Initial Time Machine Backup with Time Capsule via Ethernet

Question

Level 1

20 points

Initial Time Machine Backup with Time Capsule via Ethernet

Really would appreciate some help on this one:

I am trying to complete the initial time machine backup using ethernet having turned off the wireless function.

Invariably, after completing the first 20 GB or so, the initial backup is interrupted ("Time Machine could not complete the backup - The backup disk is not available") and then Airport Utility cannot find Time Capsule anymore. The only solution appears to be to reset the Time Capsule to its factory settings and start again, unfortunately always with the same result.

Two questions:
1) Has anybody experienced the same problem and found a solution?
2) Is there a (detailed) step by step guide of how to connect to time capsule via ethernet?

Many thanks for your help!

MacBook2.1, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Aug 29, 2009 2:40 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 31, 2009 2:37 AM in response to MattBerlin

I had something similar to this when I first had my TC. The only way I resolved it was to reset to factory settings and run the backup then. Once complete then I made changes to the config.

Reply

Answer 2

MattBerlin Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 31, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Patrick Matheson

Thank you, Patrick.
Are you saying that I need to do the initial backup wirelessly before I can make the TC "ethernet only"?
I was hoping to do exactly the opposite.

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 31, 2009 2:06 PM in response to MattBerlin

No still do your backup via ethernet the first time.
If you do it via wireless it might take 2 days! 🙂
With the TC in its virgin state just plug your cable in and run the backup.
Once finished then you can setup your wireless network.

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 1, 2009 2:39 AM in response to MattBerlin

I've just went through the same thing with a new 1TB Time Capsule (TC). I initially tried to extend my existing wireless network, connect TC to internet, and update firmware all at once, then attempted to do the initial Time Machine backup over ethernet, but my Mac or TC decided to use wireless instead - which I cancelled.

I agree with Patrick, reset and do the backup first before setting the network options.

However, I have a second mac to backup soon, and I'm a little concerned that its initial backup will take forever. Surely TC is clever enough to spot that there is an ethernet cable to use, or have I missed a crucial setting?

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 1, 2009 12:56 PM in response to rjglassey

Yes it is clever enough to detect the ethernet cable, but for some strange reason if you have your wireless enabled it will use that over the cable! I know they sell it as a wireless backup device but you would think it would use the fastest connection available.

Reply

Answer 6

MattBerlin Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 1, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Patrick Matheson

Patrick Matheson wrote:
No still do your backup via ethernet the first time.
If you do it via wireless it might take 2 days! 🙂
With the TC in its virgin state just plug your cable in and run the backup.
Once finished then you can setup your wireless network.

Thanks Patrick for clarifying. I'm afraid 2 days might not even be sufficient...
Have tried your advice, but, alas, same problem again.

Came across the Time Machine Buddy widget (VERY useful): here's the content of the log.

+Starting standard backup+
+Attempting to mount network destination using URL: afp://Matt@MattTC.local/Data+
+Mounted network destination using URL: afp://Matt@MattTC.local/Data+
+Creating disk image /Volumes/Data/Matt's MacBook.sparsebundle+
+Disk image /Volumes/Data/Matt's MacBook.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups+
+Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb+
+Ownership is disabled on the backup destination volume. Enabling.+
+Backup content size: 181.1 GB excluded items size: 76.3 GB for volume Matt HD 320+
+Backup content size: 115.3 GB excluded items size: 20.6 GB for volume MS LaCie LittleDisk 320+
+No pre-backup thinning needed: 239.37 GB requested (including padding), 463.19 GB available+
+Waiting for index to be ready (101)+
+Copied 2.2 GB of 199.5 GB, 158 of 1695229 items+
+Copied 2.2 GB of 199.5 GB, 171 of 1695229 items+
+Copied 2.2 GB of 199.5 GB, 188 of 1695229 items+
+Copied 5.7 GB of 199.5 GB, 2176 of 1695229 items+
+Stopping backup.+
+Stopping backupd to allow ejection of backup destination disk!+
+Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Device not configured+
+Error: (-34) SrcErr:NO Copying /Library/Receipts/iTunesX.pkg/Contents/Resources/background.tif to /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Matt's MacBook/2009-08-31-123352.inProgress/B934F100-0FB9-4346-834C-B3714E33CF23/Matt HD 320/Library/Receipts/iTunesX.pkg/Contents/Resources+
+Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Device not configured+
+Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Device not configured+
+Copied 20239 files (13.5 GB) from volume Matt HD 320.+
+Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Device not configured+
+Copy stage failed with error:28+

Needless to say,
1) there was no user intervention during the back up process - it simply decided to stop the backup and 'eject' the TC
2) afterwards TC cannot be found on the network or using Airport Utility etc, UNLESS I do another full reset to factory settings.

Frustrating!

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 1, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Patrick Matheson

I suspect I need to set the Service Order in the Network preference pane - I presume if Airport is at the top of the list, and it is available, then it defaults to that, despite the presence of a faster wired link. Will tread more carefully with the next Mac and its initial backup.

Reply