"Time Machine can't complete back-up-."?

I am getting this alert:
"Time Machine couldn't complete the backup Time Capsule #x
The backup disk image /Volumes/my name Time Ca/my computer.. 1 sparsebundle is already in use."
I have 2 Time Capsules set up to backup MBP alternately.
I have no idea what this alert means! 

But I'm still stuck at "preparing backup" for over an hour now.  I used the final suggestion from C12 to diconect and reconnect in TM system preferences.  No fix.
I'm at a loss to proceed other than using that TC as a doorstop and remaining single TC for backup.  I do also use Super Duper.
I wonder if going on to install Maverick will help . . . .
This is a completely different issue to your original one.
"Time Machine couldn't complete the backup Time Capsule #x
The backup disk image /Volumes/my name Time Ca/my computer.. 1 sparsebundle is already in use."
The long preparing for backup is caused by all kinds of things.
I would do a reset of TM.. see A4
Followed by A5 verify of both the local disk and the TM sparsebundle on the TC.
Or cut your losses if you have a superduper backup and just delete the TC sparsebundle and start over. At times this is the only way to go.
I wonder if going on to install Maverick will help . . . .
Not a chance.. any issues that exist in a backup now.. will be worse if not fixed before you do Maverick..

Similar Messages

  • HT1218 ?My time machine could not complete back up.  Says backup disk image"/volumes/data/name's iMac.sparsebundle" could not be accessed error 1??

    Time Machine could not complete the backup.
    The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Name's iMacsparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1 )

    I checked the pondini fixes and ended up doing the following - in case this could help someone else with OSX Lion and Time Capsule... http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    First, I downloaded and used Airport Utility 5.6 instead of 6.1 - BTW, I had to attempt download and installation THREE times before the program actually installed.  Be persistant.
    Pondini #5: It's possible some names (of all things!) may be a problem.    See item C9.  I had to re-name my Mac, Time Capsule, network, etc... to remove all apostrophes and spaces.
    Pondini #7:  If you have WD SmartWare installed on Lion, it's not compatible, per RoaringApps, and there are reports it can cause this problem as well.   Use Western Digital's uninstaller, or delete the app from /Applications and the files com.wdc.WDDMservice.plist and com.wdc.WDSmartWareServer.plist from /Library/LaunchDaemons.   There may also be a file in Library/Application Support.
    I then had to shut down computer, unplug Time Capsule, unplug modem; plug everything in again, then reboot computer; then had to go to Apple- System Preferences- Network- and reselect my Time Capsule to connect to WiFi again.
    Then opened Time Machine preferences again and attempted back up - it worked!

  • Time Machine can't complete backups after upgrading to Yosemite

    I use Time Machine to backup my 500GB MacBook Pro and a 500GB external HD to a 1TB Time Capsule (the laptop and external HD are no where near full). It worked fine until I upgraded my computer to Yosemite. Now I'm get an error message, "Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “Time Capsule'. The backup disk needs 425.12 GB for the backup but only 134.74 GB are available. Select a larger backup disk or make the backup smaller by excluding files."
    How do I get Time Machine working again (without having to exclude files, of course)? Is there a better way then just wiping out the content of the Time Capsule ad backing up from scratch? Thanks!

    Hi there The Zach,
    I would recommend taking a look at the troubleshooting steps for Time Machine backup issues found in the article below. 
    Time Machine: Troubleshooting backup issues
    -Griff W.

  • HT3275 How do I correct this problem - Time Machine could not complete back up. An error occurred while creating the backup folder? The problem started on 5th March but I had backed up to an iomega HD since I got my iMac in October.

    I have had a problem since 5th March with Time Machine on my iMac. I have had no problem since I got the computer in October backing up to an iomega HD but now I keep getting a message that "Time Machine could not complete the backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder". Anyone know how to correct this?

    I had the same "Error creating the backup folder" error - many times over.
    I went into the Disk Utility, selected the Backup Disk and ran Verify. It checked out OK. But if not, could have run Repair.
    Then did a complete shutdown and restart of the iMac and then tried "Backup Now" from the Time Machine icon's menu - it worked fine.

  • Time Machine: can't "go back." Any ideas?

