HT201250 Help for Time Machine

I'm a new user of Time Machine.  I use an external drive.  The progress bar says the backup will finish in 6 days!  is this normal?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

Similar Messages

  • I just purchased Time Capsule today.  I ONLY want to use it as an external drive.  I do not need it for Time Machine. I can see the TC in my finder, but when I click on a file or video to drag and drop, I get message that TC can't be modified. Help please

    I just purchased Time Capsule today.  I ONLY want to use it as an external drive.  I do not need it for Time Machine. I need to free up room on my computer. As of now, I can't even load updates. I can see the TC in my finder, but when I click on a file or video to drag and drop, I get message that TC can't be modified. Help please!

    I agree with Kappy.. passing files and especially via wireless is slow as slow.
    Just need to be sure your TC is the new AC model??
    And the OS on the computer is Lion?
    Have you completed the setup of the TC via the utility? You do still need to get internet via the TC so it has to be plugged into the main router..
    Give us the full picture of the network.
    Then we can help you get into it.. whether you should put your files on it is another question.

  • HT201250 How do I find out what portable drive was the drive I used for Time Machine Backup?

    Hi, I have 10.7.4 and need to figure out what drive I was using for Time Machine Backup.  I have three drives and I have connected each of them to my macbook pro, but I get an error, "Time Machine Error, The backup disk is not available" when I hit the time machine icon on the top of the screen and the "backup delayed" prompt.  If I try Back up Now I get message, "Time Machine could not complete the backup.  Back up disk is not available."  I am trying to figure out what the time machine back up would actually look like as a file on the drives but I don't see a folder/file name Time Machine.  If I enter Time Machine I can see in the far right column, in purple, the last back up date (Sept. 12, 2012), but when I hit it nothing happens.  In the Time Machine preference box the select disk has, in red and to the right, "Delayed" with an "i" within a circle, and the option indicates, "Next backup: when disk is connected."
    I know I have a years worth of backups on one of the three drives, but I can't figure out how the heck to find them or how to determine what was the last drive I used for the backups within Time Machine.  Help please.

    Hi, I have 10.7.4 and need to figure out what drive I was using for Time Machine Backup.  I have three drives and I have connected each of them to my macbook pro, but I get an error, "Time Machine Error, The backup disk is not available" when I hit the time machine icon on the top of the screen and the "backup delayed" prompt.  If I try Back up Now I get message, "Time Machine could not complete the backup.  Back up disk is not available."  I am trying to figure out what the time machine back up would actually look like as a file on the drives but I don't see a folder/file name Time Machine.  If I enter Time Machine I can see in the far right column, in purple, the last back up date (Sept. 12, 2012), but when I hit it nothing happens.  In the Time Machine preference box the select disk has, in red and to the right, "Delayed" with an "i" within a circle, and the option indicates, "Next backup: when disk is connected."
    I know I have a years worth of backups on one of the three drives, but I can't figure out how the heck to find them or how to determine what was the last drive I used for the backups within Time Machine.  Help please.

  • I have just upgraded from a Macbook to a Macbook Air. I have been using a iomega external hard drive for Time Machine, which use a Firewire. However, Macbook Air's do not have a Firewire port and i cannot find an adaptor anywhere. Can anyone help?? Thanks

    I have just upgraded from a Macbook to a Macbook Air. I have been using a iomega external hard drive for Time Machine, which use a Firewire. However, Macbook Air's do not have a Firewire port and i cannot find an adaptor anywhere. Can anyone help?? Thanks

    There has never been a reliable firewire ---> USB adapter suitable for external high speed storage.  This was a major issue when the MacBooks lost the firewire port a number of years ago (Apple subsequently brought it back).
    The only high speed port on the Air is the ThunderBolt port.  There are external ThunderBolt drive options out there, but they're somewhat more expensive than traditional USB/FireWire options.

  • Newbie asking iMac Pros for Time Machine Backup help

    I have tried to do a lot of reading (FAQ & Google Search) about Time Machine. I have to admit it seems more than a bit complicated to me. In fact, perhaps I read and searched too much.
    1) I have a wireless mouse and a wireless key board which work well with my iMac, although my mouse seems to use-up/run-down batteries (I do use rechargeable usually) somewhat fast. I have my DSL modem plugged into the Ethernet slot. I assume that means I can not use an ethernet cable with a Time Capsule drive. Will a wireless Time Capsule drive run as easily as my mouse and keyboard have? I'll be honest, $299 seems a bit steep if my iMac's life is only going to be around 3-4 years. Of course, losing everything on my internal HD wouldn't be a picnic either. I have manually backed up data such as mp3's, photos, and other files onto a Mentor HD, but it is not nearly big enough for Time Machine.
    2) If I were to buy an external drive that I hook-up via USB cable, I need a iMac Pro to give me a good idea as to which ones seem to have had the best "life." I have a 1T internal drive; I assume that I should buy a 1T external drive, although I can't see me actually using that much space. Could I get by with a 500g, I wonder.
    3) Finally, I would really appreciate if you could give me some pointers on what would be the best drive and best way for me to use Time Machine. I can come up with $200-$400 that may be necessary, even if I complain about doing it.
    Thanks in advance if someone can help guide me.

