Help, please, with time machine

I've got my MacBook Pro set up to back up to a Time Capsule using Time Machine. I have three user accounts on my Mac: an admin account just to install stuff, and two standard accounts for different types of work. The standard accounts contain my data and these accounts are both FileVaulted. (The Admin account isn't - it's from there I do my SuperDuper! backups, but that's another story.)
When I'm in either of my standard, filevaulted accounts, the Time Machine icon often begins to rotate. What exactly is it doing at this point, as I understood my filevaulted accounts weren't backed-up until I logged-out of them? Also, when I do log-out, sometimes it tells me it is backing up my account - but not always. Why does it not bother sometimes, and what determines when it does and when it doesn't?
Any help would be gratefully received. Sorry if this has already been dealt with before - just point me to the right thread.
Thanks very much.

powpow wrote:
So, my 2003 iBook was dying a slow death and I had to reinstall Leopard. I did a Time Machine backup first.
After the clean install, I migrated apps/files and all of my applications seemed to transfer fine, but my bookmarks for Safari and Firefox did not import automatically?
Is this a bug? Can I find them somewhere on the Time Machine backup?
Thanks!
The Bookmark directory is located here:
/Users/YourAccount/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari/Bookmarks
Where YourAccount is your username.
If you use Finder to browse to that folder and then start TM you should see all past backups of that folder, if they exist.

Similar Messages

Help needed with Time Machine multiple drives set up

Hello, I need help in finding out if what I want to do is possible.
I upgraded to Mountain Lion today as I understood it can handle multiple back up drives. I see how to add a 2nd back up drive, however I do not see a way to put different folders onto different drives.
iMac - backed to a 3TB DRIVE A via the time machine
iPhoto Library original file - already on the 3TB DRIVE A - so no back up for now!
What I'd like to do is to also back up only the iPhotoLibrary file to a 2nd drive - lets call it 3TB DRIVE B
Can it be done with Mountain Lion or not really? I don't even seem to be able to exclude files from an External Disk actually.
Any other software I could use that would do the trick?
Or do I have to rearrange our already messy set up? I've put the iPhoto Library on the DRIVE A as its a faster drive. but I guess the solution would be to put the iPhoto Library original file onto the slower Drive B and only keep the iPhoto file on it?
Hmm any help or tips greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Marta

Sharlo wrote:
So here's my question: After reinstalling system TM started normal back-up procedure and I get message not enough space on external disk. I use 200Gb for around 100Gb that I have on my computer (I know not so much but works well for me). What I do not get is why does TM need around 30% more space compared to the space I'm using (wants to back-up 130Gb) and why is it not backing-up the system I've just installed but tries to back-up everything from scratch? Is there a procedure to back-up only changed files since the last version?
Ordinarily, that's exactly what TM does. But this situation isn't ordinary. Everything you restored is considered "*new to that disk"* and will be backed-up again. See #14 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum, and http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1338
The 30% you ask about is actually 20%; the initial estimate of the space needed might be low, and TM needs workspace on the TM disk, so it adds 20% (see #7 in the FAQ Tip.)

Help migrating with Time Machine

Hi there!
I have a couple of questions regarding Time Machine,thanks in advance to anyone can help.
I have to sell my Imac and i have to wait for a couple of weeks until i get a new one.
What i need to know is if it is possible mirror my Imac,System,data,settings,files.. everything) into an external HD to later install OSX into a new machine from the external HD,so the new machne is exactly as this Imac am sellng?
Asking because a not sure if Time Machine does that os just saves files and settings.
Also i have a couple questions more regarding Time Machine
Can the external hd be a USB one? or has to be FW?
I never backed up my osx via Time Machine before,does it takes long in copying for he first time?its a 250GB internal drive...
Many thanks again
P

