Time Machine "could not create backup folder" error

I recently changed to a new Time Machine drive (external LaCie Porsche 1TB) connected via USB to my early 2009 iMac running Lion. I set up the drive with a single GUID partition, MacOS Extended (Journaled ) format, and copied my old Time Machine backups over from an older drive via the disk utility restore function. The disk worked fine for a while, then after several backups I get recurring Time machine errors that tell me it cannot create a backup folder. When I run Disk Utility to repair (after turning off Time Machine), it cannot unmount the disk. After a force eject (required because I am told the disk is in use when trying to eject after a Time machine fail), the disk mounts, no problems are found by disk utility, and Time Machine works for awhile. Then more of the same "cannot create backup folder" error. The backups work fine a few times, whether the iMac is put to sleep or not, then the error occurs again. Any suggestions on how to make this work without error and without constantly unmounting/remounting the disk? I had previously used a different, smaller LaCie drive via firewire 800 without any problems ever.
Thanks

I have been wrestling with the same problem for a few weeks.
I eventially solved the problem after determining that the problem is not in the Time Machine program.
It does not seem to exist in Snow Leopard but in Lion and Mountain Lion.
I have several drives on my system: firewire and USB 3.
I observed that one or more of my USB 3 drives become read only after some time even when the Time Machine is off. Firewire and USB flash drives are allright.
I am now running all three USB 3 drives off a Targus USB 3 hub. I got mine from Office Depot.
The power supply for this hub is rated at 4 amperes. Maybe the USB 3 drives need more power.
Some other steps I went through may be of interest:
I updated the firmware on my Wester Digital 1TB drive for the Mac form downloads fron WD sites. I also downloaded the WD Smartware.
However, I found an article that recommended partitioning the drive as journaled case sensitive.
Prior to doing this, the Time Machine would sometimes backup as much as 40 GB even when nothing had been added to my computer. Now backups without activity by me add only a few megabytes.
I noticed that under system profile beginning with 10.7 that the drive storage is shown by category with the sizes listed. This goes on in background all the time. It is possible he USB 2 ports and hubs may not be able to handle this activity.
I have had my computer, a late 2007 iMac with 4 GB of ram, checked by Apple.
This worked for me,
Ken Lipman

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HT201250 My Time Machine is not backing up and gives me this error report, 'The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Valarie'siMac.sparsbundle" is already in use. Time machine could not complete backup. Can anyone help me?

My Time Machine is not backing up and gives me this error report:
The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Valarie'siMac.sparsbundle" is already in use
Time Machine could not complete backup
Can anyone help me?

Look at the discussion on the following forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3882138?start=0&tstart=0
The responses given there may help.

WEIRD "Time Machine could not complete Backup" error

So this started back in Leopard 10.5.
I used Time machine once and didn't like it so I turned it off and unhooked the external drive.
Ever since that time, I get a Time Machine could not complete Backup error window that pops up every 2 hours or so it seems.
I updated to Snow Leopard and still got this problem all the way up to 10.6.8.
I have now updated to Lion and I STILL get this stupid annoying error.
My TM is OFF and there are no drives selected anywhere.
What should I do ?

Very true, I didn't even tink about that... but.....
I did have TimeMachineEditor but it was already set to OFF.
I also had another program (Time Machine Scheduler) that was also set to off.
****, I would have loved it to be that !!!

HT3275 time machine could not complete backup because it says a (filename).sparsebundle is already in use. Anyone know what that is?? and who could be already using my file?

Do you understand this error message? Time machine could not complete backup because it says a (filename).sparesbundle is already is in use.
What is the sparsebundle extension?

See here...
The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.
From Pondini’s excellent Information Here...
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.htm

HT3275 Have OS 10.7.5. Computer off three days and now message comes that Time Machine could not complete backup because the "/volumes/PH's timecapsulPro.sparsebundle" is already in use. Whats that about?

Have OS 10.7.5. Computer off three days and now message comes that Time Machine could not complete backup because the "/volumes/PH's timecapsulPro.sparsebundle" is already in use. Whats that about?

Two Solutions for "sparse bundle already in use" Error
Simple solution (from Bob Timmons):
1. Make sure that no other Macs are backing up the Time Capsule at the time
2. Pull the power cord from the back of the Time Capsule
3. Count to ten
4. Plug the power cord back into the back of the Time Capsule
If Simple doesn't work:
The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.

