Author Topic: Erase a back up external hard drive?  (Read 733 times)

Offline Raven

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Erase a back up external hard drive?
« on: January 10, 2023, 11:44:46 PM »
As a semi retired graphic designer, I use a
27” iMac with 2 EHDs as back ups. I use Super Duper and alternate the devices.
But over the years, the back up files/folders have been moved, duplicated, changed and some not needed anymore from old clients. I think my back-ups may be a bit of a mess.
So, any reason why I shouldn’t just erase one EHD and back up everything anew?
Then do the same with the other?
27" iMac, 2017, 3.47 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1.03 TB HD,
OSX10.14.6 • 15" MacBookPro mid 2012, OSX10 .15.7 • Mac Mini OSX12.16.2 • iPhone 12

Offline Xairbusdriver

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Re: Erase a back up external hard drive?
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2023, 09:30:15 AM »
I'd suggest waiting a couple of months between erasing the two drives. As one of the founding members has said, "Any time I have a fifty/fifty chance, 90% of the time I'm wrong"! If I had two backup drives, and erased both at the same time, within two days I'd find that one of those very old files (which is now deleted) was needed. :wallbash: :whistling: :Hurt:

If those drives are over five years old, it might be better/safer to simply buy a new pair. :Thinking:
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Offline Raven

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Re: Erase a back up external hard drive?
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2023, 11:17:00 PM »
Makes sense. As usual!  :yes:
I’ll do one and wait a while for the next. Thanks!
27" iMac, 2017, 3.47 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1.03 TB HD,
OSX10.14.6 • 15" MacBookPro mid 2012, OSX10 .15.7 • Mac Mini OSX12.16.2 • iPhone 12