Backing Up Your Apple Machine Using The Time Machine

Usually when a company sets out to release something new like a phone, a computer, or any other technologically hip new devices they can come up with they don’t give you any backup applications or programs that will help you out in case of a system restoration emergency. All of that is about to change with the Time Machine backup utility

Apple provides their customers with this nifty little device combined into their operating systems at the beginning saving you the stress of having to find and download a potentially hazardous backup device on your own. This is one thing that a Windows computer system lacked in almost every department, these types of provisions are second to glory, and you know what’s even more surprising? The “Time Machine” actually works, and well I might add.

But the question plaguing your mind is: “How do you set this up?” it’s quite simple. In the file sharing software “Leopard Xserve” while you are signed in as the system administrator to your network connections all you have to do is enter your share points screen and place a check mark next to the option: “Enable as Time Machine backup destination” and instantly any selected folder or backup file will become the main host for all of your backing up needs. So when you choose to backup folders and important files in preparation for a system reboot those files will automatically be saved and kept safe during the entire process so you will not lose a thing.

Now, backing up your files is one thing but to restore all of those files after you’ve completed a reboot is completely different. Firstly you need to boot your computer from a DVD called “Snow Leopard install” so have it already in your tray and boot from the disc right after you start up your computer. After that you must go to the terminal window by entering in specific commands:

(I felt this was important so I kept it the same, you may remove and this if you wish though.)

mkdir /Volumes/TimeMachine

mount -t afp afp://user:password@afpserver.local/ShareName /Volumes/TimeMachine

Once you’ve entered in the necessary codes in the terminal screen you will then be prompted with a utilities menu that will give you the option to “Restore from backup”, instantly you will see exactly what files you backed up and will be able to restore everything you saved.

Just follow the fairly simple instructions every time and you should never lose a thing. Are there other better programs out there that will get the job done just as efficiently if not better than Time Machine? Yes. But that would require a lot of time to track down the right program and a lot of testing to see if it even works, over all, why even bother if you already have one on hand. Why risk the safety of your documents and files just for good looks? Don’t try to fix what just isn’t broken.