Time machine won't find my wireless network for backup

Time machine won't connect to my external hard drive. It still exists in timemachine set up, but airport utility can't find it - says it doesn't exist. The option to set up airport utility manually is greyed out and not available. The problem happened when i changed my wireless router. The hard drive is a WD MyBookLive and the router is a Belkin. I'd really appreciate your help - this is driving me nuts! :-)

Well, the set up is this:
Motorola modem connects to
Belkin N300 by Cat 5 cable which then connects to
D-Link gigabit switch which connects to
Macbook pro by ethernet cable.
The Belkin also creates the wireless network, which is used by various devices in the house, including the printer.
Error messages I have received are:
From Time Machine (which lists the MyBook as one of its choices, but then can't find it): "
The server "MyBookLive.local" may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection, and then try again."
From the MyBook (which was previously working fine):
Hoping this may assist!
Many thanks,
Bruce

Similar Messages

Can time machine back up on a wireless network

I would like to find a way to back up my Mac other than on an external drive. Besdides Time Capsule, can Time Machine back up onto other wireless networks? Also, is there a preferred, Mac-friendly online backup available (that may or may not use Time Machine)? I was considering using Carbonite.

Time Machine can backup to any device that has Time Machine Extensions.. eg some NAS have this.. or another Mac. Maybe some routers with USB drives.. I have heard of Netgear Mac compatible models.. but never forget.. apple change things around with every OS release and these companies will always be playing catchup.
You may also find it not easy at all to setup Time Machine.. I use a Zyxel NAS single disk model that does support Time Machine.. it has been fine.. but the setup is far more complicated than any TC.
Very few other devices will have TM available .. but if you use a third party software, then they will generally backup to any shared partition or drive in the network.
Buy a second hand TC and modify the power supply.. put in a big hard disk.. you can simply plug it into the existing network.. you will find it hard to get anything cheaper that works as well.. and none that will be as easy to setup.
Fine if you give up on TM.. then whatever external drive the software uses.. no issues.. but TM is designed to only work on HFS+ partition.

HT201250 I run time machine on my iMac using an external hard drive. I just bought a MacBook Pro and want to know if i can run time machine on it using my wireless network on to the iMac external hard drive

I run time machine on my iMac using an external hard drive. I just bought a MacBook Pro and want to know if i can run time machine on it using my wireless network on to the iMac external hard drive

How do I set up Time Machine to a shared drive on another Mac?

Time Capsule Disconnects OTHER devices on wireless network during backup?

Hi everyone,
I need help here. I have a 500gb TC as my wireless base station as well as my backup for a new-ish 2.8 iMac. I have 2 laptops on the network as well as 2 airport express stations that just serve speakers. The house is a small 1-floor 3-bedroom.
Every time my iMac does a time machine backup (which is often), the airport express bricks lose their music streams, and the laptops (a original Macbook Pro and a previous gen. MacBook) lose their internet and network connection - BUT they still show full signal strength and show that they are connected to the network.
The only thing that seems to "solve" it is for me to turn my computer airport off then back on and wait for it to re-join the network.
I have tried resetting my Time capsule - which only resulted in a VERY slow initial backup which took over 2 days to back up 200gb worth of data and then back to the same problem.
I have the TC set up as a mixed n/b/g network, and I have one express brick extending the network ('cause I thought a weak signal might be the problem but it appears not), and the other brick joining the network. All firmware/ software is up to date. Any help is appreciated!
Many thanks,
jb

