The backup disk could not be mounted

I get this message when after trying to back up my Mac Book Pro to my Time Capsule. It was working great until a week ago. I have tried just about everything (resetting the TC, changing passwords, changing TC name, etc). Aside from checking it out the window is there any other suggestion?

Is there any way to go back to the factory settings including wiping the memory clean?
It's a two step process.
Step 1 is erasing the disk. Open AirPort Utility, click on Manual Setup, select the Disks icon at the top of pane and then click on the Disks tab just below and choose Erase.
Step 2 would be a hard reset as follows:
Pull the power plug from the TC
Hold in the reset button and continue to hold it in while you plug power back in
Release the reset button after approximately 10 seconds

Similar Messages

Backups failing with error 19: the backup disk could not be resolved, or there was a problem mounting it

Hello all,
Doubt this issue relates to a recent and ugly issue but sharing anyways (resolved thanks to a user here: LaPastenague)
Time Capsule won't backup if Modem (Motorola SB6121) attached
This was on Feb 10th resolved. Few days later I upgraded to Yosemite. Backups were working fine since.
Yesterday I happen to notice my last backup was 5 days ago. I looked in the console logs and saw:
2/25/15 3:55:06.127 PM com.apple.backupd[2777]: Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Paul;AUTH=SRP@Time%20Capsule._afpovertcp._tcp.local./Data
2/25/15 3:55:17.778 PM com.apple.backupd[2777]: NAConnectToServerSync failed with error: 2 (No such file or directory) for url: afp://Paul;AUTH=SRP@Time%20Capsule._afpovertcp._tcp.local./Data
2/25/15 3:55:17.792 PM com.apple.backupd[2777]: Backup failed with error 19: The backup disk could not be resolved, or there was a problem mounting it.
2/25/15 3:57:18.808 PM com.apple.prefs.backup.remoteservice[2021]: Attempt to use XPC with a MachService that has HideUntilCheckIn set. This will result in unpredictable behavior: com.apple.backupd.status.xpc
I called Apple. Their front line was clueless. He suggested resetting the TC (latest "tower" model btw") which then a backup kicked off YEAH
But the next hour it failed
Called Apple again, this time to Sr Advisor. He suggested factory reset of the TC and set up again. Also first backup worked then rest failed
Third call to Apple useless also. He was asking questions I didn't feel relevant. He also was asking me to reset the TC which I told him was done 2 hours prior. He asked me to reboot which I could NOT at that time.
I begged him to collect data to submit to engineering, which will take days to get a reply.
So I thought I would throw this out to the community....
TC Is NEW (replaced from last issue). Mac is 8 months old (iMac 27"), Os is Yosemite, TC also new (latest model)
Thanks...

Yosemite is problematic on two fronts.. Networking and Time Machine.. so the combo of doing both with a Time Capsule is like bugs on bugs.
Here is my standard list.. but your problem maybe difficult to resolve.. and my suggestion is simple.. until Apple get their act together and fix TM.. buy Carbon Copy Cloner and use that for your backup. It is solid and reliable.. even better if you use USB drive plugged into the computer and do a bootable clone.. because then you have a backup that is able to be tested for full functionality 2min after the end of the backup.
This also starts from a factory reset.. but the reason for it is to change the configuration which is much more easily handled with factory reset to begin.. the instructions are there.. because this is my standard reply.. this is not uncommon!!
Factory reset universal
Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
Setup the TC again.
ie Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg TCgen5 and TCwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
Even better if the issue is more wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round.
2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
3. Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking. If the TC is main router it will not be an issue.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
You might need to do some more work on the Mac itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
Tell us how you go.
Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
Start from the bottom and work up.. What I list here is good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
This user has had success and a few others as well.
RáNdÓm GéÉzÁ
Yosemite has serious DNS bug in the networking application.. here is the lets say more arcane method of fixing it by doing a network transplant from mavericks.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

Time Machine Contradiction: "The backup volume could not be mounted"

