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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac OS X > is there any way to change what drive documents, pics, music, etc are stored on?

is there any way to change what drive documents, pics, music, etc are stored on?
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Feb 19, 2007, 11:37 PM
 
right now they are stored on the same hard drive that osx is installed on, I just added an external and would like them to default to the external.

can I just drop my user profile onto the external drive or will that screw anything up?

I just want to be able to use all the folder shortcuts (documents, pictures, movies) in finder, instead of having to always navigate to through the drive
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Feb 20, 2007, 12:28 AM
 
Things won't work if you just try to copy your home folder over. You have to do other things to get the system to recognize that you want your home folder in a different location, and it may not be worth the trouble to do that. Here are some instructions others have written, if you want to try it.

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
     
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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Feb 20, 2007, 12:40 AM
 
Just make aliases to your drive in the Finder.
{{{ mindwaves }}}
     
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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Feb 20, 2007, 09:58 AM
 
This is a pretty easy tutorial:

MacZealots > Articles > Moving Your Home Directory

I think I did something close to that to move mine, and it worked out just fine.

Aliases would work for convenience, but not if you want to be able to reinstall OS X without having to backup your personal data every time.
For all the trash I talk, I sure own a lot of Macs...
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Feb 20, 2007, 01:47 PM
 
thanks guys...

I may try it, I thought tiger would let you, maybe 10.5 willh ave the ability
     
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Feb 20, 2007, 02:38 PM
 
It does … as mentioned before, use aliases or symbolic links.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Feb 20, 2007, 03:04 PM
 
In your personal experience, does that work properly?

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
     
   
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