Time machine no longer backs up changes to files in home folder.

My Time Machine seems to be in some sort of weird state where it has stopped backing up any files/folders in my home (~/) folder or below.
This is obviously a big issue since those are the files most needing to be backed up.
It does catch changes to the /Applications folder, the /Developer folder, and the /usr folder, for some examples.
A typical backup where it misses a lot of changes in my home folder is as follows:
Starting standard backup Backing up to: /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb No pre-backup thinning needed: 1.22 GB requested (including padding), 253.01 GB available Copied 20 files (157 bytes) from volume . Starting post-backup thinning Deleted backup /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb/My Computer Name /2009-09-11-185523: 253.01 GB now available Deleted backup /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb/My Computer Name /2009-09-07-124935: 253.05 GB now available Deleted backup /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb/My Computer Name /2009-10-03-205432: 253.05 GB now available Deleted backup /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb/My Computer Name /2009-10-03-205215: 253.05 GB now available Deleted backup /Volumes/My Backup Disk/Backups.backupdb/My Computer Name /2009-10-03-204044: 253.05 GB now available Post-back up thinning complete: 5 expired backups removed Backup completed successfully.
And looking at it in TimeTracker it just shows a lot of 0 byte backups, with the occasional backup with only changes to the above-mentioned folders visible.
How can I reset Time Machine and get it back on track?
I'd like to preserve the current backups on it if possible.

Are you running File Vault?
Besides your TM disk, what's shown in the +Do not back up+ box in TM Preferences > Options?
If nothing there would prevent your home folder from being backed-up, try a "full reset" per #A4 of the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip* at the top of this forum.

Similar Messages

HT1998 Time machine no longer backs up. It prepares for back up OK but then fails to complete. The archive is still available. Any ideas? Thanks

Time machine no longer backs up. It prepares for back up OK but then fails to complete. The archive is still available. Any ideas? Thanks

Unfortunately, not much to go on here. There are any of twenty different reasons why backups are not occurring, and no shortcuts that I know of to find out why.
Work your way through Backup Failures in Pondini's excellent support document Time Machine --- Troubleshooting.
See C1 through C19.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Time machine no longer backs up after cloning startup disk

I cloned my startup disk (250 mb) in April 2013 to a 500 mb disk and replaced it with the cloned disk. Before the clone, Time Machine was backing up properly to the 6tb external drive designated for backup. Since installing the clone Time Machine has not backed up anything. Everything (all the apps) is working properly on the cloned disk except, apparently, Time Machine. In fact, I cannot get Time Machine to allow me to make any adjustments to the settings. I went on the Apple Support website to see if I can reinstall Time Machine, but could not find anything. Any suggestions?
Model Name:          Mac Pro
Model Identifier:          MacPro1,1
Processor Name:          Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed:          2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors:          2
Total Number Of Cores:          4
L2 Cache (per processor):          4 MB
Memory:          12 GB
Bus Speed:          1.33 GHz
Boot ROM Version:          MP11.005C.B08
SMC Version (system):          1.7f10

If only the system was cloned with CCC it should work, though if you change names who knows.
Delete the plist and turn off and on.
they don't make 6TB so you're using some kind of array or JBOD.
http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine
subsection in Mac OS X forum.
TimeMachine 101
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
Lion Recovry & TimeMachine
http://www.apple.com/support/lion/installrecovery/
http://www.apple.com/support/lion/
Time Machine’s Gory Details:
https://www.apple.com/support/timemachine/
How To Restore Your System
http://pondini.org/TM/14.htmlMac OS X v10.7 Lion
Back-In-Time 2: Unleash the power of Time Machine
Restore Time Machine data: Time Machine is a great basic backup tool. But the options for locating and restoring data are quite limited. Back-In-Time gives you total flexibility in discovering and recovering your data to any location on your Mac. See more...

Time Machine no longer backs up to OSX Server

I have a client who got a new MBP running Mountain Lion to replace her broken MBP running Snow Leopard.
She also has a Snow Leopard server which has some AFP shares and is used as a Time Machine target.
However, after restoring from backup on her new machine using Setup Assistant Time Machine will not back up to the server.
I've tried a bunch of things such as republishing the share, using TMUtil and creating a new share but they all fail with no helpful message.
When I tried TMUtil I got the below message:
tmutil setdestination afp://user:password@Server/Backups/User
Destination does not support lock stealing. (error 45)
The backup destination could not be set.
Is this a compatibility issue between Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion?
If not, how do I fix this?
Note: When I did the migration I was unable to do it over the network so I shutdown the server, removed the USB drive and plugged it in directly to the new MBP.
After it finished I reconnected it to the same port on the server and turned it back on.

