Error: BACKUP A:.Trashes (current privileges do not allow this operation)?

Question

I recently purchased a Western Digital Elements external USB hard drive, 1TB capacity. I bought this as a backup HD and figured it would be plug-and-play. I’ve owned several external HDs without issues; in fact I own a WD MyBook external drive that is a few years old which has been flawless.
In order to set the HD up for the Mac platform, I followed instructions. I plugged it in and ran Disk Utility to format it. Settings for the formatting are Mac OS Extended (journaled), with Apple Partition Map selected. I set it for one partition.
Everything apparently formats fine. I named the WD Elements HD ‘BACKUP A’. Unfortunately, when I go to run my backup program ‘_Synchronize! Pro X_,’ I cannot do a routine backup! I’ve never had any problems with this backup software, ever, including usage with several external discs (including WD external disks).
Now, when I hit click on the button in _Synchronize! Pro X_ to initiate the backup, I get an error message: ‘BACKUP A:.Trashes (current privileges do not allow this operation)’ and the program stops the operation. I can't resolve the problem. I am not performing a boot-able backup, just a regular backup.
I tried reformatting the WD hard drive several times and I get the same message.
I called Western Digital’s tech service and they also wanted me to reformat and still I get the same error message. Then they had me do it all over, this time connected to my laptop (iBook G4), but nothing changed. WD said they didn't understand the error message: after their technicians failed to get the drive to work w/my backup software, they declared the drive defective and I was sent out another brand new drive (from DELL). I just formatted the new replacement drive for my G5 and when I ran Synchronize! Pro X, I get the same error message! I reformatted this replacement drive but still it makes no difference. Gah!
I am at wits end. I searched the web but can’t find anything. I need to backup my data ASAP and resolve this issue.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks a bunch!!

Answer 1

Another detail from SPX's log:
10/29/10 5:42 PM Starting backup for "Untitled 2".
Backing up THE CAPTAIN => BACKUP A. 5,783 files (5.90 GB) to copy.
* An error occurred while preparing to delete a folder.
Current privileges do not allow the operation.
Path: BACKUP A:.Trashes
* 10/31/10 11:12 AM Backup cancelled. 0 files (0 K) copied.
I'll look into your recommendation a little later regaring possible damaged .plist file.
With Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC), I'm discovering that I have a new backup shortcoming. This new external backup HD is USB (actually, it's my second backup) and since the backup source is a PowerPC, Carbon Copy Cloner cannot create a bootable backup. I need to have my Apple 'Mail' program with all its archived emails, as well as my library>mail downloads, and numerous other system and user files backed up. When using CCC to back up the entire PowerPC source drive to the target USB drive, none of the above listed files are copied.
With a daily routine backup regimen solidly in place, having a second bootable backup drive (and having my mail and associated system files backed up) may not be as mission critical, although I'd certainly prefer all system files associated with my user to be on two separate backups.
However, at present I am nearing completion of a major primary drive upgrade and system reorganization, and my 1st backup drive is an archived backup from before the upgrade....I want to make certain everything is squared away before I erase that archive. Therefore, this new USB HD is my only current backup until I complete the transition. I want security knowing my system user files are backup up before I move forward.