" An error occurred while creating the backup directory"

Hi all,
I recently bought an external drive because my mac was just about full.
It's made by Lacie, model # P'9231... (1TB)
I got it working, for moving and accessing files (I moved the iPhoto library-and that works fine)...  but...
I told Time Machine to use it as the backup disk, but TM often tells be that the backup failed. I get this message;
"Backup failed.  An error occurred while creating the backup directory"
I don't understand this.  I did some experiments with Time Machine, and I've been able to restore some things, but I still keep getting this message.
I don't know what is getting backed up and what is not..
Did I do something wrong? Or, more importantly, what is the fix?
Any advice is much appreciated.  Thanks in advance,
Jim

I'm having the same problem.  I just got the drive Saturday at the local Apple store.
Have you figured it out?

Similar Messages

  • TM Error - An error occurred while creating the backup directory.

    mmm
    Got the TC last Wednesday. Connected 1 brand new iMac and a one year old mini, both on 10.5.2 with Airport Utility updates.
    The mini just started getting errors (Sunday lunch)
    TM Error
    Unable to complete computer backup. An error occurred while creating the backup directory.
    Forcing a Backup Now gets the same error.
    Mini is connected wirelessly direct to the TC and can browse the TC and read/write files ok.
    I can see no reason how why this error is occurring.
    TM opens and you can browse the backups fine.
    Anyone know how to get TM to be able to create directories again?
    Thanks

    exactly what I am seeing as well. I had one complete backup before I started seeing the exact error you are getting. I have tried everything I can think of from watching here and spending as much time on hold as I can afford. Hold times to talk with someone who actually might be able to help,that means not the first tech you will speak with but who they transfer you to may understand the TC/TM errors and fixes that work. That means 1 hour plus on hold,almost an hour before the first tech will finally give up and transfer you deeper and 30 minutes to 45 on hold there. Add another hour for them to get caught up with your case. These times are kinda like TC/TM themselves,very slow. I am connected via ethernet and shut down everything when trying to get this to work thus I have lost over 100 hours work time because of trying to get this to work without any interruption. It is such a generic error message it so totally reminds me of windoze daze. All I can do at this point is follow the leader on on the Apple death and dying forums. I am toast on trying and have seen that exact error screen more times than I am willing to admit. I am gonna get something that works as soon as I recover from spending 299 on a new wireless router! Please any of you seeing this error and somehow overcome it please post back and gives us losers something to chew on?

  • Time Machine Error: An error occurred while creating the backup directory

    Time Machine Error: Unable to complete backup. An error occured while creating the backup directory.
    I back up to wirelessly to a Time Capsule. I get these errors often. I'll go for a few days with everything working and then encounter these errors. I've even completely erased the Time Capsule drive and started over. It'll work fine for a few days and then start the errors over again. Interestingly, when the errors occur, the Time Capsule drive can not be unmounted even if clicking the eject button. I am on 10.5.8 but it happened in 10.5.7 as well. I have another Mac that doesn't seem to have any issues with the same Time Capsule.
    Here's a log - they all seem to fail with similar errors:
    Starting standard backup
    Backup destination alias resolved to path: /Volumes/AirPort Disk
    Disk image /Volumes/AirPort Disk/Brittney’s Computer_0019e33d4fde.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Backup of Brittney’s Computer
    Backing up to: /Volumes/Backup of Brittney’s Computer/Backups.backupdb
    2009-08-27 13:52:48.465 FindSystemFiles[2955:713] Querying receipt database for system packages
    2009-08-27 13:52:48.693 FindSystemFiles[2955:713] Using system path cache.
    Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Backup of Brittney’s Computer/Backups.backupdb/Brittney’s Computer/2009-08-26-212437.inProgress/.Backup.273091970.250248.log.
    Error: (-50) Creating directory 7CCE60DD-ADCC-4004-A0D9-3EC83D892372
    Failed to make snapshot.
    Backup failed with error: 2
    Failed to eject volume /Volumes/Backup of Brittney’s Computer (FSVolumeRefNum: -114; status: -47; dissenting pid: 0)

    Nancy H wrote:
    I used it as it came, supposedly formatted for a mac.
    It may or may not be right.
    I'd be inclined to start over, per #5 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum.
    If that doesn't help, go on to #C10, etc., in the Troubleshooting Tip, as in the previous post.

