Why does Backup to G-Drive Fail

I have a 4T G-Drive connected to my firewire port. I am using Time Machine to perform backups. I see that some backups have been performed as expected. Time Machine is failing unexpectedly now. I get the error message "Backup Failed. Time Machine couldn't back up to G-Drive" The disk is there and connected correctly. I have successful back ups. But now it caannot use the G-Drivve which exists and has plenty of room on it. What am I doing wrong or what is otherwise the problem?

Hello ashelton1955,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
To troubleshoot issues with Time Machine please refer to the article linked to below. Note, that even though the title states it is for Mountain Lion, the same applies to you running Lion.
OS X Mountain Lion: Time Machine problems
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11194
Take care,
Alex H.

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