    I installed Yosemite in mid-november, and also created a fresh, new Time Machine backup right after that, so the time machine and this install of Yosemite are basically the same age.
    Earlier today, I discovered that I could not "go back" more than a couple of hours after Entering Time Machine. Apple support suggested a restart, which appeared to fix initially, but I just checked again and I'm back to only being able to go back an hour or two.
    The backups are all there and easy to see in the Finder; it's the TM interface that appears to be failing.
    Any ideas on how to fix this situation?  Do I need to assume the backup is corrupt somehow?
    Thank you,
    rcat

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    Step 1
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem? There will be no snapshots of the home folder.
    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
    Step 2
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

  • HT201250 Time Machine can no longer back up files

    I was using Time Machine to back up files to a WD Elements hard drive. Lately I started to get error messages the back-up failed. Previously Finder would list back-up files for that drive, but now it only shows empty folders. Get Info still shows 60 GB of used space on the external drive. Can I retrieve those files, or is all lost and I must reformat the hard drive?

    I would connect the Time Machine HDD to your Mac and open Disk Utility and select First Aid, Verify the disk and run a Repair if necessary.  If that does not solve the problem, I suspect that the HDD is failing.  Then I suggest transferring the backup data to another HDD, or perhaps just start from square one with a new HDD and back up the entire internal HDD.
    Ciao.

  • Time Machine can not complete the backup...what's up?

    I'm getting this error message which keeps me from backing up: "The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/....sparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1)."

    I have not found a long-term solution (fix), but in my case the volume where the Time Machine backup should occur usually is mounted on the desktop but not as a shared volume (incidated as a drive with the people holding hands superimposed over the drive icon). If I drag the drive to the trash (unmount it), the next time Time Machine is scheduled to run, it completes successfully.

  • After Full System Restore, Time Machine Won't Complete Back Up

    I successfully did a full system restore using Time Machine. The Restore worked but Time Machine has not worked since I completed the Restore.
    It says "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while copying files to the backup volume.." Please help. I don't know what to do. The TM Widget Activity Log is posted below:
    Starting standard backup
    BStarting standard backup
    Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
    No pre-backup thinning needed: 529.6 MB requested (including padding), 30.58 GB available
    Error: (-36) SrcErr:YES Copying /private/var/CheckUpAgent/data.float.net.sent.ca_history to (null)
    Copied 5546 files (34.6 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
    No pre-backup thinning needed: 526.8 MB requested (including padding), 30.54 GB available
    Error: (-36) SrcErr:YES Copying /private/var/CheckUpAgent/data.float.net.sent.ca_history to (null)
    Error: (-36) SrcErr:NO Copying /private/var/CheckUpAgent/data.float.net.sent.ca_history to /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Akili Nickson’s iMac/2011-03-17-080109.inProgress/25E02D47-EB07-4E59-B2D8-0A9CF26A0042/Macintos h HD/private/var/CheckUpAgent
    Stopping backup.
    Error: (-8062) SrcErr:NO Copying /private/var/CheckUpAgent/data.float.net.sent.ca_history to /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Akili Nickson’s iMac/2011-03-17-080109.inProgress/25E02D47-EB07-4E59-B2D8-0A9CF26A0042/Macintos h HD/private/var/CheckUpAgent
    Copied 57 files (23.1 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
    Copy stage failed with error:11
    Backup failed with error: 11

    Akili wrote:
    Hi, and welcome to the forums.
    Error: (-36) SrcErr:YES Copying /private/var/CheckUpAgent/data.float.net.sent.ca_history
    There seems to be a problem with that file. See the blue box in #C3 of [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
    Note that the /private folder is normally hidden, so you'll need to click the +Show inisible items+ box.

  • Using time machine - can you go back restore then come back to now and restore again?