(This is only one wireless issue I've had this year, but I'm trying to keep this brief -- hoping clarity will instigate some help.)
Recently I bought a Western Digital 500GB drive to go with my AEBS. I was intent upon using the drive as an Airdisk for Time Machine backups, but it isn't working. (I also have the WD drive partitioned in halves, but there is no reason to believe that is an issue.) When wired, the disk backs-up quickly and easily. After the initial backup, and attempting to do so wirelessly, however, it doesn't work. I get the message: "The backup volume could not be mounted."
And there's the contradiction: the disk is mounted, I'm looking at the mounted disk as I type -- I even have no problems reading and writing from the Airdisks independent of Time Machine. I have all the latest software updates and am running Leopard. I've been going at this for hours, but I would really appreciate some help.
Here are some of the things I've tried:
-checking all connections
-erasing the Airdisk and starting from scratch
-repairing disk permissions(on my internal harddrive, the one I boot on, not the WD)
-attempting to "Connect to Server" in the Finder, only to get this:
And if you look, you can see that while the Airdisks are there, they are grey and can't be selected. It
never becomes possible to select them, and "Connecting to Server" never connects.
-I've toggled every Airport Utility setting to no avail(I will admit I might have missed something though).
-I've done everything I can think of
-banged my head into walls...
-and pulled my hair out, but nothing.
I really would like to get this working. This is my worst Apple experience yet, and it is literally making me sick. You will be my God if you can help me with this. Let me know if you need anymore information. Thanks in advance.
<Edited by Moderator>

Okay, so it seems you need to do initial Time-Machine-ing over WiFi if you intend to use it that way. Why nobody at Apple mentioned this baffles me; why this is even a problem, makes me wonder if Time Machine went through adequate testing.
So my problem is solved! I am my own God!
<Edited by Moderator>

Time Machine - "The backup volume could not be mounted" alert

This is a heads-up for anybody suffering from this error when performing Time Machine backups:
"The backup volume could not be mounted"
I had been using this facility fine for months until a few days ago when backing up mysteriously failed. The Apple support KB articles didn't help (eg, reset time machine drive setup, etc).
Apple Support didn't want to help me because they don't "support backups over networks" - sheesh! What happened to "Think Different!"??
Drag and drop your SPARSEBUNDLE file from your backup drive to the Disk Utility.
Perform a Verify Disk operation by clicking on the button.
A normal backup should be able to perform this procedure, but a corrupted one won't.
When trying to perform this on my backup, the Disk Utility would simply return to the original screen without performing anything a second after pressing the button.
In this case, I found deleting the old backup file and starting from scratch restored my computers ability to perform automated Time Machine backups.
I have concluded that the backup file became corrupted in some way - several previous posts have pointed to systems going into standby while backing up files as the cause of this.
Hopefully someone finds this useful one day.

There is a Time Machine preferences file at
<your startup drive root>/Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist
Note: This is be main Library folder, not the one in your user folder.
You might try moving that to the Desktop so that the system creates a new one.

Im getting an error message "the backup volume could not be mounted"

I'm getting an error message "the backup volume could not be mounted"

Is this a new message to a drive that has been ok?
Or are you trying to connect a new disk? If so it is wrongly formatted.
Or is this a TC.. have you tried rebooting or resetting it?

My time machine back up failed because it says the backup volume could not be mounted

My time machine back up failed because it says the backup volume could not be mounted. What does that mean and how do I fix it so that it backs up?

A whole lot about Time Machine for help with TM problems. Also you can select Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu and search for "time machine" to locate articles on how to use TM. See also Mac 101- Time Machine.
Use Disk Utility to repair the TM drive. If that doesn't help, and you don't find help from the above, then erase the drive and start a new TM backup.

Time Machine Error - The backup image could not be mounted

Bought two new MacBooks.
Put first MacBook on LAN connected to TC.
1. Selected Use Time machine Backup
Selected TC
It then sat there for 3 hours "Checking Time Machine Backup.....
The only way out was to power off and power on again
Did 1 again, and again , and again
By now the two iMacs are now reporting either the backup image is Read Only followed by The backup image could not be mounted!!!!
So it seems that the two new MacBooks cannot use TM backups and c]have corrupted our backups!!
Tried calling Apple Care, which I paid for both MacBooks - but they had closed. That was a very useful £400 spent!!!!!!
Arrrrrrgh I had just been bragging about how easy Macs made things
Very frustrating
If I cannot get these going tonight they are back in the box and back to the store in the morning

OK
Called Applecare - took out the £195 Applecare option when I purchased the MacBook.
The AppleCare guy told me said first:-
The TimeCapsule is broken take it in for repairs.
I pointed out the TC was working fine.
Then :-
After explaining again that the Macbook had been sitting for several hours saying it had 1 minute to go before finishing.
"My supervisor says Macs take longer to do things than PCs, give it another two hours then if it still hasn't finished it's last minute call us back.
I challenged him on this he put me on hold again for 10 mins and eventually hung up on me.
That was why I paid and extra £195 for telephone support!!!
Called back again and very helpful guy walked me through some options and escalated to Tier 2, couldn't get anywhere so the only thing left now is to return the MacBooks to the store.
It Appears that Macbooks are incompatible with the Time Capsule.
Never mind Windows 7 is coming soon and I am hearing good things about it.

