iPod as temporary backup HD - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

gSpot · 03-24-2004, 06:51 AM

i am ready to install panther on my 500mhz ti-book (first generation, 20 gig HD with 768 megs of RAM) and i was wondering if i can use my 10 gig, 2nd generation iPod as a storage drive for the stuff i want to keep.
when i first installed OS X (i have 10.1.5 currently), i partitioned my drive for classic. but now i never use classic, and i want to have all 20 gigs at my disposal for panther. i only have around 9 gigs of files/software that i want to keep. can i use the iPod, and if i do, will i have to reinstall all my software apps after copying the files back to my power book?

thanks a bunch.
g

Redlemon · 03-24-2004, 11:02 AM

Sounds like it would probably work. The iPods don't really like long sustained transfers of data, from what I've seen; they get pretty hot and the screen goes all black. After it cools down again, the screen looks good again, but I don't know if there is any underlying damage.

If you can, I'd borrow a regular external hard drive; perhaps a local store does one day loans/rentals, or you have a friend with a nice whomping external that would have all the space you would need.

If you are worried about all the pr0n that you are transferring over ending up on someone else's transfer drive, don't forget that OS 10.3 has government-level data erasure features!

If you use the iPod for the transfer, make sure that the iPod has been formatted in Mac HFS+ or similar, not a Windows format (like FAT32); otherwise, you might loose al the icons and such.

It sounds like you don't have a standard backup plan; remember, data loss will happen to everyone someday.

Regaring software reinstalls; it would probably be a good idea to do reinstalls rather than copying the folders over manually, in case the installer spreads other files around; I've never tried it myself.

Peryn · 03-24-2004, 12:02 PM

Ok, well i dont really know any of this for sure, as i dont own an iPod or a mac.

I know on my Jukebox, yes, i can use it to back up HDD information and files, and then transfer it back on later. Apple seems to be up to date with their IPod, so i would assume that you could. As for software, in my experiences backing up files, at least on a PC, they will often not work if just copied back on. They typically spread a few files alsewhere on the computer, and in the case of windows, into the registry. When you copy the files over, you miss those few, and often the program will not work. I would recommend copying the data you need, not the programs. Get your saved files, pictures, whatever, and then just reinstall the programs.

Holo · 03-24-2004, 12:07 PM

There was a story of a kid who used his iPod to steal Office from a CompUSA machine back when they first came out so it *can* be done, but how I have no clue.

I found the article:

http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,50688,00.html

gSpot · 03-24-2004, 07:33 PM

thanks so much, you guys.
here is what i found out locally: software that uses an "install" icon (installer program) needs to be re-installed from ground zero. you can keep all user prefs when transfering across those files from the b/up hardrive.
here is some cool info (tip):
buy a small, very inexpensive external firewire HD (like 40 or 50 megs- cheap) for the enclosure the HD comes in. then buy as large an internal HD for your particular machine that you can afford. pull your computer's HD, swap it for the tiny HD in the enclosure you bought, and install the big internal HD into your machine. now you have (in my case, 20 gig) an external firewire drive that is actually usefull, and an awesome new, bigger drive in your box!
later.

03-24-2004, 06:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
gSpot DumBunny. Location: further east of west and just south of north.	iPod as temporary backup HD i am ready to install panther on my 500mhz ti-book (first generation, 20 gig HD with 768 megs of RAM) and i was wondering if i can use my 10 gig, 2nd generation iPod as a storage drive for the stuff i want to keep. when i first installed OS X (i have 10.1.5 currently), i partitioned my drive for classic. but now i never use classic, and i want to have all 20 gigs at my disposal for panther. i only have around 9 gigs of files/software that i want to keep. can i use the iPod, and if i do, will i have to reinstall all my software apps after copying the files back to my power book? thanks a bunch. g __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

03-24-2004, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Sounds like it would probably work. The iPods don't really like long sustained transfers of data, from what I've seen; they get pretty hot and the screen goes all black. After it cools down again, the screen looks good again, but I don't know if there is any underlying damage. If you can, I'd borrow a regular external hard drive; perhaps a local store does one day loans/rentals, or you have a friend with a nice whomping external that would have all the space you would need. If you are worried about all the pr0n that you are transferring over ending up on someone else's transfer drive, don't forget that OS 10.3 has government-level data erasure features! If you use the iPod for the transfer, make sure that the iPod has been formatted in Mac HFS+ or similar, not a Windows format (like FAT32); otherwise, you might loose al the icons and such. It sounds like you don't have a standard backup plan; remember, data loss will happen to everyone someday. Regaring software reinstalls; it would probably be a good idea to do reinstalls rather than copying the folders over manually, in case the installer spreads other files around; I've never tried it myself. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-24-2004, 12:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	Ok, well i dont really know any of this for sure, as i dont own an iPod or a mac. I know on my Jukebox, yes, i can use it to back up HDD information and files, and then transfer it back on later. Apple seems to be up to date with their IPod, so i would assume that you could. As for software, in my experiences backing up files, at least on a PC, they will often not work if just copied back on. They typically spread a few files alsewhere on the computer, and in the case of windows, into the registry. When you copy the files over, you miss those few, and often the program will not work. I would recommend copying the data you need, not the programs. Get your saved files, pictures, whatever, and then just reinstall the programs. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

03-24-2004, 12:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Holo A Real American	There was a story of a kid who used his iPod to steal Office from a CompUSA machine back when they first came out so it can be done, but how I have no clue. I found the article: http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,50688,00.html __________________ I happen to like the words "fuck", "cock", "pussy", "tits", "cunt", "twat", "shit" and even "bitch". As long as I am not using them to describe you, don't go telling me whether or not I can/should use them...that is, if you want me to continue refraining from using them to describe you. ~Prince

03-24-2004, 07:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
gSpot DumBunny. Location: further east of west and just south of north.	thanks so much, you guys. here is what i found out locally: software that uses an "install" icon (installer program) needs to be re-installed from ground zero. you can keep all user prefs when transfering across those files from the b/up hardrive. here is some cool info (tip): buy a small, very inexpensive external firewire HD (like 40 or 50 megs- cheap) for the enclosure the HD comes in. then buy as large an internal HD for your particular machine that you can afford. pull your computer's HD, swap it for the tiny HD in the enclosure you bought, and install the big internal HD into your machine. now you have (in my case, 20 gig) an external firewire drive that is actually usefull, and an awesome new, bigger drive in your box! later. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?