If your backup drive is about the same size as the drive you're backing up, then you would be much better served by a bootable clone that is set to run automatically during the week (you pick the frequency but remember there are pro's and con's of daily versus weekly). For cloning, I like carbon copy cloner.
To your specific question, you can read the relavent pondini article
http://pondini.org/TM/C18.html

Time machine no longer backing up (sticks on 99% calculating changes)

Since updating to OS 10.6 time machine is no longer backing up. and it's constantly calculating changes.
I have a time capsule which is connected via ethernet (as is the mac), I've had the computer on for days and it never gets past calculating changes.
I've tried restarting the time capsule (on/off) and reselecting the Disk, but to no avail.
I have yet to reformat the time capsule.
Any ideas?
Russell
Message was edited by: Russell Tudor

mike5282 wrote:
several times after the upgrade to SL i've seen backupd die (this is the critical background process that runs the backup to TM).
A reboot immediately solved the problem. There appears to be a major bug that was not caught in QA with backupd.
I've also noticed, when I cancel a backup in Snow, and it does seem cancelled, with all the proper messages, backupd does not stop; if you do another backup, the same process wakes up and does it, including a new "Starting standard backup" message!
That's one reason I recommend a restart.

(2) version of Airdisk, Time Machine no longer backs up to original

I was playing around with airport utility for my Airport Extreme to open up a port for Air Video to work. After a few restarts, I now get a second version of my attached airdisk with a (2) after it as seen here: http://cl.ly/363F3T1Q3R38110j1h0l
I can no longer connect to the original one (without the 2) and my Time Machine won't connect because its technically a "different" drive as seen here
http://cl.ly/361F2y3a3y2l3a1T1m32 . I could tell Time Machine to use the new one, but quite frankly, I don't want this rogue version of my airdisk there. Is there a plist file that I can trash to hopefully rebuild that list so only one shows up and Time Machine can resume its normal back-ups? Any other suggestions? Has this been answered in another thread?
Any and all help is appreciated.

I ended up answering my own question, but I thought I'd put what worked for me here in case anyone else has a similar problem.
First, in my messing around to get Air Video to work I had changed my Mac's connection from Ethernet to Wireless. Not sure if this had a large impact on the Airdisk, but it may have been the cause of it getting a different IP address because of its different connection type. I set my Mac back to Ethernet. Air Video still worked, so all was well. Now, I didn't immediately try to connect to the original Airdisk, but it may, at that point, have worked.
Second, I went into the Airport Utility and manually changed an option then changed it right back, just so the utility would ask me to update the router. It did, and when my Mac reconnected, voilá, only the original Airdisk was listed in the Shared sidebar of finder. Time Machine is backing up as we speak.

Time Machine no longer backs up over the network

When I first got Leopard, I plugged my MyBook hard drive into my iMac and set it as the Time Machine drive. Then I got on my wife's Macbook Pro and set it to back up wirelessly to the iMac's Time Machine drive. Everything was fine.
I noticed this morning that my wife's laptop has not backed up in at least 20 days and will no longer mount the drive. I can't figure out why. The iMac backs up fine. The laptop can connect to the iMac and share its disks, just not the Time Machine disk. I didn't change anything. Any ideas?

Try turning off TM in preferences. Then start a new back up. (Without turning it back on.) I have the same set up (macbook to iMac external drive for TM) and it works fine. Occasionally I get a failed back up, but turning off TM on the Macbook has always worked.
The latest Airport update seems help this kind of set up too.

Time machine no longer backing up...please help!

