Time Machine crashes when trying to view Mail

Question

Using Time Machine to backup. I can see on my backup drive that it is producing the incremental backups.
In Finder, when I click on TM to view previous times/days, it works fine. I am able to view files and folders that were previously there. I am able to recover old files.
In Mail, when I click TM, it tells me to "Click Restore to retrieve" whatever mailbox I have selected, and then TM crashes within seconds. Mail stays open, as it is not effected.

Answer 1

scottnl wrote:
Using Time Machine to backup. I can see on my backup drive that it is producing the incremental backups.
In Finder, when I click on TM to view previous times/days, it works fine. I am able to view files and folders that were previously there. I am able to recover old files.
That's not the best way to recover files, as you may have permissions or other problems with them. Use the TM "Star Wars" display (once you get it fixed).
In Mail, when I click TM, it tells me to "Click Restore to retrieve" whatever mailbox I have selected, and then TM crashes within seconds. Mail stays open, as it is not effected.
Does that also happen when you go into TM from a Finder window, or iPhoto?
Do you see not only the +Today (Now)+ window, but a "cascade" of windows behind it, and a TimeLine on the right? Is there a starry background, and is it moving?
If all those are "yes," then TM is having trouble reading your backups. Do a +*Repair Disk+* (not permissions) on the drive, via Disk Utility (in your Applications/Utilities folder).
If any of those are "no," this can be caused by any of a number of things. Try these fixes:
If you're using a Finder replacement (such as Pathfinder), be sure the Finder is running.
If you're using Spaces, turn it off temporarily.
If you have a second monitor, or anything plugged-in to a video-out port, disconnect it temporarily.
De-select your TM drive via TM Preferences > Change Disk (select "none"), then re-select the correct one.
Do a "complete reset" of TM, as in item #A4.
Do a +*Repair Disk+* on your TM drive.
Try or create another user (System Preferences > Accounts). If it works ok from that user, delete the file:
+*<home folder of the user where it doesn't work>/Library/Preferences/com.Apple.Finder.plist+*