Time Capsule "looking for backup disk" problems, running Lion on 24" iMac

Hi,
I'm having problems with my Time Capsule. I can't get the backups to run for about a week. The backup just says "looking for backup disk" for ever. This is a first gen Time Capsule, and it's still working fine for two MacBooks in the house. I have all the Apple updates installed, and I'm running 10.7.2. In Preferences, Time Capsule, I can see the available/of space and there is plenty left. It's not showing any Oldest and Latest date info for backups.
If I go to "select disk" and choose the Time Capsule, I'm prompted for the password. When I press "Connect", the message changes to "Stopping Backup" and this will run for ever. I have plenty of disk space available, have repaired permissions, have booted in safe mode, reset pram and nvram and probably a few other options to no avail. I can enter the Time Machine and see all of my backups without problem.
As a side note, I have also noticed instability whereby various programs have been 'not responding' of late, and need to be force quit. Once that happens, the iMac won't properly shut down and restart; I usually need to how down the power button.
Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm having the same problem. Anyone have a fix?
Nozz

Similar Messages

HT3275 How do I correct this problem: "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Robert's Airport Time Capsule." The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Robert's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

How do I correct the following problem?
"Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Robert's Airport Time Capsule".
The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Robert's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

xor. wrote:
I switched off the TM for 10 seconds and my laptop still complains about the backup image ... is in use.
Some ideas?
There is some more details here.
C12 http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Tell us more if you cannot get it working.

Internal Time Machine "looking for backup disk" (not time capsule)

Hello,
I have the infamous "looking for backup disk" issue. My Time Machine drive is an internal drive, NOT a time capsule. It is mounted and visible, and the backups show up on it in the Finder. When I select to enter the Time Machine "starfield" UI, all my previous backups are browsable. But when it comes time to actually back up... it just says "looking for backup disk" forever. I've tried leaving it like that for something like 40 minutes, no joy. This is not a huge disk, there are about 700 GB of backups on it. The HDD activity light on my computer is NOT showing any activity when I am idling but it is "looking for backup disk," so I don't think it's scanning the drive or anything.
I have tried turning TM off and on, removing the drive and re-selecting it, unmounting it and remounting it, deleting the TM preference plist file from the library, rebooting, and all manner of combinations thereof. Nothing seems to work.
Anyone have any advice? This is on OS X 10.8.2 by the way. The TM backup worked fine through 10.8.1 and 10.8.2 with no problems until now. I don't recall doing anything specific to mess up TM or the disks in any way, although I may have turned TM during a reboot cycle prior to this happening (don't recall if this is actually the case, but in any case it shouldn't have caused such an error, no?).
Thanks in advance,
—Gabriel

[Just a note, TM only works on OS X Journaled drives (i.e. HFS+ drives). TM does not back up your FAT drive.]
Isaac:
If you unloaded the NTFS and FAT kexts, your TM backups might (might!) work again, but of course in that case you would not be able to see your FAT or NTFS drives in OS X, and if you removed the FAT kext then a lot of USB keys would be unreadable in OS X - not a good solution.
The kexts are specific to OS X, so removing them should not affect Windows... but may affect boot camp, I don't know how boot camp is programmed (which would be a problem). Luckily if your Windows drive became inaccessable from boot camp with removed kexts, it should be easy enough to simply boot back into OS X, restore the kexts, and then Windows should work again.
I would recommend not mixing partition types on drives with shared OSX/Win functions, it seems to "tempt fate" as it were with possible errors. I don't know what has precipitated this error in your case, if it was the MSE or disk error or something else, and unfortunately I don't have a real fix to offer beyond trying things with the kexts removed and seeing if they work.
NOTE THAT THIS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK, messing with kexts is not a very recommendable practice since these files enable core functionality in the OS. Make a backup before if you can, and consider your options carefully. In OS X, navigate to /System/Library/Extensions and you'll find a bunch kext files. The two you need are msdosfs.kext and ntfs.kext. Copy ntfs.kext into a backup folder (e.g., on your desktop). Delete the original ntfs.kext from the S/L/E folder. Reboot and see if you can still access windows. If so, reboot into OS X and see if Time Machine works again. If you're good on both those points, then consider going without ntfs.kext on a permanent basis – it is rare that you need to read an NTFS drive while in OS X. On the other hand, if this does not fix your problem, you may try restoring ntfs.kext, and backing up / deleting msdosfs.kext to see if THAT is the culprit. Unfortunately, if msdosfs.kext is causing the TM error, you're kind of out of luck, since going without FAT access will be pretty annoying any time you need to use a drive to swap files between Windows and Mac (using a USB key).
Ultimately I don't have a solution, as I have noted, so much as I've narrowed down where the error is occuring in some peoples' cases (like my own). Good luck!