jwbeaton,
While it doesn't directly relate to your connectivity issue, might I suggest not storing other files on the TC. Use and external disk attached to the TC via USB.
*Using a Time Machine Hard Disk (or Time Capsule) for Other Files*
Here is Apples’ line on this: “Time Machine works best if you use your backup disk only for Time Machine backups. If you keep files on your backup disk, Time Machine won’t back up those files, and the space available for Time Machine backups will be reduced.” [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/11430.html]
This hasn't stopped some from successfully partitioning Time Machine hard disks and storing data on the other partition. As long as the Time Machine backup has its' own partition, you avoid any potential opportunities for conflict.
However, this is not an option for Time Capsule users as there is no easy way of partitioning the Time Capsules’ internal hard disk without elaborate effort. Granted, the Time Capsule is advertised as being able to perform both as a Time Machine backup destination and as a shared network drive [Apple Store (U.S.) - Time Capsule - 500 GB]
Nevertheless, some have experienced problems with maintaining files/folders occupying the same disk as Time Machine backups. In this case, they use the Time Capsule hard disk solely for Time Machine backups. Then attach an external hard disk to the Time Capsules USB port and store additional files there. This added disk will still be available to all Macs that can access the Time Capsule. (Note though, that any USB disks attached to the USB port of the Time Capsule can not then be backed up to the Time Capsule via Time Machine. Time Machine will only backup your Macs internal hard disk or any external hard disks physically attached to the Mac. Time Machine can not backup one remote device to another remote device.)
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Which External Drives are compatible with Time Machine. I plan to utilize it for backups and to connect to an Airport Extreme.

MBP Retina, 15 inch, Late 2013. Intel Core i7. OSX 10.9.4
Which External Hard Drives are compatible with Time Machine.
I plan to use one drive for automatic backups connected to an Airport Extreme.
The connection can be USB or Ethernet and should be expandable.
OR
should I just buy the Time capsule and avoid the compatibility, connection and interference issues.
Thanks

Hi Kappy,
I just saw that on the Apple Support site that "Time Machine is not supported with USB hard drives that are connected to an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme device", just as you have suggested.
Why is the newest model of the Airport Extreme, which is the model I have, an exception to the Time Machine compatibility?
The following information is from Apple website:
Time Machine works with:
AirPort Time Capsule's built-in hard drive (any model)
External USB hard drive connected to AirPort Time Capsule (any model)
An external hard drive connected to your Mac
Use the Time Machine pane of System Preferences to choose your backup disk(s).
Additional Information
Time Machine is not supported with USB hard drives that are connected to an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme device.

Time machine setup - how to change 'wireless network name' and settings?

I have moved laptop to Mountain Lion.
This is the first time to backup to Timecapsule.
I went to Settings then Select Disk and selected existing Time Machine.
It took more than 30 minutes and seemed stuck on 'Preparing ....".
I cancelled and tried to 'Setup Time Capsule not listed"...
The system recognised the Time Capsule but I see that the network settings is my old 'wireless network' name.
How do I change this to the correct network name and ensure that the settings are correct?
I think if this is corrected, the backup will work.
Thanks in advance.

On the Home screen of the product control panel, touch the right arrow ( ) to view more options.
Touch Setup ( ).
Touch Network .
Touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup .
Touch PIN .
Touch Start . The product displays a PIN.
NOTE:The product begins a timer for approximately two minutes to allow you time to enter the PIN on the networking device.
Enter the PIN on the WPS-enabled router or other networking device.
I work for HP, IPGHT specialist in Officejet and Photosmart printers.
--Say "Thanks" by clicking the Kudos Star in the post that helped you.
--Please mark the post that solves your problem as "Accepted Solution" .....

Time Machine completes once, then says "too large for backup disk"

Hello all,
I'm a very experienced, certified Apple tech, with over 15 years' experience working on Macs, having used them since 1984.
Client's iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
Mac OS X 10.6.8, fully up to date
12 GB RAM
History: Internal 1 TB hard drive was failing. Mac out of warranty, so HDD was replaced with a new 1 TB hard drive.
Data was cloned from old drive using SuperDuper!
Now, Time Machine will not back up more than once.
The error reads:
"Time Machine could not complete the backup.
This backup is too large for the backup disk.
The backup requires 728.32 GB but only 568.57 GB are available."
The backup drive is 1.5x the size of the internal drive. There are no other hard drives attached that would be included in the backup.
Internal hard drive: 1 TB
Available: 392 GB
Used 608 GB
External backup drive 1.5 TB
Available 568.57 GB
Used 931.39 GB
I have tried many steps from the pondini.org site and other blogs and internet forums, including this one.
External hard drive has been reformatted/erased several times.
We have disabled indexing, deleted the Spotlight index, and re-enabled indexing.
I can't determine why the Time Machine backup is 1.5 times the size of the data on the internal boot drive.
This was never a problem before the internal hard drive was replaced, so I think it's related to that.
I had the client install BackupLoupe. Her computer is not at our office, but I can get more info from her if needed.
If there's something obvious I'm missing, let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Dave

