Energy Saving Settings/Time Machine

[MacWannabeNTX]

I just set up an external hard drive for Time Machine about 2 weeks ago and all has been running smoothly until today. I opened the lid on my mbp this afternoon and I get the message "disk was improperly ejected" and I assume it means my EHD for Time Machine. So I wondered if this was due to my mbp having been in sleep mode since I last used it this morning because I had not done anything to cause it. I already have "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" unchecked but is it safe for long term usage of my 2015 mbp if I check "Prevent my computer from sleeping automatically when display is off"?

Another newbie to using an EHD question - do I need to eject it before I do a restart to my mbp?

 

[pigoo3]

- Is this EHD connected to your MBP via cable?
- Do you disconnect the EHD when not doing TM backups?

* Nick

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

The EHD is connected to my mbp by usb. The EHD is a WD My Book so is powered by AC. I have only had it for two weeks for my Time Machine backup and have never disconnected it.

 

[lclev]

Is the Time Machine backup still working? Check and see. If Time Machine shows a recent backup and no issues I would not worry. Also letting the hard drive sleep is okay. You don't need to uncheck it. I am wondering if the WD drive went to sleep and that is why you got the error message.

I have the same thing happen with one of my external data drives which turns itself off when not in use. I just close the message and ignore it.

Lisa

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

The Time Machine seems to still be working. I am thinking tho of going to a manual setting of once daily backup. I am retired and have few distractions so am positive I wont forget. I would also backup whenever the need arose beyond once daily arose, i.e. before an upgrade. I am also going to get another EHD and CCC. Will only connect that one to actually do a backup as needed.

 

[pigoo3]

I am thinking tho of going to a manual setting of once daily backup. I am retired and have few distractions so am positive I wont forget. I would also backup whenever the need arose beyond once daily arose, i.e. before an upgrade. I am also going to get another EHD and CCC. Will only connect that one to actually do a backup as needed.

If I had a setup like yours (MacBook Pro and attached external HD)…what you mentioned is probably what I would do (connect the EHD as needed daily for backups). Or whatever frequency you're comfortable with (depends on how quickly you generate "new stuff" that you don't want to lose).

The added wrinkle is…it sounds like your MBP stays mostly stationary where it's located. Where I frequently move around with my MBP's (around the house…in & out of the house, etc.). So having an attached (via USB cable) EHD for TM backups would have to be a frequent connect/disconnect relationship.

In my case I have an Apple Time Capsule. Which is a combined WiFi router & wireless EHD for TM backups. So I don't have any wires to deal with for doing my backups. My MBP's just need to be in range of the Time Capsule. A wireless EHD is really awesome/convenient for doing TM backups!

- Nick

 

[MacInWin]

Nick, the one piece of advice I would give anyone who plans to connect the EHD once a day for backups is to create a reminder (nag) for themselves once a day to plug it in. I leave my EHD plugged in because my MBP doesn't do a lot of roaming in the house. I use TimeMachineEditor to schedule twice daily TM backups and CCC does a once daily clone. But if I had to remember every day to plug in the EHD for backups, I'm afraid I would forget it often enough that the process would be essentially broken.

 

[pigoo3]

...one piece of advice I would give anyone who plans to connect the EHD once a day for backups is to create a reminder (nag) for themselves once a day to plug it in.

But if I had to remember every day to plug in the EHD for backups, I'm afraid I would forget it often enough that the process would be essentially broken.

I hear ya! That's why I find a wireless EHD (Time Capsule) so awesome!

- Nick

 

[lclev]

Me to Nick! I love my Time Capsule and wireless backups. Then when my part-timers kicks in my Time Machine Time Capsule has my back! ;D

Lisa

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

Thanks, guys. I think I definitely will go to the once daily backup. It will be a lot of plugging/unplugging since the ehd is ac powered. But I am not worried about forgetting to start the backup. I would love to get a Time Capsule and almost did but was concerned I wouldnt get it setup correctly.