Time Capsule, Looking for backup

Since the recent software update my timecapsule isnt backing up anymore, my drive seems to mount and appear on the desktop and i can see the drive but all i get is looking for backup, in the time machine prefrences i have tried re selceting disks and a few other things but still no joy, does anyone know if this a a bug in recent software and if so how to report to apple, if not any ideas to fix this world be great.
in finder i can see the time capsule drive and drag and drop files in and out with no problem
I have macbook 2GHz intel core 2 duo 4GB Ram running Mac OS X 10.7.3
Time Capsule is running 7.6.1

I have had a similar problem with Time Capsule, Time Machine and Mac OS 10.7.
In french, Time Machine was telling "Recherche du Disque de Sauvegarde" which seems to be similar to "Looking for Backup Disk" and couldn't backup anything.
I've resolved it (while keeping the last backup) with following what is described there :
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17239743#17239743
Below, what I have done in details :
To your own risks... (risk of erasing everything on the mac and of deactivate some functions... and to be unable to recover anything)
It has worked for me but it couldn't for you.
1/ Deactivate Wifi on the Mac
2/ disabled the backup from the preferences panel
No pending backup.
Open "Terminal" app
3/ disabled spootlight:
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
(described here : http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disab...mac-os-x-lion/)
4/ delete the following hidden folders from the diskboot and external drive backup (.Fseventsd and. Spootlight-V100)
4.1/ delete .Fseventsd on the mac, enter :
cd /
ls -l
(you must find .fseventsd and .spotlight-vt100)
sudo rm .fseventsd/fseventsd-uuid
sudo rmdir .fseventsd
4.2/delete spotlight-vt100 of mac :
sudo rm -dR .Spotlight-V100
4.3/ delete .fseventsd of Timecapsule :
cd /Volumes
ls -l (you have to look for the backup directory)
cd Cop* (because for my computer : the name is 'Copies de sauvegardes de Time machine' and it is the single directory name begining by Cop)
sudo ls -l (check presence of .fseventsd et Spotlight-vt100)
sudo rm -dR .fseventsd
4.4/ delete .spotlight-vt100 :
sudo rm -dR .Spotlight-V100
5/ Restart Time Capsule and mac
6/ spootlight rehabilitated (details here :http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disab...mac-os-x-lion/) :
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
and index launch (found here : http://www.printedbyerik.com/2011/08...index-on-os-x/) :
sudo mdutil -i on /
It took 4 hours for 500Go
7/ at the end : put an internet cable between Mac and Time Capsule (it is mandatory)
Launch a backup in Time Machine preferences.
For my computer : 15 hours for 70Go.
3 backup since without any problem.

Time Machine looking for backup disk/not finding

Time Machine backed up the HD on my 2009 20" iMac up till Feb. 4 when I downloaded Since then there have been no new backups of my HD and there have been problems wihen I have Time Machine "on" with other applications (TextEdit, Pages, Adobe Bridge CS4) opening or not responding after being open and with Finder not responding. I have also had grey screen freezes multiple times so that I have to use the power button to shut the computer down. When I take TM off of the Automatic backups, most of the problems with applications quitting and the grey screen freezes stop happening. (Although I believe I've had at least one or two grey screen freezes even then.)
Today I've run Verify Time Machine Backups. It completed that. Then I turned on Automatic Backups again. But then it showed "Looking for Backup Disk". So I selected the Backup Disk. Then I checked back in a while and it still showed Looking for Backup Disk. I removed the selected backup disk, shut down and rebooted, and reselected the backup disk. It is still showing Looking for Backup Disk.
The Time Machine is a 1 Terabyte size. My iMac is using 203.6 Gigabytes of its 319.21 G space.
In looking at what my Finder is showing as the name of my Backup Disk, I see that it is showing my Backup Disk as Virginia's Computer (3). It should be showing my Backup Disk as Virginia's Computer. If this is the source of the problem, how do I get my Backup Disk named back to Virginia's Computer? Is it possible to get it changed back?
My TM is used as a router for two iMacs and up through Feb. 4 I was sharing files between both computers. When the problems started, I turned off File Sharing in the other computer (Jim's iMac). I had noticed that frequently my computer's name as shown on the other computer would be changed to Virginia's Computer (2) or Virginia's Computer (3) and I would change it back when I noticed. Perhaps this is how the problem started.

I finally contacted Apple Support. Three support people and seven and a half hours later Time Machine began working correctly. Multiple things were tried. The Time Capsule ended up getting erased. Many files and folders were deleted from several places on my hard drive. It seemed that the final ones that made a difference after the Time Capsule was erased were files that were in my Keychain.
I have to thank Apple's Support people for persistence, especially Jim who is the one who got things back to normal as far as the Time Capsule & Time Machine goes. I have to keep watch to see if anything acts up now on my hard drive and then the solution will go further. But the issue with the Time Capsule and Time Machine appears to be resolved!
Thank you, Apple Support!!!

