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Problems with Time Machine Buddy widget and with backups

I started a discussion in another forum but have been referred here for definitive help.
Here is the link to that posting: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2450454&tstart=0

TM Buddy tells me I don't have the rights to use it.
My wife's backups are not occurring when scheduled.

Thanks,
Richard

MacBook Pro 15 inch, 2.53 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 4 GB memory

Posted on Jun 8, 2010 4:31 PM

32 replies

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 9:44 AM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
. . .
Attempting to mount network destination using URL: afp://Susan%20P.@DrPitcairnTC.local/drpitcairn's%20Time%20Capsule

The TC name and her Computer Name have apostrophes and spaces, which might cause intermittent problems (weird, but true). See #C9 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

So I am confused by this. First I don't know what the earlier error was about

For some reason, it couldn't connect. Might have been a WIFI glitch, or the name(s).

and then this last backup is attempting to do over 3 GB. How could there be so much to BU when we did a complete backup just recently? She has not added any pictures or movies or anything large. Maybe altered some documents.

See #A2 in Troubleshooting for a way to see just what got backed-up (once the backup is done).

I am wondering if it could be the Mail program. She saves many of her messages, likely thousands by now. Does TM back up Mail incrementally?

Apple Mail keeps each message in a separate file. Some other mail apps, including Entourage and Thunderbird don't. The apps in #A2 will show what's going on.

Jun 12, 2010 9:48 AM in response to Pondini

I don't understand about the names. I went in before the latest backups and changed the name to not have any spaces, commas, whatever. I went to the Sharing prefs window and changed the name there and also edited the local address. Then I renamed the Time Capsule name in a similar way. So where is this other name coming from — the "computer name"?

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 9:59 AM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
I don't understand about the names. I went in before the latest backups and changed the name to not have any spaces, commas, whatever. I went to the Sharing prefs window and changed the name there and also edited the local address. Then I renamed the Time Capsule name in a similar way. So where is this other name coming from — the "computer name"?

From Sharing Preferences. If you did it before the current backup started, it may not get changed in the backups until it's done -- I don't recall when it happens. But double-check it.

Jun 12, 2010 10:41 AM in response to Pondini

Should I also change the name of the sparsebundle to coincide? Actually I realize I would have to erase that bundle and start over, right?

BTW, I downloaded Time Tracker and it would not run on my MB Pro — "unspecified error". So I downloaded Backkup Loupe and trying that.

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 10:51 AM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
Should I also change the name of the sparsebundle to coincide?

I wouldn't. TM usually does it for you.

Actually I realize I would have to erase that bundle and start over, right?

Only as a last resort.

BTW, I downloaded Time Tracker and it would not run on my MB Pro — "unspecified error".

I've not heard of that problem. It's not bad for a freebie, but it does have some drawbacks; he never finished it, unfortunately.

So I downloaded Backkup Loupe and trying that.

It does seem more robust and reliable, with more options. I don't like column view, though. 😟

Jun 12, 2010 3:10 PM in response to Pondini

Well not going very well. I am getting discouraged. The backup ran wirelessly and generated several error reports. Does any of this tell us what the problem is?
________________________________

Starting standard backup
Attempting to mount network destination using URL: afp://Susan%20P.@DrPitcairnTC.local/drpitcairn's%20Time%20Capsule
Mounted network destination using URL: afp://Susan%20P.@DrPitcairnTC.local/drpitcairn's%20Time%20Capsule
QUICKCHECK ONLY; FILESYSTEM CLEAN
Disk image /Volumes/drpitcairn's Time Capsule/Susan's MacBook.sparsebundle mounted at: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
2010-06-12 10:46:29.779 FindSystemFiles[12882:907] Looking for system packages
2010-06-12 10:46:32.709 FindSystemFiles[12882:907] Using system path cache.
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)
No pre-backup thinning needed: 4.46 GB requested (including padding), 257.91 GB available
Stopping backup.
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Error: (-34) SrcErr:NO Copying /Library/Application Support/Memeo/Memeo Backup/DB/C061F539-5E5B-486E-B20D-4D867B4CE8CB.db to /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/SusansMB/2010-06-11-082505.inProgress/605B14C9-6C7E-44 C8-8A92-02BA4ECEF6B9/Susans HD/Library/Application Support/Memeo/Memeo Backup/DB
Stopping backupd to allow ejection of backup destination disk!
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Copied 64 files (1.1 GB) from volume Susans HD.
Error writing to backup log. NSFileHandleOperationException: * -[NSConcreteFileHandle writeData:]: Input/output error
Copy stage failed with error:28

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 3:29 PM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
. . .I am getting discouraged.