I've scanned a lot of the posts already so I'm going to try to include as much information as I can:
*The last time TM performed a backup was on 3/15 of this year. (hmmm...now that I look at it...perhaps it was the Ides of March that botched it all?...i digress...) All of the sudden it was telling me that my backups were huge (can't remember specifically how big at the moment) and that it could not complete the back up.
*When I look in my backup volume (500GB WDMB) in the backups.backupdb folder under my computer, I see a file that is named 2009-03-15-145335.inprogress...no idea what that means but I thought I'd mention it.
*My HD shows 465GB capacity with 139GB available.
*To my knowledge, I do not run any programs like Parallels. (This was mentioned as a possible problem in other posts so I thought I'd include that info)
*I just downloaded the TM widget and attempted to do another backup, which also failed, the details of which I will post here:
+Starting standard backup+
+Backing up to: /Volumes/My Book/Backups.backupdb+
+Starting pre-backup thinning: 18.07 GB requested (including padding), 4.32 GB available+
+No expired backups exist - deleting oldest backups to make room+
+Error: backup disk is full - all 0 possible backups were removed, but space is still needed.+
+Backup Failed: unable to free 18.07 GB needed space+
+Backup failed with error: Not enough available disk space on the target volume.+
+65 days since last backup+
Please advise! Thanks for any help!
Cecilia

Pondini wrote:
CeciMami wrote:
Then either hold down the +Option +key while selecting the TM icon in your Menubar (or control-click/right-click the TM icon in your Dock) and take the +Browse Other Time Machine Disks+ option. Select your TM disk, then again note the oldest backup you see.
When I do that, I don't get a "Browse other TM disks" option.
Uh, you should. Are you sure you're on 10.5.6? Try this one again. What options do you see?
Ok, I'm a dork, just tried it again and got the option. Checked the date on the backup and it is the same, March 15th.
Do you often go several days (more than 10 or so) without a backup?
I have never gone that long without a backup. The only reason I stopped was because TM stopped doing them. About two weeks ago I got aggravated and just turned TM off because I was tired of getting those error messages...but I really want to resolve this issue since I have very important pictures/movies/stuff on here that I want to be safe and backed up!
That's the only other reason I can think of that would cause TM to do new, full backups, and perhaps start a new sequence.
If it does that, sometimes it thinks you have a new Mac. Then it won't delete the oldest backups from the old sequence to make room for new ones (because it thinks they're for a different Mac).
Very carefully, look at your TM disk again with the Finder (this is probably best in List mode (View > As List).
In the Backups.backupdb folder should be a single folder with your computer name (but I suspect there may be more).
There is only one folder, named after my computer.
In that folder should be folders named with dates and times, like the one you found (but without ".inProgress" at the end).
See if there are more than one with your computer name, and the range of dates in each one.
The only folder with a date (other than the .inprogress one) is listed as 2009-03-15-135352. When I look it there, there seems to be a happy backup inside.
Your earlier post said *My HD shows 465GB capacity with 139GB available.* I assume that's your internal HD? How big is your TM disk?
My TM disk is listed as having a capacity of 465.76GB with 4.32GB available.

Time Machine No Longer Backing Up

I have been using Time Machine since I installed Leopard in May. Before I began I partitioned the external USB 2.0 drive using Disk Utility into a 320G Back Up and a second smaller partition which I use when working with iMovie files. I occasionally [but rarely] had a failure to automatically back up but the next try always worked.
Since October 27 Time Machine has failed to back up. I have read the forum postings and am getting no results. I am now getting a message to reformat which I'd prefer not to do. Here are the specifics:
1. The last valid back up was at 2 am. The next one at 3 am failed. No one else was using the computer at the time. There was no power interruption.
2. Antivirus is not running.
3. I had not added any software between the last back up and the failure point.
4. I tuned off Time Machine and trashed the "in progress" file.
5. I did add the Time Machine Backup widget yesterday and got the following message:
Backup requested by user
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/Main Back Up/Backups.backupdb
No pre-backup thinning needed: 816.3 MB requested (including padding), 266.65 GB available
Stopping backup.
Error: (-43) SrcErr:NO Copying /Users/X/Desktop/Worship Services/Music Master A-D.key/thumbs/st0-1.tiff to /Volumes/Main Back Up/Backups.backupdb/X’s iBook G4/2008-11-05-161929.inProgress/59B5A452-9916-4EF5-9647-4861E2A02C99/Macintosh HD/Users/X/Desktop/Worship Services/Music Master A-D.key/thumbs
Copied 4219 files (259.6 MB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Copy stage failed with error:11
Backup failed with error: 11
[for privacy I have changed my user name to X]
6. I then opened the named package and deleted the specified thumb
7. I rebooted - still not able to back up
8. I turned off Time Machine
9. I then went to disk utility which was unable to unmount the drive to check it.
10. Rebooted again and ran Disk Utility. It finally said it was a sibling conflict and could not be repaired
11. Now I am getting a message the disk is a read only file and to back up/reformat.
Any help would be appreciated.