Time Machine error "The backup disk could not be found"

I use Time Capsule with Time Machine, Lion OS and manage to setup successfully. However after I on it for few hours, there is backup error. Time Machine error message "The backup disk could not be found." But the internet wifi is working normally.
To solve this issue I have to power off and on it again, then the disk can be detected. But after few hours same thing happen again.
Is it a hardware faulty or sometime that cause the Time Capusle harddisk to sleep after sometime?

I have this exact same problem. When I restart the Time Capsule I can then start backups normally, but it requires manual intervention. That's dissapointing because Time Machine and Time Capsule are supposed to be an automatic, worry free backup. I have to restart the Time Capsule frequently. Annoyed.

Time Machine and update to 10.5.3: The backup volume could not be mounted

I have the same problem reported by many others. Read all the posts, tried all the suggestions and nothing is working.
Western Digital 1Tb MyBook connected to an Airport Extreme. I can see the sparsebundle file created previously, open it and see the previous backups, and even Time Machine can see them. It just won't back up to the drive after the update from 10.5.2 to 10.53. No problem, however, having Time Machine backup to a FireWire WD MyBook connected to the iMac after updating to 10.5.3.
I hope Apple is keeping track of this issue. It was working really nice and I was impressed how easy it was to set up.

Having same problem here, 17" 1.67Ghz Powerbook G4, after update to 10.5.3 I get "Backup could not be mounted" with Time Capsule(w/ user accounts).
Attempted, to no avail:
  Deselecting Drive.  Would not let me reselect. Able to after deleting keychain items.
  Restarting with no drive selected, then reselecting.
  Repaired system permissions.
  Mounted Sparse image, and repaired image.
  Choosing backup now
When the sparse image is mounted, i am able to enter it through time machine's view other backup disks, so i think the image is fine.
the console lists the following entries:
5/29/08 5/29 | 11:32:10 PM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[148] Backup requested by user
5/29/08 5/29 | 11:32:10 PM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[148] Starting standard backup
5/29/08 5/29 | 11:32:10 PM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[148] Network mountpoint /Volumes/sean not owned by backupd... remounting
5/29/08 5/29 | 11:32:12 PM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[148] Failed to remount network volume.
5/29/08 5/29 | 11:32:17 PM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[148] Backup failed with error: 19
Iv'e tried everything ive seen recommended, does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Sean

Time machine couldn't complete the backup to "GoFlexHome". The backup disk could not be found. What options do I have? I haven't backed up since October 8, 2014.

Need help fixing issue with backing up my iMac. As of October 8, 2014, time machine can no longer find my "GoFlexHome" back up disk. I think this may be when I update to Yosemite, but can't recall. I am scared to delete my backup since I don't know if that is the fix. I found this info. on-line thru Seagate, http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/219531en?language=en_US, but I am not sure if this will be the fix. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Tara,
Open Disk Utility (Applications - Utilities - Disk Utility) and look to see if your TM drive can be seen. If it cannot then reset the SMC and PRAM (the SMC may need 2-3 attempts), instructions are in iMac SMC and PRAM reset.
If the drive cannot be seen after performing the resets, get another cable and re-attach and look to see if it can be seen. If it still cannot be seen, then the drive may have failed and needs to be replaced. If you have another Mac available, connect the drive to that Mac and see if it is seen on that machine or not.

The backup disk could not be found.

Upgraded to Mountain Lion and ...

Please visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with all things Time Machine.

Backup disk could no tbe mounted

I own a MacBook Pro and an iMac. Since last week, every time Time Machine tryed to backup my MacBook Pro files, it shows a message "The Backup Disk could not be mounted". In my iMac, everything works just fine.
Thanks very much.