HT3275 Time Machine could not complete backup

Time Machine could not complete the backup. The backup disk image “/Volumes/Gary Curtis's Time Capsule/Mac Pro (2).sparsebundle” is already in use.
What does that mean?

Aloha again LaPastenague:
I too continue to have problems with my TC. I can always get it back on line, using your receip. In fact it's pasted on to my monitor. The problem is it only lasts for awhile, 3 or 4 days, and I have to do it all over again.
Do you know if Apple is working this problem?
Dan Page

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

Time Machine Could Not Complete Backup (Error -1)

I have a Time Capsule that started to report errors and failing to back up. The first error was -109. So I researched it and performed a couple Terminal commands. Back ups still didn't take so I then erased the disk via Airport Utility on the Disk pane. Just did a quick-erase. Back ups again didn't take. What would happen is it would start to do a full system back up and then just stop at some point in the process. No errors were reported. I also have the machine connected via Ethernet instead of wireless during this testing. Next I erased the drive again using Airport Utility, but this time zeroed out all the data. When attempting to back up next it was asked if I wanted to use the disk since characteristics of the disk had changed from zeroing out. Now I get this error -1 and haven't bothered to spend much more time. I only have about 1 more week and change left on the warranty so I'll hit up AppleCare when they open next week, but does anyone know what may be the deal here? Below is output from Console.
12/25/10 8:25:34 AM com.apple.backupd[6720] Error -1 creating backup disk image
12/25/10 8:25:34 AM com.apple.backupd[6720] Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Time Machine/iMac.sparsebundle, status: -1
12/25/10 8:25:39 AM com.apple.backupd[6720] Backup failed with error: 20
12/25/10 8:25:39 AM kernel AFP_VFS afpfs_unmount: /Volumes/Time Machine, flags 0, pid 6745
12/25/10 8:25:39 AM com.apple.backupd[6720] Ejected Time Machine network volume.
Thanks.

Crees! wrote:
12/25/10 8:25:34 AM com.apple.backupd[6720] Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Time Machine/iMac.sparsebundle, status: -1
It can't create the sparse bundle to put your backups in. Considering the history, the internal HD is most likely dying.
You may want to make an appointment at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store; they may test it a bit and just hand you a new/refurbished one.

The time machine could not complete backup.The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/onkar dhillon's iMac.sparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1).

Having difficulty backing onto my time capsulse and keep getting this error message.
Can anyone Help please??

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

Time machine could not complete backup

I am getting the following message "the backup disk image "volume/.....macbookpro.sparsebundle." culd not be accessed (error -1)"
I am backing up to a NAS drobo FS
have a partitioned time machine drive
was able to make a complete backup just an hour ago
but now even though I've restarted the drive and my laptop and I can access the drive and see it on my network, and I can see it when am in time machine but when I go to make a back up I get the same error message no matter what I do
any thoughts?

Did you check under More Like This to the right of the page? There are numerous solutions there, like the first one, for example:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18051491#18051491

Help required - Time Machine could not complete backup

So my Time Machine has been acting up as of yesterday. I've been using TM to backup my data for several months now. It backs up to a 200GB partition on my external hard disk (WD My Book Studio, 1TB, connected via FireWire 800), and has been working fine from the time I got it.
Now, though, it says it can't complete the backup. "This backup is too large for the backup disk. The backup requires 840.5 MB but only 179.5 MB are available." TM is, of course, supposed to delete older backups when it runs out of space, so I'm not sure why this is happening. The "Notify after old backups are deleted" option in Preferences is not checked. I haven't made any major changes to my iMac; no restores, or formats, or new HDD. The only change is that I upgraded to Snow Leopard a couple of weeks ago.
Also, when I enter Time Machine, I notice that there are only two states that I see. One for the current state, and one for my last successful backup (yesterday at around 1620 hours). That's it. What the heck happened to all the previous months' worth of backups?
Any advice would be appreciated.

