HT201514 "sparsebundle is already in use"

My Time Machine has failed on one computer. 3 currently backup to the same Time Capsule.
The error I get is "sparsebundle" is already in use. The backup then fails.
I get this message with each scheduled backup

See here...
The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.
From Pondini’s excellent Information Here...
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.htm

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HT201514 Time Machine gives following error message;- The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/JOE OTOOLE's Computer.sparsebundle" is already in use. What does it mean?

My normally reliable Time Machine is giving following error message;-
The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/JOE OTOOLE’s Computer.sparsebundle” is already in use.
What does it mean and how do I deal with it?

I have loaded it into ML using a great and free utility unpkg.. it probably works much the same as Pacifist.
Locate your downloaded 5.6 dmg file.. click it so you can see the pkg but don't bother opening it.
Download, install and run unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Drag the airport utility 5.6 pkg over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory on the desktop.. named AirPortUtility56.. drill down to Applications, Utilities and you will find the unpackaged utiity.. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it where you are..

My back up failed and I get a messageTime Machine couldn't complete the backup to "TimeCap". The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Mary Fleming's MacBook Pro .sparsebundle" is already in use.

I noticed today that my last back-up was this a.m. and it has tried several times to back up since but I keep getting this message
Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “TimeCap”.
The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/ MacBook Pro ."sparsebundle” is already in use.
I have never had this problem before and don't know what to do. I am not that great around computers so if anyone can help I would appreciate it. I did try to do some research but could not understand any of the content I read. I sure don't know what "sparsebundle" is and this is the first time I ever heard the term.
If anyone can help woold appreciate it.
I have Version 10.9.1

This is a standard issue..
Been around since LION but you missed out.. !! Well the old rule applies.. there are three types of Mac users.
1. The bugs have bitten you, and you have done the work arounds.
2. The bugs are biting you and you are now trying to find out what is going on.
3. The bugs will bite you. And in the meantime you laugh at everyone with problems and say it must be all their fault. Doesn't happen to my system.
You were simply in the last group.. now, with the wonders of mavericks to help, you got bit.
The solution is simple.. unplug the power cord from the TC .. count to 10.. power up the TC again.
No luck look at the more technical help.
C12 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Your naming might also be an issue if this continues to happen.. see C9.

HT3275 I am getting a message that the backup failed because the "sparsebundle is already in use." My husband and I both have MacBooks that back up to one time machine. It is also our wifi router. I do not understand this message

I am getting the message that "the backup disk image '/volumes//data/ ---'s MacBook pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. ---"s is my administrator designation. I don't know what this means or what I should do. My husband and I both use the same time machine with our MacBooks. It is our router for our home network although for the most part our computers are separate. We share an email site, and some files. I am concerned that we are not backed up securely

Most common message in history of the TC.. something has failed to unmount.. Lion and esp. Mountain Lion are affected.
Simple way.. reboot the TC to lose the connections..
Might take a network reboot.
That means restart the whole network from off.. start in order, modem.. router/TC.. clients. 2min gap between them.
But from 5.6 utility you can disconnnect all users.
Read C12 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

MacPro backed up to Time Machine, added Mac Mini now get "The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Jerry Booher's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use." error when Mac Pro tries to back up

MacPro backed up to Time Machine, added Mac Mini now get "The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Jerry Booher’s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use." error when Mac Pro tries to back up

It is standard Mountain Lion error due to the networking ability which is comparable to wet string. (actually that was lion.. it dried out some with Mountain Lion.. higher in the hills perhaps!!)
See C12 and C17
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
But many people are suffering the same issue..
And the above is even a little out of date.. you might need to do a reset to the TC.
Welcome to Apple's beta program for everyone.

HT3275 My time machine does not back up and giving me this error message: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data-1/Amiel's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. Pls help.

My time machine does not back up and giving me this error message: The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data-1/Amiel’s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use. Pls help.

Make sure that there are no other Macs backing up at the present time.
Pull the power cord from the back of the Time Capsule
Count to ten
Plug the power cord back in
This will "fix" things about 98% of the time. Post back if you are in the unlucky 2% category.

I have not been able to back up for2 days. Time machine error message: /Volumes/Data/David's MacBook Air.sparsebundle" is already in use.

I have not been able to back up for2 days. Time machine error message: /Volumes/Data/David’s MacBook Air.sparsebundle” is already in use.
What now?
Macbook Air.
Was working fine for the past year until now.

