Time Machine error while creating backup folder

Several times today I have gotten a popup message. "Time Machine error while creating backup folder". I click OK, and then the message appears again after a hour or so. I am using a WD My Book external drive as my backup media. I looked at the drive in Finder and the older (yesterday and beyond) backup folders are there.

always a pleasure doing business with you, dear sir
JGG

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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

HT3275 I continue to get the following error message: Unable to complete back up.an error occurred while creating backup folder. It's a brand new drive. When I attempt to repair it using disk utility I get:unable to repair disk cannot unmounted

I have been trying to use time machine on a new lacie 2tb usb 2 drive for back up. I continue to get: "unable to complete backup.An error occured while creating backup folder". When I use disk utility to repair I get another error message: unable to repair disk unmountable.
Help me Obie One Canobie you are my last hope

I have confused myself with the facts! Started out keeping track of every step and every variable but have sort of lost it as we progress here. First I quit all applications then swapped connections between mouse port and backup disk port to influence possible bad connections question. Changed power outlet receptacle for the backup disk. Disabled the put-the-HD-to-sleep option. Then powered down the computerator.
Next started up computerator. Turned Time Machine ON and experienced multiple successful backups! Then I started up a few applications, Mail and Text Edit (but not Safari so far). Had a few more successes. After each backup, I used Disk Utility to verify the backup disk is still OK. This because the error about unable to unmount the backup disk seems to go hand in hand with Disk Utility finding the backup disk to be bad.
Put computer to sleep for the night. Upon starting up in the morning, and before doing anything else, I did a backup disk verification... BAD! Did a restart and verified the backup disk... OK.
Did a few Sleep-bad, Restart -OK repetitions.
It seems consistent: Sleeping the computer apparently messes up the backup disk but doing a Restart "repairs" it.
=============================
Now then, I don't understand everything I know here. Methinks that maybe keeping the HD from sleeping during lulls in activity has allowed successful backups through the day but manually putting everything to sleep for the night causes a return to the problem of spinning-back-up-too-slowly (which was explained earlier). Is there any truth in this?
I may abandon this Seagate thing for something more compatible. What's out there that we know works reliably for us?

HT3275 time machine error says: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Apple 's iMac G5.sparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1).

While backing up to Time Machine, I receive this message: time machine error says: The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Apple ’s iMac G5.sparsebundle” could not be accessed (error -1).

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
That message is caused by several reasons. Read the Pondini's site to fix the problem > http://pondini.org/TM/C17.html

I'm having trouble backing up my second macbook to a new time capsule. continue to get an error message -- "Time Machine Error. The backup disk image could not be created." Is there something I need to change in my time capsule or time machine?

I just set up a new time capsule. it worked fine on my first macbook. But now I cannot backup my second macbook. Getting "Time Machine Error" "The backup disk image could not be created." Do I need to change settings on my time capsule to allow the second computer, or do I need to change something on the computer to allow time machine to work right?

Try #C9 in Pondini's Time Machine Troublshooting
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Time Machine can't create backup on Synology NAS DiskStation (Error 17)

My first time trying to use Time Machine.
Configuration iMac: OS X vers. 10.7.3, 2.5 GHz, 4 GB Memory, 500 GB Disk
Destination of Backup: Synology NAS DiskStation DS212j, Mac File Service for Time Machine activated, user for Time Machine created
Log reports:
Starting standard backup
Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/TimeMachine
Creating disk image /Volumes/TimeMachine/JoeiMac.sparsebundle
Error 17 creating backup disk image
Failed to create disk image /Volumes/TimeMachine/JoeiMac.sparsebundle, status: 17
Backup failed with error: 20
What means "Error 17"?
Any idea what went wrong?
Hope you can help.

That's the problem with using a 3d-party NAS with Time Machine; it has it's own software that's supposed to interact with OSX, and when something goes wrong, it can be very hard to sort out just what and where the problem is.
First, make sure that model is fully compatible with Time Machine on Lion (some are, some aren't), and install any software/firmware updates Synology has for it.
Second, make sure the names (of all odd things) of your Mac and network aren't too long and don't contain any special characters, per #C9 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
Third, make sure you're following Synology's instructions exactly.