Time Machine "Looking for Backup Disk...." to Synology NAS

My time machine used to work well connected from my Macbook Pro (10.8.3) connected to my Synology NAS then suddenly stopped working a while ago.
I have finally got around to looking at it but cannot seem to get it to rework
I folloed all instructions on the http://pondini.org/TM/A4.html full reset option but without success.
I can view all the previous backups on the NAS by entering Time Machine but when trying to backup again now continually get "Looking for Backup Disk...."
Any ideas?

This happens when you backup to a non-apple device.. actually a TC in particular is the only apple supported network device for TM.
Did you try a reboot of the whole network.. and you can verify the backups .. see A5 in pondiini.
The same thing happens even on a USB drive plugged into an Airport Extreme. It can work fine for ages and then just suddenly refuses to connect.
See http://pondini.org/TM/Airport.html
Did this happen when you updated to 10.8.3.. does the date of the last backup correspond to the update? It would not surprise me if they did some little tweak that took out your non-authorised backup method.
Now I have not tried it but lots of these issues started with Lion when the security level in AFP was changed. Security for a file protocol is irrelevant on your local network so really only relevant to using BTMM and iCloud.. which was also introduced with Lion.. that is when everything went to pot.
I would look at the Synology as running better at the older level of security and making the adjustments required on your computer.
See http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4700
I have a NAS and I have the same issue happen a couple of times. I am still using Snow Leopard though so the above suggestion is not a cure all.. I think you just have to accept that Apple builds a walled garden.. if you try and step out of the garden.. anything over the wall.. can be expected to behave badly on occasions. Set up another folder on the synology and start a new TM backup. Or use CCC or superduper etc..

Another "Looking for Backup Disk" problem

Running 10.8.4 to a firewire connected external disk which had been working OK since February 2012. Recently, backups have failed with the above error. The icon is on the desktop and I can navigate through the folders so the Mac can see the disk, it's just Time Machine which can't.
I've tried:
Verifying the disk (all OK)
Repairing the disk (all OK)
After this, it worked when I clicked "Backup Now" but failed next time.
I tried deleting the plist file as suggested in Pondini's list, reselected the backup drive and again it worked first time but not subsequently.
I next erased the drive (I have a clone too) and started again. The full backup worked, as did two "Backup Now" tries at roughly ten minute intervals but as soon as the machine has been asleep for an hour or so, the backup fails. One thing that may be of relevance is that even after I get the message that the disk cannot be found and dismiss it, I cannot eject the drive as it says it's in use.

I tried everything else I could find without rebooting, including Pondini's "full reset." I *had* plugged in a FAT data crystal since the last successful backup, so I think it's quite plausible that this was the root of my problem.
(Mid-2007 iMac, Mountain Lion, up-to-date s/w, local FireWire WD backup disk.)

Stuck in "Looking for Backup Disk" in Time Machine with Time Capsule

I too am having a "Looking for Backup Disk" message going on forever . . . .
I have the following showing in my log (which is for a backup that started almost 6 hours ago . . .)
Starting automatic backup
Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Toni%20Way;AUTH=[email protected]/Data
Mounted network destination at mount point: /Volumes/Data using URL: afp://Toni%20Way;AUTH=[email protected]/Data
Disk image /Volumes/Data/Toni’s iMac.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
I am not getting successful backups. I first thought it was a problem with the WD hard drive I had so I invested in a Time Capsule thinking maybe it would work better with the Mac (i.e. Apple to Apple). I got a few successful backups when I got the Time Machine on June 12th but none since. I only just noticed that I wasn't having successful backups as there was no notification. I have tried a Full Reset as per these instructions with no success:
http://pondini.org/TM/A4.html
Help!

I've successfully changed the name of the Time Capsule to "Toni TC" but still no success. It is still sticking at Looking for Backup Disk.
Still have a space in the name.. No spaces. No non-alphanumeric.
Not that I think that is your problem.
From the log the actual unit is mounted and you have everything working but not actually able to copy packets across the network.
I have an ethernet cable running from my cable provider's router to the Time Capsule and then an ethernet cable running from the Time Capsule to the iMac.
This is good... also turn off wireless in the computer to force connection by ethernet only.
But when I go into Disk Utility, it isn't listed in the left hand side.
Only the sparsebundle will list and only when it is mounted.. TC is a network drive not a local drive. It will not show up in disk utility.
Let me suggest you erase the TC and start over.. sometimes it is the only way to get things going again.
A4 reset of TM. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
And do a verify of the local disk.. A5.
I would also like you to test copying a single large file to the TC.. create a new directory in the TC from finder.. and copy a single large file.. 1GB sort of size and get actual speed measurement from Activity Monitor.

