An open community 
of Macintosh users,
for Macintosh users.

FineTunedMac Dashboard widget now available! Download Here

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Partitioning External Hard Drive
#28033 01/29/14 10:11 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
Way back in the summer of 2012 I had a long discussion with several people here about partitioning my external hard drive, using external drives, etc. I re-read my posts, and they didn't help me for this problem.

I need a simple, step-by-step guide. Step 1, 2, 3....

I recently reformatted my external drive. I backed up Mt. Lion onto SuperDuper because I am going to download Mavericks and may not like it.

I went to Disk Utility to partition my drive so I could have one partition for Mt. Lion, one for Mavericks and an empty one.

I clicked on my external drive, clicked on Partition, made 3 partitions, and then got stuck. I don't know how to get my copy of Mt. Lion onto one partition and label it, and then download Mavericks to my computer and transfer is over to the second partition after backing it up with SuperDuper.

I know it's something simple, but I can't see it.

Or, if I choose to not partition the drive at all, how to I get each OS onto the external drive and labeled for future use like booting up from one or the other.

Do I just back up with SuperDuper (I don't want to use Time Machine), and then update as necessary via SuperDuper and not worry about it?



MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28035 01/30/14 12:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1
For all intents and purposes, a partition is a hard drive. When you make 3 partitions, you will see 3 hard drive icons on your Desktop.

You label them by clicking on them and changing their name. You install software on them by choosing them when you run an installer.

You can use Super Duper to clone from your internal hard drive to whatever partition you like on the external. You can upgrade to Mavericks by running the Mavericks installer, then choosing the partition you want to put it on.


Photo gallery, all about me, and more: www.xeromag.com/franklin.html
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
tacit #28036 01/30/14 01:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
Moderator
Offline
Moderator

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
You are going to end up with four partitions,
  1. Mountain Lion
  2. Mavericks
  3. Emply
  4. Recovery Drive that is automatically installed by Mountain Lion or Mavericks whichever is installed first.
The Recovery drive partition will not mount or show up on your desktop, but it will be visible in Disk Utility and System Information.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
tacit #28037 01/30/14 01:28 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
I already cloned it with SuperDuper. I just don't know how to get it onto the partitions.

Originally Posted By: tacit
For all intents and purposes, a partition is a hard drive. When you make 3 partitions, you will see 3 hard drive icons on your Desktop.

You label them by clicking on them and changing their name. You install software on them by choosing them when you run an installer.

You can use Super Duper to clone from your internal hard drive to whatever partition you like on the external. You can upgrade to Mavericks by running the Mavericks installer, then choosing the partition you want to put it on.


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28040 01/30/14 01:51 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
I've never looked at the SuperDuper GUI, Rita, but I imagine it's similar to those of like apps, i.e. you first select your source volume (wherever your SD clone now resides) and then select your destination volume.


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
artie505 #28042 01/30/14 04:07 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
Hi Artie:

My source volume is my internal hard drive. My destination volume is my external drive. So, I was able to use SuperDuper okay. My copy of Mt. Lion is on my external drive. It's just not labeled and I can't figure out how to do it. I want to label it and maybe partition it because I want to add other stuff like a copy of Mavericks. I'm feeling so stupid right now (as usual).

I meant it when I said I need someone to give me step by step instructions and number them. That's how I work best. Hopefully, someone that works with SuperDuper will take me up on that and consider what I've done already.

I appreciate your wading in, though. smile


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28044 01/30/14 05:34 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OK. I went back and erased my external drive, partitioned it naming the partitions, and am now in the process of copying my Mt. Lion to my external drive.

I guess I did it backwards and transferred Mt. Lion to my external drive before I partitioned it. It looks like you can't go back and do that. If so, I couldn't see how.

I know some people say you don't need to partition an external drive, but I don't know how else to save more than one OS version to it if I don't. Let's hope this works or I'll be back. smile


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28047 01/30/14 12:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
That should work, Rita.

You're correct about partitioning in your instance; you can't have more than one bootable version of OS X on a device without partitioning it.


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
artie505 #28048 01/30/14 04:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
See, I didn't know that. Even my Missing Manual book said it wasn't necessary to partition a drive, but if I didn't, I would have to have a different drive for each OS version. So, it all makes sense now. Thanks, Artie!


Originally Posted By: artie505
That should work, Rita.

You're correct about partitioning in your instance; you can't have more than one bootable version of OS X on a device without partitioning it.


