Time Machine "mds" Error

Glenn Carter wrote:
Max,

See the first heading in the article below, it explains what may be happing and a suggestion on resolving it.

*_Spotlight And Time Machine_*
Forgive the size of the post, but this is what I have discovered regarding Time Machine and Spotlight conflicts. Consider each topic separately. If one topic does not seem to resolve your issue then move on the next.

*Runaway MDS Process*
For Spotlight searching to work, it needs to have metadata. Every time a file is created, modified or deleted, the system notifies Spotlight that it needs to update the meta-data store (mds). First, Spotlight (mdworker) seizes the file, determines its’ type, and then assigns an appropriate importer (mdimport).

While some bits of metadata (modification dates, file type, path name) are easy to gather, most of the interesting data is embedded inside the file. To gather this embedded information Spotlight must use an importer (mdimport), a small plug-in that extracts information from files created by various applications. Each file type has its’ own importer. For instance there are unique Spotlight importers for JPEG, MP3, Word, PDF files and so on.

It’s the importer’s responsibility to read the data file and construct a dictionary that contains the appropriate metadata. When finished, the dictionary is delivered to Spotlight (mdworker), which then updates the meta-data store (mds). The original file is then released to the system to complete the originally intended action.

Ordinarily, this process is virtually instantaneous and invisible to the user. At times, however, it can hang, or loop causing Spotlight (mdworker) and the meta-data store (mds) to monopolize the CPU and interfere with other system events like Time Machine backups. The Console logs may report the following over and over again for perhaps hundreds of times.

+“mds(32): (Error) Import: importer:0x8f8c00 Importer start failed for 503”+

Eventually, the Time Machine backup may fail with the Console logs reporting

+“Indexing a file failed” / “Copy stage failed with error: 11”.+

Or a backup may be completely stalled in midstream, never seaming to end.

Go to Applications --> Utilities folder and launch Activity Monitor.
Clicking the “Process Name” column and scrolling down to the “m”s will reveal that one or all of the Spotlight components (mds, mdworker, mdimport) is maxing out your CPU.
Highlight “mds” and click “Quit Process” in the toolbar.
In the dialoge box that appears click “Quit”.
Enter our Admin password and click “OK”

The stalled backup should now resume and complete. If not, choose “Stop Backing Up” from the Time Machine menu or click the tiny “x” icon in the Time Machine Preferences. When the backup has completely stopped, select “Backup Now” from the Time Machine menu.

Glenn Carter wrote:
Max,

If Console is still reporting "mds: importer errors" over and over again, then I would kill the mds process in Activity Monitor anyways and then attempt another backup.

Glenn

Glenn Carter wrote:
Try backing up WITHOUT killing the mdworker processes. Just kill the mds process for now. If another backup fails, then go after mdworker.

If that fails, a simple reboot of your Mac may be sufficient to get Time Machine backups on track.

Bear in mind that, since it has been some time since your last backup, Time Machine will likely need to do a "deep traversal" requiring a lengthy "Preparing..." session. Let it proceed uninterrupted.

Glenn

Glenn Carter wrote:
Great to hear!

Actually, if it was mds that was interfering with backups, even if it showed little or no CPU usage, then it was indeed Spotlight as any process starting with md is a component, more or less, of Spotlight.

Once you have performed a few more backups, I suggest re-indexing your Macs internal hard disk.

*Force Spotlight to Rebuild Indexes*
Go to System Preferences --> Time Machine.
Using the slider on the left, turn OFF Time Machine backups for now.
Next, click “Show All” in the toolbar.
Select the Spotlight Preferences.
Click the Privacy Tab.
First, drag your Macs’ internal hard disk from the desktop to the Privacy list.
Wait 10 seconds, then highlight the Macs’ hard disk in the list and click the tiny “-” button at the bottom to remove it from the list.
Spotlight will initiate a reindex of the hard disk. If you click on the Spotlight menu icon you may see the message:

+“Spotlight helps you quickly find things on your computer. Spotlight will be available as soon as the contents of your computer have been indexed.”+

A progress bar will indicate perhaps 10-20 minutes remaining depending upon how much data there is.
Once completed, drag your Time Machine backup disk into the Privacy list of the Spotlight Preferences.
Wait 10 seconds, then highlight the Time Machine backup disk in the list and click the tiny “-” button at the bottom to remove it from the list.
Spotlight will now initiate a reindex of the hard disk.
Once completed, if you have any other hard disk attached to your Mac that are also being backed using Time Machine, then force a reindex as well using the procedure outlined above.

Glenn Carter wrote:
If you are now performing successful backups, then Kappy's right, you should perform an Archive and Install - particularly if you are experiencing such serious OS issues. An Archive and Install is the least invasive of the various re-installs you could perform, so I wouldn't worry.

Here is my procedure for an Archive and Install as it relates to Time Machine.

*Archive & Install*
An Archive and Install is the least invasive of the 3 methods. This approach results in a fresh copy of the Mac OS system software while at the same time preserving all current user accounts on your Mac. Additionally, this method will permit Time Machine to continue backing up to the same set of backups it did prior to the installation.

Procedure:
Verify that your Mac has uninterrupted AC power.
Turn “OFF” Time Machine in the Preferences.
Insert your original Mac OS 10.5 Leopard DVD and reboot while holding down the “C” key.
At the “Welcome” screen click “Continue”.
At “Select a Destination” choose your Macs’ hard disk.
Click “Options” in the lower left.
Choose “Archive and Install”.
Ensure that “Preserve Users and Network Settings” is checked.
Click “OK”.
Back at the “Select a Destination” screen click “Continue”.
At “Install Summary” click “Install”.

Once the installation is complete, use Software Update to bring your Mac up to date.
Next, Launch Disk Utility, select your Macs’ internal disk on the left, and click “Repair Disk Permissions”.

During this initial period, Spotlight is going to re-index your Mac’ hard disk. This can take up to several of hours depending upon the volume of data. Allow it to complete before resuming Time Machine backups. You can monitor its’ progress by clicking on the Spotlight icon in the menu bar.

During the installation a new folder was created at the root level of your hard disk labeled “Previous Systems”. These are all the system files that were just replaced with fresh copies. If you are comfortable, you can delete this folder right away. Otherwise, wait a week or so incase there is something you wish to retrieve, then delete it.

Finally, turn Time Machine back “ON” in the Preferences. Time Machine should continue to backup to the same set of backups that it did prior to the Archive & Install. However, due to the extensive changes to the systems’ directories, the first backup will require a lengthy session of “Preparing...” as Time Machine performs a “deep traversal”. Allow this to proceed uninterrupted. Naturally, this first backup will be a significant one, perhaps involving several GB of data, so attempting this wirelessly will require time and patience.

Glenn Carter wrote:
"Yes" to your first statement.

As for Kappy's recommendations (excellent by the way), use both. We just focus on different aspects of the procedure. A combined approach couldn't hurt.

Regarding, mdworker, it is simply another component of Spotlight. I wasn't being 'adamant', just conservative. Less is more. I prefer the minimalist response if it works. It's now moot if you are going to do the Archive & Install.

Glenn