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When you plug the drive into your computer and turn it on. If Time Machine is already active on your computer but not configured for a particular drive, you should may be presented with a prompt asking if you'd like to use the drive you just plugged in as a Time Machine backup. If you do not get this option, open Time Machine preferences by going to the Apple Menu and choosing System Preferences. Time Machine is located in System Preferences. | |
Alternatively, if your Time Machine preferences were set to display in the Apple menu bar, you can navigate to the upper right corner and choose the "Open Time Machine Preferences" option from the pull down menu. The Time Machine Apple menu icon looks like an analog clock with a circular arrow frame. | |
The Time Machine preferences window is straight forward and simple. If Time Machine is off, slide the "switch" to the on position. The top button will either have the wording, Select Disk or Change Disk. Click it and you should be presented with a list of available storage solutions that Time Machine can use. Typically the only thing that will be listed is the drive you just plugged in. Highlight the desired drive and select Use for Backup. (The Set Up Time Capsule button is for use with home Apple Airport Extreme and Time Capsule wireless routers.) | |
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That's it. Once you have clicked the Use for Backup button, Time Machine begins its backup within a few seconds. You can close the Time Machine and System Preferences window. As mentioned, the initial backup may take awhile. You'll get a standard progress bar window but you may also notice the icon for Time Machine spinning in the Apple menu bar. Remember to have your external drive plugged in routinely and Time Machine will take care of itself. It cannot backup if the drive is not present. | |
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