Time machine Error "unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the back up directory."

I had the above error and used Time machine Buddy to get the log:
"Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/Home Back UP/Backups.backupdb
Error: (-50) Creating directory 2011-10-08-114232.inProgress
Failed to make snapshot container.
Backup failed with error: 2"
Anyone know what could cause this sort of error?

File System Errors
-50 paramErr Error in user parameter list
Open Disk Utility after turning off TM, Verify or Repair both Drives, (not Repair Permissions).
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, then trash this file & reboot...
/Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist
And this file if it exists...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.TimeMachine.<12digitHex Number>.plist
Setup TM again.

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Time Machine: Error occurred while creating the backup folder

Mac Mini 2.53 GHz, 8 GB DDR3
OS X 10.8.4
Time Capsule 1 TB, connected via ethernet
Airport Utility 6.3.1 (631.4)
"Time Machine Error. Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself. Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume. I have used Pondini's superb troubleshooting page with the following results:
A1: Time Machine Buddy Widget. Partial log from backup attempt:
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/.Backup.400571203.603238.log.
Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
Error: (Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=640 "You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space." UserInfo=0x7f88a330cef0 {NSFilePath=/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89, NSUnderlyingError=0x7f88a33056a0 "The operation couldn’t be completed. No space left on device"}) Creating directory 598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89
Failed to make snapshot.
Backup failed with error: 2
Ejected Time Machine disk image: /Volumes/Data/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4).sparsebundle
Ejected Time Machine network volume.
A4: Full reset of Time Machine. Done, did not change error from occurring on next backup attempt.
A5b: Verify backups on Time Machine. Done, successful (no problems).
C10: Also attempted switching out ethernet cable and tried different ports on the Time Capsule, to no effect.
I have no exceptions listed in Time Machine preferences (under Options) and the box for "notify when deleting old backups" is UNchecked.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

grifftastic wrote:
I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself. Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume.
"You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space."
Yes, it's so full it can't get started -- not even far enough to start deleting old backups.
If you have other data there (not usually a good idea), move some of it elsewhere temporarily, and try again.
If not, manually delete a couple of old backups, and "compact" the sparse bundle, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #12.

I am getting this error message on my iMac. Time Machine unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the back up folder. Any ideas on how to fix???

i am getting this error message on my iMac. Time Machine unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the back up folder. Any ideas on how to fix???

See Pondini's TM FAQs

HT3275 an error occurred while creating the back up file. What to do to remedy this

What can be done to remedy the notice" a problem ocurred while creatng backup folder?"

See Pondini’s excellent Information Here...
http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html
More Info here > http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.htm

My time machine won't complete a backup. Error occurred whiIe creating the back up folder. I am using passport

How to get time machine to complete back up. Error message says Back up not completed. Error occurred while creating the back up folder.
I checked both the HD for Mac and the Time Machine.
help!

See Pondini's TM FAQs

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

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

Hello Drake, I suspect one or more of the Drives needs repairing, but...
Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Can't imaging something not being covered there.

HT3275 The error message I get with Time Machine is 'Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.' Any idea how I solve this problem?

I am a little perplexed. The Time Machine does seem to be backing up my data but I continually get the following message displayed on my screen 'Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.' I am using a WD My Passport for Mac portable hard disk drive.

Hi Peter,
http://pondini.org/TM/C10.html

HT3275 what do I do when time machine says: Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder?

I am trying to back up my imac using an external storage: My passport Studio 1TB. Each time it trys to back up Time machine says: Unable to complete back up. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know how I can fix this problem? Thanks

Plowie,
Do a search in Discussions, "An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
Many of us are having this problem and no fix has been offered, that I could find.
Unless you call "eject the external HDD; turn off; turn back on" a fix. That's what I have to do every 2 or 3 days; I even have to "force eject", with the concomitant warning message that you could lose data, etc.

HT3275 Time Machine Problem? Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Time machine is having trouble. This is the error message... Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
Ideas?

Reboot the TC.. if that is not enough reboot the whole network.. from off, restart in order.. modem.. TC.. clients 2min gap.

