Time Machine repeatedly creating .inProgress files

I've been using TM with an external USB 2 drive for some months now, but as of last night, the drive icon wasn't turning to the green TM icon.
I've reselected the drive in TM prefs, which temporarily sorts the problem, but as soon as I disconnect and re-attach the drive, the icon remains orange.
I've also noticed that approx 5 seconds before the actual backup, TM creates an .inProgress file. Each subsequent backup deletes the existing .inProgress, but creates a new one, again, just a few seconds before the actual backup.
Strangely, the .inProgress file is EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE as the immediately following backup created 5 seconds later.
Anyone know why this is happening?
TIA,
Si.

Rob Hill wrote:
Given that the files have not been touched since August 2009
You don't know that for sure. Some process somewhere apparently has done something.
what are the criteria for files to be backup candidates?
OSX keeps a hidden +File System Event Store+ (log) on each disk. It's not a list of every file that was changed (that would get very large very quickly), but each directory (folder) that had anything inside it changed. Various other processes (such as Spotlight and Time Machine) can interrogate this, then examine the contents to determine what was changed inside the folder.
That's how, for example, moving a file from one folder to another doesn't change the file's +date modified,+ but Time Machine still knows that it needs to be backed-up.
The contents of the log aren't kept forever, of course; the older items are periodically purged. If you do an OSX update, for example, so many things are changed that the log is overwhelmed. In that case, Time Machine will do a "deep traversal," comparing every directory on your system to the backups. This will also happen in some other circumstances, where TM can't be sure the Event Store is correct and matches TM's records.

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HT1338 Purchased a used macbook pro with Mountain Lion. My old Mac runs Snow Leopard is backed up to Time machine. How do I register the operating system to me and how do I use Time Machine to move my files to the new used computer?

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If you look at the User Tips tab, you will find a write up on just this subject:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4053
The subject of buying/selling a Mac is quite complicated. Here is a guide to the steps involved. It is from the Seller's point of view, but easily read the other way too:
SELLING A MAC A
Internet Recovery, and Transferability of OS & iLife Apps
Selling an Old Mac:
• When selling an old Mac, the only OS that is legally transferable is the one that came preinstalled when the Mac was new. Selling a Mac with an upgraded OS isn't doing the new owner any favors. Attempting to do so will only result in headaches since the upgraded OS can't be registered by the new owner. If a clean install becomes necessary, they won't be able to do so and will be forced to install the original OS via Internet Recovery. Best to simply erase the drive and revert back to the original OS prior to selling any Mac.
• Additionally, upgrading the OS on a Mac you intend to sell means that you are leaving personally identifiable information on the Mac since the only way to upgrade the OS involves using your own AppleID to download the upgrade from the App Store. So there will be traces of your info and user account left behind. Again, best to erase the drive and revert to the original OS via Internet Recovery.
Internet Recovery:
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• Though the Mac came with a particular version of Mac OS X, it appears that, when Internet Recovery is invoked, the most recent update of that version may be applied. (i.e. if the Mac originally came with 10.7.3, Internet Recovery may install a more recent update like 10.7.5)
iLife Apps:
• When the App Store is launched for the first time it will report that the iLife apps are available for the user to Accept under the Purchases section. The user will be required to enter their AppleID during the Acceptance process. From that point on the iLife apps will be tied to the AppleID used to Accept them. The user will be allowed to download the apps to other Macs they own if they wish using the same AppleID used to Accept them.
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SELLING A MAC B
Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
Step One - Back up your data:
A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
side.
4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
sure to opt for that.
Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
startup drive.
Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See.What to do with iCloud before selling your computer
Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
4. Install OS X.
5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
6. Shutdown the computer.
B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
it is three times faster than wireless.
1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
Utilities window appears.
2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click
on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
*If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

Time Machine: Repeated errors when backing up for the first time using a new external firewire drive

