Cannot Partition Mac OS X HDD?

Hi Guys,
So I've installed boot camp several times in the past but for some reason I am having trouble this time.
Basically, when I go to the Boot camp setup utility it as usual goes to partition the HDD at my specified amount, however when it gets to about halfway done a message pops up saying that the disk cannot be partitioned and that I need to backup and then format my HDD to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)"... but the thing is, it is already Mac OS Extended (Journaled)!
The only reason I don't want to erase and start over is because when I backup using Time Machine and then wipe the computer, even though everything is saved in Time Machine when I restore it I still have to go and reinstall most of the applications after the restore.
Is there any way to avoid having to erase the disk? Is there something that is causing this error?
Thanks for any assistance!!!

Use SuperDuper (free for full volume clone/copy).
Makes a bootable image.
Restores nicely.
Everything works (you should boot from and test out your backup).

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Thanks,
Misha

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Starting manual backup
Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://melaniebernitz@Bradley%E2%80%99s%20iMac._afpovertcp._tcp.local/Mel%20MBA% 20External%20Backup
NAConnectToServerSync failed with error: 80 for url: afp://melaniebernitz@Bradley%E2%80%99s%20iMac._afpovertcp._tcp.local/Mel%20MBA% 20External%20Backup
Attempting to mount network destination using URL: afp://[email protected]/Mel%20MBA%20External%20Backup
NAConnectToServerSync failed with error: 80 for url: afp://[email protected]/Mel%20MBA%20External%20Backup
Backup failed with error: 19
To try and fix, I have:
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Starting manual backup
Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://bradley%20katcher@Bradley%E2%80%99s%20iMac._afpovertcp._tcp.local/Brad%20M BA%20External%20Backup
Mounted network destination at mount point: /Volumes/Brad MBA External Backup using URL: afp://bradley%20katcher@Bradley%E2%80%99s%20iMac._afpovertcp._tcp.local/Brad%20M BA%20External%20Backup
Resizing backup disk image from 924.24 GB to 923.9 GB
Disk image /Volumes/Brad MBA External Backup/Brad MacBook Air.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
Using file event preflight for Macintosh HD
Will copy (1.4 MB) from Macintosh HD
Found 63 files (1.4 MB) needing backup
626.4 MB required (including padding), 779.13 GB available
Copied 973 files (1.5 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Using file event preflight for Macintosh HD
Will copy (Zero KB) from Macintosh HD
Found 11 files (Zero KB) needing backup
624.8 MB required (including padding), 779.13 GB available
Copied 248 files (82 bytes) from volume Macintosh HD.
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Starting post-backup thinning
No post-back up thinning needed: no expired backups exist
Backup completed successfully.
Ejected Time Machine disk image: /Volumes/Brad MBA External Backup/Brad MacBook Air.sparsebundle
Ejected Time Machine network volume.
So, to make a long story short, even though the external HDD partitions are mounted and can be read by all MBA's....
-- My MBA has no problem backing up (via TM) to the external HDD physically attached to my iMac
-- Other MBA's can wirelessy back up (via TM) to TimeCapsule on my network, but NOT to the external HDD on the iMac (even though they can remotely see/share files on it).
All in all, I'm at a loss as to why it works for one MBA but not others (since I followed same steps to set up the MBA's for TM).
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

Bkat wrote:
The external HDD has 5 partitions (all Mac OS X Extended Journaled format).
What Partition Map Scheme does it have? (click the top line for the drive in Disk Utility's sidebar -- it will be shown at the lower-right). It should be GUID, but should work if it's APM (Apple Partition Map). If it's MBR (Master Boot Record), a Windows setup and often the way externals come from the factory, that may be the problem. I've never been sure of the details, but there's a message somewhere that says "not all partitions may be accessible" to Time Machine with MBR.
-- tried running TM from different users on each MBA (including adminstrators, of course)
It doesn't matter what user does the setup, or even does a Back Up Now, since the actual backup runs with "root" privileges (permission to everything). It sounds like you have the right Sharing setup on the iMac, but be sure each of those Macs is connecting as the right user on the iMac.
I've not done this myself with multiple Macs (I don't have enough hardware); only one Mac backing-up to a shared drive on another.
Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://melaniebernitz@Bradley%E2%80%99s%20iMac._afpovertcp._tcp.local/Mel%20MBA% 20External%20Backup
Looks like you've got some special characters in some names. I realize two Macs seem to back up ok, but oddly enough, sometimes such characters in names are a problem -- they'll work fine sometimes, but not always. See #C9 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
(I am trying to get my MBAs backed up on both my TimeCapsule and an external HDD connected to the iMac, so I have two backups).
You might want to reconsider using Time Machine for both sets of backups. It's prudent to want two separate backups in case one piece of hardware fails. But what if there's a problem with Time Machine itself, on one (or more) of your Macs? TM is pretty reliable, but no app is perfect. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #27 for details, and the green box there for some alternatives (some of those may not work over a network. CarbonCopyCloner and ChronoSync do -- I use CCC locally, in addition to TM, but not over a network).
Message was edited by: Pondini

You cannot install mac os x update combined on this volume

Hi all,
I need your precious help. I have install in my imac leopard 10.5.7 and last night I tried to update for 10.5.8, however the software update didn't identify the new update.
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lgcustodio wrote:
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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
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How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
A. Repair the hard drive and permissions:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
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How to Clone Using Restore Option of Disk Utility
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the backup or destination volume from the left side list.
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6. Select the startup or source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
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D. Download and install update(s):
1. Use Software Update, or
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Cannot Partition Mac OS X HDD?

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