Trying to install Mountain Lion but I get an erroneous message - can't install on this drive as it's used for time machine backup (no it isn't and never has been)

Problem installing Mountain Lion on Mac Pro 3 - currently Snow Leopard

Look at the hard drive where Applications, Library, System, and Users are. There is most likely a backup file there. Delete it.
Can't Install OS on Volume Used by Time Machine

Similar Messages

  • I am trying to purchase mountain lion but I get the following message:  "We could not complete your purchase. The product distribution file could not be verified. It may bedamaged or was not signed."  Any help?

    I am trying to purchase mountain lion but I get the following message:
    "We could not complete your purchase. The product distribution file could not be verified. It may bedamaged or was not signed."  Any help?

    Installing the appropriate combo update may help...
    If you are running v10..7 Lion, install the OS X Lion Update 10.7.4 (Client Combo)
    For 10.6 Snow Leopard >  Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo
    Then restart your Mac. Try the App Store.
    If that doesn't help, try the following..
    Quit the App Store if it's open.
    Open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar top of your screen click Go > Go to Folder
    Type this exactly as you see it here:
    /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
    Click Go
    Move the NetworkInterfaces.plist file from the SystemConfiguration folder to the Trash.
    Relaunch the App Store and try downloading Mountain Lion.
    You may also need to disable anti virus software and turn off the Firewall in System Preferences > Security (or Security & Privacy) > Firewall

  • I am getting error "The disk is used for Time Machine Backup" when installing the new OSX Mountain Lion upgrade"

    I am keep getting this error "The disk is used for Time Machine Backup" when installing the new OSX Mountain Lion" when doing the upgrade to newly OS.

    The folder would be at the root of your hard drive. Double-click Macintosh HD and look there.
    If it isn’t there, I’m not sure what it is seeing.

  • Can't install Lion This disk is used for Time Machine backups

    The Lion installer, downloaded from the app store, won't let me select my internal hard disk, it says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" which it isn't.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    Neil

    I was sure that I had trashed the Backups.backupdb folder from the top level - it did require me to enter my Admin password.
    Yes I had tried several times to go back to the terms of agreement screen and click agree once again, but still had the problem.
    I had external HDs connected, but disconnected them and the problem persisted.
    I restarted my mac and now the message has gone away and I am having no problems installing.
    Thanks everyone

  • Cannot install mountain lion keep getting "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" when trying to install, HELP!!!

    Ok i currently have Lion on my early 2011 15" MBP. When i try to install Mountain Lion to my mac HD it keeps telling me I cannot because its used for time machine backups. I have done a search and I know I have to delete the backups.backupdb folder but I cannot find it for the life of me. If anyone can help I would really appreciate, thanks!
    Nik

    If you double-click on your hard drive icon the Backups.backupd folder should be on the root level of your drive. Sometimes OS X gets confused and incorrectly puts a Backups.backupd folder on your hard drive. That folder should only appear on a drive used for Time Machine
    If you can't find the Backups.backupd folder try using the free EasyFind with both Package Contents and Invisible Files & Folders checked. Search for "Backups.backupd" without the quotes on your hard drive (default selection), not your Time Machine drive. Right-click on the search result and choose to Reveal in Finder. Click on the link that kisuke3 provided and follow those directions
    If you can't find a Backups.backupd folder anywhere try booting into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key right after you hear the startup chime. Keep holding the Shift key down until you see the Apple Logo. The progress bar that appears indicates the progress of the file check that Safe Mode automatically does. Give it time to finish.
    Reboot normally and see if the ML installer will work. If it does wait until Spotlight is finishing indexing before turning Time Machine back on.

  • Cannot install Mountain Lion on my hard disc, as I keep getting the message" 'This disk is used for Time Machine backups'. Which it isn't - I don't use Time Machine

    Cannot install Mountain Lion on my hard disc, as I keep getting the message" 'This disk is used for Time Machine backups'. Which it isn't - I don't use Time Machine

    Check to see if you have a folder named "Backups.backupdb" at the root level of your hard disk. That can cause this error message.

  • I can't install OS X mountain Lion to my macbook pro. It says when I'm trying to choose the disk, (This disk is used for time machine backups'. What can I do about it? thanks!

    I can't install OS X mountain Lion to my macbook pro. It says when I'm trying to choose the disk, (This disk is used for time machine backups'. What can I do about it? thanks!