 

[pigoo3]

I would love to get a Time Capsule and almost did but was concerned I wouldnt get it setup correctly.

Setting up a TC is very very easy (Apple usually makes it very easy to setup most Apple devices). I thought you were going to say you wanted to get a TC…but it was very expensive (which I would agree)! Currently the 2 terabyte TC is $299.

I got my Time Capsule (used) about 3 years ago for something like $100-$150 (they were $300 then too). At the time I mostly got it for the dual band ability of the builtin WiFi router (2.4ghz & 5ghz)…I was also looking for a new WiFi router at the time as well. This was "newish stuff" 3 years ago! It was only later on that I finally got around to using the builtin wireless HD for TM backups.

My TC has been running strong for at least the last 3 years (24 hours/day…365 days/year).

- Nick

 

[badshoehabit]

This happens to me all the time with peripherals and I've never experienced any damage to the MBP or the card, drive, etc. If the connection is moved in any way, the computer says you have not ejected properly.

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

Well, as far as easy to setup a TC, I am a non technical senior and I get easily stuck in connecting technology sometimes ! Oh, I could easily get it setup as a Time Machine drive but I would want to try to improve my network speed and even looking at apple's instructions, I decided that might be over my head.

 

[pigoo3]

Well, as far as easy to setup a TC, I am a non technical senior and I get easily stuck in connecting technology sometimes ! Oh, I could easily get it setup as a Time Machine drive but I would want to try to improve my network speed and even looking at apple's instructions, I decided that might be over my head.

Have you seen any of the 2016 Turbo Tax commercials? If not…setting up an Apple Time Capsule is almost as easy as in these commercials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyLFql8qKM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqinSvgeJQI

* Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Well, as far as easy to setup a TC, I am a non technical senior and I get easily stuck in connecting technology sometimes ! Oh, I could easily get it setup as a Time Machine drive but I would want to try to improve my network speed and even looking at apple's instructions, I decided that might be over my head.

Another thought. If you would REALLY like to try an Apple Time Capsule. Buy one…get it home…and set it up. If you find that the setup is too difficult…you have three options:

- If you visit an Apple Store to get it…ask for help before going home…and call Apple later if more help is needed..
- If you purchase it online & get stuck…call Apple for help.
- If at the end of the day it is still too much for you. RETURN IT! 14 day no questions asked return policy!!!

* Nick

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

You guys really have me thinking about adding a Time Capsule for both improved internet speed (at least I think it would, I'm in a rural area) plus easier backup without usb hanging off. My personality is...I am only comfortable going to something new if I think I have it all figured out first. I have read everything I can get my hands/eyes on and all seems very easy except I have an ISP router vs just a modem and I see many problems on the internet when newbies try setting up with a router. My biggest fear is I will get to the end of the instructions, its not correct and I will have no internet connection from either my mac or my ipad to research a solution or ask questions.

So just one question, will I still have the option open to get internet access thru my isp router by selecting it when it shows up in my wifi icon? I'm assuming it shows up after choosing the settings I am advised to in the TC setup guides. I am aware that I worry way too much!!!

 

[pigoo3]

You guys really have me thinking about adding a Time Capsule for both improved internet speed (at least I think it would, I'm in a rural area) plus easier backup without usb hanging off.

I would not necessarily "bank" on better internet speed. The "bandwidth" you're getting from your ISP (internet service provider)…"is what it is" as it enters your home. Unless your current WiFi router is very old…or unless your computer is very far from your WiFi router…a new WiFi router (inside the Time Capsule) may not improve anything in regards to internet speed.

You could test this right now if you wanted to. You should know what your current internet service "package" you are currently getting is. Usually you purchase a certain internet "package" with a speed rating (based on download speed). Such as up to 15Mbps, 30Mbps, 50Mbps, etc.