Jean,
These suggestions have worked for others experiencing the "Read Only" error.
*_“The Backup Volume is Read Only”_*
*Cold Reboot the Hard Disk*
First, unmount the drive from the desktop.
Power it down.
Unplug it from the wall socket.
Disconnect it from the computer.
Wait 10 minutes.
Plug it back in to the wall socket.
Connect it back into the computer.
Power it back up.
When it reappears on the desktop try backing up again. This simple step has worked for some in this situation. Regrettably, most who experience this error have had to reformat their Time Machine hard disks. So prepare for this eventuality.
If the above doesn’t work, let us know. We may have other options if you have access to another Mac.
*Use “Get Info” to Change Permissions on 3rd-Party Hard Disks*
Highlight the external hard disk on your desktop.
Go up to the "File" menu and select "Get Info".
At the bottom is "Sharing & Permissions".
Click the little lock icon in the lower right and enter your Admin Password.
Are you (Username) listed in the Name column? If not, add your user account with the tiny “+” button.
What does it say under "Privilege" beside your name?
If it is "Read only" change it to "Read & Write".
Close "Get Info".
Now try to backup.
*By-Pass USB Hub*
If you are using a USB hub, try by-passing the hub and connecting the external hard disk directly into your Mac.
*Use DiskWarrior to Rebuild Disk Directory*
For some, using DiskWarrior to rebuild the backup disks’ directories was the answer. While not cheap ($100), it is definitely an indispensable tool to have at your disposal for some. This procedure make require more than one attempt, but it has resolved this issue for some.
“After a few frustrating days, I used Disk Warrior version 4.1 to rebuild the directory of the Time Capsule. It failed the first time. However, on the second try and after about half an hour process of rebuilding, it successfully rebuilt and fixed many problems in the TC directory….The Read Only error disappeared.” [http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8386348#8386348]
Let us know if any of the above resolved your issue.
Cheers!

Time machine no longer backs up, just hangs in preparing.

I have done all the things that i have been reading about in the forums. I have reset to factory, i downloaded the widget that tells what process time machine is in. the following is the info that the widget came up with. Can anyone help
Starting standard backup
Mounted network destination using URL: afp://shari%[email protected]/sharis%20tc
Backup destination mounted at path: /Volumes/sharis tc
Disk image /Volumes/sharis tc/shari daly’s MacBook Pro_002332bac2d0.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Backup of shari daly’s MacBook Pro
Backing up to: /Volumes/Backup of shari daly’s MacBook Pro/Backups.backupdb
Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:kFSEDBEventFlagMustScanSubDirs|kFSEDBEventFlagReasonEventDBUntrustable|
Stopping backupd to allow ejection of backup destination disk!
Stopping backupd to allow ejection of backup destination disk!
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException:* -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException:* -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException:* -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException:* -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Backup failed with error: 26
[SnapshotUtilities mountPointForVolumeRef] FSGetVolumeInfo returned: -35
Failed to eject volume (null) (FSVolumeRefNum: -102; status: -35; dissenting pid: -1)
Thanks for help
shari

sharidaly wrote:
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException:* -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Time Machine is having a problem writing to the hidden log it makes on the Time Capsule.
Start by repairing your backups, per #A5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
If that doesn't help, try changing some names (as odd as it sounds), per #C9 there.

Time Machine no longer backs up data, but also doesn't display "Failed"

Hello. I've had problems with Time Machine for a while now. First, instead of just performing an incremental backup, almost every day it tries to back up about 59GB of data, far more data than I'm changing. Then it started to fail after the first successful backup of the day. Once it begins to fail the only thing I've found fixes it is completely wiping the backup and starting from scratch. Now most recently it starts to backup (once again about 59GB of data) and then after about 1GB is backed up it just stops, with no message of failure but also not reporting that it backed up anything.

If you are using a Windows partition or the VMware/Parallels equivelents, you might have a big chunk of data out there that does need backing up. Also, if you manually back it up, does it work?