I don't blame you a bit. This is ridiculous. 😟

Waiting for index to be ready (101)
Waiting for index to be ready (101)

That's the same problem with the TC, or communicating with it, that you've seen before. 😟

Error: (-34) SrcErr:NO Copying /Library/Application Support/Memeo/Memeo Backup/DB/C061F539-5E5B-486E-B20D-4D867B4CE8CB.db to /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/SusansMB/2010-06-11-082505.inProgress/605B14C9-6C7E-44 C8-8A92-02BA4ECEF6B9/Susans HD/Library/Application Support/Memeo/Memeo Backup/DB

Time Machine is unhappy with that file. I don't know much about Memeo Backup, or why TM wouldn't like it's files, but try excluding them from Time Machine, per #10 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

How old is this Time Capsule? If over a year, do you have AppleCare on any of your Macs?

Jun 12, 2010 3:43 PM in response to Pondini

Memeo is backup software. I have had it a long time. The nice thing about it is that it backs up immediately with any change so you can specify a working folder for instance and have it backed up as you work with it.
I will remove them from the queue. Thanks for catching that.

The time capsule I think must be a couple of years old. I would have to track down the receipt. I do have Apple Care on my MB Pro, possibly on my wife's MB - I am not a home so would have to check files. You thinking I should call for help?

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 3:55 PM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
. . .
The time capsule I think must be a couple of years old. I would have to track down the receipt. I do have Apple Care on my MB Pro, possibly on my wife's MB - I am not a home so would have to check files. You thinking I should call for help?

I'm beginning to be very suspicious of it, and at two years of age, even more so. You've tried so many things, and are still having intermittent problems, it's hard not to.

If you purchased AppleCare for a Mac within two years of the TC purchase, the TC is covered automatically. Did you buy the TC directly from Apple? If so, they should have a record of it.

Apple has replaced many of them, out of warranty, and a lot that were not covered by AppleCare. Most of those were the power supply problems, where the TC just won't power-on, but a number with this sort of problem, too. What their criteria for replacement may be is unknown to us mere mortals.

If this continues, I'd suggest calling AppleCare (800-275-2273), telling them what's been going on, and asking (politely, of course) if they can help fix the problem.

Jun 12, 2010 4:03 PM in response to Pondini

Good idea. I will track down the receipt first. The only wrinkle in all this is that it seems that I don't have any problems with my MB Pro backing up. Seems to go easily and not real long. However, I haven't been using Time Machine Buddy until now so maybe there are issues I did not know about.

I will check with them and see what they can come up with.
Thanks for your help. It is much appreciated.

Richard

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 12, 2010 4:20 PM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
Good idea. I will track down the receipt first. The only wrinkle in all this is that it seems that I don't have any problems with my MB Pro backing up.

The problem with the other Mac backing-up to it could still be the TC, either something in the electronics, or the part of the HD that it's trying to use. And since assorted things go wrong even when connected via Ethernet, it's clearly not a WIFI problem.

I suppose it could be something on the Mac, but it doesn't sound like it.

You might want to collect all the things that have gone wrong, and what you've done, so they can see the whole picture.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

Jun 15, 2010 6:02 PM in response to Pondini

I talked to Apple tech about an hour. Problem not really identified. Tech did not think it was the Time Capsule hardware and suspected the wireless connection was the problem until we plugged it in by ethernet and still had the issue. He sent me software, called Capture_Data and that ran and I sent the report to him. He said there was several things not right rather than an identifiable problem. Wants me to do this:
1. Select "no" backup device.
2. Delete sparsebundle.
3. Start fresh copy by ethernet.
4. Then let it run wireless without interruption.

Thinking to this date is that stopping backups caused the problem. We will see.

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jun 15, 2010 6:13 PM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
. . .
Thinking to this date is that stopping backups caused the problem. We will see.

Stopping the backups clearly shouldn't do that, and usually doesn't.

But good. You've got the right folks, doing the right things. It may take a while for them to figure it out, but they'll either find a solution or, if not, either send you a new one or, if they think it's software, escalate it to the developers.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Jun 30, 2010 9:28 PM in response to Pondini

Well, I am following up on this report. I am not sure I can explain a solution but it does seem to be working properly now. The Apple tech was quite helpful and the chief thing we did was clear out some launchdaemons and launch agents. I then started freshly, a new sparsebundle, while connected via ethernet and then let it run a few more times wirelessly. Strangely after the new sparsebundle was completed, the subsequent backups were including like 7 GB each time. I could not figure out why and the tech could not either. But after a few runs it seemed to correct itself. Go figure...

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 1, 2010 7:52 AM in response to Richard Pitcairn

Richard Pitcairn wrote:
Well, I am following up on this report. I am not sure I can explain a solution but it does seem to be working properly now. The Apple tech was quite helpful and the chief thing we did was clear out some launchdaemons and launch agents. I then started freshly, a new sparsebundle, while connected via ethernet and then let it run a few more times wirelessly.

Great! I just wish we knew what you'd done, in case somebody else has the same problem.

Strangely after the new sparsebundle was completed, the subsequent backups were including like 7 GB each time. I could not figure out why and the tech could not either. But after a few runs it seemed to correct itself. Go figure...

See #A2 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of the +Time Machine+ forum), for a couple of 3rd-party apps that will show what was backed-up.

Problems with Time Machine Buddy widget and with backups