Time Machine set up

[mariesomas]

I cant get Time Machine to set up
It asks basically where to store back up and only option is Internet and when I click it, nothing happens. Help!

 

[honestone]

I cant get Time Machine to set up
It asks basically where to store back up and only option is Internet and when I click it, nothing happens. Help!

First of all, what Mac Model are you using, and just as important (and critical), what OS are you using? Be specific here to include the correct version number. For example, I am using Mavericks OS 10.9.5 (latest version) on both of my machines.

Secondly, where were you planning on having Time machine place the backups? Is it on another partition of your Internal Hard Drive (not too good an idea), or on an external drive (best choice)?

Third, if it is on an external drive, Time Machine should be able to "see it". If not, launch Disk Utility and see if the external drive is there. If not, then either the connection is bad and/or not secure (ie, cable not plugged in properly on BOTH ends), or the drive is bad. If Disk Utility can see the external drive, then there is some sort of software issue. That is why the version of the OS you are using is important.

I don't use Time Machine (use SuperDuper! instead), so maybe someone else might have some more information.

 

[oldscribe]

Hi and welcome,

As has been said for TM backups an external drive might be best, and should be formated to Mac OS X extended ( journald ) you can use disk utility in your applications / utility's folder for this, then once done close disk utility but leave the drive connected to the Mac. Now right click the TM icon in the dock then choose the first option.
A new window will open and you should see the external drive listed choose this drive for the backup destination.

 

[honestone]

Hi and welcome,

As has been said for TM backups an external drive might be best, and should be formated to Mac OS X extended ( journald ) you can use disk utility in your applications / utility's folder for this, then once done close disk utility but leave the drive connected to the Mac. Now right click the TM icon in the dock then choose the first option.
A new window will open and you should see the external drive listed choose this drive for the backup destination.

Thanks for the better explanation, oldscribe, about the external drive being properly formatted.

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

Just to add when I said first option, I mean a pop up box will appear choose the option that is top of the list.