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Time Machine And The AirPort Extreme: What You Need To Know

This week Apple released a software update named "Time Machine and AirPort Updates v1.0", which "is recommended for all users and includes compatibility improvements for using Time Machine with Time Capsule, as well as AirPort driver fixes."

While we don't know everything that it does, one thing we do know is that it finally fixes the problem of not being able to do backups to USB drives attached to an AirPort Extreme.

So here's what you need to know, and do, to get things working.

Time Machine Now Safe To Use With Aperture

OS X Leopard introduced Time Machine and simple automated backups. A good thing.

However, Leopard had barely been out a week before it was discovered that Time Machine could corrupt an Aperture image database if a backup or restore occurred while Aperture was running. A bad thing.

And that the only fix was not to backup Aperture files. Also a bad thing.

Now, Apple tells us that this issue is resolved in Mac OS X 10.5.2, and that photographers using Aperture 1.5 or 2.0 can now safely use Time Machine to backup their images.

A good thing.

Leopard Printing And Time Machine "Solutions"

Apple has released two new tech notes on their support site detailing issues with OS X Leopard.

The first note summarizes some printer setup and driver installation issues, a problem when a Canon inkjet printer with built-in scanner does not scan in Leopard, an issue where a shared printer no longer appears in your printer list after waking the computer from sleep, and an error that occurs when printing to a HP LaserJet 1200 printer.

The second note discusses using and troubleshooting problems with Time Machine.

Quick Tip: Deleting Backups From Time Machine

I'm seeing hints around the web about how to use to Unix shell commands to delete files from a Time Machine backup drive.

Don't use them. Besides, as usual, there's a better way.

Time Machine And "Unsupported" Disks

There are some tips floating around that tell you how to reconfigure Time Machine to use "unsupported" disks for backup, including USB drives attached to Apple's AirPort Extreme.

Don't use them.

More AirPort Extreme AirDisk Issues

As you probably know, Apple quietly dropped support for doing Time Machine backups to USB-based hard drives connected to an AirPort Extreme.

What you may not know is why, and why more than Time Machine may be at risk.

More Time Traveling Troubles

Apple has posted yet another tech note on their site regarding a new issue with Time Machine.

Apparently, after about 10 GB or more of data has been copied Time Machine may simply stop backing up to the external drive.

Time Machine Can Corrupt Aperture Data

According to a new tech note on Apple's web site, running a Time Machine backup or restore operation while Aperture is running may lead to "inconsistencies" in the Aperture database.

Apple currently recommends that you exclude the Aperture Library from Time Machine backups, and provides instructions for doing so for those unfamiliar with the process.

Time Travel for Mere Mortals

Several questions have arisen about Time Machine backup disks. Apple and several other journalists have been quoted as saying that you're going to want to dedicate a drive to Time Machine, and not use it for anything else.

Is that right, or is there more to the story?

Actually... it's not, and there is.