Cannot back up using Time Machine - MacBook OS X 10.5.8

Hello there
I am having trouble backing up my files using Time Machine.
I was using an old external hard disk. When I started using Time Machine, I didn't know about partitioning it. It worked for about 2 years until around the February of this year. I kept getting the error message "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while copying files to the backup volume." The advice on the Apple web page suggested only restarting the computer and trying again. This didn't work. I then read about partitioning the external hard disk. I tried that and I still had the same error message. I came to the conclusion that my external hard disk was just getting old and wasn't up to the job.
So today I bought a new external hard disk. I partitioned it and then tried again with Time Machine. And I had the exact same problem. With about 10GB to go on the back up, the same error message appeared.
What can I do to get Time Machine working again? Could it be a corrupt file? Any advice would be very welcome. I am very nervous that I currenlty have no back up.
Thanks.

Pondini, one of the high level users of these forums has compiled a great reference page for Time Machine. It includes this page which seems like it addresses your question.
Best of luck.

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