Why can't I back-up using time machine?

I'm running OS 10.8.5 Maverick. (On a used Mac)
Processor 13 GHz Intel core 2 duo
memory is 2 GB  800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
this is a 2009 machine I purchased a week ago
Previous to this machine,
my experience has been, Powerbook G4-OS 10.5.8

Hi 2bblues,
I apologize, I'm a bit unclear what is happening when you try to back up using Time Machine. Depending on the specific issue, you may find the troubleshooting outlined in the following article helpful:
OS X Mavericks: Time Machine problems
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14187
Regards,
- Brenden

Similar Messages

  • Why can't I restore backup using Time Machine and/or Disk Utility

    Backed up my entire computer on a Buffalo Ministation as I need to install new OSX and don't want to lose any files.  Tried the handful of options listed in Support to restore and nothing is working.  Using Time Machine, the Restore button is greyed out so I can't select it.  Using Disk Utility, when adding the source image, the Open button is greyed out so I can't select it.  Please help. 

    Time Machine Troubleshooting
    Time Machine Troubleshooting Problems

  • I got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does someone has a fix???

    i got a macbook pro 2008 and can not back up using time machine. it eject my external hard drive everytime. does anybody has a fix???

    Does your external hard drive have it's own power supply?  It should.
    Is your external hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system?  It won't work.
    It needs to be formatted either with Mac OS Extended or FAT32.
    (There are drivers available to add NTFS support to OS X but their quality is unknown, especially the "free" ones.)

  • HT201250 Can I include external drives to be backed up using Time Machine.  Not only do I want to back up my IMac, but I have several extenal drives for one iPhoto, one iTunes and one for other files & documents.

    Can I include external drives to be backed up using Time Machine?  Not only do I want to back up my IMac, but I have several extenal drives for one iPhoto, one iTunes and one for other files & documents.  How do I know if they are included in the backup process?

    Yes, if they are not exclude then TM backs them up.
    Allan

  • HT201250 I don't store any files on my computer, I store them on a hd. Can I restore docs from my hard drive if they were backed up using time machine? And will it restore if the hd isn't even there? Like what if it got stolen or destroyed.

    I don't store any files on my computer, I store them on a hd. Can I restore docs from my hard drive if they were backed up using time machine? And will it restore if the hd isn't even there? Like what if it got stolen or destroyed.

    ehphotograph wrote:
    Can I restore docs from my hard drive if they were backed up using time machine?
    Yes.  
    And will it restore if the hd isn't even there? Like what if it got stolen or destroyed.
    Also yes.
    Directly-connected external drives (ie, USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt) are not backed-up by default.  You must remove them from the exclusion list in Time Machine Preferences > Options to get them backed-up.  (Network drives cannot be backed-up.)
    And they must be formatted for a Mac -- any variation of Mac OS Extended.
    If the drive is connected, you can browse or restore normally -- just go to the folder or document in question and Enter Time Machine.
    If the drive is not connected, it's a bit different.  See #E3 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.
    Message was edited by: Pondini

  • HT201250 Can I back up using Time Machine if I have some files already on the ExHD, or do I need a clean ExHD to use Time Machine?

    Can I back up using Time Machine if I have some files already on the ExHD, or do I need a clean ExHD to use Time Machine?

    If you try to use a new disk with time machine, it will try to reformat your EXHD. so I would save the items on your EXHD before backing up with time machine or partitioning your EXHD in disk utility

  • HT201250 I have done my back up using time machine, now I have a new mac and I need to access the files that I had saved from my old mac. How can I do that?

    I have done my back up using time machine, now I have a new mac and I need to access the files that I had saved from my old mac. How can I do that?

    Use Migration Assistant on your new Mac:
    Click Continue:
    On the next screen, choose your Time Machine backup disk.
    Don't bother to migrate Applications unless you know they will work on your new Mac. For example, PowerPC applications won't work. Just migrate your user account which will copy all your photos, music, movies, and other documents.
    Note: you will not be able to migrate the information to same account in which you are already logged in. Migration Assistant will tell you that and recommend what to do. It can migrate the information to a new account, but you will have to give it a name you might want to change later. One way around this is to create a temporary account, log in to it, and run Migration Assistant which will replace your normal account. Then, log out of the temporary account, log in to your usual one, verify everyting works as you expect, and delete the temporary one.
    All this can be avoided when you set up a brand new Mac by running Setup Assistant which essentially does the same thing to create your new account, but most people are too excited to do that and elect to migrate later.

  • How do I make the Volumes folder visible so it will back up using Time Machine?

    Hi
    How do I unhide the Volumes folder for backing up using Time Machine?

    OK I have to say this even though you probably realize it, having anything but mount points in the Volumes folder, especially regular files that are critical to you is really a bad bad idea. 
    You should do everything in your power to correct this asap.
    In the meantime as to Time Machine, your profile says you are running 10.6.8 is that correct? TM has changed some since then.
    Basically if you are not excluding system files from the backup the Volumes folder should be in the backup. If the regular files are in there is an other issue.
    You can check by opening a Terminal window cd to your TM backup drive then into the .backup folder. Pick a backup and see if the Volumes folder is there and if the files are in it.
    But again having anythgin in there is going to be a problem.
    good luck

  • HT201250 Can I do a backup using Time Machine on a server, or it needs an external drive only?

