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An error occurred while copying files. The problem may be temporary. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk

Hello.


Apologies if this is common post but I'm creating a new post because I can't find a way to filter 'most recent' in the search.


Here's the issue...


I use an external HD for daily backups and also some file storage on the same partition. It's worked perfectly without incident for about four years un til today.


I recently moved about 300GB of files from it to another server (not from the Backups.backupdb' folder), and then deleted them. Hours and hours later, after I'd remembered to change all the file permissions. Very dull.


Now Time Machine won't complete the automated backups. I get the above error message after multiple restarts. It prepares, starts backing up and then fails about 1gb in to a 6gb backup.


The incomplete 'inProgress' files won't delete from the drive. Trash just hangs. I looked at the console logs and found an issue with an Adobe file in the Mac Library. So I deleted that, restart, still no worky.


There's a ton of 'Sandbox' and 'CoreFoundation' and other errors too.


The 'inProgress' files still won't empty from the trash unless I eject the drive.


I've spent about two hours reading various abysmal blogs, all offering different advice. None of it seems definitive and I'm too tired to try hours of hacks. So I'm thinking I should just nuke the disc and start again unless anybody on here can offer any assistance.


Which would be most appreciated.


Thanks

Will


MacBook Pro - Mid 2014

macOS Mojave 10.14.6

WD 2TB USB Disk


P.S.

I hate computers.

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Nov 26, 2019 2:41 PM

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Posted on Nov 26, 2019 3:01 PM

You do know that if you use your TM hard drive to store files in addition to the TM backups and that drive fails you will lose the backups (no problem there as the Mac is still good) as well as those additional files (that's a problem).


If you've got the additional files off the drive then it might be easier to reformat the drive and start over again fresh.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 26, 2019 3:01 PM in response to MrMonoboy

You do know that if you use your TM hard drive to store files in addition to the TM backups and that drive fails you will lose the backups (no problem there as the Mac is still good) as well as those additional files (that's a problem).


If you've got the additional files off the drive then it might be easier to reformat the drive and start over again fresh.


Nov 28, 2019 1:23 AM in response to Old Toad

I take it it back, fair enough.


Starting a reply with 'You do know' or 'You do realise' can be heckle raising for people if it's an obvious point to the user. It implies a lack of basic knowledge in a superior tone rather than a helpful one. You may not have meant it in that way but that was the message.


Thanks for the advice, it was appreciated.


Best

Will





An error occurred while copying files. The problem may be temporary. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk

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