See more like this on the right.. this is the most common error reported here since mountain lion came out..
Or read C12.. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Or just restart the whole network.. in right order from off.. modem.. router / TC.. clients 2min gap.

HT3275 Time Machine Error: The backup disk image "Volumes/Data/My Macbook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. (How do I correct this issue?)

Time Machine did not back up:
Time Machine Error; ("The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/My MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use.")
How do I correct this issue?
Thanks!

You need to be careful Bob.. people might take this literally.
Bob Timmons wrote:
How do I correct this issue?
Call the exterminator to get rid of the bugs in Lion and Mountain Lion.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5222487?tstart=0

I try to backup my Macbook with Time machine, it goes fine and at the end it says that it could not be completed because "/Volumes/Data-2/ MacBook.sparsebundle is already in use".. What is that?!

I try to backup my Macbook with Time machine, it goes fine and at the end it says that it could not be completed because "/Volumes/Data-2/ MacBook.sparsebundle is already in use".. What is that?!

See #C12 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting

HT3275 Time Machine backup error message: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Backup Files/Burke iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

I'm getting the following error message from my Time Machine for two days now:
"The backup disk image “/Volumes/Backup Files/Burke iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use."
I haven't changed anyting lately and can't find the problem...

Try just rebooting the TC.. or restart of the whole network, in correct order.. modem.. router/TC.. clients.
Read C12 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Look at the more like this on the right. it is a very common problem.. especially since ML we have this question 5 times every day.

My Time machine won't back up. Recently updated to OS x 10.7.5. Error message is as follows: "The backup disk image "/Volumes/Time Machine Backup/Scott's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use." What is wrong and how do I fix it? Thanks.

My Time machine won't back up. Recently updated to OS x 10.7.5. Error message is as follows: "The backup disk image “/Volumes/Time Machine Backup/Scott’s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use." What is wrong and how do I fix it? Thanks.

Have you tried restarting the computer? Also, see Time Machine Error from this pages sidebar under More Like This.

HT1218 How do I troubleshoot this: Time Capsule cannot complete the backup. The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/ MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use.

This is the second time I've encountered this issue with Time Capsule using Time Machine automatic backup. I haven't found the following specific error message in the list of troubleshooting issues: "Time Capsule cannot complete the backup. The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use."
I'm not certain what causes this issue. I think it may have something to do with having to force shutdown with apps still open when the beachball hangs and the MacBook has to be rebooted.
Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Restart your Mac and the Time Capsule. In most of the cases, this should solve the problem.
If it doesn't work, see > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

I keep getting this error when trying to backup time capsule with time machine. The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data-1/Dan's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

I keep getting this error when trying to backup time capsule with time machine. The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data-1/Dan’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.

Make sure that no other Macs are backing up at the time.
Pull the power cable from the back of the Time Capsule
Count to ten
Plug the power cable back into the back of the Tme Capsule
Wait a few minutes, then try a backup again.

The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Neil-MacBook Pro (171).sparsebundle" is already in use. error message. How do I fix? Ideas

"The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Neil-MacBook Pro (171).sparsebundle” is already in use"
OS X 10.8.1 (12B19)
" error message just started
Mountain Lion
OS X 10.8.1 (12B19)
MacBookPro 2.53 Corei5
All software update installed
Time Capsule : 1TB, 599 of 998GB used
What causes it?
How do you fix it?
How do you stop it happening again?
Any ideas please

Thanks for fast response.
I already tried C12, no luck. I did read C17, but that did not help either.
I agree that Apple should really spend a bit more time on ensuring this common problem is resolved more quickly
But where to do you sent this request to? Doesn't seem easy to find a person to send it to.
I dumped by corporate wIn-pc environment that I was forced to use for the past ...forever. Have been delighted with the Mac experience..... for 24 months..but these type of un-resolved matters with terse error messages reminds me of the bad old days.
I had the problem 2 weeks ago and solved it by "clicking about" after reading the forum Can't remember what i did though. V. V. V. frustrating when the Mac is a business tool. I don't want to be a mechanic, I want to be a driver.
Thanks again for your help

I am running 10.7.5 and getting Time Machine error The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Kathy P's MacBook.sparsebundle" is already in use. what do i do now?

i am running 10.7.5 on an older MacBook and getting Time Machine error The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Kathy P’s MacBook.sparsebundle” is already in use. what do i do now?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for starters.

HT201514 "sparsebundle is already in use"

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