Lion Install does not work, says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups"
I'm having trouble installing Lion onto my macbook pro intel core 2 duo.
I am backing up my computer with an external drive using TimeMachine, but i've disconnected it. Also i'm running SL 10.6.8
I have a windows 7 partition that was created with boot camp.
I've tried to make sure everything is all ready for lion but when I go to install lion it says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and the hard drive is grayed out.
Same problem as this guy: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3190321?start=0&tstart=0
I'm hearing that a file called "Backups.backupdb" is on the top level of the hard drive, but I see no such file. I've looked at the invisible files and I cant find it.
I've also created a bootable flash copy of the lion install but that does not work It gives me the same message "This disk is used for time Machine backups".
"Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine. As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it. Try spotlight to locate it. If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb". If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
Ciao.
Similar Messages
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Can't install Lion on my HD. Says this disk is used for time machine backups
I just downloaded Lion to install on my 2008 macbook and i can't get past the window that asks me to select the disk where I want Lion installed. It says my hard disk is used for time machine backups. Any suggestions on how I can select my hd to install Lion?
ThanksThat means there is a directory on your HD called something like backups. backupdb
It thinks you're using the drive for TM. Delete this directory and it will then load.
Regards,
Captfred -
"Mac OS X cannot be installed on 'Macintosh HD'. This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
I am trying to upgrade our MacBook to Snow Leopard, but when prompted to select which hard drive to install on and "Macintosh HD" is selected, the following message generates: "Mac OS X cannot be instaled on 'Macintosh HD'. This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
I disabled Time Machine switched it "off," put it in the trash can, then "Secure Emptied" the trash can. I also rebooted. Then I connected an external hard drive thinking that might help, but for some reason I still cannot proceed with the Snow Leopard upgrade because "the disk is used for Time Machine backups."
WHAT is the DEAL!?It doesn't sound like an upgrade would work very well anyway. Make sure you have a good backup and repartition the startup volume. Then install Snow Leopard onto the hard drive and migrate your old users and applications.
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When trying to chose a disk on which to install mavericks I get a message that says "this disk is used for Time Machine backups" and cannot be used. Help!
I don't know what will help at this point. You should never update a system that has problems, unless you're absolutely sure that the problems are caused by a bug that is fixed in the update. With your backups in an uncertain state, you should not update or do anything else except start a new backup.
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Can't install Lion This disk is used for Time Machine backups
The Lion installer, downloaded from the app store, won't let me select my internal hard disk, it says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" which it isn't.
Any ideas?
Thanks
NeilI was sure that I had trashed the Backups.backupdb folder from the top level - it did require me to enter my Admin password.
Yes I had tried several times to go back to the terms of agreement screen and click agree once again, but still had the problem.
I had external HDs connected, but disconnected them and the problem persisted.
I restarted my mac and now the message has gone away and I am having no problems installing.
Thanks everyone -
After downloading ,completing the lic agreement phase, the next step is where to install and automatically' MAC HD with 904 gb available this disk is used for time machine backups' is shown and installation is blocked .
Any body got any idea what to do next ?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. -
I can't install OS X mountain Lion to my macbook pro. It says when I'm trying to choose the disk, (This disk is used for time machine backups'. What can I do about it? thanks!
From the Finder's Go menu, choose Computer:
Double-click your hard disk icon. It is usually named "Macintosh HD":
Look for this folder:
Drag it to the Trash. -
I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard. When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed. Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Machine)?
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986
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Cannot install Mountain Lion on my hard disc, as I keep getting the message" 'This disk is used for Time Machine backups'. Which it isn't - I don't use Time Machine
Check to see if you have a folder named "Backups.backupdb" at the root level of your hard disk. That can cause this error message.
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"This disk is used for Time Machine backup..."
I bought my MacBook Air in january 2012 and want to install the new Mountain Lion update. I have downloaded it but when I´m supposed to choose where to save it I can't choose the Macintosh HD because "This disk is used for Time Machine backup..."
What can I do?After 10 days of trying to install Mountain Lion I finally took my IMac t the Apple Store in town. It was still under Apple Care. When I would try to install it I would get a message that this disc (HD) was used by Time Machine. I had read about the Time Machine backup folder some people had mentioned should be trashed. I used "Find" and "Spotlight" and never could find it. My phone calls to Apple Support were non productive. The young lady tech at apple took all of one minute to fix the problem. She simply went to the backup folder which was empty and trashed it. mmediately the Mounain Lion begin the install and problem solved. She said that folder would not show up using Find or Spotlight as they were not to be messed with by the average Joe. It was on the HD but I have forgot how she got to it. The Apple Store was a great experience. You call and make an appointment and take your computer to what they calll the Genius Bar where they have nummerous technicians. They hook it up with you sitting at the Genius Bar as you show them what the problem is and they fix it on the spot in most cases. They will even carry the computer in and out if you need help. They also answered some other tech questions not related to my original problem. They must have the fastest net connection in the world and you are free to walk into the store and use it if you have a big download. On one install it would have taken me 8-10 hours at home while going to the store it took less than an hour. You have a place to put your computer on a bar and a stool to sit on while doing this. No charge of course. I am sure glad I bouhgt Apple Care in this case. A very impressive operation.
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When attempting to upgrade my iMac from Snow Leopard to Mavericks, I receive the message "This disk is used for Time Machine Backups" when I try to select the lone available hard drive. I have ensured that Time Machine is turned off. Upon some Google research, some who reported this problem were told to delete the folder backup.backupdb, but I do not have this folder on my Mac. Any suggestions?
The folder would be at the root of your hard drive. Double-click Macintosh HD and look there.
If it isn’t there, I’m not sure what it is seeing. -
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!
NikIf 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. -
Can't install Mavericks - says this disk is used for Time Machine
Macbook - Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5
34.5 GB free out of 159.18GB
When I try and download Mavericks it says, "OS X cannot be installed on 'Macintosh HD'." I am unable to delete the backups.backupdb file as it says "...unexpected error occurred (error code - 8072)".
Suggestions? Thanks!That means there is a directory on your HD called something like backups. backupdb
It thinks you're using the drive for TM. Delete this directory and it will then load.
Regards,
Captfred -
I know there are discussions out there regarding this but my system is 10.5.8, I know how to turn the computer on and run some programs but understanding partitions, etc...forget it. I have programs on my computer I don't want to lose, images in photoshop that, if lost, I would kill myself so please help me in basic English terms...what the heck do I need to do to update to OS X so I can feel inferior again when I update to OS 7?
Somehow, your internal HD got selected as the destination for TM backups, perhaps long ago.
That left a Backups.backupdb folder at the top level of your internal HD.
All you need to do is open your internal HD (probably named Macintosh HD) via the Finder, locate and delete that folder. -
Unable to install Lion. Installer says disk is used for Time Machine backups. But it's my Mac's HD.
On attempt to install Lion from CD, the installer says: "Mac OSX cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD". This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
I have an external drive that I've been using for Time Machine backups, but it stopped functioning recently and I have not replaced it.
Is there a workaround?
Thx in advance. BryantMaybe this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986 can help you.
Stefan
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