Twitchin Kitten

Q: Time Machine fails - cannot make backup folder

For the past two weeks I've been having some major issues backing up my computer with Time Machine. It's become quite a process.

 

iMac 27"

Mountain Lion

 

I am backing up to a brand new - well bought in February, '14 - 1TB external hard drive and there is NOTHING else in there except the TM backups.

 

For the past two weeks it's been failing the automatic backups.

There is PLENTY of room on the drive.

 

The exact error message reads:
"Time Machine Error
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder
Latest successful backup: [time and day entered here]"

 

To remedy this at first it was as easy as un-mounting the drive and then plugging it back in and it was fine.

Now I've got the disk utility open and constantly repairing the drive and this is only a temporary solution.

 

Below is a small sample of the report from the utility each one is dated.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this without having to purchase a new drive?

In February the old external drive I had started to freak TM out and it just erased ALL my backups which I desperately needed due to the same error / failure. That drive had plenty of space as well but I lost all my stuff anyway.

 

I searched the forums for a solution and found nothing helpful.

 

I know the TM isn't for archiving and another question I have is, How can I transfer or even rename the backup folder that TM makes and move it to a 'free drive' to prevent overwriting? Right now I just keep buying new drives which is ridiculous.

 

 

 

JUNE 16, 2014

----------------------

 

Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Incorrect number of extended attributes

(It should be 1355781 instead of 1355778)

Incorrect number of Access Control Lists

(It should be 1355741 instead of 1355738)

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.

 

Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Incorrect number of extended attributes

(It should be 1355768 instead of 1355765)

Incorrect number of Access Control Lists

(It should be 1355728 instead of 1355725)

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

Repairing volume.

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was repaired successfully.

Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

 

-----------------------

JUNE 17,2014

------------------------

 

Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.

 

Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemPerforming live verification.

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.

 

---------------------------------------

June 18,2014

-------------------------------------

 

Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.

 

Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.

Volume repair complete.

Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

 

----------------------------------------

June 19, 2014

-----------------------

Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.

 

 

Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 appears to be OK.

Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

 

 

 

---------------------------------------

June 20, 2014

-------------


Verifying volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

Checking file systemJournal need to be replayed but volume is read-only

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Incorrect number of extended attributes

(It should be 1364328 instead of 1364323)

Incorrect number of Access Control Lists

(It should be 1364285 instead of 1364280)

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

 

 

Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Incorrect number of extended attributes

(It should be 1364316 instead of 1364311)

Incorrect number of Access Control Lists

(It should be 1364273 instead of 1364268)

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

Repairing volume.

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

Checking extents overflow file.

Checking catalog file.

Checking multi-linked files.

Checking catalog hierarchy.

Checking extended attributes file.

Checking multi-linked directories.

Checking volume bitmap.

Checking volume information.

The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was repaired successfully.

Volume repair complete.

Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

Posted on Jun 20, 2014 6:12 AM

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Q: Time Machine fails - cannot make backup folder

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  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 20, 2014 9:00 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 20, 2014 9:00 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    Start with C10 in the first linked article.

     

    Time Machine Troubleshooting

     

    Time Machine Troubleshooting Problems

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Jun 20, 2014 3:43 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Jun 20, 2014 3:43 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks Eric.

     

    I did all of that in my first set of trying to fix this, but I did it all again just for the heck of it. Maybe I'd get lucky. Well, not so much.

     

    The images below are what I keep getting and the instructions for C10, last paragraph shows the disk is what it should be, except for that S.M.A.R.T. Status which I don't know what that is.

     

    The thing won't even back up at all now with my 'reset' tweak.

     

    Before I wipe the drive, how can I move all that stuff to another external drive for safe keeping? I really need to preserve that stuff.

    *NOTE: Before I hit send here, I tried a drag & drop of the backup folder into a drive I already have. Apparently it's working or at least preparing to copy over. If that's not the way, any suggestions would be awesome.

     

    Screen Shot 2014-06-20 at 6.33.52 PM.png

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 21, 2014 7:50 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 21, 2014 7:50 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    You can do a Finder copy or you can use Disk Utility/Restore tab to transfer the backup. Disk Utility seems to work better for some, but I've done a transfer both ways without any errors. If you use Disk Utility, please read the warning because it reformats the destination drive, so if you have any other data on the drive, you will lose it.

     

    Time Machine – Transfer Backup to a New Drive

     

    Time Machine – Transfer Backup to a New Drive (2)


    Restore tab.png

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Jun 21, 2014 1:54 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Jun 21, 2014 1:54 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks Eric. I have this on hold for now. I have no room on any of my externals for the contents of this drive and one of the externals is mine but it won't let me drag it to one of them. I get some stupid error that says, "The backup can't be copied because the backup volume doesn't have ownership enabled."

     

    *** is that? It's my drive that we use to back up the laptop and it has all my recovered files from a forensic recovery two years ago from the iMac.

     

    I can't seem to split the backup either. I don't have enough room on any of my externals to save this stuff so I'm going to have to go get a new external drive so I can put the backups on it, fix the one and then set that one aside for when I need it.

     

    Kinda the long way around unless you have any other suggestions?

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jun 21, 2014 4:11 PM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 5 (5,447 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 21, 2014 4:11 PM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    Did you format this drive originally with Disk Utility or did you use the software that came with the drive?

