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Forum Discussion
Dropbox External Drive Backup - Changing Computers
I’ve just found out when you change Laptop / Desktop you can’t continue to use the same external hard drive with Dropbox Backup. This is absolute madness.
If you want to continue to use that hard drive with Dropbox Backup you have to re upload the full HD.
I have 2TB used on a 4TB external SSD and I’ve just changed to a new MacBook. I’m having to spend three days uploading / backing-up all my data again just to continue to use that same drive with the new device. What a waste of energy, electricity, data and bandwidth. For no reason. My old backup is sitting there in my account with all the same data and I just have to re-upload 2TB of the exact same files for no reason other than Dropbox can’t set up a way to re-link an external hard drive on on a new system.
I can’t believe this is the current state of affairs for this service.
If you want to continue to use that hard drive with Dropbox Backup you have to re upload the full HD.
I have 2TB used on a 4TB external SSD and I’ve just changed to a new MacBook. I’m having to spend three days uploading / backing-up all my data again just to continue to use that same drive with the new device. What a waste of energy, electricity, data and bandwidth. For no reason. My old backup is sitting there in my account with all the same data and I just have to re-upload 2TB of the exact same files for no reason other than Dropbox can’t set up a way to re-link an external hard drive on on a new system.
I can’t believe this is the current state of affairs for this service.
I'm currently testing this workaround.
I changed the default Dropbox sync folder to be on the drive that I originally
wanted to use Dropbox Backup on. I'm dropping the unpolished backup system and
changing how I interact with my files.I already had a local copy of my Dropbox folder on my external drive (D:\)
I started with changing the default sync folder to D:\Dropbox. That folder
already existed because I had manually copied the entire folder earlier. I
renamed D:\Dropbox to D:\Dropbox.1. After that, I updated my sync settings and
let Dropbox recreate the D:\Dropbox folder. Once that happened, I copied all the
files in D:\Dropbox.1 back into D:\Dropbox. I cut and paste them, overwriting
all existing files.Once the sync finishes I'll test this on my home laptop. I imagine I'll have to
rename the Dropbox folder again, change the sync path, then cut and paste all
the files back. My hope is that the sync will continue where it left off.I'll bookmark this page and update here. It will take 3-4 days for my sync to
finish. After that I can test it.- Rich
Super User II
I changed the default Dropbox sync folder to be on the drive that I originally
wanted to use Dropbox Backup on.If you mean that you moved the Dropbox folder to an external drive, be VERY careful. With the Dropbox sync folder on an external drive, data loss can occur under the right conditions. If the drive were to become disconnected while Dropbox was running, or if Dropbox starts before the drive is connected, Dropbox could see that as a mass-deletion of your files and will sync that change to your account.
Also, if your plan is to move that drive between computers and use the same Dropbox sync folder on multiple computers, you'll most definitely have issues. The index of your files (the database that Dropbox uses to keep track of your files) exists outside of the Dropbox folder. That means changes that you make on one computer won't be known by the other computer when you move the drive over. Like before, this could cause sync issues resulting in lost data.
Oh my goodness. I'm going to reconsider the original plan and invest in a dedicated backup service.
Thank you Rich. You're experience likely saved me a week of false hope and the likely my data too : )
It's kind of ridiculous. I have over 8TB of data in backup from an external drive.
Now that I have a new PC, I have to reupload that entire library of data again, on a 20Mbps upload!Considering just cancelling the Backup plan to be honest. 2 years on and Dropbox doesn't seem to care.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Currently, we don't have any information about the future roadmap for Dropbox.
We do appreciate the feedback on this matter and we take all comments into consideration when improving the Dropbox site and services.
Hi...has there been an update for this? I just bought a new computer and want to continue backing up the same hard drive to my dropbox. But it keeps on creating a new backup. There is no sense in uploading the SAME 1.5 TB of data again.
Has the dropbox team been able to find a fix for this since it was brought up over a year ago? Walter
- Jay
Hi Fabiusssss, currently, there isn't a method to continue using an existing external drive backup when using a different computer.
When using a different device, it would create a new Dropbox Backup on the site for the external drive.
Plus it means, that if the capacity on the drive itself isn't enough to house both backups, the first one would have to be deleted...or of course additional space would have to be bought.
- Megan
Hey there, euanburton, thanks for posting here!
Your feedback regarding our external drive has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.
I definitely see what you mean, and how it's affecting you while it's also not ideal.
I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments so that we can further improve our product.
If you need anything else, let me know!
Hello,
I am running into this same issue mentioned in the post above. Is there still no solve for this almost one year after this posted? If I change computers do I need to re-upload my entire external drive?
- Walter
Hey ajglendinning - could you let us know more about the issue you're facing so that we can advise further?
Would the backups page help with what you had in mind perhaps?