    JohnHusk wrote:
    A) Time Capsule is NOT a wireless external HD as such; in other words, I can not just store my Time Machine backup data on it WITHOUT hooking it up to a Network.
    well, that would be the most convenient solution.
    you can turn the TC's wireless off and, by using an _*ethernet switch*_, could hook up both modem and TC to your iMac's ethernet port. i haven't tried such a setup but i believe it should work.
    another option that i haven't tried would be to share your iMac's internet connection wirelessly with the TC by enabling +internet sharing+ in system preferences > sharing.
    B) I can hook my DSL router into Time Capsule, but then I would have to configure Airport in order to connect my iMac to the internet?
    yes. the setup is very easy.
    C) ... I do not have a home network.
    if your iMac has an airport card, you do
    and I have my printer hooked-up to my iMac via USB.
    the TC has an USB port for sharing e.g. a printer on your network
    I do have a 7-year old working Dell Dimension that is not currently hooked-up to the Internet, unless I remove the Ethernet cable to the iMac and plug it into the Dell.
    again, using an ethernet switch, it can be hooked to your iMac along with the modem. or, it could be connected to one of the TC's ethernet ports.
    in fact, i have both my Macs and my Apple TV hardwired to my TC. additionally, by using *powerline adapters* _*such as these*_, i have an older airport extreme and two PC's connected to it via ethernet as well.
    I'm just not grasping the overall concept too well. I read the section about Time Machine in my "Mac OS X 'In Depth'" Manual. I also have been trying to search the forums and use iMac Basics on the Apple Home Site.
    see _*Time Machine 101*_ for more information.
    JGG

  • "Disk is used for Time Machine Backups" on My air, HELP!

    I am trying to download Mavericks on my mac air. I get almost to the download and it says "Disk is used for Time Machine Backups" I did a backup from my old pro to my new mac air when I got it a month or so back but would that affect it ? Help!

    Time machine needs its own partition to operate. So you are not going install a OSx Lion on that volume.
    If there is enough room you may be able to partition the drive on the fly with DiskUtility
    Are you saying you clean installed Lion and you are trying to move your user Data over with TM via the migration Assistant?  Please explain.

  • Cannot install mountain lion keep getting "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" when trying to install, HELP!!!

    Ok i currently have Lion on my early 2011 15" MBP. When i try to install Mountain Lion to my mac HD it keeps telling me I cannot because its used for time machine backups. I have done a search and I know I have to delete the backups.backupdb folder but I cannot find it for the life of me. If anyone can help I would really appreciate, thanks!
    Nik

    If you double-click on your hard drive icon the Backups.backupd folder should be on the root level of your drive. Sometimes OS X gets confused and incorrectly puts a Backups.backupd folder on your hard drive. That folder should only appear on a drive used for Time Machine
    If you can't find the Backups.backupd folder try using the free EasyFind with both Package Contents and Invisible Files & Folders checked. Search for "Backups.backupd" without the quotes on your hard drive (default selection), not your Time Machine drive. Right-click on the search result and choose to Reveal in Finder. Click on the link that kisuke3 provided and follow those directions
    If you can't find a Backups.backupd folder anywhere try booting into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key right after you hear the startup chime. Keep holding the Shift key down until you see the Apple Logo. The progress bar that appears indicates the progress of the file check that Safe Mode automatically does. Give it time to finish.
    Reboot normally and see if the ML installer will work. If it does wait until Spotlight is finishing indexing before turning Time Machine back on.

  • I cannot install ODX Yosemite over OSX Mavericks as my Mac Book Pro (early 2011) advises that the disc "Mackintosh HD" is used for Time Machine back ups. This is not the case however as I use a separate external HD for this purpose, help please ?!  T

    I cannot install ODX Yosemite over OSX Mavericks as my Mac Book Pro (early 2011) advises that the disc "Mackintosh HD" is used for Time Machine back ups. This is not the case however as I use a separate external HD for this purpose, help please ?!
    Thanks

    Check this link out...
    OS X: Cannot install on a volume used by Time Machine for backups
    I was apart of this thread and it helped the OP...
    Re: System installer thinks my main drive is my time Machine backup and won't install.
    KOT

  • HT201250 Can I partition my external hard drive and use one partion for time machine and the other one for data that i may want to use in different computers?