Time machine no longer backs up

My Time Capsule no longer showed any previous backups, only the latest one. Previously it deleted the oldest backups to make way for new ones. The single backup that is still visible is many times larger that the data on my hard drive. Here is the details from the Time Machine Buddy Widget:
Starting standard backup
Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/Fred Schlomka's Time Capsul
QUICKCHECK ONLY; FILESYSTEM CLEAN
Disk image /Volumes/Fred Schlomka's Time Capsul/Charlie-6.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Charlie-7
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|new event db|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 98.88 GB requested (including padding), 49.60 GB available
No expired backups exist - deleting oldest backups to make room
Error: backup disk is full - all 0 possible backups were removed, but space is still needed.
Backup Failed: unable to free 98.88 GB needed space
Backup failed with error: Not enough available disk space on the target volume.
Ejected Time Machine disk image.
Ejected Time Machine network volume.
Can anyone help.
Thanks.
Fred

Is there anything else on your Time Capsule? It appears that other data may be taking up most of the space on the TC.
How much data is Time Machine backing-up (what's shown for Estimated size of full backup under the exclusions box in Time Machine Preferences > Options)?
How large is your Time Capsule?

Time Machine no longer backing up files.

so basically my question is... what do i do? is there a way to recover files? do i need to wipe out all data on my TC?
this is the story....
-TC was good for 2 months.
...Recently....
-I tell TC to backup.
-It takes FOREVER to "preparing backup..."
-then a window pops up that says,
"*Time Machine Error*
The backup disk image could not be mounted"
-When i go to Time Capsule in Finder, it doesnt say "My Backup's" anymore theres something that looks like it replaced that, which says "MyMacbook32r_2rf.Sparcebundle"
-Also, when trying to access old files via Time Machine... nothing happens.
-Another window just popped up that said,
"The Storage Location for Time Machine Backups Can't be Found"
Recent things that happened that could have caused this...
i tried downloading a movie in my TC but it was way too slow downloading so i just cancelled.
i downloaded another movie to my TC, Pineapple Express, and that worked.. but i couldnt seem to find it in the TC. i always had to open QT and go to recently played and use it from there. sketchy.
I tried using that Disk Utility thing...
2008-11-05 10:42:43 -0500: Disk Utility started.
2008-11-05 10:46:15 -0500: Verify and Repair volume “Backup of Bradley Stewart’s MacBook”
Starting repair tool: 2008-11-05 10:46:15 -0500
2008-11-05 10:46:16 -0500: Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
2008-11-05 10:46:16 -0500: Detected a case-sensitive catalog.
2008-11-05 10:46:17 -0500: Checking Extents Overflow file.
2008-11-05 10:46:17 -0500: Checking Catalog file.
2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500: Invalid sibling link
2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500: Volume check failed.
2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500: Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed.2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500:
2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500: Disk Utility stopped repairing “Backup of Bradley Stewart’s MacBook” because the following error was encountered:
Filesystem verify or repair failed.
2008-11-05 11:50:11 -0500:
2008-11-05 12:34:43 -0500: Verifying volume “Backup of Bradley Stewart’s MacBook”
Starting verification tool: 2008-11-05 12:34:43 -0500
2008-11-05 12:34:43 -0500: Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
2008-11-05 12:34:43 -0500: Detected a case-sensitive catalog.
2008-11-05 12:34:44 -0500: Checking Extents Overflow file.
2008-11-05 12:34:44 -0500: Checking Catalog file.
2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500: Invalid sibling link
2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500: Volume check failed.
2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500: Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed.2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500:
2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500: Disk Utility stopped verifying “Backup of Bradley Stewart’s MacBook” because the following error was encountered:
Filesystem verify or repair failed.
2008-11-05 12:56:47 -0500:

