Deleting old Time Machine Backups

stagebuilder wrote:
So can one safely remove old backup time machine files?

DO NOT delete any backups using finder. that is NOT safe. it should only be done via TM interface.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1964018#12

I have about 250 gb backed up on my external hard drive which is 500 gb, my main laptop drive is 120 gb. I just want to make sure if I delete a bunch of the old back ups, they don't somehow depend on each other in the event of needing to recreate my laptop hard drive files.

As long as you delete them the proper way then there's no problem. Enter Time Machine, select the backup you want do delete in the column on the right side, click the gear button, and select "Delete Backup".

NEVER delete Time Machine backups outside of the Time Machine interface, i.e. drag to the Trash with Finder. That will corrupt your TM backups.