Time Machine fails - cannot make backup folder

For the past two weeks I've been having some major issues backing up my computer with Time Machine. It's become quite a process.
iMac 27"
Mountain Lion
I am backing up to a brand new - well bought in February, '14 - 1TB external hard drive and there is NOTHING else in there except the TM backups.
For the past two weeks it's been failing the automatic backups.
There is PLENTY of room on the drive.
The exact error message reads:
"Time Machine Error
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder
Latest successful backup: [time and day entered here]"
To remedy this at first it was as easy as un-mounting the drive and then plugging it back in and it was fine.
Now I've got the disk utility open and constantly repairing the drive and this is only a temporary solution.
Below is a small sample of the report from the utility each one is dated.
Can anyone tell me how to fix this without having to purchase a new drive?
In February the old external drive I had started to freak TM out and it just erased ALL my backups which I desperately needed due to the same error / failure. That drive had plenty of space as well but I lost all my stuff anyway.
I searched the forums for a solution and found nothing helpful.
I know the TM isn't for archiving and another question I have is, How can I transfer or even rename the backup folder that TM makes and move it to a 'free drive' to prevent overwriting? Right now I just keep buying new drives which is ridiculous.
JUNE 16, 2014
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Incorrect number of extended attributes
(It should be 1355781 instead of 1355778)
Incorrect number of Access Control Lists
(It should be 1355741 instead of 1355738)
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.
Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Incorrect number of extended attributes
(It should be 1355768 instead of 1355765)
Incorrect number of Access Control Lists
(It should be 1355728 instead of 1355725)
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
Repairing volume.
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was repaired successfully.
Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
JUNE 17,2014
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemPerforming live verification.
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.
June 18,2014
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.
Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
June 19, 2014
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.
Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.
Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
June 20, 2014
Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Incorrect number of extended attributes
(It should be 1364328 instead of 1364323)
Incorrect number of Access Control Lists
(It should be 1364285 instead of 1364280)
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.
Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”
Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Incorrect number of extended attributes
(It should be 1364316 instead of 1364311)
Incorrect number of Access Control Lists
(It should be 1364273 instead of 1364268)
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
Repairing volume.
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking catalog hierarchy.
Checking extended attributes file.
Checking multi-linked directories.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was repaired successfully.
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

OK well Time Machine backed up a little bit within the last hour since I posted the above. As I'm sitting here working the backup stops and I get this stupid error again:
So as usual, I go to eject it and I get this ridiculous message. I have no idea what could be 'using' this disk! It's not attached to any programs.
It's got one folder of images and pdf files and the time machine backup on it.
So I force eject it and plug it back in. But if I drop down the little circle at the top task bar for the backup info, It says it backed up successfully at 3:20.
GAH! What the *&^% is wrong with this infernal machine?

Time Machine keeps re-creating backups

I'm having an issue with Time Machine on SL and wondered if theres a solution?
I'm running SL and use Time Machine to back up to a Western Digital NAS. All seems good and the backups seems to be fine, however every couple of days I get a message from time machine saying:
Time Machine completed a verification of
your backups. To improve reliability, Time
Machine must create a new backup for you.
Click "Start New Backup" to create a new backup. This will
remove your existing backup history. This could take
several hours.
Click "Back Up Later" to be reminded tomorrow. Time
Machine won't perform backups during this time.
I've checked the Apple support pages and it just says that this is an identified issue, but doesn't give a solution..
Has anyone else got any suggestions how to stop this? Obviously if I say 'Backup later', I don't get any more backups? As i'm am writing this, Time Machine is deleting a 310Gb backup file which is perfectly good, only to re-create it again and render me without a backup until the new one is created..

According to this Web page, what you're doing "may work as a destination for Time Machine backups, but it’s not recommended."