My Iomega 500GB firewire external drive failed on me last week and I have just replaced it with an identical model. I used to use the old drive with Time Machine on my MacBook Pro running 10.5.8 with no issues, until the drive had a hardware failure and stopped spinning up, hence the replacement.
Two days ago I tried using Time Machine for the first time with the replacement external drive. The backup failed and each subsequent backup attempt has failed since then with a different error each time. The drive cannot be ejected using Finder (Finder says disk is in use and cannot be ejected even when no processes are running except for Finder and Time Machine has been disabled), by dragging it to the dock (hangs computer which can only be fixed by a hard reboot), in Disk Utilities (drive cannot be unmounted) or in Terminal ("no such file or directory").
The first backup attempt failed after 3 hours of "preparing" with the message "The backup was not performed because an error occured while creating backup directory".
I tried repairing the disk in Disk Utilities and Disk Utilities said the drive was OK ("the volume Time Machine Backups appears to be OK"). I tried ejecting the drive (hard reboot of computer and disconnecting the drive), plugging it back in again and trying again.
This time it started backing up, then failed after a few minutes with the message "an error occured while copying files to the backup volume". I had a look at the troubleshooting suggested on http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/C3.html and followed instructions. It failed again, so I did a full reset as per http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/A4.html.
It failed again, so I tried reparing the drive again in Disk Utilities and again it said it was OK. I tried using different cables and ports (Firewire 400 instead of Firewire 800), and backups still fail.
I have turned off anti-virus scanning (Sophos). I have tried excluding it from Spotlight but this causes an error message from Spotlight. I have tried trashing the com.apple.TimeMachine.plist file and rebooting. I have tried selecting deselecting the drive as the back up in Time Machine preferences, selecting "None", then "Stop Backing Up" then quitting preferences, rebooting, disconnecting the drive, reconnecting the drive and selecting the drive again as the backup disk in Time Machine preferences. I have tried erasing the drive completely, rebooting, and trying to back up again.
None of these have worked. This is a brand new drive and I do not want to have to replace it again if I do not have to.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.

Hello, some possible clues...
Should you click “Start New Backup”? Not yet! If you see the dialog above, your existing Time Machine backup is corrupt, and you might not be able to recover data from it. But you can save a copy of the corrupt bundle and, perhaps, extract some data from it if needed.
Ask yourself if Time Machine has saved data you might need before deciding what to do next:
If you are sure you won’t need anything backed up before today, click “Start New Backup” and let Time Machine do its thing.
Otherwise, click “Back Up Later” and save a copy before letting Time Machine start a new backup. Just look for a file called “computername.sparsebundle” (for network backups) or “Backups.backupdb” (for local ones) and create a copy with a different name. You can open sparsebundle files with DiskImageMounter and browse them like any other disk. More information is available here.
There you go. If you click “Start New Backup” when you see this dialog box, Time Machine will erase all of your old backup data and start a new bundle. It won’t be corrupt, but it will be empty.
Note that you can manually initiate a Time Machine backup integrity check by option-clicking the “Time Machine” icon in the menu bar and selecting “Verify Backups.”
http://blog.fosketts.net/2010/08/11/time-machine-completed-verification-backups- improve-reliability-time-machine-create-backup/
According to This Time Machine resource “This appears only on Snow Leopard, and started with the Time Capsule Backup Update 1.0 in mid-May of 2010. It also seems to have been included in the 10.6.3 v1.1 update and 10.6.4.”
So, what can you do about it? Grin and bear it, it seems, until Apple fixes it.
One thing you can do to make the backup take less time is to connect your machine to your Time Capsule or other backup drive via Ethernet for the duration of the initial backup.
http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-dreaded-time-machine-has-completed-a-verifi cation-of-your-backups-to-improve-reliability-time-machine-must-create-a-new-ba c kup-for-you-message-and-why-you-are-seeing-it/
Time Machine: About "Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you."...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4076
Or a different/better solution in my experiences...
Get carbon copy cloner to make an exact copy of your old HD to the New one...
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
Or SuperDuper...
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/
Or the most expensive one & my favorite, Tri-Backup...
http://www.tri-edre.com/english/products/tribackup.html

Time machine has created a new sparse bundle

I have booted my new Macbook from my time machine back up. Time machine has created a new sparse bundle and I cannot access the previous backups. Is there any way to make time machine to use the previous sparse bundle? Thanks, Karl

Use the old backups to continue backups or use them for migration etc..
If you have a new Mac then continuing to use the same backup is not recommended..
Info you can see here..
B5 and B6 http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
I do not think it is good idea.. however you can access the old backup to get files if you need them.
See Q17 here.
http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html

Would it be possible for time machine to back-up files from 3rd party software such as windows platform using parallel?

I'm wondering if it would be possible for time machine to back-up files from 3rd party software such as Windows XP using parallel software especially if it is isolated from mac? Any advise would be greatly aprreciated.

Short answer - yes Time Machine will backup everything within the Mac OS system.
Longer answer - Parallels creates a pvm disk image "Parallels Virtual Machine" which Time Machine backs up.
Due to the changes to the pvm file Time Machine is unable to read the minor changes and will somtimes do a full backup of it each time Time Machine runs and can chew through Back up drive space quite quickly.

HT3275 Time Machine Repeated verification failures?

We have an Imac and a MacBook Air and run time machinr on both to a WD MyBookLive connected over the WiFi. It appears to work fine in the iMac but the MacBook Air keeps coming up with the message Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you. It has been happening every two or three weeks but last time it created a new backup ti came up with this massage only the next day. If it won't work properly I am going to have to ditch time machine and copy key files manually.
Any Suggestions?