    From the Finder's Go menu, choose Computer:
    Double-click your hard disk icon. It is usually named "Macintosh HD":
    Look for this folder:
    Drag it to the Trash.

  • Unable to install Lion. Installer says disk is used for Time Machine backups. But it's my Mac's HD.

    On attempt to install Lion from CD, the installer says: "Mac OSX cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD". This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
    I have an external drive that I've been using for Time Machine backups, but it stopped functioning recently and I have not replaced it.
    Is there a workaround?
    Thx in advance. Bryant

    Maybe this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986 can help you.
    Stefan

  • I am trying to install Mavericks on my McbookAir, but it won't install, saying that my hd is used for time machine backups. I have an external HD connected to my mbAir that I'm using for time machine.

    2012 Macbk air, with OSX 10.8.5. See my question above. Mavericks won't install on my Air's HD, says that both the HD - AND - the external HD (which has a different name from the laptop HD) are used for time machine backups. I've deleted my time machine plists, restarted, repaired permissions, turned time machine off, repeatedly selected the external drive in time machine preferences. HELP. (Install went perfectly on my desktop Mac, which also has an external HD for time machine).

    I need to add that the only place I have the "Backups.backupdb" folder is on my backup external disk, and it's not on my HD    :-(    . If it were, I'd delete it!

  • Lion won't install can't select hard drive that is used for time machine backups

    I installed Lion, agreed to the eula but both drives are greyed out. My Macintosh HD - ( this dirve is used for time machine backups) and my external drive (this drive does not use the GUID Partition Table scheme...). Though I don't use time machine, I tried turning it on and selecting the external drive with no luck. I'm stuck - any ideas?

    "Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine.  As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it.  Try spotlight to locate it.  If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb".  If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
    Ciao.

  • Mac os x mountain lion The volume is already used for Time Machine backups

    Hey
    I downloaded the Mac OS X Mountain Lion and then I clicked on the hard disk and then was "The volume is already used for Time Machine backups.
    Can you help me please

    Well, this isn't a download window, it's an installer window. You need to select one of your hard drive volumes on which to install Lion.
    Your computer's main drive apparently has been used by you for TM backups which is a first class "no no." See: OS X v10.6, OS X Lion- Cannot install Mac OS X v10.6 or later on a volume used by Time Machine for backups.

  • Lion Install does not work, says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups"

    I'm having trouble installing Lion onto my macbook pro intel core 2 duo. 
    I am backing up my computer with an external drive using TimeMachine, but i've disconnected it.  Also i'm running SL 10.6.8  
    I have a windows 7 partition that was created with boot camp.
    I've tried to make sure everything is all ready for lion but when I go to install lion it says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and the hard drive is grayed out.
    Same problem as this guy: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3190321?start=0&tstart=0
    I'm hearing that a file called "Backups.backupdb" is on the top level of the hard drive, but I see no such file.  I've looked at the invisible files and I cant find it.
    I've also created a bootable flash copy of the lion install but that does not work It gives me the same message "This disk is used for time Machine backups".

    "Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine.  As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it.  Try spotlight to locate it.  If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb".  If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
    Ciao.

  • In the installation process lion will not install as message  reads MAC HD 904 gb available this disk is used for time machine backups .What is the next step

    After downloading ,completing the lic agreement phase, the next step is where to install and automatically' MAC HD with 904 gb available this disk is used for time machine backups' is shown and installation is blocked .
    Any body got any idea what to do next ?

    Time machine needs its own partition to operate. So you are not going install a OSx Lion on that volume.
    If there is enough room you may be able to partition the drive on the fly with DiskUtility
    Are you saying you clean installed Lion and you are trying to move your user Data over with TM via the migration Assistant?  Please explain.

  • Can't install Lion on my HD.  Says this disk is used for time machine backups

    I just downloaded Lion to install on my 2008 macbook and i can't get past the window that asks me to select the disk where I want Lion installed.  It says my hard disk is used for time machine backups.  Any suggestions on how I can select my hd to install Lion?
    Thanks

    That means there is a directory on your HD called something like backups. backupdb
    It thinks you're using the drive for TM.  Delete this directory and it will then load.
    Regards,
    Captfred

  • I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard.  When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed.  Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Mach

    I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard.  When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed.  Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Machine)?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986

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