Browsing Previous Versions mounts Time Capsule (OS X 10.7.5)

RS125 · 02-19-2013, 09:01 AM

I recently installed OS X 10.7.5 on a Late-2006 24" iMac (4 GB RAM and runs very well, by the way) and I am backing up to a Time Capsule with Time Machine.

When I "Browse Previous Versions" for documents created with TextEdit or iWork apps, Time Capsule automatically mounts. Is this normal behavior? I thought Versions stored changes locally.

The issue I have with this is that I have to manually dismount TC when I am done with my search otherwise it remains mounted.

Can anyone shed any light on this? I have not found anything on Internet forums or on the great Pondini's website.

Thank you.

ganbustein · 02-20-2013, 05:18 PM

The locally stored versions also get backed up. To save space, locally stored versions get pruned, so when you "Browse Previous Versions", Time Machine gets involved so that you see a merged list of all the still-present local versions plus the backups of pruned versions.

In the list of timestamps on the right side of the screen, you'll notice that some of them are purple and some are white. That's to let you know which versions are coming from the local store, and which are coming from Time Machine.

Now, if I could only remember which color means which...

benwiggy · 02-21-2013, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS125


	I have to manually dismount TC when I am done with my search otherwise it remains mounted.

And what is the problem with leaving it mounted? Doesn't it needs to be mounted every hour for Time Machine to do its backup?

fracai · 02-21-2013, 11:17 AM

When TimeMachine mounts a volume it's nice enough to unmount when it's done. If it's a network mount, TimeMachine does this behind the scenes and only shows the mounted image on the desktop; the containing volume stays hidden. TimeMachine needs to have the containing volume mounted as root so it wouldn't be useful to keep it mounted anyway.

RS125 · 02-23-2013, 08:41 AM

Thank you all (especially ganbustein). This is very helpful.

With respect to unmounting...I realize TM is backing up hourly but, once the disc is unmounted, TC will spin down in 3 minutes if not needed. This conserves power and network bandwidth (less heat generated, etc.). I think it makes sense for TC to not run all the time unless truly needed. On the other hand, I noticed that if I use the TM browser (i.e., the "Star Field" browser), I have to manually eject the TC drive when I am done. Not a big deal and when TM runs, then it unmounts the disc upon completion anyway.

Again, thank you everyone for the help. This is a great forum with knowledgeable members!

benwiggy · 02-23-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fracai


	When TimeMachine mounts a volume it's nice enough to unmount when it's done. If it's a network mount….

I presume this is only for Network TM drives? If I unmount my external FireWire drive, Time Machine won't mount the drive and reports an error at backup time.

RS125 · 02-23-2013, 09:16 AM

That is correct as I understand it.

I only use TM with a TC connected by wifi. I do know other people using TM on iMacs with external drives attached by FireWire and TM does not mount the drive not does it unmount the drive after running a backup. And this makes sense to me.

As fracai pointed out, TM automatically mounts and unmounts a network volume. This has been my experience with two MBPs, a MBA and the iMac in question hear (I have a mid-2009, dual band TC by the way). I confirmed this with Apple as well.

Thanks again for your input. I find it helpful to understand the expected behavior for TM.

02-19-2013, 09:01 AM	#1
RS125 Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 3	Browsing Previous Versions mounts Time Capsule (OS X 10.7.5) I recently installed OS X 10.7.5 on a Late-2006 24" iMac (4 GB RAM and runs very well, by the way) and I am backing up to a Time Capsule with Time Machine. When I "Browse Previous Versions" for documents created with TextEdit or iWork apps, Time Capsule automatically mounts. Is this normal behavior? I thought Versions stored changes locally. The issue I have with this is that I have to manually dismount TC when I am done with my search otherwise it remains mounted. Can anyone shed any light on this? I have not found anything on Internet forums or on the great Pondini's website. Thank you.

02-21-2013, 11:17 AM	#4
fracai MVP Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,012	When TimeMachine mounts a volume it's nice enough to unmount when it's done. If it's a network mount, TimeMachine does this behind the scenes and only shows the mounted image on the desktop; the containing volume stays hidden. TimeMachine needs to have the containing volume mounted as root so it wouldn't be useful to keep it mounted anyway. __________________ i am jack's amusing sig file
$fracai is offline$

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02-20-2013, 05:18 PM	#2
ganbustein MVP Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berkeley CA USA Posts: 1,009	The locally stored versions also get backed up. To save space, locally stored versions get pruned, so when you "Browse Previous Versions", Time Machine gets involved so that you see a merged list of all the still-present local versions plus the backups of pruned versions. In the list of timestamps on the right side of the screen, you'll notice that some of them are purple and some are white. That's to let you know which versions are coming from the local store, and which are coming from Time Machine. Now, if I could only remember which color means which...

02-23-2013, 08:41 AM	#5
RS125 Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 3	Thank you all (especially ganbustein). This is very helpful. With respect to unmounting...I realize TM is backing up hourly but, once the disc is unmounted, TC will spin down in 3 minutes if not needed. This conserves power and network bandwidth (less heat generated, etc.). I think it makes sense for TC to not run all the time unless truly needed. On the other hand, I noticed that if I use the TM browser (i.e., the "Star Field" browser), I have to manually eject the TC drive when I am done. Not a big deal and when TM runs, then it unmounts the disc upon completion anyway. Again, thank you everyone for the help. This is a great forum with knowledgeable members!

02-23-2013, 09:16 AM	#7
RS125 Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 3	That is correct as I understand it. I only use TM with a TC connected by wifi. I do know other people using TM on iMacs with external drives attached by FireWire and TM does not mount the drive not does it unmount the drive after running a backup. And this makes sense to me. As fracai pointed out, TM automatically mounts and unmounts a network volume. This has been my experience with two MBPs, a MBA and the iMac in question hear (I have a mid-2009, dual band TC by the way). I confirmed this with Apple as well. Thanks again for your input. I find it helpful to understand the expected behavior for TM.