These suggestions have worked for others...
*_"The Backup Disk Image Could Not Be Mounted"_*
First, it is important to distinguish this error message from another, similar Time Machine error that states “The backup volume could not be mounted”. This is important as the causes and cures for these two errors can be very different.
Consider each topic below separately. When one option does not resolve your issue, then move on the next one.
*Unmount the Backup Disk Image* (TC)
If, for some reason, you have manually mounted the Time Machine backup disk image (sparsebundle), or Time Machine failed to eject it after the previous backup, subsequent backups may fail. (Console - “Failed to mount disk image”… “Backup failed with error: 21”)
Eject the backup disk image (white drive icon) by either clicking the little Eject icon to the right of the disk image in the Finders’ Sidebar, or Ctrl-Click the drive icon on the desktop and select “Eject” from the contextual menu. Now try backing up again or launching Time Machine to view previous backups.
*“Disconnect All Users…”:* #
If your Time Machine backup drive (“Backup of Users Computer”) is mounted on your desktop or in the Sidebar of the Finder window. then Time Machine may think the drive is already in use. Alternatively, if the Time Capsule hard disk has been recently accessed by a Windows machine, it may not have fully relinquished control. Do the following:
Open Airport Utility and select the Time Capsule on the left.
Click “Manual Setup”.
Select “Disks” at top of window.
Click “Disconnect All Users…” at bottom of window.
Close the Airport Utility.
Now try Backing up again.
One poster reported: “I got it resolved. Apparently it had to do with one of the files being open on the disk from the drive. I had browsed the disk with one of my windows boxes here and it must have left one of the folders "open". Anyway, I rebooted the TC and we are good to go now.”
*Proper Computer Name* #
Make sure your computer has a proper name. Go to System Preferences --> Sharing. Time Machine needs to differentiate your computer from others on your network (i.e. "Bills MacBook" or "Office iMac"). If the "Computer Name" field is blank, create a name. Realize that if this step is necessary, you will likely have to start the Time Machine backup process over again and do another full initial backup.
According to this article, [http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1760], Time Machine may experience problems if your computer name includes certain characters. Make sure the computer name only includes ASCII characters from the following set.
(0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ)
Once a change in the computer name occurs, you should stop and restart Sharing on the affected computer. Uncheck and then recheck Sharing in the Services list on the left.
Also, try removing the apostrophe from the disk images name (sparsebundle).
Let us know if any of the suggestions above helped to resolve your issue.
Cheers!

Time Machine no longer backing up from Macbook Pro

I've been successfully using Time Machine to backup my Macbook Pro via my wireless network for a couple of years. I was also using it to backup my wife's Macbook Pro until she had to be away for a while. While she was away she used a Passport backup device connected via a USB. Now she's home again I tried to backup her computer to Time Machine again.
However, Time Machine does not recongnise any past bakups and when I try to complete a backup on it it either hangs while searching for the backup disk or at the "Preparing Backup" stage. Moreover, exactly the same thing happens when I try to backup my Macbook Pro.
Please, how do I fix this issue/

Rightbrainer wrote:
Hi, I tried all of that...thanks, but no cigar :((. Still won't work. Did the verify of internal HD and followed all other instructions. Any other ideas? Could it be the formatting of the HDD?
Doubtful, since it backs up the other Mac. But it won't hurt to check it; it should have either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme* and any flavor of +Mac OS Extended+ Format.
A clue might be lurking in your logs. See #A1 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum), for a handy widget that will display the backup messages from your logs. Copy and post the ones for one of these "hung" backups here.
It's a long shot, but something may have gone wrong with the 10.6.4 update. You might try downloading and installing the 10.6.4 "combo" update. Info and download available at: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1048 Be sure to do a +Repair Permissions+ via Disk Utility (in your Applications/Utilities folder) afterwards.

Time Machine no longer backing up Macbook Pro

Since upgrading to OSX 10.6.4 my time machine back-up will not back-up my Macbook Pro. It will back-up my wife's Macbook 4.1. with OSX 10.5.8. It starts the process, then freezes my machine at about 322MB. I have reformatted the drive, but still no luck. Help???

Rightbrainer wrote:
Hi, I tried all of that...thanks, but no cigar :((. Still won't work. Did the verify of internal HD and followed all other instructions. Any other ideas? Could it be the formatting of the HDD?
Doubtful, since it backs up the other Mac. But it won't hurt to check it; it should have either the GUID or APM *Partition Map Scheme* and any flavor of +Mac OS Extended+ Format.
A clue might be lurking in your logs. See #A1 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum), for a handy widget that will display the backup messages from your logs. Copy and post the ones for one of these "hung" backups here.
It's a long shot, but something may have gone wrong with the 10.6.4 update. You might try downloading and installing the 10.6.4 "combo" update. Info and download available at: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1048 Be sure to do a +Repair Permissions+ via Disk Utility (in your Applications/Utilities folder) afterwards.

Time machine no longer backs up changes to files in home folder.

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