Backup Files Missing on Time Machine

After reformatting the hard drive on one of my macbooks the backup files seem to have vanished from my Time Machine. After reinstalling Lion on the macbook I decided not to restore from a backup as I believed I could restore selected files. The backup files were present prior to the formatting of the Macintosh Hard Drive as are the backup files for my two other macbooks and imac.
The reformatted imac is now connected to the Time Machine but the backup files seemed to have disappeared prior to time machine being turned back on for this machine.
To me this makes absolutely no sense and I hope someone can assist, as what's happened just doesn't seem logical.
I appologise in advance if I haven't provided enough information.

I too have this exact same problem. I recently replaced my hard drive and before doing so, did an entire system back up. When i went to restore the files onto the new hard drive there doesn't seem to be any files to back up from my time machine. Nothing!!! Pls can someone help?????

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