Welcome to Apple Discussions.
pacoclandestino1 wrote:
What i need to know is if it is possible mirror my Imac,System,data,settings,files.. everything) into an external HD to later install OSX into a new machine from the external HD, so the new machne is exactly as this Imac am sellng?
Yes, you can do this TM or what I would suggest would be using SuperDuper or CarbonCopy Cloner. Both will make exact copies/clones. The advantage of SD or CCC over TM is the disk will be workable & bootable.
pacoclandestino1 wrote:
I never backed up my osx via Time Machine before,does it takes long in copying for he first time?its a 250GB internal drive...
Depends how much data is written to it... figure on 1/2 hr to an hour, or a bit longer.
Also i have a couple questions more regarding Time Machine
I never backed up my osx via Time Machine before,does it takes long in copying for he first time?its a 250GB internal drive...
In Intel MAcs the drive can be either firewire or USB but of course the fastest transfer speeds would be firewire 800.
EDIT: Also, The proper way to "clean" a computer before selling it is to zero the hard drive. This will make all your data irretrievable.
Steps for zeroing the drive Disk Utility:
1. Insert your Mac OS X CD-ROM disc or Restore DVD disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key until you see the spinning gear.
2. Once started up from CD or DVD, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu.
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from disc to access Disk Utility.
3. Choose the entire disk (top icon).
4. Choose erase tab.
5. Click on Options
6. Choose "write zeros".
7. Erase
This will take a bit of time because the computer is physically writing zeros to each block.
You should then re-install the original OS from the system disks and deliver the Mac to the new owner with the system disks that shipped with it.
If you want it to boot as new startup and create an admin account:
Then, launch Terminal and type:
sudo rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
Press Return
Then
cd /
Press REturn
Then:
sudo rm -r /Users/yourname
Press return.
Then:
sudo nicl -raw /var/db/netinfo/local.nidb delete /users/yourname/
Press return
Then, shut down the machine immediately.
-mj
Message was edited by: macjack

Help needed with Time Machine

I've installed Boot Camp because I wanted to play an old game. I understood eventually that laptops are not made for that purpose (my one year old MBP was heating too often and I didn't like that). Unfortunately even during that period I've started experiencing some oddness when switching to Snow Leopard 10.6.2. Eventually I've decided to uninstall Windows and after three hours playing with Snow Leopard in order to make it as it was before I understood I'm not qualified enough to mess with plists and I do not know what else, so brut force solution - reinstalling entire system from the Time Machine.
Everything now works very fast, very nice, I've saved time doing that (soooo happy TM saved my life ... again).
So here's my question: After reinstalling system TM started normal back-up procedure and I get message not enough space on external disk. I use 200Gb for around 100Gb that I have on my computer (I know not so much but works well for me). What I do not get is why does TM need around 30% more space compared to the space I'm using (wants to back-up 130Gb) and why is it not backing-up the system I've just installed but tries to back-up everything from scratch? Is there a procedure to back-up only changed files since the last version?
What I'm doing know is just saving old back-up on a second external drive (just in case if something goes wrong) and I'll "clean" my primary TM disk and then install again ... of course if somebody knows how to force TM to back-up only the files that changed ...
Thanks in advance and cheers,
Sharlo

Sharlo wrote:
So here's my question: After reinstalling system TM started normal back-up procedure and I get message not enough space on external disk. I use 200Gb for around 100Gb that I have on my computer (I know not so much but works well for me). What I do not get is why does TM need around 30% more space compared to the space I'm using (wants to back-up 130Gb) and why is it not backing-up the system I've just installed but tries to back-up everything from scratch? Is there a procedure to back-up only changed files since the last version?
Ordinarily, that's exactly what TM does. But this situation isn't ordinary. Everything you restored is considered "*new to that disk"* and will be backed-up again. See #14 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum, and http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1338
The 30% you ask about is actually 20%; the initial estimate of the space needed might be low, and TM needs workspace on the TM disk, so it adds 20% (see #7 in the FAQ Tip.)