    I have this doubt. I've just bought an external drive, especifically a Seagate GoFlex Desk 3 tb.
    I want to know if it is recomendable to make a partion exclusively for time machine and let another one so I can put there music, photos, videos, etc that I should need to use or copy to another computer.
    May half and half, 1.5 tb for time machine and 1.5 tb for data.
    I have an internal hard drive of 500 GB (499.25 GB) in my macbook pro.
    Any recommendation?

    As I said, yes. Be sure your Time Machine partition has at least 1 TB for backups.
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to two (2). Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

  • HT201250 How can I revert to my internal drive for time machine backups after using an external drive?

    Hi. I've been using an external drive for time machine back ups and decided to revert to my internal drive, but it isn't available in the time machine options. The only available option is to set up a time capsule, which I don't own.
    Is it because not enough space is available on my internal drive (approx 50GB)?
    Thanks!

    50 Gb free on your internal drive is relly very low and of course not enought for a any kind of backup.
    How big is your internal HD ?  If you have left only 50 GB free it is probably 90% full. Let's imagine you have a 500 Gb. This means 450 Gb data and 50 Gb free.  How can you backup 450 into 50 ?
    Second point. The backup on your internal HD is a nonsense evenif it is big enough. If it stops working you will have no bakup.
    Do you have an iMac or a portable ?
    The portable automatic uses the internal HD if the external is not connected, but this is intended for a short time.
    This could give you some more links to read about  https://discussions.apple.com/message/20726927#20726927

  • I cannot load Maverick on my iMac HD.  It reports that my HD is used for Time Machine backups and will not load to that drive.  I do not use this drive for backups.  Help.

    I cannot load Maverick on my iMac HD.  It reports that my HD is used for Time Machine backups and will not load to that drive.  I do not use this drive for backups.  I use an external 1 TB WD My Book for backups as well as Super Duper Backups. Can anyone offer advice.   Thanks.

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    You have got the "Backups.backupdb" folder in the root level of your hard drive. This is the folder used by Time Machine to save backups to, and the OS X Mavericks installer thought that your hard drive is being used to store Time Machine backups
    To fix this, open a Finder window, select the Go menu (on the menu bar) > Go to Folder, and type:
    Then, delete "Backups.backupdb" and empty the Trash. Finally, open the Mavericks installer from the Applications folder and follow the steps

  • HT201250 How do I reformat a disk to use for Time Machine?

    How do I reformat a disk to use for Time Machine?
    The disk is from Seagate, a GoFlex Home unit that was used originally by someone else with a PC.

    Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

  • HT201250 new external hard drive for Time Machine backup suggestions?

    Ok, I have 3 external hard drives; unfortunately I've used them on my PC and they are read only on my iMac.  So, I need to buy a new external hard drive for Time Machine backup.  I'm a little confused; can I buy any EHD and them format it so Mac can use it or are there special EHD's I need to purchase?
    Anyone have a particular EHD that is working well for you?  Thanks, Blue

    Bluehowler wrote:
    Ok, I have 3 external hard drives; unfortunately I've used them on my PC and they are read only on my iMac.  So, I need to buy a new external hard drive for Time Machine backup.  I'm a little confused; can I buy any EHD and them format it so Mac can use it or are there special EHD's I need to purchase?
    Anyone have a particular EHD that is working well for you?  Thanks, Blue
    Unless you need all three external drives for your PC, you can reformat in one of them in Mac OS Extended (Journaled)  for use with Time Machine. However, since Time Machine backs up hourly, you'd need the external drive to be running constantly. That means ventilation of the drive becomes an issue since some, such as Seagate, can get very hot in their sealed enclosures. Some drive manufacturers try to get around this by spinning down the drive when not in use, but I've read complaints that that doesn't play well with a Mac. So whether you reuse one of your current externals or get a new one, it's a good idea to keep the drive's ventilation in mind.

  • HT201250 Is it possible to use Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive as the backup disk for time machine?

    I have a MacBook Pro for which I have not set up Time Machine. I have a Dropbox account and a Microsoft OneDrive account, each with plenty of space to serve as backups. Is it possible to use either of these as THE backup disk for Time Machine? It doesn't appear intuitive from Time Machine on my MBP.
    Thank you.

    No. Time Machine does not work with "cloud" drives.

  • HT201250 My backup drive I used for Time Machine filled up

    and told me it deleted old backups. Well, thank you very much (not). So I ejected that one, plugged in the new one, selected it for Time Machine and told it to start backing up. Am I'm going to be okay with that? I'm sure there's probably a more sophisticated way to do this. But frankly, I bought an Apple to avoid doing all that nerdwork. For future reference, was there another method I was supposed to use?

    I don't know what that HT1427 means.  I suppose it's secret coding that goes to the mother ship.

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