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TimeCapsule Won't Mount for Backup

My TimeCapsule is running on automatic for backups but for the past several days, I get a message that the disk won't mount. It worked flawlessly for months. I can connect to the capsule through the finder for manual storage and the wireless works very well. Restarted everything including the ADSL modem that links our network to the internet (and TimeCapsule). Ran Airport Utility several times with no luck. Help!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5), Part of Exchange Server Network using Time Capsule

Posted on Sep 28, 2008 11:22 AM

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17 replies

Sep 28, 2008 12:22 PM in response to OrgCode

I have the same problem- worked for weeks and now "back up disc image could not be mounted". I use TC with ethernet (always have). I have tried selecting TC in airport utility (green light) and no luck. I also have unplugged an re-booted TC multiple times. Seems from various ongoing problems that so many people have Apple have a real problem. Our family owns 2 iMac; 5 MacBook Pros and I have MacPro and TC is my worst experience so far in 15 years of Apple! If there is a fix posted please let me know.

I used to use a basic LaCie "one click" to back-up and never had an issue!
thanks

Sep 28, 2008 4:54 PM in response to hockey44

I bought a Time Capsule when they first were released. Have and iMac and Macbook Pro. I never could get it to work, so I returned it. I recently bought another one feeling that the bugs were finally worked out and I should have no problems. I was able to get it to work properly and used it for Time Machine backups. Two weeks after I purchased it and after my alloted time to return was over, it has gone haywire and i cannot for the life of me get it to perform as it did when I first purchased it. I went back to my old hard drive I was using for backup and have had no problems. The computer can see the disk but cannot mount it. I erased my backups and was able to perform an initial backup, but after that, it would not mount the disk. I give up. $500 dollars and what? Now and hour on the phone with support? Give me a break. Apple products should work with Apple products. This is totally unacceptable, but what can I do? There is no answer to my problem that I can find through support or on the discussion forums. I think I have a real "Apple" on my hands.

Sep 28, 2008 5:22 PM in response to OrgCode

I have had this problem for a last couple weeks and just resolved it 5 mins ago. I was experimenting with solutions while searching the discussion forums. I deleted the *.sparsebundle file on my backup drive (external UBS drive connected to AEBS). It is now backing up properly. Note, doing this essentially erases all previous backups...you're starting over.

But at least it is working for me now I think. I will have to see if it will continue to backup after the initial backup. As a side note, I have also been having trouble retaining network connectively after recovering from sleep (I have a MBP). I'm thinking I may have closed the lid of my MBP during a time machine backup causing the sparsebundle file to be corrupted. I still have not solved the network connectivity after sleep issue, most of the time I have to power cycle my AEBS.

Message was edited by: Karajabola

Sep 29, 2008 8:05 AM in response to OrgCode

Can someone please go thru the commands to remove sparsebundle (whatever it is). I think I found it using finder and then ctrl click and move to recycle bin. Is that what needs to be done and start again?
Amazing Apple has not posted (or at least I have not seen it) a simple solution. I decided to write a polite email to Mr. Jobs seeking his help. Heck- in 15 years of great experience (save my own silly mistakes) I am dumbfounded that Apple did not work a better seamless connectivity with TC- but what do I know, just an old hockey player?
Since this support forum seems to be better than Apple support I am much indebted to your help as I am paranoid about having 17k family photos only on my MacPro and TC (plus a older version on an iMac).
Thanks all,

Sep 29, 2008 8:14 AM in response to OrgCode

Hockey44: go to your TC and you will see the sparsebundle which is the backup file. Control click the file and move to trash then empty trash. Go to TC and backup your Mac...the TC should mount. This is a really sloppy solution and after being a huge customer of everything that Apple has produced since 1984 (including Newton), I'm disappointed.

Sep 29, 2008 10:06 AM in response to hockey44

No worries. If you are running OSX 10.5, open your finder and select the "view" that has vertical windows | | | |. You should see the TC under either devices or shared if you are running a network. Select the TC and you should see a list of files and folders on the drive. The sparsebundle will be in that list. Let me know if you have any problems. Like you, we have the original Mac sitting on top of a book shelf (like the one on Seinfeld) and it gets all kinds of reactions from people.

Sep 29, 2008 11:35 AM in response to OrgCode

I did that and "airport utility found a time capsule". I got the "Congratulations message that I was connect. But then it craps out with 'cannot mount bloody disc image'. I went in again and deleted sparse file again. Don't know what else to do but seriously, I wrote sjobs@apple.com but suspect he has other things to worry about given share price today....probably time capsule related....Should I try to unplug TC or even push the reset button on back. It currently has about 455gb of my back-up on it. tkx

TimeCapsule Won't Mount for Backup

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