Help needed with "Time Machine could not complete the backup" because it is too large

I'm receiving "Time Machine could not complete the backup" because it is too large for the backup disk. I have a 500 GB Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Gen) and a MacBook Pro running on 10.6.8. I just replaced my laptop's original hard drive with a new 1 TB and restored that with what was on my Time Capsule. Now, I have no backups on my Time Capsule prior to the new hard drive. When I click get info on my hard drive, it states only 296 GB of the 1 TB is used. However, the Time Machine error message states that the backup requires 315 GB but only 221 GB are available. It has deleted all of my old backups, so I would think my Time Capsule should have plenty of room to backup the 296 GB on my computer. Is my old backup from my prior hard drive stuck on the Time Capsule and instead of Time Machine trying to just update those files, it is preserving the old hard drive backup separately and trying to make a new backup of my new hard drive using the remaining space? If so, how do I fix this? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Have you read for possible solutions over in the "More Like This" thread over here?----------------------->
Research TM Knowledge Base Articles?

HT3275 Hi anyone help me with time machine issue,

I'm getting message, 'the backup disk image "Volumes/data/Colin M's iMac.sparsebundl is already in use.... and that Time Machine could not complete the backup... so for now can't complete any backups? any solutions or fixes, I'm mistified!
Colin

No mystery.. this is the most common fault reported here.. you are about number 6 today..
If you look down the front page of this discussion are there still should be one or two.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4944252?tstart=0
Do it the easy way.. pull out the power cord on the TC.. count to 10.. (it gives the caps time to discharge). plug it back in.. voila.. crude but effective power switch..
It will in 90% of cases now work.
Welcome to the new Apple. That makes products that need continual reboots to work.

HT1338 I was backing up my MacBook with Time Machine on my new (correctly formatted) external hard drive. It was going fine when my 2 yo knocked the hard drive. Now TM said "failed" and the Mac refuses to recognize the external hard drive. Help please?

I was backing up my MacBook with Time Machine and using my new (correctly formatted) external hard drive. All was going well when my 2 yo knocked the disk leading to a "failure" by time machine (Latest Backup: Failed). Now the MacBook will not even recognize the hard drive. I have rebooted, tried all I can think of, but no acknowledgement of the drive. The drive itself makes noise and vibrates as if working, but nothing from the Mac. Please help or $100 down the drain... Thank you.

You may have already done these resets in the "tried all I can think of " portion of your post.....if not then here they are.....
PRAM
support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
SMC
support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
.....hopefully that is all that is required.....

I backup to an external hdd with Time Machine, when it ran out of space it did not delete old backups, now my internal hdd says its full when before it had heaps of space. I have searched for extra files but cant find any. Can anyone help, please.

I backup to an external hdd with Time Machine, when it ran out of space it did not delete old backups, now my internal hdd says its full when before it had heaps of space. I have searched for extra files but cant find any. Can anyone help, please.

First, empty the Trash if you haven't already done so. Then reboot. That will temporarily free up some space.
To locate large files, you can use Spotlight as described here. That method may not find large folders that contain a lot of small files.
You can also use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper (ODS) to explore your volume and find out what's taking up the space. You can delete files with it, but don't do that unless you're sure that you know what you're deleting and that all data is safely backed up. That means you have multiple backups, not just one.
Proceed further only if the problem hasn't been solved.
ODS can't see the whole filesystem when you run it just by double-clicking; it only sees files that you have permission to read. To see everything, you have to run it as root.
Back up all data now.
Install ODS in the Applications folder as usual.
Triple-click the line of text below to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C):sudo /Applications/OmniDiskSweeper.app/Contents/MacOS/OmniDiskSweeper
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning not to screw up. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.
I don't recommend that you make a habit of doing this. Don't delete anything while running ODS as root. If something needs to be deleted, make sure you know what it is and how it got there, and then delete it by other, safer, means.
When you're done with ODS, quit it and also quit Terminal.

Can anyone help please with my Time Machine, I have been getting the following message The backup disk image "/Volumes/Mac Backup/Stephen Smith's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

Can anyone help please with my Time Machine, I have been getting the following message The backup disk image “/Volumes/Mac Backup/Stephen Smith’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.

See > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

I replaced the original hdd in my early 2008 iMac. I can't move my files that were backed up with Time Machine to my new hdd using Migration Assistant. When prompted to select the "from drive", the ext. hhd does not appears as a selection. Please help!!

