Bootable back-up dilemma

[daryl66]

Situation:  I now have 2 Intel machines and 1 PPC  MiniMac has FW 400 PPC has FW400 MBP has  FW800
               
                 2 external HD's  One is USB only the Other is Firewire 400 and USB

The first issue is the MBP with Firewire 800 does not see the external HD with FW400 using the  800/400 adapter.              (IDEAS )                       It does see it using USB.

At this point in time the order of importance is: MacMini #1----PPC #2-----MBP #3

I would have liked to create a 3 partition HD to back up all 3 using  FW.  

Given that the Intel machines have to have a partition map of GIUD one question is: Is it possible to partition one HD to accommodate both GUID and APM??? I am guessing the answer here is no.

Will the PPC machine work on a GUID partition??

Makes for lotsa interesting scenarios but it appears I will have to do some compromising. There is plenty of disc space available. The HD with the FW is the largest but it is beginning to look like it is the one I am going to have to use for the PPC and the USB HD for the 2 intel machines.  Think??? :  

Daryl

[daryl66]

QUOTE(daryl66 @ Mar 23 2010, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The first issue is the MBP with Firewire 800 does not see the external HD with FW400 using the  800/400 adapter.              (IDEAS )                       It does see it using USB.



Daryl

One issue down (maybe)  contacted both the drive mfg and sonnet. Sonnet sending new adapter so the problem is either the adapter or the FW port on the MBP.

Daryl

[Paddy]

Daryl, in theory it's possible to have both an Intel and PPC boot from the same drive - see:

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?sto...006061610374449

Note - read the comments - there are some corrections. And I'm also not entirely sure this will work on a recent Mini.

Bur I have a real issue that has little to do with the partition map; I don't think you should have backups for all three computers on ONE drive. What happens if it dies? All three backups are gone. And you'd be constantly plugging and unplugging the drive to the different machines - with the net result that you're far less likely to have a recent backup, unless you're extremely disciplined.

Drives are really cheap these days - I'd get one for each and leave the drives attached except when you have to take the laptops somewhere. Or at least have one that is permanently attached to the Mini, if it's your primary machine. Of course, if the laptops share a backup drive, that brings up the Intel/PPC problem again. You could also have one backup for the Intel machines and one for the PPC.

What are you using the G4 for anyway with the two newer machines? Just curious - since you're running 10.5.8 on it, it's not like you're running old software... (like my hubby who is stuck at 10.3.9 because he still uses Framemaker - and being stuck at 10.3.9 is now causing some real headaches!!!)

[daryl66]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Mar 23 2010, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Daryl, in theory it's possible to have both an Intel and PPC boot from the same drive - see:

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?sto...006061610374449

Note - read the comments - there are some corrections. And I'm also not entirely sure this will work on a recent Mini.

 I don't think you should have backups for all three computers on ONE drive. What happens if it dies?

What are you using the G4 for anyway with the two newer machines? Just curious - since you're running 10.5.8 on it, it's not like you're running old software... (like my hubby who is stuck at 10.3.9 because he still uses Framemaker - and being stuck at 10.3.9 is now causing some real headaches!!!)

Paddy:  Thanks. First of all I do not think I will even consider going the PPC /Intel route.  More than I am willing to take on. I suspected this was probably the case to begin with, and your point about having everything backed up on a single drive is well taken. Will probably begin shopping for a 3rd drive as soon as I confirm that the 800/400 adapter does in fact work with the  existing FW drive.

The G4 is presently "her" house computer where she does her "day to day" professional computer work. It contains  all of her professional and personal stuff, 32 + (and growing) different Powerpoint presentations, over 1000 photos, etc. About 50gb

The G4 that was stolen was primarily her "travel" machine, which contained selected Apps, data files, and the presentations that are relevant to that particular "trip".  She does continuing education seminars for the health care community.  The MBP will eventually fill that role as she gets comfortable with it.  (very task orientated lady.)  Right now it is located in a different part of the house and is being used for e-mail, and just general internet surfing. It is very important to have the G4 backed up, less important for the MBP rite now.


Daryl

[daryl66]

QUOTE(daryl66 @ Mar 23 2010, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE(daryl66 @ Mar 23 2010, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The first issue is the MBP with Firewire 800 does not see the external HD with FW400 using the  800/400 adapter.              (IDEAS )                       It does see it using USB.



Daryl

One issue down (maybe)  contacted both the drive mfg and sonnet. Sonnet sending new adapter so the problem is either the adapter or the FW port on the MBP.

Daryl

The adapter was bad.  Found a plain ole cable locally and it works.    Upward and Onward.

Daryl