What is a sparsebundle?

Time Machine will not back up. I get this error message: “/Volumes/Data/MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” could not be accessed (error -1).

A sparsebundle is a special type of file or container that stores all of the backup information on the Time Capsule. A separate sparsebundle file is created for each Mac that is backing up.
You might want to take a look at Pondini's excellent resource Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule for more information. See # P2.
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Time_Capsule.html

Similar Messages

  • HT3275 What is a sparsebundle and how do I get it doing whatever it is meant to be doing?

    Backups using Time Capsule were fine until my husband backed his notebook up to the TC. Since then I have been receiving an error message as follows... The backup disk image “/Volumes/MYNAME's Time /MYNAME MacBook Air.sparsebundle is already in use."  Help?
    Looking at the TimeCapsule files in finder I can see three sparsebundle files - one for my Mac Air, one for our iMac, adn the last for my husbands Macbook.  Mine says that it was last modified today (though it wasnt) and the other two say they were last modified in July 2014
    Ok - I find this TimeCapsule stuff pretty confusing - obviously it wasnt set up right .... what should i do next?  If it makes any difference, I am using Mac OS X version 10.6.8

    Try just rebooting the TC.. or restart of the whole network, in correct order.. modem.. router/TC.. clients.
    Read C12 here.
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

  • HT3275 What does Pro.sparsebundle could not be accessed (error-1) mean

    I originally got the time machine 4 months ago and I kept getting this same error message, finally they sent me a new Time Machine, it's been working for 3 months but I now have the same message error, I have gone to the troubleshooting pages and found nothing with this message.
    What does it mean and what can I do?

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    See > http://pondini.org/TM/C17.html

  • HT3275 The backup disk image "/Volumes/ Time Cap/ iMac.sparsebundle"     is already in use.  What does this mean?

    The backup disk image “/Volumes/ Time Cap iMac.sparsebundle” is already in use. What is a sparsebundle and how do I fix this?

    Restart the Time Capsule as follows:
    Pull the power cord from the back of the Time Capsule
    Wait a minute
    Plug the power cord back in to the back of the Time Capsule
    This will fix this issue about 98% of the time. If you happen to be in the 2% category, there are more "fixes" here:
    The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.

  • HT3275 time machine could not complete backup because it says a (filename).sparsebundle is already in use.  Anyone know what that is?? and who could be already using my file?

    Do you understand this error message?  Time machine could not complete backup because it says a (filename).sparesbundle is already is in use.
    What is the sparsebundle extension?  

    See here...
    The Backup disk image ... sparsebundle ... is already in use.
    From Pondini’s excellent Information Here...
    http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.htm

  • TS1550 "The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/J MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use."  I get this message and my backup fails.  What does this mean?

    What is a sparsebundle and how can it be in use, preventing my time Capsule backups?

    Hi Janis,
    http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

  • What is "resolving alias issue"

    I have a Lacie HD connected to my TimeCapsule by USB, When I try to open it for the first time after awakening my IMAC it always says "resolving alias issues" waits a few seconds and then the HD appears on my desk top and all is well. What is going on behind the scenes?
    Also what is a Sparsebundle?

    I wonder if it is because you have multiple mount points for the same drive?
    If you have the HD currently mounted, eject it.
    In the Finder go up to the Go menu and select "Go to Folder...".
    Type in:
    /Volumes
    and click "Go".
    Do you have any alias for the drive while it is NOT connected? If so, you should be able to delete them from here.
    Now try the same thing after mounting the HD in question. Is there more than one alias to the HD while it is mounted? Perhaps "HD" and then "HD-1" and then "HD-2" etc?

  • Time Machine & Airport Extreme Hard Drive Questions

    I purchased a LaCie 500 GB hard drive to use as a backup for Time Machine intending to attach it to my Airport 1802.n. It would not mount on my MacBookPro 3.1 and Time Machine didn’t see it. I could see the Drive using Airport Utility but not using Airport Disk Utility.
    I then tried to get Time Machine to recognize LaCie by directly attaching it to my computer and let Time Machine use it for the initial backup (This is a painful way to operate!). After completing the backup, I reattached it to Airport and manually mounted it using “Connect to Server…”, the only way that it would mount.
    I then entered Time Machine Perfs and Time Machine knew it was attached. So, I started a backup. Instead of using the LaCie, a disk image named Backup of Gene’s Mac appeared and Time Machine put a full backup on the image. My LaCie got a strange folder added named “NAME.sparsebundle”. It’s not sparse. The folder contains 21 GB. It is the size of the original backup. Ultimately, I rebooted and everything on the disk image went away. Time Machine now produces an error message when it tries to start. The message is “Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup directory. I handled this problem by turning Time Machine off and then rebooting. I dragged the disk image to the Trash and remounted the LaCie. I then turned Time Machine On and started a backup. The disk image reappeared and was loaded with all my backup.
    Questions:
    1. What is a “.sparsebundle”? Did Time Machine create the folder on the LaCie?
    2. Could I move the files put on disk image to the LaCie without messing up the backup process? Could they be recovered if necessary?
    3. Can anyone explain what happened when I went through the procedure described above?
    - MacVet123