  • Error occurred while creating the backup directory

    MY TM was running fine, now I can't get it to complete a backup. When I checked console, I found these errors. So any ideas on how I can fix it?
    7/23/08 8:49:14 AM com.apple.backupd[99853] 2008-07-23 08:49:14.257 diskimages-helper[99855:1603] Error loading /Library/Plug-ins/DiskImages/NUMPlugin.bundle/Contents/MacOS/NUMPlugin: dlopen(/Library/Plug-ins/DiskImages/NUMPlugin.bundle/Contents/MacOS/NUMPlugin, 262): no suitable image found. Did find:
    7/23/08 8:49:14 AM com.apple.backupd[99853] /Library/Plug-ins/DiskImages/NUMPlugin.bundle/Contents/MacOS/NUMPlugin: mach-o, but wrong architecture
    7/23/08 8:49:14 AM com.apple.backupd[99853] 2008-07-23 08:49:14.258 diskimages-helper[99855:1603] Cannot find function pointer VRPreviewCFPlugInFactory for factory 20D1C6B2-6A02-11D7-B5A6-000393D45566 in CFBundle/CFPlugIn 0x522c20 </Library/Plug-ins/DiskImages/NUMPlugin.bundle> (bundle, not loaded)

    I'm getting this same error...I've grep-ed the syslog, and I'm getting this...
    Jul 11 14:24:43 MacBookPro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[5671]: Backup requested by user
    ...Starting standard backup
    ...Network mountpoint /Volumes/Time Capsule Disk not owned by backupd remounting
    ...Network volume mounted at: /Volumes/Time Capsule Disk-1
    ...Disk image /Volumes/Time Capsule Disk-1/MacBook Pro_001ff3d2ee21.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Backup of MacBook Pro
    ...Backing up to: /Volumes/Backup of MacBook Pro/Backups.backupdb
    ...Reloading changed Time Machine preferences
    ...Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Backup of MacBook Pro/Backups.backupdb/MacBookPro/2008-06-16-123005.inProgress/.Backup.237497087. 670795.log.
    ...Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: MacintoshHD
    ...Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Backup of MacBook Pro
    ...Error: (-36) Creating directory 59E21B89-43DE-4E33-A068-D92DBD4ADFC3
    ...Failed to make snapshot.
    ...Backup failed with error: 2
    ...Ejected Time Machine disk image.
    ...Ejected Time Machine network volume.
    I've attempting to backup to a wirelessly connected 1 TB Time Capsule.
    I've never gotten a full backup, I only got both the new laptop and the capsule a few weeks ago, and I've getting the error message since my first attempt to setup Time Machine.

  • "error occurred while creating the backup folder" (-50)

    Symptoms:
    Bare HDD (Hitachi 1TB). When run on a simple cable setup, no issues. Recently got a Thermaltake BlacX dock, which is more convenient. First and more backup of any given session goes fine, then at some point, the error occurs, after which I can't unmount the drive without forcing it. After I force-eject, I can then reconnect the drive and backups will be fine again.
    It may, although I'm not sure of this, occur when I leave the machine to sleep with the drive attached.
    This implies that something between Time Machine, OSX and the BlacX are unhappy. Repair and reset haven't helped. Thoughts? I can always go back to using the cable, it was just a pain to set up, so I did backups less frequently, which is bad for me.
    The Time Machine error is:
    Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
    Latest successful backup: 10-09-13 at 1:47 PM
    Time Machine Buddy says:
    Starting standard backup
    Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine 1/Backups.backupdb
    Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/Time Machine 1/Backups.backupdb/gwiseman (2) size:13
    Error: (-50) Creating directory 2010-09-13-184726.inProgress
    Failed to make snapshot container.
    Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/Time Machine 1/Backups.backupdb/gwiseman (2) size:13
    Backup failed with error: 2
    Console after force-eject shows:
    10-09-13 11:15:41 PM kernel jnl: disk1s2: close: journal 0x8578e04, is invalid. aborting outstanding transactions

