Uploading very large files (300GB)

[Andrew G.36]

uploading very large files

I have tried to upload a 300GB file to dropbox (I have 1TB capacity) using the Mac desktop application and I am being informed that there isn't enough free space. I bought this extra memory as dropbox write:"Files uploaded to Dropbox via the desktop application or mobile apps have no file size limit". Am I doing something wrong?

[Mark]

Do you have enough hard drive space?

[Andrew G.36]

Hi.

No I have very little hard-drive space, I want these files to be available on dropbox only

[Mark]

You need the hard drive space to upload them though. 

Dropbox is a real life local folder that resides on your machine. That means it takes up space. Once things are uploaded you can remove them locally via Selective Sync but they MUST go in the Dropbox folder first if they are large. 

[Andrew G.36]

ok thanks

[Andrew G.36]

But i haven't solved the problem yet

I need to upload 300GB of photos and other very large files DIRECT to dropbox from an external hard-drive, where the drive on my Mac has only around 90GB of free spaces. Hence the files would need to go from Hard-drive direct to dropbox. Once in dropbox I can select sync the files I want copied on my mac.

How do I do this?

[Mark]

Unless you can upload via the website (for individual files) you can't. 

You need to upload via your main hard drive. 

Dropbox is not supported on external drives. 

[Andrew G.36]

I should have checked this before wasting €99 on an annual subscription; Dropbox doesn't work for me.

[Mark]

The key thing to remember is that Dropbox isnt a backup tool. Its a syncing tool. Its designed to have everything local on all devices. 

[Andrew G.36]

I know, I will continue using it for that, but I thought I could back-up large files of data from may external drive direct to dropbox.