I am having a very similar problem with my MacBook Pro and MacBook. Only within the last week have I started getting error messages from Time Machine saying "network backup volume can not be mounted because of a problem with the network username or password." I don't understand why this would suddenly start happening after several months of successful backups. When I go to TM preferences and enter the password, it tells me it's incorrect. What should I do?

The backup volume could not be found

Spent a fair amount of time on the phone with Apple last night trying to get my Macbook Air to work with Time Machine/Time Capsule.
Symptoms of my problem included Time Machine Preferences giving the error "The backup volume could not be found"
Console messages complaining about not being able to find the MAC address for machine:
(console is accessed by clicking Go -> Utilities -> Console from the Finder, and then selecting All Messages)
11/7/08 11:06:13 AM System Preferences[123] *Time Machine failed to get MAC address for machine.*
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] Starting standard backup
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] Network mountpoint /Volumes/Time Capsule not owned by backupd... remounting
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM kernel AFP_VFS afpfs_mount: /Volumes/Time Capsule-1, pid 1604
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] Network volume mounted at: /Volumes/Time Capsule-1
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] *Volume at path /Volumes/Time Capsule-1 does not appear to be the correct backup volume for this computer. (Cookies do not match)*
11/7/08 11:13:09 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] Backup requested due to disk attach
11/7/08 11:13:14 AM /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[1603] *Backup failed with error: 18*
And my only network interface was showing up as en1 (instead of en0). You can check this by using Network Utilities:
- On the Finder main menu bar click Go -> Utilities -> Network Utilities
If "Network Interface (en0)" is not an option in the drop down list under "Please select a network interface for information" (mine was showing as en1), then the following steps will probably solve your problem:
1) Enable the root user
- Open the finder
- On the Finder main menu bar click Go -> Utilities -> Directory Utility
- On the menu bar click Edit -> Enable Root User
- set a password (they suggested using the same password as is used for the main user account)
2) Login as the newly enabled root user
- Click Log Out... from the Apple menu on the main menu bar
- select "Other" at the login screen
- enter the user name "root" and the password you set in step 1
3) Drag Preferences folder to the desktop
- open the finder, and click on Macintosh HD and then Library
- drag the Preferences folder onto the desktop
4) Restart the computer
- Click Restart from the Apple menu on the main menu bar
After this, the Network utility should show "Network Interface (en0)", and Time Machine should work.

Jackson,
See this article for the reasons why you see "Time Capsule-1 does not appear to be the right volume..."
[http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8116036&#8116036]
As for the error message you are getting, here are several reasons why you would see this message...
*_"Backup Volume Could Not Be Found"_*
First, it is important to distinguish this error message from another, similar Time Machine error that states, “The backup volume could not be mounted”. This is important as the causes and cures for these two errors can be very different.
*Reselect Your Time Machine Disk*
(http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1329)
In the Finder, go up to the "Go" menu and select "Connect to Server".
Click the "Browse" button at the dialogue box.
In the Network window that opens, do you see your TM drive?
Double click it to mount the drive.
Now let's try to reselect it for Time Machine use.
Go to System Preferences --> Time Machine.
Click the "Change Disk..." button.
Select "None" and click "Stop Backing Up".
Now click "Choose Backup Disk" and reselect your drive again.
Close System Preferences and try backing-up again.
On the other hand, does your Time Machine drive NOT appear at all? Is it appearing on your desktop? If it is still connected try disconnecting the cable, waiting a few seconds and then reconnecting the cable. Does the drive mount on the desktop? Try initiating a backup now.
*Disk Fails to Wake From Sleep*
“If your external HD has a sleep function that does not wake for Time Machine backups. Time Machine will alert you that "The backup volume could not be found", and backups will not be made.” [http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1337]
*3rd-Party Disk Utilities* #
Many external hard disks come with software for maintaining/monitoring hard disk activities. It may have come on a separate CD or been installed on the drive itself. If these programs have been installed they may interfere with Time Machine backups, generate erratic behavior, or cause the drive to ‘disappear’ altogether.
You may never know these applications are there as they may be running in the background. Go to System preferences --> Accounts. Select your account in the pane on the left. Click “Login Items”. Are there any items listed there that might refer to hard disk utilities. If so remove them using the “-” button at the bottom.
*Delete Time Machine Preference .plist*
It may be that the preference list that stores the name of your designated backup disk has become corrupted.
Go to --> Macintosh HD / Library / Preferences (Note: NOT Home / Library / Preferences).
Drag the .plist file labeled,
com.apple.TimeMachine.plist
to the root level of your Macs’ hard drive.
Reboot your computer.
This .plist file is automatically recreated at startup if it is missing.
Now try choosing the external HD in the TM Prefs for backup.
*Time Capsule Has a Long Name*
“When using your Time Capsule for Time Machine backups in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later, the Time Capsule backup volume may not mount and Time Machine may not be able to back up to it. This alert may appear: "Backup volume cannot be found". This can happen if the Time Capsule disk has a long name. [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1170]
Open AirPort Utility (in /Applications/Utilities).
Click your Time Capsule's icon.
Click "Manual Setup".
Enter the password for the Time Capsule if prompted.
Click the Disks icon.
Highlight the volume name that appears under "Time Capsule Disk".
In the Name field, enter a name for the volume that is less than 27 characters long.
Click Update.
After Time Capsule restarts, on the Mac(s)using Time Machine, open Time Machine preferences and reselect the Time Capsule volume.”
Let us know if any of these suggestions help.
Cheers!