That's been done, and here are the results:
July 13 6:22am
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
No pre-backup thinning needed: 678.09 GB requested (including padding),
831.97 GB available
Copied 122.0 GB of 564.1 GB, 246633 of 523955 items
Copied 294.4 GB of 564.1 GB, 320260 of 523955 items
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
Copied 444.4 GB of 564.1 GB, 453652 of 523955 items
Copied 523956 files (554.8 GB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Starting post-backup thinning
No post-back up thinning needed: no expired backups exist
Backup completed successfully.
July 13 6:42am
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 678.15 GB requested (including padding),
268.78 GB available
No expired backups exist - deleting oldest backups to make room
Deleted backup /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb/iMac/2013-07-13-021422: 831.05 GB now available
Pre-backup thinning completed successfully: 1 backups were deleted
Backup date range was shortened: oldest backup is now Jul 13, 2013
Copied 69.2 GB of 564.1 GB, 228921 of 523955 items
Copied 231.8 GB of 564.1 GB, 294537 of 523955 items
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
Copied 379.7 GB of 564.1 GB, 409687 of 523955 items
Copied 543.7 GB of 564.1 GB, 517846 of 523955 items
Copied 523967 files (554.8 GB) from volume Macintosh HD.
July 13 1102 am
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 678.15 GB requested (including padding),
268.78 GB available
No expired backups exist - deleting oldest backups to make room
Deleted backup /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb/iMac/2013-07-13-021422: 831.05 GB now available
Pre-backup thinning completed successfully: 1 backups were deleted
Backup date range was shortened: oldest backup is now Jul 13, 2013
Copied 69.2 GB of 564.1 GB, 228921 of 523955 items
Copied 231.8 GB of 564.1 GB, 294537 of 523955 items
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
Copied 379.7 GB of 564.1 GB, 409687 of 523955 items
Copied 543.7 GB of 564.1 GB, 517846 of 523955 items
Copied 523967 files (554.8 GB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Backup completed successfully.
July 13 307pm
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 679.38 GB requested (including padding),
267.58 GB available
No expired backups exist - deleting oldest backups to make room
Deleted backup /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb/iMac/2013-07-13-062230: 829.87 GB now available
Pre-backup thinning completed successfully: 1 backups were deleted
Backup date range was shortened: oldest backup is now Jul 13, 2013
Copied 80.4 GB of 564.1 GB, 235855 of 523977 items
Copied 218.1 GB of 564.1 GB, 289940 of 523977 items
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
CoreEndianFlipData: error -4940 returned for rsrc type open (id 128, length
12, native = no)
Copied 347.4 GB of 564.1 GB, 395287 of 523977 items
Stopping backupd to allow ejection of backup destination disk!
Copied 395788 files (353.7 GB) from volume Macintosh HD.
Backup canceled.
July 14 11:02am
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 680.07 GB requested (including padding),
470.83 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 680.07 GB needed space
Backup failed with error: Not enough available disk space on the target
volume.
July 14 12.48pm
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/a***r/Backups.backupdb
Node requires deep traversal:/ reason:must scan subdirs|
Starting pre-backup thinning: 680.07 GB requested (including padding),
470.83 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 680.07 GB needed space
Backup failed with error: Not enough available disk space on the target
volume.

Time machine won't work after mavericks upgrade

Is there a way to fix it? Time machine is stuck saying it's preparing for backup.