    Hi
    Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere. 
    I just did the latest upgrade to Snow Leopard that came out in the last week or so and my old Australian Tax Office software program called e-Record 6 no longer works. 
    I have Time Machine. 
    I have a really dumb question. 
    If I go back in time to before I did the upgrade - and do a restore - do I also lose all the work and emails etc etc that I have done between then and now? 
    I want to go back in time - to the old version of snow leopard so that my old software works again.  While I am there I want to export all the data out of the program into a spreadsheet and print out all the records so I have them as a hard copy (so I an actually lodge a tax return) and then I want to just come straight back to now and keep going.  I don't want to lose any of the work or emails I have worked on over the past week. 
    Once you restore a to a time past can you then restore to a later backup - say today?
    I hope I am making sense. 
    I really just want to time travel briefly. 
    TIA

    I'm not sure about the TM question; you can try reading Pondinin's TM FAQs to see if it gives a clue.
    First, though, try the v1.1 update which is supposed to have fixed the issue with Rosetta created by the original version.
    If that doesn't fix it, there are a number of threads with possible solutions - this one is typical;
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3704786?start=15&tstart=0 - Chriz555 @ 02:52 GMT 3 Feb.
    An installer to make it easier -
    http://www.educate-it.org/content.php?130-Rosetta-Issue-after-Security-Update-20 12-001

  • Unfortunately Time Machine can't bring back the old version of spotlight...

    Ok so the new spotlight is great insofar as search speed etc., but I can't stand the fact that when I click "show all" it just brings me to a very un-spotlight-like finder search. Where did this beautiful concept go?
    http://media.arstechnica.com/images/tiger/spotlight-window-results.jpg
    This in my mind is way more important than fixing stacks (which I don't mind nearly as much).
    Btw the rest of leopard is amazing, this is my only real gripe.

    If you are connecting the hard drive via USB to the modem/router.......It is extremely unlikely that this device would support a hard drive, and even more unlikely that it would support Time Machine.
    Have you checked the documentation of the modem/router to verify that it will support a hard drive formatted for Mac?

  • Time Machine ERROR: Cannot complete FIRST back up

    Hello all.
    This is my sis's Mac mini, there was apparently a file or system corruption somewhere that it was not able to boot up, so send in for rescue and the tech was able to rescue all the users' data (sis & dad's)
    So Mac mini came home, I reformat the hard disk, ran Disk Utility check and everything OK, and install Leopard 10.5 and iLife 08, and updated them all. Newly-installed apps like Messenger and Skype etc, Time Machine was running OK till now.
    Then I started to move my sis's data (user) into the new folders - data of Mail, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari, etc. And TM starts to back up also, and here's where the problem begins:
    Time Machine fails to complete back up and give this message:
    _Time Machine Error_
    Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while copying files to the backup volume. (OK button)
    Now this is quite obvious one or more files from the old user folder must be corrupted or "simply bad" that creating this problem. I am suspecting it may be the same problem that was preventing me from previously backing up using SuperDuper while the mini was still in Tiger.
    Is there a log file somewhere I can examine to find out which file to delete and not back up? Because the only other way is the start the mac afresh, but I am sure my sis wants her data back.
    Thanks and cheers

    I seem to be experiencing the exact same issue.
    1. I wiped my internal and external HDs and formatted them as MacOS X Extended (Journaled), as per instructions on Support Article: TS1550, with the correct partition schemes for a PowerPC processor.
    2. I re-installed MacOS X Leopard from DVD onto the internal HD, created a new admin account, ran Software Update to add all the patches. Re-installed all third party software.
    3. I re-created my user account using files restored from a DVD backup.
    4. Computer works well, just the same as it always did, except Time Machine cannot complete the first backup.
    I have added the +Time Machine Buddy+ widget and got the following report log:
    Starting standard backup
    Backing up to: /Volumes/Iomega HDD/Backups.backupdb
    Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
    Backup content size: 136.9 GB excluded items size: 311.7 MB for volume Macintosh HD
    No pre-backup thinning needed: 163.95 GB requested (including padding), 931.15 GB available
    Waiting for index to be ready (-911 < 0)
    Error: (-36) SrcErr:NO Copying /Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS/Address Book to /Volumes/Iomega HDD/Backups.backupdb/David Bailey’s iMac G5/2009-02-08-194015.inProgress/C9E9C68B-9FD6-474C-A2E0-BD60ADF3C011/Macintosh HD/Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS
    Stopping backup.
    Error: (-8062) SrcErr:NO Copying /Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS/Address Book to /Volumes/Iomega HDD/Backups.backupdb/David Bailey’s iMac G5/2009-02-08-194015.inProgress/C9E9C68B-9FD6-474C-A2E0-BD60ADF3C011/Macintosh HD/Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS
    Copied 0 files (1.2 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
    Copy stage failed with error:11
    Backup failed with error: 11
    The external HD is an Iomega MiniMax 1TB Firewire/USB Hub HDD.
    The computer is an iMac G5 1.8GHz (no iSight) with 1GB RAM.
    I'm guessing that there is something weird with the Address Book app that is stopping the backup. The app itself launches and runs fine, and also syncs with MobileMe fine.
    Any ideas?