    Can I do a backup using Time Machine on a server, or it needs an external drive only?

    Time Machine can back up to a server. The drive or partition used still needs to be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    (65169)

  • I want to transfer all my iPhoto, iTunes, contacts, etc. files from my MacBook, which I am selling to a MacBook Pro. What is the easiest and safest method of achieving this? Can the files backed up on Time Machine be transferred to the Pro?.

    I want to transfer all my iPhoto, iTunes, contacts,documents, etc. files from my MacBook, which I am selling, to a MacBook Pro. What is the easiest and safest method of achieving this? Can the files backed up on Time Machine from the MacBook be transferred to the Pro in some way? I would like to capture the files as they appear on the MacBook, such as "Events" in iPhoto and the various song categories within iTunes without having to rename them all once saved on the Pro, which is the case with photos when I simply save them to thumb drive and import them to the Pro. Sny advice would be appreciated.
    Best regards,
    Rob.

    Michael,
                 Thanks for all your assistance. There is no need for apologies, Migration Assistant did indeed create a second account for the MacBook data. It has just taken me some time to figure out how to access it. I now have all the MB data in one account and the MBP files in another, which suits me fine. In fact, it is an advantage in my case as it keeps the private and business aspects separated.
    I will however try the fatcatsoftware to transfer all the iPhoto files to my iMac, where I keep my main photo library. and it will be of help to keep the events, etc in the transfer. As far as iTunes is concerned, I have HomeSharing on all my computers and this has obviated the need to worry about playlists being transferred successfully. However, HomeSharing did not appear to share the iPhone/iPod apps that were stored on the MB and although these have now come across with the new MacBook account on the MBP, I was wondering whether my iPhone and iPod will be recognised by the MBP and sync with it? Will I need to have the MB account open to achieve this or will the MBP recognise and sync with the iPhone/iPod automatically irrespective of which account is open?
    Thanks for the tip on deauthorising my iTunes account from the MB before sellng. This I will do and I believe the best way to remove all of my data from the hard drive is to reinstall the MacOSX operating system software. Is this the right approach to securely delete everything?
    Thanks again for sharing your expertise and your guidance through this exercise.
    Best regards,
    Rob.

  • I am using 10.9.1 on a 21.5" iMac. I am backing up using Time Machine. The hourly backups are over kill. How do get TM to backup daily?

    I am using 10.9.1 on a 21.5" iMac. I am backing up using Time Machine. The hourly backups are over kill. How do get TM to backup daily, only?

    See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

  • HT201250 What do you do if your mac crashes as while you're backing up using time machine?

    What do you do if your mac crashes as while you're backing up using time machine?

    It could be right, how is the drive connected... interface wise?
    Open Console in Applications>Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this is going on.

  • How do I find my photos on my external hard drive backed up using Time Machine?

    How do I find my photos on my external hard drive backed up using Time Machine?
    My hard drive died so this is my only storage. The hard drive was from an early 2008 Macbook Pro.
    I had recently installed Snow Leopard.

    If they’re in an iPhoto library, look in the Pictures folder of your home folder first. Otherwise, they’ll be in the location corresponding to the one you saved them to.
    (111765)

  • How do I retrieve files from a backup hard drive (was backed up using Time Machine) on a different computer

    how do I retrieve files from a backup hard drive (was backed up using Time Machine) on a different computer?

    Please visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with all things Time Machine.

  • Do i need to set up the time capsule airport before i start backing up using time machine with my time capsule?

    Do i need to set up the time capsule airport before i start backing up using time machine with my time capsule?

    Some setup is generally required.. because the TC is a network device.. not a plug in via usb.. therefore it has to exist somewhere in your network.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Pass parameter value to another parameter.... User query in user parameter

    Hello everyone, any help would be greatly appreciated. Problem: My report currently has 5 user parameters (3 Number, 2 Characters). I have an after parameter trigger that evaluates all the parameters to see which one has any value and then creates th

  • Extenal HDD won't power up

    Hello I am in desperate need of help/advice. I have an External HDD that I borrowed from a family member to grab some photos from them. I just came back from a trip only to discover the Hard Drive Won't power up, even though it was working perfectly

  • OBIEE 11.1.1.6 Installation

    Hi, I tried to install obiee 11.1.1.6 . In "configure components" step,it gave error " INST-08072: Operating system does not support IP V 4". Thanks in Regards...

  • CRMXIF_ORDER_SAVE_M and attachment links

    Hi Guys, I'm using LSMW to migrate business activities (BUS2000126) using idoc CRMXIF_ORDER_SAVE_M02 into CRM4.0 and have been struggling to link attachments to the business activity. The LSMW load creates the business activities but without the atta

  • Iphone 5 error message on the top saying, 601 physical nand block offset 1.

    iphone 5,on the screen, apple logo on and some error message on the top saying, 601 physical nand block offset 1. once i remove the cable from laptop to phone it goes on dfu mode and can't restore the phone because of some unknown error. please help.