Time Machine not copying all I want it to

OK, so this is odd... I have an external 250 GB fw drive from G Tech and an iMac G5 running 10.5.1 I started using time machine happily the other day having it back up to the fw drive. Well it was almost full so I deleted some other stuff off of the fw drive and I also deleted some of the oldest backups (which may have been a mistake, I am not sure). Anyway, now there is way more than enough room on the fw disk to back up the whole system, but it basically stops once it gets to the applications folder. I have tried deleting the time machine plist folder but that did not help. Any ideas?

First, run Disk Utility's Repair Disk on the TM volume to make sure its file system is OK. Do the same with Permissions Repair on your normal volume to make sure the apps installed via Apple's installer (those that leave receipts) don't have permissions problems that prevent their being copied. Then make sure none of the apps not being backed up appear in TM's system preference exclusions list.
If you have deleted some of the contents of old time-stamped backup folders via the Finder, you probably have not broken anything -- because each is really just a hard link to the file's actual location on the backup drive, all you are doing is deleting the reference to it in those backups. Assuming the file appears in later backups, you can still access it from within TM by going to any of them. (You cannot access any versions of the file older than the last backup date deleted because when the last hard link to it is removed, so is the file.)

Similar Messages

Time machine not copying to new drive

running 10.6.8. I have two new hard drives and have them connected one at a time via USB cable to my MBP intel core i5.
I am using time machine to Backup my system drive. Time machine stopped the back up and displays an error. Here is the eventual error "The backup was not performed because an erorr occurred while copying files to the backup disk. The probem may be temporary. Try again later to back up. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk."
I used disk utility repair drive and the drive passes. I am not able to continue forward with time machine and receive the same error again.
Both drives experience this same behavior. Are both drives just bad and need to be replaced? Open to any suggestions on how to cure this issu.
Here is the log from disk utility:
--- snip ---
Verify and Repair volume “Untitled 1”
Verify and Repair volume “Untitled 1”
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 Untitled 1 appears to be OK.
Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
--- snip ----

Did you verify your MBP's HD, or the external HD's?
IMHO, Time Machine is great when it works, but it's not the most reliable backup. You may want to consider CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper instead.

Time Machine not saving all Users

Hi,
I have just used Time Machine for the first time and noticed that it was saving "x" of around 142gb as its first save.
However, I noticed that when I go through the back up history, whilst it saved my wife's account/user files it hasn't saved mine. The icon of my "house" in the Places section doesn't highlight when you scroll over it with the mouse. It does in the "Now" window.. but page through the back up history and it's not saved. My files are also not found in the Users folder.
Any help really appreciated.
Mark

Are you using File Vault?
That's the only reason TM won't save your home folder on each backup. It should, however, save the encrypted disk image when you log out.
If not, start with a Finder window showing your home folder, then go into Time Machine. It should appear that way.
And be sure you're not looking at the first (lowest) window in the "cascade" of the "Star Wars" background; that's the +Today (Now)+ window, representing what's currently on your system. Navigate to the actual backup (behind the Today window) or via the timeline on the right.
You might want to review these:
Time Machine Tutorial
Time Machine 101
How to back up and restore your files
Time Machine Features
Apple - Support - Mac OSX v10.5 Leopard Time Machine
and perhaps browse the Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip* at the top of this forum.
If you have a problem setting-up or using Time Machine, start with the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip* at the top of this forum. It will show you how to locate the message(s) that describe the problem, then help you fix it.

Time machine not updating all files correctly.

I went to recover a file today from time machine, and upon recovering it found out that it hasn't been backed up for over 2 months. This is a little concerning since it appears that all is going well.
Does anyone know how to fix this or a way to trouble shoot this.
Thanks

The only thing that I have in the excluded list is the external drive that the server is backing up to.
KM

Does time machine back up all settings too?

I have a problem with my imac and the internet- after having it looked at at the genius bar it was found that I have transferred all of my prior systems settings into this one (uncovered some from 2003) It was suggested that I do a complete system restore to get all of these older settings out.
The question I have is will time machine automatically copy all the current settings?- if so it won't help. or is there a way to prevent it from doing this?
Thanks

magneto10 wrote:
I have a problem with my imac and the internet- after having it looked at at the genius bar it was found that I have transferred all of my prior systems settings into this one (uncovered some from 2003) It was suggested that I do a complete system restore to get all of these older settings out.
That sound like enormous overkill. Why not just delete/revise whatever's wrong?
The question I have is will time machine automatically copy all the current settings?- if so it won't help. or is there a way to prevent it from doing this?
Correct. You could erase your internal HD, install OSX, then use +Setup Assistant+ to transfer everything from your backups, but omit the network settings. See [Using Setup Assistant|http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/SetupAsst.html] for details. But again, why not just fix whatever's wrong?

Time Machine not backing up. Very slow, essentially hanging. I have 10.7.5 Mac OS X Lion (11G63). I have put in all updates. I tried to put my folders into "private" in the Spotlight (b/c I read that might be the problem). Still not working.