    G'day all. Partner has an iMac 21.5 with Intel processor. OSX 10.6.4
    Interestingly, we also have the exact same problem with a different brand external hardware RAID 1 as follows:
    Welland Terra ME-580J fitted with two Samsung 1.5TB SATAII 3.5" 32M HD154UI drives.
    The Welland site [http://www.welland.com.tw/html/2bay/580j.html] info is pretty brief but it DOES show Mac/PC in its brochure.
    Connected via USB2.
    From new we had to go through the initialisation stuff and had lots of hair pulling moments. Basically the RAID1 drive needed to be partitioned.
    As with Geoffrey, TM did an initial full back up, then went OK for a few hours, then TM started giving the error message "error occurred while creating the backup folder".
    Additionally any repair attempts via Disk Utility failed because the TM (Raid1 drive) couldn't be unmounted.
    ALL apps were shut down leaving only Finder. Still couldn't unmount ext HDD. Kept getting the message that an app may be using the drive, etc.
    Forced demount. Unplugged USB, turned power off to Welland and re-arranged the drives to be two independent drives.
    Re powered the Welland, re-connected by USB, and there were TWO drives shown as "Time Machine" except one had the TM icon, the other a standard USB icon. This is exactly as I would have expected seeing as RAID1 disks have identical data on each.
    RE-partitioned the USB drive to a) remove all data and b) change its name to avoid confusion.
    TM now seems happy. I'm NOT happy, however, as this completely negates the whole idea of having back-ups to a RAID1 set-up.
    It would be easy to suggest there is a problem within iMac/OS X, as two people having exactly the same problems with completely different hardware is just too much of a co-incidence.
    Any thoughts and help would be truly appreciated, as I'm at the end of my limits, here.
    With thanks, Ian.
    PS please be kind to me, as I haven't gained a lot of Mac knowledge yet!

  • Time Machine Issue-Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

    Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

    As usual, backups worked for a few days.  Failed again on wakeup this morning...
    Starting standard backup
    Backing up to: /Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb
    Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb/David’s Mac Mini size:10
    Error: (-50) Creating directory 2012-02-25-074454.inProgress
    Failed to make snapshot container.
    Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb/David's Mac Mini size:10
    Backup failed with error: 2
    I've searched Discussions and have seen the exact same error messages with all kinds of Macs and ext HDs, both USB and FW.  I can't believe it's a 'failing HD' since it works for a few days; and that it's been going on for months now.  Seems like the ext HD would have actually failed by now if that was the case.
    I wish I could figure out why three different errors are reported: (-50), (22), and :2

  • Time Machine: Error occurred while creating the backup folder

    Mac Mini 2.53 GHz, 8 GB DDR3
    OS X 10.8.4
    Time Capsule 1 TB, connected via ethernet
    Airport Utility 6.3.1 (631.4)
    "Time Machine Error.  Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
    I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself.  Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume.  I have used Pondini's superb troubleshooting page with the following results:
    A1: Time Machine Buddy Widget.  Partial log from backup attempt:
    Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
    Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/.Backup.400571203.603238.log.
    Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
    Error: (Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=640 "You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space." UserInfo=0x7f88a330cef0 {NSFilePath=/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89, NSUnderlyingError=0x7f88a33056a0 "The operation couldn’t be completed. No space left on device"}) Creating directory 598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89
    Failed to make snapshot.
    Backup failed with error: 2
    Ejected Time Machine disk image: /Volumes/Data/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4).sparsebundle
    Ejected Time Machine network volume.
    A4: Full reset of Time Machine.  Done, did not change error from occurring on next backup attempt.
    A5b: Verify backups on Time Machine.  Done, successful (no problems).
    C10: Also attempted switching out ethernet cable and tried different ports on the Time Capsule, to no effect.
    I have no exceptions listed in Time Machine preferences (under Options) and the box for "notify when deleting old backups" is UNchecked.
    Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

    grifftastic wrote:
    I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself.  Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume.
    "You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space."
    Yes, it's so full it can't get started -- not even far enough to start deleting old backups.
    If you have other data there (not usually a good idea), move some of it elsewhere temporarily, and try again.
    If not, manually delete a couple of old backups, and "compact" the sparse bundle, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #12.

  • Time capsule won't back up - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Any ideas?

    I have tried all the resets, the firmware is the latest version, the green light is on.
    But I get this message "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
    Any ideas?

