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.

Similar Messages

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And the above is even a little out of date..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.

HT3275 The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Lee Marriott's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use.

Hello, I get the above message when trying to back up to time machine. It worked previously. I have done the usual things (switch off & on etc). Any ideas?
Thanks!

What router are you using? I got the same problem on and off when I was using a number of brands of WiFi routers. Until one day, I heard that non-Apple routers don't support Bonjour and it makes TM backup unstable. I tried using an Airport router (Express, Extreme and Time Capsule), the backup became stable, in long term.
Is it the solution to your problem? Give me feedback.

The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/David Witkowski's Mac Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. Whenever Time Machine starts to backup to Time Capsuel I get the previous error message. I need some help to fix this.

The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/David Witkowski’s Mac Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use. Whenever Time Machine starts to backup to Time Capsuel I get the previous error message Where can I find this disk image?. I need some help to fix this.
Thanks,
David W

There are multiple answers and solutions if you look just to the right under the heading of More Like This.

HT3275 What if my error message is the following: The backup disk image "/Volumes/********'s Time Capsul/****'s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. (I have redacted the name of the computer with asterixes)

What if my error message is the following: The backup disk image “/Volumes/********'s Time Capsul/****’s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use. (I have redacted the name of the computer with asterixes)

This is a complex procedure.
Pull the power cord from the back of the Time Capsule
Wait a minute or two
Plug the power cord back in to the back of the Time Capsule
This will fix the issue 98% of the time. If you are in the unlucky 2% category, more help is here from Pondini, the Time Machine guru:
The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.

The backup disc image "/Volumes/Data/Mike Nice's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use.???

Why am I getting this message and why will my Time Machine not complete the backup and how do I correct this?

Reboot.. pull out the power plug.. push the power plug back in after 10sec.
Reboot whole network.. same as above.. but do it for everything..
ie turn everything off.. computer, TC, router -Mode.. whatever.. every single computer device in your home.. off.. not in standby.. not in sleep.. off.
Power up.. Modem... wait 2min
Power up.. Router/TC... wait 2min
Power up.. Switch, AP any other network equipment... wait 2min
Power up.. computers, iphone, ipads etc.. ie clients...
Everything should now be working.

HT3275 time machine back up not completed due to backup disk image "/volumes/data/.....imac.sparsebundle" is already in use. How do I fix?

time machine back up not completed due to backup disk image "/volumes/data/.....imac.sparsebundle" is already in use. How do I fix?

Pull the power cable from the back of the Time Capsule
Wait a few minutes
Insert the power cable back in the back of the Time Capsule
This will fix the problem 90% of the time. If no luck, see #C12 in this great support document by Pondini:
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

HT3275 The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/JIP's Mac mini (2).sparsebundle" is already in use.

I have a time capsule that I use for my apple computers. My iMac has no problems but my Mac mini keeps getting this error for backups:
The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/JIP’s Mac mini (2).sparsebundle” is already in use.
What do I do?

Please shift the focus of your eyes to the right side of this page to find the heading of More Like This. There are multiple answers and solutions there.

What is this error mean? The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data-1/James Kranz's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

I'm using the newest Time Capsule (2T) and I just got this error.
The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data-1/James Kranz’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.
It has been running fine (so it think) since I got it a few months ago.

This is your Time Machine backup image on your Time Capsule or other networked storage device that you are using for your backups. To clear this problem, try restarting your Mac, but if that does not work then restart your backup device. Doing these should clear the process that is usiing the bundle, and allow your Mac to properly attach it for use.

HT3275 Can anyone help with this comment below. My Timecapsule cannot backup now: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Bill Smith's iMac 1.sparsebundle" is already in use.

The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Bill Smith’s iMac 1.sparsebundle” is already in use.

Yes, standard ML error.. about 10 posts a day here.
Reboot the TC.. reboot the whole network in correct order if that doesn't work.. modem.. tc.. clients.
Read C12.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

HT3275 My new Time Machine isn't backing up. I now get this message ..."Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to 'Marks Time Capsule'. The backup disc image "/volumes/Data/Mark's Mac Book Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use. *** does that mean?

Hey, my new Time Machine worked a treat for the first couple of days, but now I get a "sparsebundle is already in use" message. Also, the original 153gb backup seems to have disappeared! Any clues with how I can deal with this?

Just reboot the whole network.. restart modem .. router/TC.. clients with 2min gap.
This is the most common problem reported here with Mountain Lion.. although you didn't fill in the profile. ML??
Check also the ML discussion are for Time Machine problems.
Apple made a dog's breakfast of it.

What does this mean: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Dean Wilson's Computer (2).sparsebundle" is already in use.

This message keeps appearing and my time machine is not backing up. What is the reason and how can I fix this?

Maybe this will shed some light on the problem: The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.
OT

I have swtiched to Lion and now my backup to Airport is not working. Error - The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Anik Karimjee's MacBook Air.sparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1).

Hi
I have a time capsule that has been working fine, but I swtiched to Lion and now get this error with no help?
The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Anik Karimjee’s MacBook Air.sparsebundle” could not be accessed (error -1).

See # C17 in Pondini's excellent support document Time Machine -- Troubleshooting
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

HT201514 The backup disk image "/Volumes/Time Capsule-1/Dullahan Mac mini.sparsebundle" is already in use.

My time capsule cant find its disk to back-up to..I have tryed everything.Need help.. Pinhead

Reboot the TC..
Read C12 and although different C17
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

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.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for