  • Back up with time machine can't finish, because volume with sparse bundle already seems to be in use

    I have problems with time machine. The message I got (in Dutch) is "Het schijfkopiebestand '/Volumes/Back up schijf/iMac van Gerard.sparsebundle' dat voor de reservekopie wordt gebruikt, is al in gebruik." The sparsebundle seems to be in use so Time machine can't finsh back up process. Any idea what I should do to fix this? I'm using time machine over a wireless netwerk, backing up on a NAS form Lacie, connected to the netwerk via airport extreme. Ik normally works well.
    regards,
    Gerard

    http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

  • Time machine can not access time capsule after upgrade from snow leopard to mountain lion

    Two days ago I upgraded my 2009 17" MBP from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion. That evening my time capsule/time machine combination worked fine and did an incremental backup of about 12 gigabyte. Yesterday - only one day later - the time machine backup did not work anymore.
    It appears that the system can not find the time capsule - even though it shows the remaining free space on the time capsule (so it did find it after all).
    The message is always the same:
    Time Machine can not complete the backup "Time Capsule"
    The image of the backup volume "/Volumes/Data/Pauls MacBookPro.sparsebundle" is not accessable (Error -1).
    I also can not delete the backup image on the time capsule since it is read-only. And I do not want to format the time caspsule yet since my wife's MBAir is also using the same time casule.
    I tried out all kinds of suggestions (hard and soft resetting both the MBP and the TC, entering the password again, setting the TC up again) all to no avail. No backup is possible anymore.

    Mr. Zooot wrote:
    Time Machine can not complete the backup "Time Capsule"
    The image of the backup volume "/Volumes/Data/Pauls MacBookPro.sparsebundle" is not accessable (Error -1).
    I also can not delete the backup image on the time capsule since it is read-only.
    Sounds like you got this message earlier:
    If so, see #C13 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
    Offhand, I don't recall anyone not being able to delete one via the Finder (but most were only backing-up one Mac, so just erased the disk).
    You may have to wait for that message to appear again (24 hours later), or you might try holding Alt/Option with the TM icon in the menubar, and select Verify Backups if it will let you.

  • Time machine will not complete backup.

    Time Machine will not complete back-up - 3TB back-up is full and time machine will not automatically delete oldest back-up.

    This happens from time to time. You will need to step in and decide what to do.. Delete manually.. a very slow and fraught process.. or you have to take more severe action.. eg archive off the old backups and start again. You will need a 3TB USB drive to do it.. but IMHO is well worth it. Assuming you need all that history. You can then simply do a quick erase from Airport Utility which takes a minute or two and do a fresh backup.
    Try to eliminate files that are not necessary to backup.. eg the worst is any virtual disk for parallels or bootcamp.. where the slightest change to the smallest file will result in a full backup of the whole virtual disk. You must backup windows etc from inside the OS and not from TM in Mac OS.
    Have you upgraded the computer btw?? I get the feeling that when you upgrade a computer.. say Snow Leopard to Lion to Mountain Lion.. TM has real issues handling the old backups. It is much better to start over.
    Read up from our most productive expert.. Pondini..
    http://pondini.org/TM/C4.html

  • Time Machine Could Not Complete Backup due to sparse bundle already in use?

    Please help……my time machine says…..Time machine could not complete back up……The back up disc image "/Volumes/Data/(our name) iMac.sparsebundle" is already in use        Do I need to reset the TC?   Thank you for any help

    Make sure that no other Macs are backing up at the time
    Pull the power cord from the back of the TC
    Count to ten
    Plug the power back into the back of the TC
    Wait a few minutes, then try a backup

Maybe you are looking for