    Do setup again.. but make sure both your wireless and your ethernet have ipv6 turned on to local link.
    Done this OK, but no idea about IPv6 - something new to me and rather Appley I think?
    Unplug the WAN for the moment.. Just LAN port TC to the MBPr ethernet via thunderbolt.. (thunderbird was the kids puppet series.. Thunderbirds are go!!). Done - New real people Thunderbirds movie coming out soon I believe!!!
    Reset the TC again.. sorry.. !! You're welcome ... done.
    Make sure the ethernet now has an IP address.. 10.0.1.2 - Yep - done that - on ethernet anyway ...
    You need to open the network preferences to find out. Yep - that's good ...
    ****** I then reconnect the TC WAN to the router - is this right?
    And then I think I start going round in circles ... boot, reboot, restart, reboot again ...
    The final result is green light on TC, but error message when trying TM is "Backup disk is not available".
    Then open the airport utility and you should be able to setup the TC.
    Do as little setup as possible and then run the TM backup and see how it goes.
    I have managed to get Thunderbird to LAN on TC to create a folder on TC and copy a file onto it.
    So I guess the drive is working - it must be the software, settings or perhaps even the operator that isn't quite so clever ...
    I named network RFG, named device RFGTC.  RFG network shown as IP 192.168.0.72
    Wireless router is BT Homehub 3 with IP of 192.168.0.254 - is this issuing new IP addresses when rebooting TC?
    I have three wireless networks here - the BT Homehub3 wireless, the TC wireless, and also a D-link power socket ethernet thingy for an ethernet connection to the telly - DHP-W310AV which is also wireless link.  All are effectively connected to the BT Homehub - is there a conflict there?
    Have several times achieved in Airport Utility schematic with internet shown as green, RFGTC shown as green, light on TC green, but no TM backup run ... "backup disc not available."
    And there are no tall building around here to hurl myself off ... at least you can go to Sydney Harbour bridge - not too far away ... it was my son in Sydney that persuaded me to scrap Windows and go Apple ... it's all his fault ...

  • HT3275 I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup."  "Unable to complete backup."  "An error occurred while creating the backup folder.""

    I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup."  "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."" 
    This MAC is partioned with Windows 7 with only  50 gig devoted to Windows so my son can play Flight Simulator X on the machine. 
    I have a WD Passport External Hard Drive for the Back Up
    I have spoken with WD Tech Support and they have been fantastic but I still keep getting this message.  Any thought?
    Maxx

    Reboot the TC.. it sometimes gets lost on the network.. are you still actually using 10.6.8 as the problem is more prevalent on Lion and ML it seems is no better.
    You might find reset of the TC is needed. change the names to short, no spaces pure alphanumeric.
    Reset the TM to the new name.. use the A4 in Pondini's great KB.
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

  • HT3275 Got the message "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."

    My time machine backup has stopped working. I received an error message that is not one listed on the support page: "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."  I am on a new MacBook pro running Mountain Lion and using a 1 TB Passport drive as a time machine backup. Running DiskUtility finds no problem on the Passport.

    See #C10 in Pondini's excellent Time Machine Troubleshooting.
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

  • I have a free agent desk 500GB external hard drive.  Since updating my iMac OS to mountain lion recently, it will no longer backup, stating "an error occurred while creating the backup folder".  Can anyone help me with this?

    I have a free agent desk 500 GB external hard drive.  Since updating my iMac OS to Mountain Lion it no longer backs up through Time Maching like it did in the past.  Now, after completing its work it says, "Unable to complete backup.  An error occurred while creating the backup folder."  I cannot find any sites that help me fix this.  Do I need to purchase a new external hard drive?

    Hi Aaron,
    Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
    http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    Can't imaging something not being covered there.

  • I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

    I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

    Hello Drake, I suspect one or more of the Drives needs repairing, but...
    Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
    http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    Can't imaging something not being covered there.

  • When I tried to back up my computer, Time Machine says 'an error occurred while creating the backup folder.' When I check the side of the partition where I manually saved old files, the folders are there, but NONE of the files are.

    I haven't backed up my computer in over a year. When I tried to back it up today, Time Machine says 'an error occurred while creating the backup folder.' When I check the side of the partition where I manually saved old photos and documents (including all the pictures from the year I studied abroad/traveled a bunch), the folders are there, but NONE of the files are.
    Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be, or how I could fix it? I really don't want to lose all those photos

    So you were doing a time machine backup to another partition on the same hard drive? Just trying to gather some information so i can provide a helpful response.

  • HT3275 Time machine couldn't complete the backup. an error occured while creating the backup folder

    Time machine couldn't complete the backup. an error occured while creating the backup folder Why does this happen?

    hello,
    http://pondini.org/TM/C10.html
    http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    Can't imaging something not being covered there.

  • Hello I bought a G-Raid GR4 4000 4 TB and used it for a backup with my new Imac27. Now this is all I get. "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "G-RAID". to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

    Hello I bought a G-Raid GR4 4000 4 TB and used it for a backup with my new Imac27. Now this is all I get. "Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “G-RAID”. to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
    Any idea what I should do?

    If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
    Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
    View ▹ Show Log List
    from the menu bar.
    Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
    If all you see are messages that contain the word "Starting," you didn't clear the search box.
    If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
    When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
    Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
    Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Maybe you are looking for