WD Smartware and time machine error -1 accessing backup disk

I saw a lot of postings in here but didn't see this solution addressed, so I'm documenting it for others.
After I upgraded to Lion, time machine on my MBP stopped working. It gave me an error message window that
Time Machine could not complete the backup
The backup disk image could not be accessed (error -1).
I was getting this message, but my buddy who has the same MBP model, was not having any backup problems.
After calling apple support, it turned out that I had two issues. First, Lion is incompatible with WD Smartware, which I had installed on my MBP (but my buddy did not). You can't even have WD Smartware sitting in your trash bin. I used the WD uninstaller to remove the software and then emptied the trash bin.
Second, a new firmware update was available for my Time Capsule. It was apparently released in the last week or month. I guess I had not run Airport Utility since installing Lion and missed the new version. After installing the firmware update, Time Machine was able to backup my MBP. The support rep said this firmware update also included fixes that may address the intermittent wireless problems we have been having with our TC router since upgrading to Lion.

Spent the whole day speaking to AppleCare on getting this solved.
Migration did not work on the DNS or Doman and the Priviledges were lost.
Look a lot of repair, but backup and running.

HT3275 The message I get recently and often is "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "LaCie TmMachn". Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating backup folder." Anyone that can help me?

The message I get recently and often is "Time machine couldn't complet the backup to "LaC TmMachn". Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
See > http://pondini.org/TM/C10.html

Time Machine error message: The backup disk image could not be created

I got a new MacBook the other weekend and Time Capsule. I have set up the time capsule, its light is green, it shows up as a device in my finder window and the printer it shares is accessible.
The problem is when I try to run time machine I get the error message "the backup disk image could not be created" I have the time capsule selected as the drive I want to back up to. I have read through all 150 help topics on the Mac Support page regarding time machine and am now turning to you the community to help!

I found an answer in another place on this forum...http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422065&tstart=330
Just have to give my computer a name under system preferences/sharing

Time Machine error: could not backup, Disk Utility Error: Couldn't unmount disk

I recently bought a WD for Mac 1TB external drive which has been set up as Time Machine. This was as a result of my internal hard drive failing and being replaced. Time machine has worked a treat for last 3 weeks, but today I get a message:
Time Machine could not complete the backup.
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
So I go into disk utilities to verify the disk and I get this message:
Verifying volume “My Passport for Mac”
Checking file systemError: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
I click on the Repair Disk and get this message:
Verify and Repair volume “My Passport for Mac”
Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.Error: Couldn’t unmount disk.
last backup was at 3.53pm today.
Any ideas?

Why would I need to reboot the whole computer?
However, I did shut it down and restart it and the problem is fixed.

Time machine error says: The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Apple 's iMac G5.sparsebundle" could not be accessed (error -1).

I've been having the same problem that my Time Machine can't be back up to my iMac for last few months. It said," The backup disk image... sparsebundle" cannot be acessed -(error 1) . When i looked into my TC, it does connected to my iMac; but not in devices and when i clicked into imac.sparsebundle and it is no mounted file system.
I tried several changes such as new password, new device names, checked Keychain Acess, repaired the disk, got a latest air utilily... But it still couldn't help alot. my iMac software now is OSX Mountain Lion 10.8.4. However, it having the problem since i update the software... I'm not sure if it related but i'm clueless now!!!
I need help for this annoying issue!!

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
That message is caused by several reasons. Read the Pondini's site to fix the problem > http://pondini.org/TM/C17.html

Time Machine error message: The backup disk image is already in use.

Hi,
Everytime my Time Machine tries to perform a backup I get the following error message: The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Celine Gauld’s iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use.
I'm not very tech-savvy and certainly don't know my way around the Mac that well. Any suggestions as to how I go about solving this?
Thanks.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Restart your iMac and Time Capsule. In most of cases, this should solve the problem. If it doesn't work > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

Error while creating a folder in business area

hi all,
I am trying to create a folder in a business area using View.It is giving me the following error.
View contains no items,folder will not be created.
May i know the reason why it is prompting this error?
There are items in EUL and i also checked in the backend as well.
Thanks in advance
kiran

Hi Rod west,
Thanks 4 replying me.
But i dont have any columns with timestamp.
I have columns with date,number and varchar.i unchecked the date and then tried creating a folder.
But still the problem persists
can u please tell me ,What else may be the problem?
Thank u
kiran.
Edited by: user589042 on Sep 29, 2008 2:40 AM

Time Machine error while creating backup folder

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