Everything was OK - now have "The backup volume could not be found" error

Setup:
* MacBook Air
* MacBook 10.5.5
* Mac Mini with external hard drive with 2 partitions, one of which is called "Time Machine", 10.5.5
What was working:
MacBook Air and MacBook would backup with Time Machine over wireless connection to .sparseimage files on the "Time Machine" volume connected to the Mac Mini.
Change:
Had to give the MacBook Air back to my old employer, so I "merged" the MacBook Air onto the MacBook (the merge was somewhat convoluted, and unrelated to my issue I think: I used SuperDuper to copy the MacBook Air hard drive onto a new SATA notebook drive. Then I installed that drive in the MacBook. Then I used Migration Assistant to copy the user from the original MacBook SATA drive onto the new drive in the MacBook. Now I have two users on the MacBook, whereas before I had one use on each of two computers).
Symptom:
Now I cannot use Time Machine to backup the MacBook to the "Time Machine" volume. Everything I've tried causes Time Machine to briefly "prepare" the backup, then return the error "The backup volume could not be found". Things I've tried:
* Mounting the volume "Time Machine" on the MacBook, under either user, works fine - I can write, read, and delete from the volume.
* Deleting the old .sparseimage backup files from the "Time Machine" volume.
* Erasing the "Time Machine" volume with Disk Utility on the Mac Mini.
* Using "Change Disk..." in Time Machine to re-select the volume "Time Machine"
* Using "Change Disk..." in Time Machine to select None, then restarting, then re-selecting the volume "Time Machine"
* Making the volume "Time Machine" read/write by guests, then connecting to it from the MacBook as a guest instead of as an admin user.
* Repairing permissions and/or repairing disks using Disk Utility on all applicable volumes.
* Tried all of the above under both users on the MacBook (both of whom are Admin users)
None of these things have worked, they all exhibit the same symptom when I manually start a time machine, or when I wait for Time Machine to automatically start the backup.
Any ideas of what I can try next?

