Backups on the disk, but can't access via Time Machine

Time Machine runs without announcing any errors. Browsing the Time Machine drive in Finder, I can see that TM is actually making the backups. But when I enter Time Machine, I can't access any of the backups.
This began under Snow Leopard, but not immediately upon installation. The more immediate change was when I added a new drive to serve as the Time Machine drive. From looking at the disk in Finder, it looks like the backups are all there, back to the date I plugged in the new drive (Sept 7).
Can anyone tell me why this happened? I recognize I could reformat the drive and start over to see if things start working again, but is there any way to kickstart things and preserve the existing backups?

Pondini wrote:
chicagopjp wrote:
But when I enter Time Machine, I can't access any of the backups.
What, exactly, do you see? Do you see a Finder window, labelled +Today (Now)+ ? Is there a "cascade" of Finder windows behind it, but just dark shadows, and you can't click on them? Do you see the background full of stars, and are they moving?
Yes to all of the above; exactly.
There are some things that can cause problems with the "Star Wars" display itself.
One is, it doesn't have separate preferences, so it uses the Finder's instead. If you're using Pathfinder or another Finder substitute, turn the Finder back on.
I just use Finder.
If the Finder's preference file is corrupt, it can cause problems. Delete the file
*<your home folder>/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Finder.plist* and try again.
Done --- no change.
Try the things in item #E4 of the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip.*
Done -- no change.
I do appreciate your help. Any other suggestions?

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