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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Use my old windows PC for time machine

leggat - Jan 13, 2008 - 7:25 am

Hi, just bought a new imac and was wondering if it was possible to use the hard drive from my old windows pc as a backup drive? any suggestions, thanks, leggat.

ScottW - Jan 13, 2008 - 9:28 am

leggat,

You can use it as long as you obtain an external drive case for it. Prices for such cases can range from $20-$80, depending on if it is just USB or Firewire, or whatever. While it is not as pretty, you can get a cable and power supply here:

http://www.granitedigital.com/index....ROD&ProdID=200

But, here are some pretty options:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-...al-Enclosures/

I recommend Firewire, but USB 2.0 will do.

Scott

leggat - Jan 13, 2008 - 11:23 am

Sorry, i dont think I explained myself very well. What I meant was would it be possible to use the old pc as a network drive of some sort and have time machine back up to a drive in the computer.
Thanks, leggat.

PS thanks for the links, i might buy one of them as well

ScottW - Jan 13, 2008 - 2:11 pm

Time Machine was suppose to be released allowing for backing up to a remote drive, however the feature is supressed prior to release. I imagine it is forth coming. Some people have "turned on" this feature and have done backups over Samba (to Windows) boxes with mixed results.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....sageID=5918065

Probably worth testing if you have the time. Cheaper to probably just buy an external drive case.

Another application that DOES work is called CrashPlan. This is a slick application that I use personally and you can run backups with all the features of Time Machine (well, most + extras) and you can install your primary client on your Mac, your secondary on your Windows... only one license required, and you can do backups. Then, talk your buddy into letting you backup to his system over the internet and now you have an off site backup.

CrashPlan plans a release in the next few days with even more features, possibly local backups, not sure. But, this would accomplish what you want to do and can be acquired for as little as $20. Comes with a 30 day trial.

http://www.crashplan.com

Scott