Others here wouldnt recommend it, but on a new OS install, since I have a giant pile of HD, ...i just grab another HD and create a new fresh Time Machine backup
after its complete, I take the original HD with the OLD backup and format/erase it.
Im a tad too lazy to wait, as you yourself mentioned, 1 hour for TM just to PREPARE to backup. Nope, no,...not gonna do it.
I updated 4 Macs to Mavericks and id rather make a wholly NEW Time Machine backup on another HD and erase the original.
Since I keep about 12+ redundant archives of my important data, I have no worry on earth of ever losing data.
Time machine is a backup, NOT an archive for vital data.
Methodology to protect your data. Backups vs. Archives. Long-term data protection

I am in an internet cafe and my macbook pro can't find the wireless network available here. I have used this network before. I have restarted my machine several times too. help please

I am in an internet cafe and my macbook pro can't find the wireless network available at the cafe. I have used this network before. I have restarted my machine several times too. help please

Change your router channel. Sometimes this is all you will have to do.
Power cycling the router. Read the router's user manual or contact their tech support for instructions.
System Preferences/Internet & Network/Network
Unlock the padlock
Locations: Automatic
Highlight Airport
Click the Assist Me button
In the popup window click the Diagnostic button.
System Preferences/Network- Unlock padlock. Highlight Airport. Network Name-select your name. Click on the Advanced button. Airport/Preferred Networks-delete all that is not your network.
Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined." Click the OK button and lock the padlock. Restart your computer.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1920 Mac OS: How to release and renew a DHCP lease
No internet connection (wireless)
Check to see if an extra entry is present in the DNS Tab for your wireless connection (System Preferences/Network/Airport/Advanced/DNS).
Delete all extra entries that you find.
Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined."
Other resources to check into:
http://www.netspotapp.comNetspot
How to diagnose and resolve Wi-Fi slow-downs
Pv6 troubleshooting
Mac OS X 10.6 Help: Solving problems with connecting to the Internet
What Affects Wireless Internet?
Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting

Time machine can't find wireless device despite strong Wifi connection

Every time I try to set up time machine, whenever it tries to find a wireless device it says "Airport Utility was unable to find any Airport wireless devices. Make sure the Airport wireless device you want to set up is plugged in and in range of your computer, and then rescan again." I already have a perfectly strong connection to my router so why does it keep saying that it can't find a wireless connection?

Bernard778 wrote:
I have the very same problem. MB recognizes my 2TB Verbatim when connected directly via USB and Time Machine goes to work. When I connect the HDD to my router, my MB sees the HDD in Finder, but Time Machine can't find it ("Airport Utility was unable to find any Airport wireless devices. Make sure the Airport wireless device you want to set up is plugged in and in range of your computer, and then rescan again.").
@Pondini - this is not a time capsule, I have a HDD on my WiFi network.
Hi, and welcome to the forums.
You have two problems with this setup.
First, Apple doesn't support backing-up that way. See this Apple article: [Disks that can be used with Time Machine|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/15139.html].
Second, backups done locally (when the HD is connected to your Mac via USB) are placed in a Backups.backupdb folder at the top level of the drive. When they're done over a network (Ethernet or WIFI), that folder is inside a +sparse bundle,+ and you can't easily switch between the two.

My new Canon Pixma 7250 wireless printer can no longer find my wireless network. My MAC is, Yosemite 10.10.2. I've run diagnostics and Canon LAN printer setup routine many time. Is there a solution? Can anyone help?

My new Canon Pixma 7250 wireless printercan no longer find my wireless network. (It worked fine until recently) I have a Yosemite 10.10.2. I've run diagnostics and the Canon LAN printer setup routine many times. Is there a solution? Can anyone help?

Turn of the MG and unplug the power cord. Leave it off for about a minute and then reconnect the power cord and turn the power back on. Wait while the device attempts to reconnect to your wireless network - the blue wifi symbol on the MG will flash and then stay on once it has connected. If it keeps flashing then you will have to reconnect the MG to your wireless access point via the control panel on the MG.

Since I upgraded to Mavericks, Time Machine no longer finds the Time Capsule Disk on my network

Hi,
Since I upgraded to Mavericks, Time Machine no longer finds the Time Capsule Disk on my network.
Five minutes before upgrading it however performed successfully a last backup.
I found several posts on this forum and proposed solutions:
- restarted both the mac and capsule
- deleted the /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist (twice rebooting in between)
Still have the issue.

