Files missing on Time Machine backup

Here is a strange one.
On my Intel MacBook, I am running 10.5.4.
I ordered an Iomega UltraMax External Hard Drive (500 GB, USB+FW) to
use as a time machine. Reviews on it were good; one person stated that
it may be a good idea to reformat the new drive, even though it
already came HFS+ formatted.
The drive came and I used the FW cable to hook up. Reformatted the
drive as HFS+ Extended & Journaled.
Set it up as the Time Machine Drive and did not add any folders to not
copy in the setup.
Clicked "Backup Now".
After it finished, I noticed that about 60 out of 66 GB copied. Some Folders were empty: Applications, Picture, Documents,... (Checked via TM & via Finder).
I took changed the Time Machine disk to none. I could not eject it (In
use) unless I did a restart.
I reformatted it. Same thing.
Once more, but using USB instead of FW. (Silly, but I had no other
ideas). Same thing. Subsequent TM backups did not correct it.
I don't suspect the drive because of the consistency of the problem. A
scan of this and another forum did not reveal anything similar.
Any ideas?
TIA,
Paul

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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