    A sparsebundle is a 'bundle' ( that is, a folder which looks like a single file-- iPhoto library, and even Applications themselves are bundles ) which is a disk image . That is how TM backs up across AirDisk. It's not the same backup mechanism as if the disk were used locally. I can't help you past there but hope it works for you, I'm still not to that point yet.

  • I received this error message when trying to use my time capsule.  MacBook Air.sparsebundle is already in use.  What does this mean?

    I received this error message when trying to use my time capsule.  Macbook Air.sparsebundle already is use.  What does this mean?

    First, restart the MacBook Air and the Time Capsule. In most of the cases, this solves the problem.
    If not, see > http://pondini.org/TM/C12.html

  • I try to backup my Macbook with Time machine, it goes fine and at the end it says that it could not be completed because "/Volumes/Data-2/ MacBook.sparsebundle is already in use".. What is that?!

    I try to backup my Macbook with Time machine, it goes fine and at the end it says that it could not be completed because "/Volumes/Data-2/ MacBook.sparsebundle is already in use".. What is that?!

    See #C12 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting

  • My Time machine won't back up.  Recently updated to OS x 10.7.5.  Error message is as follows:  "The backup disk image "/Volumes/Time Machine Backup/Scott's MacBook Pro.sparsebundle" is already in use."  What is wrong and how do I fix it?  Thanks.

    My Time machine won't back up.  Recently updated to OS x 10.7.5.  Error message is as follows:  "The backup disk image “/Volumes/Time Machine Backup/Scott’s MacBook Pro.sparsebundle” is already in use."  What is wrong and how do I fix it?  Thanks.

    Have you tried restarting the computer? Also, see Time Machine Error from this pages sidebar under More Like This.

  • I've recently received an error message from Time Machine that my Macbook Pro's sparsebundle is in use.  What is this and what can I do about it?

    I've recently received an error message from Time Machine that my Macbook Pro's sparsebundle is in use.  What is this and what can I do about it?

    This is asked at least 5-6 times a day here.
    Look at the right hand column.. more like this.
    It is a bug in Mountain Lion.
    Read C12 http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
    But the fast solution.. unplug the TC.. count to 10.. plug it back in.

  • My time machine does not want to save any more the data from my powerbook 13" Snow Leopard; i get the message "Time Machine could not suppress the disk image of saving "Volumes/Time Capsule Disk/PowerBook _2011_03_21_123627 sparsebundle" What should I do?

    My time machine does not want to save any more the data from my powerbook 13" Snow Leopard; i get the message "Time Machine could not suppress the disk image of saving "Volumes/Time Capsule Disk/PowerBook _2011_03_21_123627 sparsebundle" What is the problem? What should I do?
    Thanks !!
    Alain

    Could that read " . . . could not access . . ."?  If so, try repairing your backups, per #A5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
    If not, or if that doesn't help, see #A1 there. Use the TM Buddy widget it details to copy and post the messages here.

  • I am running 10.7.5 and getting Time Machine error The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/Kathy P's MacBook.sparsebundle" is already in use. what do i do now?

    i am running 10.7.5 on an older MacBook and getting Time Machine error The backup disk image “/Volumes/Data/Kathy P’s MacBook.sparsebundle” is already in use. what do i do now?

    See Pondini's TM FAQs, for starters.

  • Timecapsule message reads: "Macintosh.sparsebundle" is already in use. What does it mean and what can I do to make my Time Machine work again?

    I receive the following message when my MacBook tries to run Time Machine to back up to our Time Capsule:
    The backup disk image “/Volumes/Jonathan Black's Time Caps/Macintosh.sparsebundle” is already in use.
    So now what?

    I also was plagued with this problem and resolved it by physically switching off time capsule and pulling out all conections to it.  Then I rebooted my imac and plugged everything back into time capsule and switched it on
    This did resolve the problem but it came back the next day so I this time just switched off time capsule at the main switch and it started to work again
    At this point I decided to add an extra external drive as a time machine backup
    At the last point of setting up the second drive (WD MyBook) i was asked if I wanted to use this for backups or keep both
    I chose both.  Now my backups are alternating between the two drives.  So far so good Have not seen the message again

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