Consider these reasons for this error...
*_"Backup Volume Could Not Be Found"_*
First, it is important to distinguish this error message from another, similar Time Machine error that states, “The backup volume could not be mounted”. This is important as the causes and cures for these two errors can be very different.
*Reselect Your Time Machine Disk*
(http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1329)
In the Finder, go up to the "Go" menu and select "Connect to Server".
Click the "Browse" button at the dialogue box.
In the Network window that opens, do you see your TM drive?
Double click it to mount the drive.
Now let's try to reselect it for Time Machine use.
Go to System Preferences --> Time Machine.
Click the "Change Disk..." button.
Select "None" and click "Stop Backing Up".
Now click "Choose Backup Disk" and reselect your drive again.
Close System Preferences and try backing-up again.
On the other hand, does your Time Machine drive NOT appear at all? Is it appearing on your desktop? If it is still connected try disconnecting the cable, waiting a few seconds and then reconnecting the cable. Does the drive mount on the desktop? Try initiating a backup now.
*Disk Fails to Wake From Sleep*
“If your external HD has a sleep function that does not wake for Time Machine backups. Time Machine will alert you that "The backup volume could not be found", and backups will not be made.” (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1337)
*3rd-Party Disk Utilities* #
Many external hard disks come with software for maintaining/monitoring hard disk activities. It may have come on a separate CD or been installed on the drive itself. If these programs have been installed they may interfere with Time Machine backups, generate erratic behavior, or cause the drive to ‘disappear’ altogether.
You may never know these applications are there as they may be running in the background. Go to System preferences --> Accounts. Select your account in the pane on the left. Click “Login Items”. Are there any items listed there that might refer to hard disk utilities. If so remove them using the “-” button at the bottom.
*Time Capsule Has a Long Name*
“When using your Time Capsule for Time Machine backups in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later, the Time Capsule backup volume may not mount and Time Machine may not be able to back up to it. This alert may appear: "Backup volume cannot be found". This can happen if the Time Capsule disk has a long name. [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1170]
Open AirPort Utility (in /Applications/Utilities).
Click your Time Capsule's icon.
Click "Manual Setup".
Enter the password for the Time Capsule if prompted.
Click the Disks icon.
Highlight the volume name that appears under "Time Capsule Disk".
In the Name field, enter a name for the volume that is less than 27 characters long.
Click Update.
After Time Capsule restarts, on the Mac(s)using Time Machine, open Time Machine preferences and reselect the Time Capsule volume.”
Let us know if any of these suggestions help.
Cheers!
Message was edited by: Glenn Carter

"Time Machine could not complete the backup. The backup disk is not availab

I have a Seagate 750 MB external disk connected to the USB port of my Airport Extreme Base Station. It worked fine with Time Machine under Leopard but it's not working the way it was under OS X 10.6.2. I'm hopeful someone can help me solve the problem.
Let's say the name of my Airport Extreme Base Station is "Airport." If I remember correctly, under Leopard time machine would start a wireless backup not long after I turned on the Seagate drive. That no longer happens.
I've erased and re-formatted the Seagate drive with 2 GUID partitions, one for my 24" iMac and one for my 17" MacBook Pro. Both computers are about 3 years old. In order to do the re-partitioning, I had to unplug the Seagate drive from the base station and plug it into one of the iMac's USB ports. If I didn't do this, nothing other than the iMac's drive appears in the left pane of Disk Utility, although the name of my base station, i.e, "Airport" does appear in the Finder and PathFinder (a replacement for Finder that I use).
In fact, Time Machine works under 10.6.2. as long as the Seagate drive is plugged into the iMac's USB port. As soon as I plug the Seagate drive into the USB port of the base station, Time Machine no longer works. The backup is "delayed." When I click on "Back Up Now" a few seconds go by and I get the following dialog box: "Time Machine could not complete the backup. The backup disk is not available."
In my Airport Extreme Base Station setup (Airport Utility version 5.4.2), the "Disks" pane sees both partitions on the Seagate drive. File sharing is enabled on the "File sharing" pane and "Secure Shared Disks:" is set to "With a disk password." "Airport Disks Guest Access:" is not allowed, nor is "Share disks over WAN."
When the Seagate drive is plugged into the base station and I click on "Airport" in the Finder or PathFinder, I'm prompted for the password I mentioned above because the shared disks are secured with a password. Once the password is typed, both partitions on the Seagate drive appear in Finder and PathFinder. When I try a Time Machine backup at this point, I get the same error I described above, i.e., "Time Machine could not complete the backup. The backup disk is not available."
One last thing, I did an "Archive and Install" when I upgraded to Snow Leopard since I thought the changes were relatively minor as compared with past OS X upgrades. Normally, I do a clean install but didn't feel like it this time. I also tried deleting the file /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist to no avail and restarted my iMac to no avail.
At this point I'm completely stumped. As I said, Time Machine works as long as the Seagate drive is plugged directly into one of the iMac's USB ports as opposed to the base station's USB port. But doesn't this defeat the purpose of having wireless backup? Once again, the wireless backup worked fine under 10.5.8.
I hope my message is clear and a solution would be most welcome.
Thank you,
Richard

I'm having the same problem. If my TimeMachine drive is not connected, I'll get the "Time machine could not complete the backup" "The backup disk is not available" warning a couple times a day. This is extremely problematic if I'm giving a presentation. I have tried changing my TimeMachine drive, removing that drive, repairing permissions, and have not been able to solve the problem.
Please help!

The backup disk could not be mounted

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