topic Re: Backing Up Laptop in Electronics

Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 13:58:26 GMT

I’ve ordered a Seagate backup plus to back up my MacBook Air so I can transfer it to a new MacBook Air. How long will it take to back up my entire computer? I have a lot of space left. I know you can’t tell me exactly but maybe approximately.

I also know I should have been doing this all along and will in the future.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Mz iMac — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:34:43 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
How long will it take to back up my entire computer?
How much space/storage do you have on the hard drive?

I have a lot of space left.
Care to share how much space/storage is left?

Re: Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:43:51 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@NickNack wrote:
How long will it take to back up my entire computer?
How much space/storage do you have on the hard drive?

I have a lot of space left.
Care to share how much space/storage is left?

@Mz iMac I have 204.05 GB left out of 250.79 GB. I was typing from my iPhone originally, and my laptop wasn't with me.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Mz iMac — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:50:13 GMT

@NickNackAssuming you are using Time Machine.....

Check out Apple's Knowledge Base Article: support.apple.com/en-us/HT204412 <---COPY PASTE link.

Scroll down to the"Your first backup" section.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 17:25:30 GMT

Thank you @Mz iMac . I had actually read that before I posted. It just says it might take a long time. I guess nobody really knows the answer until you do it.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Cats3000 — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 17:41:08 GMT

@NickNackLast things first. Yes, you should be continually backing up your computer. If you're using a Mac, take advantage of "Time Machine"; it is very helpful.

As for how long it will take. That depends on how much data you have on the computer. Set aside some time for the first backup and do it. When the process is complete, you'll see a message on the screen. Don't worry about the time. The process is worth it.

Finally, as far as I know, there is no backup system that will include the computer's operating system in the backup; it won't back up "your entire computer". Backup only does files and other data on your computer.

We have an iMac, an iPad and a couple of iPhones. We have a LaCie "Rugged" external hard drive AND the iCloud for backup purposes We rely on them all rto save our data.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Mz iMac — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 18:21:22 GMT

@NickNackWhat Cats stated: "As for how long it will take. That depends on how much data you have on the computer."

Also, the size of your hd as well as your ethernet (wired) connection. Ethernet is speedier than battery (wireless) connections.

I have a 3 TB fusion drive. Backing up from an old 2 TB drive to a new 3 TB using Time Machine along w/LaCie took approximately 25-30 minutes. I did some housekeeping on the old Mac prior to backing up/transfer. I have a super fast ethernet connection which helped also.

You can make your backup/transfer speedier by getting rid of the "junk" files you have on your old Mac. Stuff you really do not need, rarely/never used and/or you can download later from a website at your conveince. With TM, you can pick & choose what you want to backup/transfer.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 18:57:09 GMT

Thank you very much @Cats3000 and @Mz iMac . You've both given me some good information.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 19:00:14 GMT

@Mz iMac @Cats3000 This is a very stupid question, but can I close my laptop when backing up? I wanted to do it tomorrow while I'm not at home and don't want my cat jumping on my computer. If I have to leave it open I will need to be home. Thanks.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Mz iMac — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 19:10:46 GMT

@NickNack

Closing it will put a Mac to sleep. Leave your Mac open where your cat cannot get to it! Like in a room where you can close the door.

~~I have a cat too but, there are 2 rooms he does not know exists.~~

There is a way you can do so if you know how to write Terminal scripts. If not, suggest you post on Apple forums. Me personally, do not mess w/the Terminal.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

NickNack — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 19:30:34 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@NickNack

Closing it will put a Mac to sleep. Leave your Mac open where your cat cannot get to it! Like in a room where you can close the door.
~~I have a cat too but, there are 2 rooms he does not know exists.~~

There is a way you can do so if you know how to write Terminal scripts. If not, suggest you post on Apple forums. Me personally, do not mess w/the Terminal.

Thank you @Mz iMac . My office is where my cat's favorite scratching post and his cat tree are. I wanted to back it up on my desk. I can just put it somewhere else and close the door. Once you set it to back up, do you have to do anything else before it finishes? I'm assuming not.

Re: Backing Up Laptop

Mz iMac — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 19:36:47 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
I'm assuming not.

@NickNack BINGO!