I replaced the original hdd in my early 2008 iMac. I can't move my files that were backed up with Time Machine to my new hdd using Migration Assistant. When prompted to select the "from drive", the ext. hhd does not appears as a selection. Please help!!

I'd recommend staring over, Pondini has created an excellent guide on how to use Setup Assistant. I'd recommend begin reading Pondini Setup Assistant tips where he talks about "Second Chance." Assuming your Time Machine backup is sound the restore should be very smooth.
Roger

Help with Time Machine Backups not working..

Let me preface this by saying I have spent the last day scouring the internet for solutions to my problem. I have tried every option that I have run across and have had no luck in resolving my problem. As a last resort, I'm turning here in hopes that you can be of help.
I have a 2012 Macbook Pro running Moutain Lion. I use an external HD for my time machine backups. I am having an issue with Time Machine not functioning. The initial error message I receive when I attempt to use TM to backup is: "Time machine couldn't coplete the backup to Rick's backup disk". "Unable to complete backup. an error occurred while creating the backup folder".
I searched the forums and net and found several things to do to try and resolve this issue. My computer will freeze out and not let me erase, or re-partition the the hard drive, so I switched it over to an older macbook of my girlfriends and am successfully able to erase, and re-partition the drive (using disk utility) as suggested by several forum postings I have read. I am able to run disk verify and disk repair and both say the disk is "ok" with no issues. The moment the erase and partition is done, her computer prompts a message : "Would you like to use this disk for Time Machine Backups" which tells me it is working properly. When I move it back to my macbook pro and attempt to run TM backup, it will now work and copy about 10g of my 120g before shutting down with this error message:
"Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Rick's Backup Disk". An error occurred while copying files. The problem may be temporary. If the problem persists, use disk utility to repair your backup disk."
If i attempt to re-run TM at that point, I get the original error message:
"Time machine couldn't coplete the backup to Rick's backup disk". "Unable to complete backup. an error occurred while creating the backup folder".
If I move the TM back to my Girlfriends computer and attempt to run TM, it will function properly and backup her entire harddrive. When I erase and try again on mine, I always end up back with the same issues. It's clearly something in my macbook that is screwing it up. Can anyone please offer some help! I'd be much appreciative.

rcury4 wrote:
"Time machine couldn't coplete the backup to Rick's backup disk". "Unable to complete backup. an error occurred while creating the backup folder".
See #C10 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting
"Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Rick's Backup Disk". An error occurred while copying files. The problem may be temporary. If the problem persists, use disk utility to repair your backup disk."
Not one of Apple's more informative messages.
There's a problem with a file on your system. See #C3 in the above link. It will show you how to locate the message(s) that describe the problem, then help you fix it. If that doesn't help, post back with details, including all the messages, what you've done, and the results.

New to Mac, Help with Time Machine! Partition External HDD or not?

Hey Guys I'm a new mac user
I need help with time machine
I wanted to know how time machine works and what all does it back up?
I have 2 hard drives one is of 1TB and one is of 320gb
In the 1TB hard drive i store all my music videos and work stuff it is windows formatted
The 320gb hard drive is mac formatted and I was thinking of making a partition on it one with 250gb for time machine and the remaining 70 gb for mac softwares and files. The ssd of my mac has a capacity of 256gb. I have read for time machine you need at least 2x the space of your ssd on your external hard drive but i don't understand if my ssd is only 256 and can store files worth 256gb why do i need double the space? Secondly if I choose to use the complete 320 gb for time machine will that be okay or even if i choose to partition it to 250gb for time machine will that be fine too? Or will I need to format my 1TB hard disk out of which currently only 300 gb is empty and partition that to 500 gb for time machine?
I'm really confused every tells me to use time machine but do I need it? And what does it exactly do?
Your input will be really appreciate thanks