Time Machine not backing up. Very slow, essentially hanging. I have 10.7.5 Mac OS X Lion (11G63). I have put in all updates. I tried to put my folders into "private" in the Spotlight (b/c I read that might be the problem). Still not working.
Thanks in advance for any help!

For all things Time Machine see Pondini's excellent information here...
http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html
Start at Troubleshooting.

I have an iMac with Microsoft Office and an HD - Time Machine. I'm buying a MacBook Pro and I want to know that if I use the Time Machine to transfer all my stuff the Microsof Office will work or if I need to reinstall it with another licence ?

I have an iMac with Microsoft Office (and several other licenced softs) and an HD - Time Machine that backup all the stuff. I'm buying a MacBook Pro and I would to know that if I use the Time Machine to transfer all my stuff, the Microsof Office will work normally or if I need to reinstall it with another licence?

You do not need a new license. The license file will be found in /Library/Preferences/ and is named, com.microsoft.office.licensing.plist. Be sure it gets transferred and you will be fine. I see no reason why the file would not be in your Time Machine backup nor any reason why it would be restored.
Please visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with all things Time Machine. You may need help figuring out how to restore your current backup to a new machine.

Have copied my iTunes library back-up from my external hard drive (saved from my iTunes on my pc) onto my new Macbook and loads of the tracks have been duplicated, some four times some not at all?? any ideas guys?

Have copied my iTunes library back-up from my external hard drive (saved from my iTunes on my pc) onto my new Macbook and loads of the tracks have been duplicated, some four times some not at all?? any ideas guys?

Have copied my iTunes library back-up from my external hard drive (saved from my iTunes on my pc) onto my new Macbook and loads of the tracks have been duplicated, some four times some not at all?? any ideas guys?

I recently took my imac in for a recall on the hard drive, they replaced my hard drive, i used time machine to restore all my files. Now when I turn time machine on it says back up failed not enough space, it is not overwriting old back ups.

I recently took my imac in for a recall on the hard drive, they replaced my hard drive, i used time machine to restore all my files. Now when I turn time machine on it says back up failed not enough space, it is not overwriting old back ups. Why? Please help

http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html

New iMac, used Time Machine to Copy Settings from Laptop, Having Trouble

Sorry if this is a common question, but I couldn't find an answer after searching the boards.
My new MacBook arrived three weeks ago. Like a good girl, I've been backing up with Time Machine and an external hard drive. No problems.
My new iMac arrived yesterday. While setting it up, it asked if I wanted to copy settings from a Time Machine backup. I said "yes" (should have said "no") and told Time Machine to copy my laptop settings to my iMac. I did not copy Applications or Documents--just account information.
My new iMac is now a bit confused. It thinks it is a copy of my MacBook (the backup of the iMac is called 'MacBook 2'), and it also thinks I have software installed on it that I don't have installed. Specifically, it is refusing to install a statistical program, stating that "Install has detected the presence of SPSS 16.0 for Mac. Please uninstall the existing version before installing this version of the product."
Here's my question: is there a way I can "undo" the migration that I did yesterday? I certainly wouldn't be losing any files or anything of importance if I could just take it all back.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Chaya

it's probably some preference file in the transfered home directory that was put there when you installed that program on the macbook. You can try looking for that preference file in library folder in your home directory or you can create a new user account and install the software from there.

Time Machine also copy Bootcamp?

Hello.
First of all, an overview:
Macbook Pro 13. HDD: 650 GB. Latest Snow Leopard. Mac experience: Some.
I'm trying to make a copy of my computer using Time Machine. I've been doing this before when I had my standard HDD, and it worked excellent. Since I bought a new HDD, I thought that I should make a new Time Machine copy. I've installed Windows 7 using Boot Camp, which got about 100 GB of the Harddrive. OSX got 550 GB (489 GB used). My external harddrive's space is just 500 GB.
When I tried to make a copy, it says that the external harddrive got too little space remaining, which is true if Time Machine also copy my Windows 7. (Another partition).
My question is, if I buy a new external HDD which got more than 650 GB space, will I be able to make a Time Machine copy of both my OSX and W7, and if my computer crashes in the future, will I just be able to plug the external harddrive in, and install the copy and it all looks like now? I know that OSX will, but will W7 also do it?
If the answer is not, how can I make that the Time Machine don't choose to copy the Windows partition? I can't do as I normal do.. Because you can't click on the partition and omit it. (please answer this question even if the answer is yes.)
Summary:
If I use Time Machine, will it also copy Windows 7 exaclly as it is right now? How can I uncheck to copy the windows partition?
Thanks in advance.
//imol.

Time Machine does not back up Boot Camp partitions. You'll need to use Windows backup software to make a separate backup for that.
As a general rule, your Time Machine drive should be at least twice the size of the partitions that you want to back up. Your external drive is smaller than the 550 GB that you've assigned to your OS X partition, so Time Machine is refusing to use it.
Try to find an external drive that's at least 1.5 TB.