     

    It's best to use Apple Disk Utility rather than the drive software.

     

    It looks like you will need to copy the data to another source then erase and reformat the drive.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 22, 2014 7:30 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 22, 2014 7:30 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    "The backup can't be copied because the backup volume doesn't have ownership enabled."

     

    You are welcome.

     

    Do a Get Info (command - I) on the drive and see what the permissions are set to. There also may be an option to ignore ownership you can check.

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Jun 23, 2014 12:39 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Jun 23, 2014 12:39 PM in response to Eric Root

    Hey Eric, thanks for replying again.

     

    The screen cap below is the info on the drive. As you can see I'm the one with admin permissions. I've no clue how I need to 'take ownership' when I am the only one who uses the stupid thing.

     

    Oy, this is becoming way more difficult than it needs to be.

    I need to buy a new drive anyway. There isn't enough room to bring my stuff over. it's short by about 70 or so gigs. Screen Shot 2014-06-23 at 3.35.34 PM.png

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 24, 2014 7:49 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 24, 2014 7:49 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    You are welcome.

     

    The only other thing I can think of right now is to change everyone to read & write and then test.

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Sep 10, 2014 4:06 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Sep 10, 2014 4:06 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    OK I'm back again with the same issue happening.

     

    I was unable to purchase a new drive and hadn't backed up since I posted this in June.

     

    I ditched all the backups on the drive and reformatted this thing to Mac OS Extended (journaled). It made the initial backup just fine. Took like 5 hours too.

    During this process I suspended allowing the computer to go to sleep but I did let the display go black. Once the initial backup was complete, I put my power saving settings back where they were.

     

    I don't know what it did all day but it seemed to be fine. This morning I wake this thing up and I got the same message as shown in the original post!

     

    [quote]

    The exact error message reads:

    "Time Machine Error

    Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder

    Latest successful backup: [time and day entered here]"[/quote}

     

    I ejected the drive. It made me force eject it just like the original issue and then I plugged it back in again and asked it to back up and it seems to work.

     

    I'm beginning to think it's a Mountain Lion issue.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 10, 2014 6:47 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 10, 2014 6:47 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten

    Does the disk appear okay if you run Disk Utility Repair Disk?

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Sep 10, 2014 11:33 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Sep 10, 2014 11:33 AM in response to Eric Root

    Running a repair with the disk utility right now. Had to run out this morning after posting. Ugh I got other issues regarding the itunes and other things and I'll make a separate thread for those.

     

    OH, and thanks for replying, you're aces!

     

    Right now it shows two errors:

     

    Verify and Repair volume “Shuttlecraft 2”

    Checking file systemChecking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

    Checking extents overflow file.

    Checking catalog file.

    Checking multi-linked files.

    Checking catalog hierarchy.

    Checking extended attributes file.

    Incorrect number of extended attributes

    (It should be 1319482 instead of 1319479)

    Incorrect number of Access Control Lists

    (It should be 1318741 instead of 1318738)

    Checking multi-linked directories.

    Checking volume bitmap.

    Checking volume information.

    Repairing volume.

     

    And once it was repaired I get this:

    Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

    Checking extents overflow file.

    Checking catalog file.

    Checking multi-linked files.

    Checking catalog hierarchy.

    Checking extended attributes file.

    Checking multi-linked directories.

    Checking volume bitmap.

    Checking volume information.

    The volume Shuttlecraft 2 was repaired successfully.

    Volume repair complete.Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

     

    I think this might have to do with a problem I have tethering my phone. I'm going to make a new thread for that.

  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Sep 10, 2014 12:58 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Sep 10, 2014 12:58 PM in response to Eric Root

    OK well Time Machine backed up a little bit within the last hour since I posted the above. As I'm sitting here working the backup stops and I get this stupid error again:

     

    Screen Shot 2014-09-10 at 3.51.53 PM.png

    So as usual, I go to eject it and I get this ridiculous message. I have no idea what could be 'using' this disk! It's not attached to any programs.

    It's got one folder of images and pdf files and the time machine backup on it.

     

    Screen Shot 2014-09-10 at 3.54.17 PM.png

     

    So I force eject it and plug it back in. But if I drop down the little circle at the top task bar for the backup info, It says it backed up successfully at 3:20.

     

    GAH! What the *&^% is wrong with this infernal machine?

     

    Screen Shot 2014-09-10 at 3.56.26 PM.png

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 11, 2014 7:55 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
    Level 9 (71,344 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 11, 2014 7:55 AM in response to Twitchin Kitten
  • by Twitchin Kitten,

    Twitchin Kitten Twitchin Kitten Sep 15, 2014 8:30 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Apple Pay
    Sep 15, 2014 8:30 AM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks Eric, working on that now.

     

    Seems to be proper according to C10. I think a reset of Time Machine may be in order and I'll try that once Time Machine now finishes backing up. It did the backup once I ejected it again. I saw this post after I ejected the disk. Which, by the way, I have to force eject every time.

     

    I notice this always happens after the computer goes to sleep. Again, this makes me think it's a Mountain Lion issue.

     

    I'll reset Time Machine and see what happens or didn't happen when I get home after leaving it be for a few hours to do it's thing.

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