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28052 01/30/14 06:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 4
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 4
Originally Posted By: plantsower
... Even my Missing Manual book said it wasn't necessary to partition a drive, but if I didn't, I would have to have a different drive for each OS version.


Reread your Missing Manual. It explicitly states that you require separate partitions for separate OSs — but also points out that Disk Utility allows you to repartition on the fly in order to accomplish such.

Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
grelber #28053 01/30/14 07:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
You may be right. I was going by Page 458 in my book which states [color:#CC0000]"There are some very good reasons not to partition a drive these days. A partitioned hard drive is more difficult to resurrect after a serious crash, requires more navigation when you want to open a particular file, and offers no speed or safety benefits."

"On the other hand, there's one very good reaosn to do it; Partitioning is the only way to use Boot Camp........"


Where would I find the info in the book about the different drive for the different OS's?

Thanks for your help.


Even my Missing Manual book said it wasn't necessary to partition a drive, but if I didn't, I would have to have a different drive for each OS version.
[/quote]

Reread your Missing Manual. It explicitly states that you require separate partitions for separate OSs — but also points out that Disk Utility allows you to repartition on the fly in order to accomplish such. [/quote]


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28055 01/30/14 07:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 4
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 4
Check MM's Index under 'partitioning', specifically 'installing Mac OS X'.
[I'm using MM for Lion, but most of the MMs only adjust as needed for the MM version.]


That must be wonderful; I have no idea what it means.
— Molière
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28058 01/30/14 09:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
Moderator
Offline
Moderator

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
When the Missing Manual says it is not necessary to partition a drive these days, they are absolutely correct as far as DATA goes. In fact it is preferable not to partition the drive for many reasons. However, if you are going to have multiple boot images they either must be on separate volumes (partitions) or drives. A good reliable external HD with 1 TB (that is TeraByte) of storage can be had for $100 plus shipping and handling from OWC if you have a USB 3 port. Firewire runs the cost up another $20 or $30.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
grelber #28063 01/31/14 04:32 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
When I first tried to help myself via MM, I looked under partitioning and backing up and couldn't find what I needed. I finally looked under Hard drive and then found the partitioning section. That's what I quoted to you earlier. Anyway, I finally figured it out, so thanks again for your input.




Originally Posted By: grelber
Check MM's Index under 'partitioning', specifically 'installing Mac OS X'.
[I'm using MM for Lion, but most of the MMs only adjust as needed for the MM version.]


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
joemikeb #28064 01/31/14 04:34 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
OP Offline

Joined: Sep 2009
Likes: 3
Hi JoeMike:

I already had a Western Digital 1 T. external drive which is what I used. Thank you. smile


Originally Posted By: joemikeb
When the Missing Manual says it is not necessary to partition a drive these days, they are absolutely correct as far as DATA goes. In fact it is preferable not to partition the drive for many reasons. However, if you are going to have multiple boot images they either must be on separate volumes (partitions) or drives. A good reliable external HD with 1 TB (that is TeraByte) of storage can be had for $100 plus shipping and handling from OWC if you have a USB 3 port. Firewire runs the cost up another $20 or $30.


MacBook Pro - M2, Ventura 13.6
Safari Tech Prev 17.0
Safari 16.6
Firefox 116.0.2
iPhone 7 Version 15.8




Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
plantsower #28068 01/31/14 03:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1
Offline

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1
I question why a partitioned drive is "harder to resurrect after a serious crash." I would say it's either no different, or slightly easier.

For example, I have a backup drive partitioned into three sections, one for OS X 10.6, one for 10.7, and one for 10.8. The 10.8 partition developed a bad sector--a form of problem where data written to one part of the disk couldn't be read--but because the drive was partitioned, the 10.6 and 10.7 partitions were safely isolated from the bad sector.

In other cases, I have partitioned internal drives, then when one partition developed disk directory problems, I was able to boot from the other partition to run repair utilities.


Photo gallery, all about me, and more: www.xeromag.com/franklin.html
Re: Partitioning External Hard Drive
tacit #28073 01/31/14 07:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
Online

Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
I keep 4 partitions on my internal...

1. My main bootable volume.
2. My music, docs, and 3rd party apps & installers.
3. A clone of my main volume.
4. An empty spare.

That second partition saves me an enormous amount of time in the event I either need to or want to reinstall OS X.

Yeah, sizing the partitions has gotten me into trouble in the past, but with the size of today's HDDs, it's a snap.


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire

Moderated by  alternaut, cyn 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4
(Release build 20200307)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.026s Queries: 48 (0.020s) Memory: 0.6616 MB (Peak: 0.7876 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 09:39:04 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS