My time capsule just keeps looking for a backup disk

I am having problems with my Time Capsule. I try to back up my mac book pro onto my time capsule and it just states "looking for back up disk" and wont go past that. It still works as a shared folder to store files, however it never comepltes a back up. It had been working fine then all of a sudden stopped. I have tried everything. I reformated it back to the factory settings and set it up again. I didn't lose any of the files I had on it using it as a external hard drive. However it still wont back up. Any help would be great as I have tried multiple things. I am currently using moutain lion.
Thanks

Do a full reset of TM..
See A4 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Your reset did nothing to the TC drive.
Try a verify of the backup.. A5 in above reference.. And load the widget, A1 so you know what TM is doing.
If you continue to have issues.. ensure the TC has a short name, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. See C9.. same reference again. Many people use names which are far too long.. it causes issues.
Sometimes mixing data and backups as you are doing has bad effects.. it is certainly not without issues.
Look at Q3 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html
Sometimes it does just bomb.. you do have to wipe the drive.. ie erase and start over. Clearly if you are loading data as well onto the TC.. wiping will require you first off load those files. Consider using a USB drive to keep data and backups separate.

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I got a new mac.. Want to tranfer from my old one.. I'm at the part where it says tranfer info to this mac... It just keeps looking for source! Getting irritated!

I got a new mac.. Want to tranfer from my old one.. I'm at the part where it says tranfer info to this mac... It just keeps looking for source! Getting irritated!

Have you tried Migration Assistant?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889
This also works for Mavericks.

HT4889 Migration assistant doesn't see my 3TB Time machine it just keeps looking for other computers

I just did a clean install of Mountain Lion on my iMac and Migration Assistant doesn't seem to see my 3TB Time Machine. It continuously looks for other computers, and nothing else. I know the files work because I loaded it on my other MBP and it sees them just fine? am I just inpatient or is something wrong?

This happened to me after hard drive replacement under the Seagate Drive Recall at the local Apple Store. Here's what I learned from the process:
I Wagged the Mac home, fired it up (with naked OS installed at the Apple Store), and it wouldn't see my Time Machine drive with Setup Assistant - not on firewire 800 nor USB. Just a grey spinner that lasts forever. When I try just continuing anyway, it offers me something that looks plausible, but then puts up a dialog about duplicate user name, and no matter what I enter, it always says "that user already exists". So I think - maybe Migration Assistant. Complete the setup, create an account, watch the nice welcome movie. BAM - there's my Time Machine drive on the desktop. OK - it has to work . . . but no. Same behavior in Migration Assistant, plus the new OS offers to start making backups on my Time Machine disk - it's not recognizing it at all.
So - back to the Apple Store - let the genius figure it out. It turns out there are multiple problems. First, the "genius" who imaged my new machine picked 10.7.2 but my machine had 10.7.5 - turns out, it's not enough just to have right cat. Even a point release older OS may not recognize a newer Time Machine drive. The guy at the desk said "We have images of everything but the 10.7.2 has free iLife in it, so they like to use that one". What the heck? They don't image what you had originally as a matter of sane process?
Having figured that out, we re-image 10.7.5 at the store thinking we've fixed it. But no - Setup Assistant still won't see the Time Machine drive. Not on USB, not on Firewire. Not in a box, not with a fox.
So here's the second trick - newer machines have a recovery partion. see: http://www.apple.com/osx/recovery/ Boot with the option key held down, pick that partition, then you'll get a "system restore" option, to restore your whole system from a Time Machine backup. My drive was recognized by the recovery partition restore process when neither Setup nor Migration Assistant would. Obviously, there's something broken in Setup/Migration Assistant.
Takeaway:
- if you're getting a drive replaced by Apple, make sure they image *exactly* the same OS
- if Setup Assistant fails, use the recovery partition for system restore
- Use Recovery Disk Assistant http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433 NOW to make yourself a recovery thumb drive just in case. With Apple's new "no media" approach to the OS, you're hosed without it.

Time Machine / Time Capsule restore keeps asking for password.

I have just tried to do a restore from my time capsule, but all i get is "please enter the password" i enter it and it just closes the diolog box and does nothing.
It's the right password as you can see on this video when i try to enter the password incorrectly the window just shakes, I am using lion and Time Machine as only ever backed up this computer when it's had lion installed - so no previous snow leopard back-ups are in there. Is this a known bug? is anybody else having this problem? or does anyone know how to fix it?
check out this video if you want, It shows what's going on a little better. (sorry for the unsteady hand, i was typing as well)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h30fyoPdw

Ok. I got it to work, sort of....
As I mentioned before I tried the "disk password" and the "Time capsule Password" options to see if I can start the back up again or start a new backup. Neither worked. So I tried the firmware down grade, but like you said that did not work. I then decided to try the "Account password" option and I have never used this option before becasue it states that if there is data on the drive it would not be acessable after creating an account. Since I wiped out the disk that was nno problem. When I created the new account and choose the drive it asked for the user name and password. I entered the info for the new account I just created(FYI this has nothing to do with your login username and password), bingo! It worked!
Now I have two partitions on the TC disk. The old one and now the new account. I am guessing this is to be used if I have multiple computers, which I don't.
I any case, I am going to wipe out everything again and try again to do a backup the way I had it before.

Copy time capsule to local external for rotating backups

Hello all,
I have time machine working perfectly with a time capsule. It has well over two year's worth of backups on it. So far, so good.
I also have a locally attached usb drive that I would like to add so I'll have a second backup. I want this to be a "rotating" time machine backup. I want this drive to also have all of my existing backup data on it. Furthermore, I want this to be an encrypted backup just like the time capsule is.
So, how do I copy my time capsule data over to the local usb drive?
Is it as simple as copying the .sparsebundle file from the time capsule over to the local drive and then pointing time machine to it?
PS - I've read Pondini's pages, but none of his scenarios match what I'm trying to do.
PPS - I would normally just go ahead and try it, but we're talking about nearly 1Tb of data so it will take days to copy.
PPPS - I am not at all averse to a little time capsule surgery if it would be better to do the copy with the TC drive attached directly via an enclosure.
Cheers, and thanks for any pointers.

I wanted the local sparsebundle because I can specify the encryption level on it.
However, now that ML supports encrypted local TM backups, a variation on the referenced method may work. I think I could reformat the local drive using an encrypted file system (but I don't think there is an option for encryption level when doing that) and then copy the Backups.backupdb file over.
That should work, I just won't get the higher AES256 option that would be available with a .sparsebundle.
Sparsebundle will not work on local drive.. TM is designed to use sparsebundle only on network drives.. it cannot even see a sparsebundle on a local drive.
On the other hand CCC has a lot more power and flexibility and creates (IMHO better backups).. at least from the restore point of view.. I have used CCC to create a sparsebundle backup on a local drive.. but I have not checked out its encyption ability.

Time Capsule hangs at end of full backup, Disk Utility "not responding"

I'm running a Mid 2011 iMac 27" with OSX 10.8.4 and using a WiFi connected 3TB Time Capsule (4th Gen).
I've noticed that the Time Capsule seems to get stuck at the end of a full back-up (let's say 260 GB of 260 GB) and won't end, even after hours of being left alone.
When I mount the Time Capsule Sparse Disk Image Bundle and then try to run Disk Utility, Disk Utility is shown as "Gathering Information," but the Finder and Activity Monitor list Disk Utility as "not responding." (No disk information is shown in Disk Utility.) This happens both when I connect via WiFi to the Time Capsule and when I connect directly using an Ethernet cable. If I don't mount the Sparse Disk Image Bundle, Disk Utility works fine, immediately showing my iMac's Hard Drive, so it only happens when the Time Capsule Sparse Disk Image Bundle is mounted.
1. Is Disk Utility truly "not responding" or is it just taking forever to load because of the 3TB hard drive?
2. If it truly isn't responding, what can I do to see if the TC needs to be "repaired"?
3. What's going on with my TC that it hangs up at the end of a full backup?
Thanks.

thefliss wrote:
I see an occasional deep node traversal, but sounds like that can be normal.
Not normal, exactly, but TM's way of handling a problem. See below.
Aug 17 21:35:50 Erics-iMac.local fseventsd[48]: event logs in /Volumes/Time Machine Backups 1/.fseventsd out of sync with volume. destroying old logs. (86990 10 86991)
Aug 17 21:35:50 Erics-iMac.local fseventsd[48]: log dir: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups 1/.fseventsd getting new uuid:
Something went wrong with or on the TM drive (Time Capsule in your case), such as a power failure or abnormal disconnection, where OSX was unable to "close it out" properly, so is unsure if all the changes are in the File System Event Store. If you're not familiar with the Event Store, see the blue box in How Time Machine works its Magic for details (it's talking about the one on your internal HD, but OSX keeps one on every drive/partition and disk image, including your TC backups.)
Aug 17 21:36:07 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.backupd[1728]: Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
That's one of the causes of a deep traversal. The UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier, the long string of numbers and letters) for the Event Store on your internal HD doesn't match the one in TM's records from the previous backup, so it must do a deep traversal instead, comparing everything on your Mac to the latest (completed) backup.
Aug 17 21:42:09 Erics-iMac.local diskarbitrationd[22]: mds [39]:22019 not responding.
Aug 17 21:42:09 Erics-iMac.local diskarbitrationd[22]: fseventsd [48]:17923 not responding.
Aug 17 21:42:15 Erics-iMac.local fseventsd[48]: disk logger: failed to open output file /Volumes/Time Machine Backups 1/.fseventsd/0000000000362fde (No such file or directory). mount point /Volumes/Time Machine Backups 1/.fseventsd
Trouble talking to a disk. The first two probably involve the TC, the third one definitely does -- it's trying to create the new Event Store.
Aug 17 21:44:03 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.imfoundation.IMRemoteURLConnectionAgent[1789]: [Warning] Denying xpc connection, task does not have entitlement: com.apple.private.imcore.imremoteurlconnection (IMTransferAgent:1786)
Aug 17 21:44:03 --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Aug 17 21:44:03 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.imtransferservices.IMTransferAgent[1786]: [Warning] Remote loader crashed for request: <NSMutableURLRequest http://init-p01md.apple.com/bag>
Aug 17 21:44:03 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.imtransferservices.IMTransferAgent[1786]: [Warning] Bag loading failed! Error (__kIMRemoteURLConnectionErrorDomain:-1): The operation couldn’t be completed. (__kIMRemoteURLConnectionErrorDomain error -1.) (null)
Out of my comfort zone, but sure looks like some sort of connection problem . . . with something.
Aug 17 21:48:08 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.backupd[1728]: Deleted 3 backups containing 299.76 GB total; 300.65 GB now available, 209.78 GB required
TM did (finally) connect, figured out how much sp it needed, and started deleting old backups to make room. Since it did, actual copying would have started just after that was sent.
Aug 17 22:07:03 Erics-iMac.local com.apple.SecurityServer[15]: Session 100018 created
Aug 17 22:07:06 Erics-iMac.local ScopedBookmarkAgent[1853]: CFURLCreateByResolvingBookmarkData failed with error [Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=4 "The file doesn’t exist."].
Aug 17 22:07:08 --- last message repeated 7 times ---
Aug 17 22:07:08 Erics-iMac.local QuickTime Player[1845]: It does not make sense to draw an image when [NSGraphicsContext currentContext] is nil. This is a programming error. Break on void _NSWarnForDrawingImageWithNoCurrentContext() to debug. This will be logged only once. This may break in the future.
Aug 17 22:08:37 Erics-iMac.local WebProcess[1866]: objc[1866]: Object 0x7fec4841c8c0 of class NSUserDefaults autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking - break on objc_autoreleaseNoPool() to debug
Aug 19 16:35:11 Erics-iMac.local mds[39]: (/)(Warning) IndexQuery in bool preIterate_FSI(SISearchCtx_FSI *):Throttling inefficient file system query
Most of that is also out of my area, but doesn't seem related to the TC or backups.
Hard to tell so far, but it looks like problem is on your network, or power, or with the TC. Trying backups to a directly-connected external HD would be a quick way to confirm that, and especially if these are your only backups, a wise thing to do anyhow.
It's always prudent to keep "secondary" backups, more so if your main ones are on a network, and especially if there's the slightest doubt about them. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #27 for more info and some suggestions.
And/or, start through the list in the green box in #D2 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Can Time Capsule be used simply as a backup disk?

Is it possible to disconnect Time Capsule from the network (with router etc) and use it simply as a backup disk for Time Machine? I would like to go back to using ethernet for internet as it is faster.

To be completely accurate, you cannot exclude the Time Capsule from your network, if you want to use it for anything at all. It does not have to serve as a wireless access point or your router but it does have to be available to your network.
You should also connect your Time Capsule using Ethernet for the same reason - it is faster.

HT1386 iPad just keeps looking for mac but won't sync via wifi

Ipad is plugged in to power, mac is visible but they wont sync

Did you follow the directions here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
Open iTunes
To set up Wi-Fi syncing, connect your iOS device to your computer with the included USB cable. Select your device under Devices on the left-hand side.
In the Summary tab, select "Sync with this [device] over Wi-Fi".
Whenever the computer and the iOS device are on the same network, the iOS device will appear in iTunes, and you can sync it. The iOS device will sync automatically when all of the following are true:
The iOS device is plugged in to power
iTunes is open on the computer
The iOS device and the computer are on the same Wi-Fi network
While the iOS device appears in the left-hand column of iTunes, you can select the content tabs and configure sync options.
Click Apply or Sync to sync the iOS device.
If the iOS device does not appear in the Devices section or you are unable to sync, please see this article for troubleshooting.

HT4796 The migration asst on my pc just keeps looking for my mac but never shows the passcode, so i can't continue. How do I solve this?

How do I solve this?

Did you correctly download and install THIS version on your PC?:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1557
And did you then follow this process?:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1557

Airport Time Capsule gets hung up on virifying backup

Occasionally when I am backing up my MacBook Pro (2011) with latest software to my Time Capsule the verifying backup step gets hung up and does not complete. What do I need to do to keep this from happening? This may happen several times a day.

I stopped the verify back up and then used the "Back Up Now" Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “Bill Lantz's AirPort Time Capsule”. It also stated "The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/William’s MacBook Pro (2).sparsebundle” is already in use.
Does anybody have a suggestion?

Trying to restore from time capsule to nes hard drive, keeps looking for disks ! Can you help

ccan't restore from time capsule to new hard drive, after changing to new HD, after calculating required space to restore it keeps looking for disks! Have have put original OS X install disk 1 in it won't Eject , any help

The very best way to do this is with ethernet to the existing router. Put the TC in bridge mode manually.
Then plug it in to existing router.. we recommend LAN router to WAN on the TC but even that is not 100% necessary.
If you want to link by wireless, to a non-apple router that is bad.. recommend strongly against it. Join a wireless network is super slow.
If you have a desktop Mac you can plug it directly into the Mac by ethernet.
But we need to know how the Mac is connected to internet.
I have given some info on one layout here.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4817218?tstart=30
If you end up relying on an old TC. And any of the models from Gen1-3.. and increasingly Gen4 have all reached EOL.. they can die suddenly and either take your files with them or be hard to recover. Also a TC is slow cf a USB external drive even, which is more reliable. Considering a 2TB is <$100 I would be careful using an old TC simply because you got it free.

HT201250 I had turned off the time machine auto back up and now when I try to turn it back on it keeps looking for a disk even though the time capsule is shown, do I have to set it up again as an initial?

I have been using the time capsule to back up both my iMac and recently added MacAir, it has been working fine but recentlky I had turned the time machine off on the Macair and now when I try to turn it back on it keeps looking for a disk even if I select the time capsule. Do I have to start the backup for the Macair as a new backup?

That happened to my brother earlier. He went into Facebooand then into another app and the same thing happened. he ended up having to restore it. Mine stayed with the Apple logo for a bit but its back to normal after pressing the buttons a million times. I hope you get your problem sorted. Goodluck!

Time Capsule just for backups, not for wifi.

I used to use my Time Capsule for both backups and wifi but constantly had issues, so I just disconnected it in favor of a simple Airport Express. No issues since switching, but now I have this Time Capsule just sitting here and don't do automatic backups any longer...I would like to use solely for back ups, I don't need these backups to be wireless, just for use with Time Machine. I can't find the answer by google, any suggestions?

I am trying to do the same thing but I am having an issue.
I, too, was having issues with using the Time Capsule (new one-2T) as a router and for backup (the Internet was dropping all the time). So I bought a separate router (ASUS RT-N56U) and have that plugged into my Motorola modem. The Time Capsule I have plugged into the router.
Airport Utility and I have become best friends as of late with all the problems I am having and my TC keeps getting lost-AU says that it was part of my network and now can't be found. Strangely, if I go to Open Network Settings from the menu bar and select Assist Me--->Diagnostics--->Select my network--->Continue and when the window pops up about Always Allow Keychain, I click on Always Allow. And that seems to correct the problem with my TC not being found/part of the network. This happens all the time lately.... Ever since I got the new router.
So if you or anyone have any insight into what is going on.... I will try it! Thanks for the help, Judy

I want to take my apple tv from my home in Canada and us it at the Cabin in the States, but can't seem to get it to set up in the states? It just keeps asking for time and date over and over.

We just bought apple tv for our home in Canada, we also want to use it at our Cabin in Montana. We have internet and can get netflix etc on the Macbook, but don't seem to be able to hook up the Apple TV, it just keeps asking for the Time and Date over and over. Anyone know what we are doing wrong?

Hi There,
Find this here:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/20125520#20125520
Problem lies with IOS 6.0
Restore back to IOS 5.1.1 and set the Location to US you will be ok.

HT4718 Installed new hard drive, click on restore from time machine, get to 'select a destination' but just keeps searching for disks.. any help please?

Installed new hard drive and want to restore from time machine.
Get as far as 'select a destination' then it goes no further - just keeps 'searching for disks'
Help anyone please?

1. Be sure your drive is attached and mounted.
2. If you have already written any data to the drive, back it up before proceeding to the next step.
3. In the Finder, choose Go > Utilities. The /Applications/Utilities folder will open.
4. Launch Disk Utility.
5. Click the icon for your external hard drive in the sidebar on the left.
6. Click the Erase tab along the top of the window.
7. From the Volume Format menu, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
8. Enter a name for the external hard drive in the Name field.
9. Click the Erase button.
Make Sure that you choose the correct drive

My time capsule just keeps looking for a backup disk

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