backups are stored is laughable and even an Apple guy I spoke to in Cupertino admitted that it was 'some way from perfect.' Have a look at the TC Apple support forums and you'll see this particular problem is extremely common. Time Machine has the potential to be fantastic - a setup and forget backup method with very granular restore possibilities sounds amazing. Unfortunately the IT guy in me worries about using sparsebundles to store the backups. But yeah, I'm only basing my opinion on my own experience.

04-08-2008, 11:17	#38
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	It happens much less frequently (it was a bi-daily problem pre 7.3.2) but the fact that it still happens means that I can't trust it. I'm always cautious of proprietary backup methods but in the case of the Time Capsule I wnated an 802.11n AP and having a bit of NAS in the same box was appealing. Daz and I are very much singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to backup methodologies.

04-08-2008, 11:28	#40
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I don't think SuperDuper lets you use a TC as a target but you could image to another drive then copy over to the TC. Personally I don't consider imaging programs as good backup methodology. They're great if you lose a hard drive but if you just want to restore a file or a bunch of files they're a total pain in the arse.

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