First Backup

[jkenneym]

G4 867Mc 60GB 640MB

Backing up to new, unused 80GB OWC Mercury Elite Pro FW400

23GB used space on PowerMac HD; 12GB used in first Backup on OWC FW400. 20 minutes and change.

I see within the "What's going to happen?" panel:

"All files on Macintosh HD will be copied to Backup, except the temporary and system-specific files that Apple recommends excluding."

11GB not in Backup. Izzat right?

Thanks

Kenney

[dnanian]

Well, if you've got 11GB of things in your temporary directory or swap files, yeah, that's right. We've never had a report of files not being copied that should be, so I can only assume that your backup proceeded properly.

Try booting from the backup, Kenney! Does it seem right?

[jkenneym]

Yes, Dave, got successful boot from the FW drive - hallelujah! What I am not understanding is 11GB of temporary directory, system-specific, or swap files.

Thanks,

Kenney

[dnanian]

Well, without thoroughly examining your drive, it's hard for me to tell you what's in your various folders. But if you look at the scripts included in Backup - all files, you can see what's being excluded. By examining those folders in Terminal, you can determine how large they are (and, by checking the contents, why they're so large!) -- that should set your mind at ease!

[jkenneym]

As you suggested looking "at the scripts included in Backup - all files," excluded are 4 files:

Norton FileSaver files.dset
Previous Systems.dset
system cache files.dset
system temporary files.dset

Now the sticking point for this "senior dummy" is that I've never gone muddling about in Terminal and have strong inclination not to do so even though there is also strong urge to be rid of what must be a great deal of useless junk in that 11GB.

I would appreciate your directing me to inexpensive shareware, Apple Knowledge Base or whatever might allow me to fuddle with Terminal without "getting my fingers burned."

Thanks,

Kenney

[dnanian]

Kenney,

From what you're describing, you're not looking at the "Backup - all files" script. You're looking at something else, probably the Safety Clone. That would also account for the difference in size.

A Safety Clone -- which excludes Previous Systems and other things -- is not a backup, and should not be used for that purpose.

The "Backup - all files" script only excludes System Temporary files and Norton FileSaver files. If you're not running Norton, the FileSaver stuff doesn't really matter. The System Temporary are things like the Temporary Items folder, Desktop DB, mach and mach.sym, the Journal files, core dumps, temporary and swap files. None of which *should* be copied anyway.

So -- judging from what you're saying, it's very likely you're using the wrong script. Sound plausible?