There is some info here.
http://pondini.org/TM/D3.html
But go back and read through the whole troubleshooting.
Air in particular seem to often have issues.
I would be incline to buy the USB to Ethernet (or even thunderbolt to ethernet) adapter and use wired connection to do it.

Time Machine on Mavericks: restore file doesn't work

I've successfully located a file I need to restore from Time Machine backup by doing a Finder search for the filename (something.graffle, an OmniGraffle document), and when 0 items are found, I "Enter Time Machine..." and use the back arrow or click on a date some months ago. This process finds two copies of something.graffle, and I can select these and Copy them, or I can select them and click Restore. Neither, however, works. When I try Copy, then Cancel out of Time Machine, there is nothing to Paste. When I try Restore, the image of the item glides to the present-day folder and is present for a moment in the present-day Finder window after Time Machine closes, but it instantly disappears, and Find once again cannot find it.
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I solved this problem, which also appears on this thread: time machine can't restore files
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I've used an external drive for time machine which has important files on it. After trying to back up my computer, it suddenly needed to be "repaired" by utilities. Now it's not being "seen" at all! How do I recover my important files off the drive?

I've used an external drive for time machine which has important files on it. After trying to back up my computer, it suddenly needed to be "repaired" by utilities. Now it's not being "seen" at all! How do I recover my important files off the drive?

If the external drive can be seen at all in Disk Utility, follow the instructions for repair here.

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to ssis6:
I guess this is something that happens once in a while because Time Machine is backing up files now and I am able to work on Apple Discussions and reply to your post. I just wonder if in addition to your explanation, there is any other explanation as to why what I described happens. Thanks for your help.

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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Time Machine must create a new backup for you

getting this error message Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you. don't want to lose the history off my backups how can i fix this without losing any backups.

You really can't.
That's not one of Apple's clearest messages; it means your backups are damaged beyond OSX's ability to repair them. See #C13 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting for details.

Accidentally I have deleted my Time Machine Backup but deleted files are in the Trash !

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The following excellent Support articles may help you with that:
http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

Time machine copied my old files over new ones.

Sometimes the Macbook Pro would't load the desktop. Other times it won't load the password window. The backup drive booted up. I ran Norton anti-virus but found nothing.
The disc utility found the disc OK. But repairing permissions won't run. DiskWarrior gave the dreaded error 9972, which means any I one of 10 things could be wrong.
I noticed the Chrome icon had changed to blue, the color when Chrome first came out. Time machine had "updated" my files and apps back to 2009. What the ****. Have I lost all my work since I last backed up my disc in 2009? I had DiskWarrior rebuild the directory. But the disc still won't boot.
What caused time machine to load the backup over the new files?

jquin6 wrote:
The backup drive booted up.
Huh? What do you mean? Time Machine backups are not bootable.
I ran Norton anti-virus but found nothing.
That's well-known to wreak havoc on OSX. It may well be the cause of your problems. Uninstall it immediately. You may need help to do that, as it's also notoriously hard to get rid of all the bits it leaves behind.
Search this forum for Norton and you'll see what I mean, and find a link to an uninstaller.
Also see Thomas Reed's [Mac Virus Guide|http://www.reedcorner.net/thomas/guides/macvirus].
Have I lost all my work since I last backed up my disc in 2009?
You haven't backed-up since 2009?
I had DiskWarrior rebuild the directory. But the disc still won't boot.
Do you mean your Mac won't boot from the internal HD?
What caused time machine to load the backup over the new files?
Exactly what did you do? Did you tell it to restore that 2009 backup? If that's what you told it to do, that's what it did.
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Getting this error: Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you.

I keep getting this error on my new Macbook Pro w/ Retina.
"Time Machine completed a verification of your backups. To improve reliability, Time Machine must create a new backup for you."
Connected to a wifi network and QNAP storage system. There are 5 computers on this network, and each backs up just fine. The issue is isolated to this one machine.
This error shows up every week or so.

A third-party NAS is unsuitable for use with Time Machine, especially if it's your only backup. I know this isn't the answer you want. I know Time Machine accepts the NAS as a backup destination. I know that the manufacturer says the device will work with Time Machine, and I also know that it usually seems to work. Except when you try to restore, and find that you can't.
Apple has published a specification for network devices that work with Time Machine. None of the third-party NAS vendors, as far as I know, meets that specification. They all use the incomplete, obsolete Netatalk implementation of Apple Filing Protocol.
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If you're determined to keep using the NAS with Time Machine, your only recourse for any problems that result is to the manufacturer (which will blame Apple, or you, or anyone but itself.)

Time Machine repeatedly creating .inProgress files

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