Time Machine stuck at "Looking for backup disk" after installing Windows 8 via Boot Camp

I've been backing up via Time Machine to an external USB drive and it's been working fine. I recenty installed Windows 8 via Boot Camp and now TM gets stuck forever at "Looking for backup disk...".
I've tried the following, to no avail:
Using "Select Disk" in TM preferences to re-select the disk
Deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist
Running system maintenance via Onyx
Resetting PRAM
Formatting the drive and setting it up for TM backups again
The Boot Camp partition is on the same drive as OS X (on a 180GB Intel 330 series SSD). During the Windows installation I re-formatted the partition as NTFS.
If I start OS X in Safe Boot mode, TM backups work. In Safe Boot mode, the NTFS partition isn't loaded so I suspect it has something to do with this. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I installed Paragon NTFS for Mac and it started working all of a sudden.

Time Machine stuck at "Looking for backup disk"

I've been backing up via Time Machine to an external USB drive and it's been working fine. I recenty installed Windows 8 via Boot Camp and now TM gets stuck forever at "Looking for backup disk...".
I've tried the following, to no avail:
Using "Select Disk" in TM preferences to re-select the disk
Deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist
Running system maintenance via Onyx
Resetting PRAM
Formatting the drive and setting it up for TM backups again
The Boot Camp partition is on the same drive as OS X (on a 180GB Intel 330 series SSD). During the Windows installation I re-formatted the partition as NTFS.
If I start OS X in Safe Boot mode, TM backups work. In Safe Boot mode, the NTFS partition isn't loaded so I suspect it has something to do with this. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to assume during the install setup of Windows, you deleted the partition made by Apple and created your own and formatted in NTFS. This is probably the cause as to what happened.
Try this:
1. backup anything you did in Windows 8.
2. In Boot Camp, remove the Windows Partition. Reboot when prompted.
3. Try and see if Time Machine works again.
If its working, create a bootcamp partition and re-install Windows. Do not delete the partitions that Boot Camp created. See if TM works again after that.

I have two Macs that won't back up to time capsule, says The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Douglas Chalmers's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

I have two Macs that won't back up to time capsule, says The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Douglas Chalmers’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.

Please look over to the right of this page for the heading of More Like This.
There are multiple answers and solutions there.

Can I use my Time Capsule as a backup disk and storage?

Can I use my Time Capsule as a backup disk and put files from my other USB external hard drive on it, using the TC as an external as well?

Actually, there is a way to limit the amount of space Time Machine uses for backup so that it won't eat up all your disk space...for example, I have mine set to only use 65GB, and then it starts to overwrite older backups...Google it for more info. To begin with, I deleted my Sparse Disk Image Bundle from Time Capsule, and used Disk Utility to create a Sparse Disk Image Bundle (turn off backups first!!!) with a capacity of 65GB in HFS Journaled, Case Sensitive...The Image must be named as follows "Full Computer Name_Ethernet MAC Address" (The ethernet MAC address is used even if you plan to solely use wifi for backups). for example, my Sparse Disk Image Bundle name is "Ahmad Atiya's MacBook Pro_00254b9d8f72.sparsebundle" Move this image to your time capsule's main directory (if you didn't create it there to begin with). Go to your Time Machine preferences, turn it on, and set it to use your Time Capsule. It should start using the image you created. If you click "get info" on the disk image, it'll show a capacity of whatever you created.

I am getting this error when time machine tries to back up to a time capsule. "The backup disk image "/Volumes/JUDY ARCENEAUX's Time Capsu-1/JUDY ARCENEAUX's MacBook Air.sparsebundle" is already in use." Same time capsule has worked in the past.

I am getting this error when time machine tries to back up to a time capsule. "The backup disk image “/Volumes/JUDY ARCENEAUX's Time Capsu-1/JUDY ARCENEAUX’s MacBook Air.sparsebundle” is already in use." Same time capsule has worked in the past.

First, restart the computer and the Time Capsule. In most of the cases, this should solve the problem.
If it doesn't work, see > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

I can't connect to Time Capsule- error message: Backup disk is not available. Was working fine before.

I can't connect to Time Capsule- error message: Backup disk is not available. Was working fine before.

Restart it.. Does this all the time with Lion and even worse ML.
Restart the whole network if that doesn't work.. do it in correct order.. from off.. modem.. TC.. clients 2min gap.

What can I do when I get this message from my Time Machine? The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Jeanne's iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use.

What do I do when I get this message on my Time Machine? "The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Jeanne’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use."

See C12.
Time Machine Troubleshooting

Time Capsule "looking for backup disk" problems, running Lion on 24" iMac

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