Mac Backup Utility

Backing up important data is the most important task in our computing lives. This is also the task that is most overlooked. Unfortunately for too many of us, the first time we think about a backup is when our hard drive fails; and then it’s too late.

Previous versions of Apple Macs did not have built-in backup utilities. Largely, only third party backup utilities were employed by Mac users. However, Apple has created a backup utility called Time Machine that is shipped with Apple Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. This backup software allows you to create and maintain current backups of all your important data. It also allows you to recover lost files.

Configuring Time Machine To Take Data Backups
You can use an internal or external hard drive as your Time Machine backup disc. If you’re going to use an external drive, it should be connected to your Mac and mounted on the desktop before you launch data recovery software mac. This section details how you can set up Time Machine to take backups of your data.

1. Designate the hard disk or drive you want to use to backup data, as follows:


    a. Click the ‘System Preferences’ icon in the Dock.
    b. Find and click on the ‘Time Machine’ icon, which should be located in the System group of icons.
    c. Click the Choose Backup Disc button to select your backup disc. You can select either an external hard disk or a disk partition. If you choose a disk partition, make sure the partition is not the disk from which you’re originally backing up data.
    d. You will see a list of the discs that are configured or attached to your machine.
    e. Select the disc you want to use and click the Use for Backup button.

2. Configure Time Machine options

    a. To prevent this automatic action, click the Off button on Time Machine to turn it off till you configure what exactly needs to be backed up.
    b. Click the Options button. You’ll see a page open that lists the disk you’ve selected as your backup destination. Since Time Machine is configured to backup everything on your disk, you’ll have to you’ll have to add items to his list that you don’t want to backup.
    c. Click the plus (+) sign. In the Open/Save dialog box that is displayed, browse and select the items that you don’t want to include in your backup.
    d. Select the item you want to exclude and click the Exclude button. Repeat this for each item you want to exclude.
    e. Click Done when you’re finished.

3. Click the On button to start your first backup.

Time Machine maintains backups of the following:

• Hourly backups for the last 24 hours


• Daily backups for the past month


• Weekly backups until your backup disc is full

Note: Once your backup disc is full, Time Machine will overwrite your oldest backed up data, to protect your most current backup.