What brand of drive is it?
Disks You Can Use
Troubleshooting backup issues
Time Machine Can’t Find Backup Disk

Time Machine won't back up external drive to Time Capsule

I recently got a Time Capsule, and successfully set it up to back up my iMac's primary drive, but for some reason Time Machine won't back up my external drive to the Time Capsule.
I removed the external drive from the exclusion list in System Preferences > Time Machine > Options, and from what I've read this should be sufficient to make Time Machine back up the drive.
The external drive is connected to my iMac via Thunderbolt > Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adaptor > Firewire 800 input, and the Time Capsule is connected via Ethernet to my LAN.
Since I'm using Ethernet, I've disabled Wi-Fi on the Time Capusule by going to AirPort Utility > My Time Capsule > Edit > Wireless > Network Mode > Off.
The reason I believe the external drive is not being backed up is because when I click the Time Machine icon in the upper-right status bar and choose "Enter Time Machine", none of the folders on external drive show any older versions.
Furthermore, when I click Finder > Time Machine Backups > Backups.backupdb, I can see only one sub-folder which has the name of my iMac's primary drive. I can't see any equivalent folder for my external drive.
Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

I don't see anything you have done wrong.. perhaps it does backup in a different way.
Load the widget.. A1 here... http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
That will allow you to track the log of TM to see what it is doing.
I would also try rebooting the computer.. exclude the drive again.. reboot.. and remove the exclusion.
You should be able to check the actual settings of TM in plist file.
And you can do a full reset of TM as well.. See A4. Check what is in the file. Pondini lists the location for you.
Nothing surprises me with Mountain Lion ...!!

Time Machine won't back up onto Time Capsule

I upgraded to Mountain Lion last week, and Time Machine won't back up to my Time Capsule. When it fails, I get the message:
Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Tom's Time Capsule".
The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle" could not be created (error 60)
I sometimes get the same message, but with "error 17"
I also get the following error message popup (even though the disk is the one in my Time Capsule):
The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer.
The popup offers three choices: Initialize, Ignore, Eject.
My local Apple Store Genius concluded that the problem must be with the Time Capsule, so I bought a new one. That didn't fix the problem.
Time Machine Buddy messages:
Starting manual backup
Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Tom%[email protected]/Data
Mounted network destination at mount point: /Volumes/Data using URL: afp://Tom%[email protected]/Data
Creating disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle
Error 60 creating backup disk image
Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle, status: 60
Backup failed with error: 20
Failed to eject volume /Volumes/Data (FSVolumeRefNum: -108; status: -47; dissenting pid: 0)
I did Repair Disk Permissions and Verify Disk and everything's OK.
I erased the Time Capsule using AirPort Utility and did a hard reset on the Time Capsule.
I did a re-install of Mountain Lion and that didn't fix anything.
My MacBook Pro is accessing the Time Capsule wirelessly, as it always has.
Help!

Just to be sure, we're talking about a Time Capsule -- not an AirPort Extreme connected to an external hard drive. Right?
If so, proceed as follows.
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 this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in 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(s)?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

New MBP and Time Machine won't let me search out my NAS to save too. Any ideas?

When trying to set up time machine and using a NAS drive in my wireless network Time Machine won't let me search and select the storage device. I can access the storage and save/retrieve files so I can see and use it. Anyone got any ideas please?
Brand New MBP running Mavericks.

I'm having the same issue with Mavericks - and it appears to be Mavericks specific. I don't have this problem with Mountain Lion. Mountain Lion can see both of my NAS drives.
Additionally, with Mavericks Time Machine won't see your backup properly. It may only see the most recent backup. Though in my case it wouldn't load either one (I had two on different drives). To recover some files I had to use a machine running Mountain Lion to mount a backup file then I was able to extract the files to a USB drive, which I then moved to the Mavericks machine.
I've tried using terminal to run tmutil commands without luck. I have mounted the volume I want to use - it shows when I do "ls -l /Volumes". Then when I do sudo tmutil setdestination /Volumes/VOLUMENAME the system seems to go into an infinite loop. I have to ^c to get back to terminal.
Clearly with Time Machine on Mavericke Apple has really screwed the pooch.
MacBook Pro 2.3GHz i7 with DVD drive and standard resolution display.

Time machine won't find my wireless network for backup

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