Time Machine not backing up music added to iTunes since the original backup

My girlfriend has a Macbook and I decided it was time for her to back up. I used Time Machine with my Lacie external HD. The original back up got all the music, documents, etc.
This morning was the first time I had hooked up the external HD since the original back up. I manually ran it and wanted to check if it added the new music and documents. My resume, which I updated last night, was there. But when I looked in the iTunes folder the new music I had added was missing.
Will the daily or weekly back up get the new music files? Is there something I did wrong with set up? Of course I could start over but I'd rather fix the issue and make sure everything is being backed up.
Your suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Erik Griffin wrote:
My girlfriend has a Macbook and I decided it was time for her to back up. I used Time Machine with my Lacie external HD. The original back up got all the music, documents, etc.
How long ago was this?
This morning was the first time I had hooked up the external HD since the original back up. I manually ran it and wanted to check if it added the new music and documents. My resume, which I updated last night, was there. But when I looked in the iTunes folder the new music I had added was missing.
How are you verifying whether they were backed-up? Use +Enter Time Machine,+ not the Finder.
Will the daily or weekly back up get the new music files?
The labels of hourly, daily, and weekly backups are just labels. The process is the same with each. The only thing that's different is how long TM will keep them. A TM backup is a TM Backup.
Is there something I did wrong with set up? Of course I could start over but I'd rather fix the issue and make sure everything is being backed up.
First, check TM Preferences > Options. Be sure nothing is listed there that would prevent any iTunes data from being backed-up.
If you still don't see them, download the TimeTracker app, from www.charlessoft.com.
It shows most of the files saved by TM for each backup (excluding some hidden/system files, etc.). That should show what was actually backed-up.

Time Machine not opening after Snow Leopard 10.6.3 install

The install from Leopard 10.5.8 seemed to go well but I'm unable to open Time Machine now...I get this error message:
The operation can't be completed
An unexpected error occurred (error code -43)

Alls lost wrote:
I upgraded from Leopard to Snow Leopard on my existing MacBook. I'd never done any work on Time Machine on the old version outside of opening it and am obviously completely ignorant of the entire application.
I'm still not clear -- had you done any backups while you were on Leopard?
I wanted to start using it and am receiving that error message when I try to open it so I can't get into it to do any manipulation...etc. Maybe my best bet is to go to an Apple store and get some basic help with it including reloading.
I'm still not clear on what's going on, but I don't think you need to reload anything.
If you've never done any backups, then you won't see anything when you click the Time Machine icon in your Dock.
If you want to start using Time Machine, you'll need an external HD, or perhaps a Time Capsule, for Time Machine to store the backups on. You set that up via +System Preferences > Time Machine.+ Once there are some backups, you should be able to view them via the Time Machine application.
You might want to review the [Time Machine Tutorial|http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#timemachinebasics] and perhaps browse [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
Then post back with any questions.

"Time machine not configured" & Can't reset to factory setting.

Once I removed the Time capsule from my List to back up again. But after removing when i connect the time capsule, the amber light keep on flashing and i can't set up the Time capsule. Although i get it in the wifi network. ( I attached the Pic marked Majmadar's Wifi Network ). Now when i click on the icon of time capsule it shows " Time machine not configured ". Even when i open the time machine preferences i don't see My time Capsule in my list. Please help me to
solve my problem. Thanks in advance.

Start over and redo the setup from a manual factory reset.. do NOT use names like you have now.. this is problematic on Yosemite..
Also do a full reset on Time Machine.. See A4 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Factory reset universal
Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
Setup the TC again.
ie Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg TCgen5 and TCwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
Even better if the issue is more wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round.
2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
3. Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking. If the TC is main router it will not be an issue.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
You might need to do some more work on the laptop itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
Tell us how you go.
Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
Start from the bottom and work up.. I have a list of good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
This user has had success and a few others as well.
RáNdÓm GéÉzÁ
Here is where they discuss a true solution.. replace the rotten DNS app in Yosemite with the one from Mavericks.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

After reformatting my 1 Tb WD ext drive and tinkering with the "exclude these items" list, I now get the following error message from Time Machine:Are you sure you want to back up to the same device your original data is on? the WD disk has mounted??

After reformatting my 1 Tb WD ext drive and tinkering with the "exclude these items" list, I now get the following error message from Time Machine: "Are you sure you want to back up to the same device your original data is on?" I've reformatted in Disk Utilities...not sure what I did wrong. Any help would be appreciated.

Not sure what you mean by "booted" from it.
If the Mac OS is installed on the external drive, then it's possible to start up from it, just as you do from your internal drive. Please open the Startup Disk preference pane in System Preferences, and verify that your internal drive is selected as the startup disk.
Assuming that's the case, then it may be that your TM settings have been corrupted. Turn off TM, then move or delete the file /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist. Turn TM back on, recreate your settings, and try again.

Time Machine not copying all I want it to

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