Time Machine Error: Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Hi,
I'm using time machine to do my backups but now is not working.
I'm getting the following error:
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
Thanks for your help

See #C10 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

Error: Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to Time Capsule - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

error: Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to Time Capsule - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Time Machine Issue-Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

As usual, backups worked for a few days. Failed again on wakeup this morning...
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb
Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb/David’s Mac Mini size:10
Error: (-50) Creating directory 2012-02-25-074454.inProgress
Failed to make snapshot container.
Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.ModelID path:/Volumes/TM Backup/Backups.backupdb/David's Mac Mini size:10
Backup failed with error: 2
I've searched Discussions and have seen the exact same error messages with all kinds of Macs and ext HDs, both USB and FW. I can't believe it's a 'failing HD' since it works for a few days; and that it's been going on for months now. Seems like the ext HD would have actually failed by now if that was the case.
I wish I could figure out why three different errors are reported: (-50), (22), and :2

Time Machine says, Unable to Complete Backup

There seem to be a lot of variants of my problem on this forum, but each one is different. After several months working well, about 3 weeks ago the Time Machine on my iMac quit doing its backups to my Time Capsule. I get the message, "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup directory."
Repairing permissions, restarting the computer, and unplugging/replugging the Time Capsule did not help. Manually requesting a backup doesn't work either.
My computer knowledge is rather rudimentary, so if you reply, please please use step-by-step explanations, define any acronyms, etc.
Another question: is there a way to connect the Time Capsule to my computer by cable, and use it as effectively just an external drive. e.g. backing up by manual copying?
Here is the system log from a failed backup:
Jan 4 13:55:09 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Backup requested by user
Jan 4 13:55:09 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Starting standard backup
Jan 4 13:55:09 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Backup destination alias resolved to path: /Volumes/Time Capsule
Jan 4 13:55:10 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Disk image /Volumes/Time Capsule/iMac_000d936fb4dc.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Backup of iMac
Jan 4 13:55:10 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Backing up to: /Volumes/Backup of iMac/Backups.backupdb
Jan 4 13:55:13 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Backup of iMac/Backups.backupdb/iMac/2008-12-15-175337.inProgress/.Backup.252798913.05373 3.log.
Jan 4 13:55:13 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: HARD DRIVE
Jan 4 13:55:13 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Error: (-36) Creating directory 6C565DE2-06A5-419E-8CE8-4C56AEA21C5B
Jan 4 13:55:13 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Failed to make snapshot.
Jan 4 13:55:18 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Backup failed with error: 2
Jan 4 13:55:27 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Ejected Time Machine disk image.
Jan 4 13:55:28 iMac /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[8456]: Ejected Time Machine network volume.
Jan 4 13:59:57 iMac sudo[8483]: alexander : TTY=ttys000 ; PWD=/Users/alexander ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/grep backupd /var/log/system.log

Ken,
This thread may be of interest if you have not already read it.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8354256&#8354256
Did you interrupt a backup at some stage or did you not eject the Time Capsule at the conclusion of a previous backup before shutting down your Mac?
Is there sufficient free space on Time Capsule to cater for your backups? The backup volume needs to be about 3 times the size of your Mac HD used space.
Chris

Time capsule won't back up - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Any ideas?

I have tried all the resets, the firmware is the latest version, the green light is on.
But I get this message "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
Any ideas?

Do setup again.. but make sure both your wireless and your ethernet have ipv6 turned on to local link.
Done this OK, but no idea about IPv6 - something new to me and rather Appley I think?
Unplug the WAN for the moment.. Just LAN port TC to the MBPr ethernet via thunderbolt.. (thunderbird was the kids puppet series.. Thunderbirds are go!!). Done - New real people Thunderbirds movie coming out soon I believe!!!
Reset the TC again.. sorry.. !! You're welcome ... done.
Make sure the ethernet now has an IP address.. 10.0.1.2 - Yep - done that - on ethernet anyway ...
You need to open the network preferences to find out. Yep - that's good ...
****** I then reconnect the TC WAN to the router - is this right?
And then I think I start going round in circles ... boot, reboot, restart, reboot again ...
The final result is green light on TC, but error message when trying TM is "Backup disk is not available".
Then open the airport utility and you should be able to setup the TC.
Do as little setup as possible and then run the TM backup and see how it goes.
I have managed to get Thunderbird to LAN on TC to create a folder on TC and copy a file onto it.
So I guess the drive is working - it must be the software, settings or perhaps even the operator that isn't quite so clever ...
I named network RFG, named device RFGTC. RFG network shown as IP 192.168.0.72
Wireless router is BT Homehub 3 with IP of 192.168.0.254 - is this issuing new IP addresses when rebooting TC?
I have three wireless networks here - the BT Homehub3 wireless, the TC wireless, and also a D-link power socket ethernet thingy for an ethernet connection to the telly - DHP-W310AV which is also wireless link. All are effectively connected to the BT Homehub - is there a conflict there?
Have several times achieved in Airport Utility schematic with internet shown as green, RFGTC shown as green, light on TC green, but no TM backup run ... "backup disc not available."
And there are no tall building around here to hurl myself off ... at least you can go to Sydney Harbour bridge - not too far away ... it was my son in Sydney that persuaded me to scrap Windows and go Apple ... it's all his fault ...

Time machine Error "unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the back up directory."

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