McDowski wrote:
Thanks for the answer. I apologise for my late response; it's been a busy few days.
I realise that 200 GB isn't a lot, but the amount of data that is in my internal HDD that needs to be backed up is, frankly, quite small. Probably no more than 50-80 GB, which is why I figured 200 would be enough. Also, I didn't think it was an issue, since my understanding was that TM would simply erase previous backups and keep going.
Yes, it will erase all but the latest one, trying to make room. Sensibly enough, it won't leave you backup-less!
I think it was only my last backup that was quite large, mainly because I had added a large amount of media. Anyway, if I now wanted to continue with backups (assuming I don't have much more space on my drive to increase 200GB limit), I guess the only thing for me to do is to delete the backup which I have and start over? Or, alternatively, get another HDD? Or do you have another suggestion?
Short term, it does look like your only option is to erase the partition and let Time Machine start over. The problem with that is, of course, if you erase it, you have no backups temporarily. Since you do have one from 8/6, if you can get a bigger drive quickly, you may not want to take the risk of something going wrong.
Long term, especially if these are your only backups, I'd vote strongly for another external HD, and let Time Machine back up everything (or nearly everything). That way, when (not if) your internal HD fails, or something else awful happens to your Mac, you'll be able to do a full system restore. That takes a while, of course, but it will restore your entire system to the exact condition it was in at the time of any backup you select. But if you have to exclude important things, you'll have a very tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone task ahead of you.
Be sure to get one that's going to be plenty large for your future needs, not just current.

Time machine could not complete backup there was problem with network username or password......

This has been happening on and off for a month. Only way I have found to cure it is to power off the new airport time capsule and let it reboot. Currently I have to do this every second day. I got in touch with apple care earlier and they got to me change base station name to a short one but it did not fix the problem.

I presume by wireless names you mean the network list on the MB Pro. I use the achine at several locations so have the TC wireless at top of list.
Yes.. sorry I am being single focused on to a problem without thinking of what a laptop is used for.
The keychain has multiple identical entries for the TC any idea why?
No, but I would guess historical. I will need to explore that further as I have never looked into it.
are dashes - ok in disk name?
Yes, if you need them. But I would prefer to see you keep all the names very short.. there is a total length of URL that becomes a problem.. that is why I would prefer people to use really short names for everything. I mean like 8 characters average.
Is there likely to be a proper fix or do I just have to mount it again everytime it looses it.
AFAIK the issue was barely acknowledged in 7.6.4 firmware as fixing it.. which of course it didn't. There is something bigger going on.. and has afflicted Apple OS since Lion.. so do I see a sudden realisation that there is a problem and a fix.. no.. because now they use the MS trick.. just release a new OS or firmware and start the process with a whole new set of bugs instead of patiently fixing the last one.
That is not meant badly.. i became a refugee from Windows during the Vista experiment.. so I arrived at Snow Leopard from about 10.6.7 and I marvelled at how stable.. how simple.. how wonderful it all was. It seems to have not improved at all though.. rather the MS curse has been inflicted.
It seems to happen when I use the same account name on a desktop imac. Is this likely to cause the problem.
Now that is interesting. Further testing until you can reproduce the problem would be well worth it.. I doubt this is the whole answer because it happens to people with one computer and one TC.. but if you can trigger the problem with a different computer using the same account that could be good info for apple software developers if they pay attention.

HT3275 I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup." "Unable to complete backup." "An error occurred while creating the backup folder.""

I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup." "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.""
This MAC is partioned with Windows 7 with only 50 gig devoted to Windows so my son can play Flight Simulator X on the machine.
I have a WD Passport External Hard Drive for the Back Up
I have spoken with WD Tech Support and they have been fantastic but I still keep getting this message. Any thought?
Maxx

Reboot the TC.. it sometimes gets lost on the network.. are you still actually using 10.6.8 as the problem is more prevalent on Lion and ML it seems is no better.
You might find reset of the TC is needed. change the names to short, no spaces pure alphanumeric.
Reset the TM to the new name.. use the A4 in Pondini's great KB.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

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.

HT201250 my back up keeps giving me a message that "time machine could not complete the backup folder. It just keeps popping up and I have to cancel it to continue using my computer. Any thoughts on my problem would be appreciated.

My computer keeps getting a message that "Time Machine could not complete the backup. It continues, "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred creating the backup folder. I have to clear the pop up from my screen to continue using the computer. It is getting very tiresome. Any thoughts?

Hi there dean93,
You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
Time Machine: Troubleshooting backup issues
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3275
-Griff W.

Time Machine "could not create backup folder" error

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