The reason that you want a partition (or drive) of 2-3 times the size of your boot drive for Time Machine is so that you can keep backups further back than just the current boot drive state - for that you'd need to make a clone of the drive rather than using Time Machine (see -> http://pondini.org/TM/Clones.html).
For more information for backups in general, see -> Most commonly used backup methods.
Note that you can't use Time Machine to backup a Windows partition.
Good luck,
Clinton
MacBook Pro (15” Late 2011), OS X 10.??, 16GB Crucial RAM, 960GB M500 Crucial SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

HT1553 i am upgrading my 2008 macbook to an ssd drive and want to save my settings. how do i save then? I have my files backed up with time machine ,but dont want to restore all files ,as there might be some junk backed up too. Help will be appretiated

i am upgrading my 2008 macbook to an ssd drive and want to save my settings. how do i save then? I have my files backed up with time machine ,but dont want to restore all files ,as there might be some junk backed up too. Help will be appretiated

When you restore from a Time Machine back up you can pick and chose what is restored. It is not an all or nothing process. Nor do you have to do the partial restores all at the same time. If days after the first partial restore you find something else you want you can restore just that.

Restoring with Time Machine help!!!

I have searched for many hours for an answer to my problem to no avail. I have seen multiple discussions on here about this issue, but none seem quiet the same.
I use an Intel iMac, 500GB, Snow leopard, and all the most current updates.
While trying to cmd+q Safari from the ESPN fantasy page I received the spinning rainbow ball. I gave it about ten minutes to quit and nothing. I tried to key a force quit and nothing. So I then did a hard reset pressing the power button. Once it restarted the screen froze on the grey startup and seconds later gave me the Folder with a question mark icon flashing. I found the Snow Leopard install disc and put it in to restart. I restarted and held "c" while doing so.
Mac OS X Installer appears and I follow it to a point where I can select >utilities and select disk utility or restart from back up.
I first tried to use my Time Machine backups that are stored on a Lacie 1TB external, but I receive a message that "this disk does have enough space." I tried selecting all the way back a year ago when I started using it to restore. No luck.
Next I tried going to the >utilities >disk utility selection and it only shows the install cd and a hard disk labeled "Media" but in the Total cpacity: it reads 0 Bytes. I don't know where to go from there.
Now I am am deleting the back ups from August 1, 2010 and before to try and free up space and attempt a restore with Time Machine.
Does anyone have any ideas or solutions or anything. I have 120GB of music, CS5, Logic Pro 9, Office, and many other programs all at risk. Yes, I paid for all of them. I just don't have time to spend installing it all again, especially when some of my work depends on them.
Tragic, huh!
Thank you
Chuck

CSmith615 wrote:
Okay, so I have mentioned this twice, in both post that I have written, the hard drive is not showing in the disk utilities,
Yes, I understand you can't see the +*internal HD.+* I advised you to do a +*repair disk+* on your backups.
Tell me that there is nothing I could have done, that it was on the verge of crashing since it was probably under a lot of stress.
Correct; other than dropping your Mac or having it zapped by a power surge, you didn't break the internal HD.
I have already erased some of the backups from August 1 2010 and before. I still have from this past sunday, 21st until August 2nd. Please elaborate how it will corrupt the backups. I plugged the external into my macbook pro and trashed those backups mentioned before.
The message you were getting was that there wasn't enough space on the internal (since it showed zero), not the backups.
If you did that via the Finder or Terminal, they may be corrupted.
Unfortunately, Apple doesn't do a very good job of warning folks not to do that.
You shouldn't have to delete things there, since Time Machine will do it automatically when the disk gets full. But if you want or need to, you can do it via Time Machine without harm. See #12 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
So, repair them per #A5 in [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum). If they're ok, or can be repaired, your best bet when you get your Mac back is to do a full system restore, per #14 in the FAQ.

Is it possible to downgrade to mountain lion with the help of a time machine backup after having updated to Mavericks?

Is it possible to downgrade to mountain lion with the help of a time machine backup after having updated to Mavericks?

Just to be clear, if by downgrade you mean uninstall, then the answer is technically, no.
You can't uninstall an OS. You can erase and re-install the old OS, but if you don't have a prior backup of your data, you'll lose it during the erase procedure.

Help, please, with time machine

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