Then you go to a website like "speedtest.net"…and test your home's internet speed (download & upload). If you have an internet package that claims up to 30Mbps (for example)…and with speedtest.net you get 25Mbps, 28Mbps, or maybe even slightly higher than 30Mbps…you're doing fine…and no new router is going to do any better than that (since you are getting what you paid for).

But if you're paying for 30Mbps internet service (for example)…and you're only getting 5Mbps…this could be an ISP thing, a home WiFi router thing…or both.

If you were to purchase an Apple Time Capsule…the one thing you can be sure of is…easier Time Machine backups. And that's what the main topic of this thread was (I think). Trying to avoid plugging & unplugging your current external HD for Time Machine backups…and sometimes getting that "improper ejecting" error message.

- Nick

 

[lclev]

I totally get your worrying. I am the IT at work (among other things. ;D ) We have Windows servers, cisco switches, etc. About three years ago I decided to buy a MB Pro and it has been like Alice in Wonderland - I fell down the rabbit hole and am loving it. So I have been slowly integrating macs into my workplace and home.

I purchased two Time Capsules, one for home and one for work. We have four macs that backup to the one at work and two macs that backup to the one at home. Since no one has a clue how to run any kind of network stuff at work I am allowed to do whatever I want.... ;D

So when I added the Time Capsule to the work network, I set it up extend our wireless network. I was amazed at the increase in area coverage it gave me. I mean like WOW! I work in a very large church and I have it in the sanctuary upstairs soundboard/video area. It provides a nice strong signal to the large room under the sanctuary that is a large kitchen/ classroom area.

As for you setting one up at your home, you will use the Airport Utility found in the Utilities folder of your MB Pro. At home I set my Time Capsule up to bridge mode and let my ISP modem handle DHCP (assigning IP addresses). When I first set it up, I left the wireless "on" on the ISP modem. I named the network the same name and password on both devices. When I was sure the Time Capsule was set up correctly (no little yellow triangle on it in the Airport Utility) I shut off the ISP's wireless because it is "N" speed and the Time Capsule is "AC" - which is faster. It worked great.

Now the Time Capsule will not increase your internet speed if you have a slow provider like I do. Rural living demands sacrifice - like no new technological advances beyond the piped in sunlight! But it should expand the coverage range in your house. It did mine.

If you decide to get one post back and we can walk you through step by step. It really is not that hard. For me it was changing my mind set from Windows to Apple. Sometimes I find myself getting in my own way because I can't believe it could be that easy. I keep waiting for the punch line. ;D

Lisa

 

[pigoo3]

Since no one has a clue how to run any kind of network stuff at work I am allowed to do whatever I want.... ;D

Isn't that a great benefit!!!

So when I added the Time Capsule to the work network, I set it up extend our wireless network. I was amazed at the increase in area coverage it gave me. I mean like WOW! I work in a very large church and I have it in the sanctuary upstairs soundboard/video area. It provides a nice strong signal to the large room under the sanctuary that is a large kitchen/ classroom area.

I was just thinking. You have great internet at work…and not so great internet at home. I'm sure the great work internet is a constant reminder of how you wish some sort of ISP would or could better serve rural areas!

Now the Time Capsule will not increase your internet speed if you have a slow provider like I do. Rural living demands sacrifice - like no new technological advances beyond the piped in sunlight! But it should expand the coverage range in your house. It did mine.

This is what I was referring to above in my last post. A "newer & better" WiFi router may not increase internet speed directly (the bandwidth coming into the home from the ISP is what it is)…but it is possible a better router can boost the signal in a home if the WiFi signal is weak where computers are located.

- Nick

 

[lclev]

This is what I was referring to above in my last post. A "newer & better" WiFi router may not increase internet speed directly (the bandwidth coming into the home from the ISP is what it is)…but it is possible a better router can boost the signal in a home if the WiFi signal is weak where computers are located.

- Nick

Yes, I saw your post right after I posted. You type faster than me! - But at least we agree. ;D

Oh, and yes I like my little area of supreme power. (Mess with me and I cut your internet off! )

Lisa