deleted wrongly Backup files from backupdb of time machine

Hi Ferd II

Thank you for your help.

I tried to delete the backupdb folders from the backup disc trash but it took ages so I stopped. I switched automatic backup off in time machine. Then I tried to delete one of the backupdb folders and it said: could not delete because "folder is in use." I could well delete other items in the backup trash with using the command key and the option: delete immediately. Except the backupdb folders. But I found a solution in that sense, that I just leave the backupdb folders in the backup trash and have further no problems..

Everything is working because I have a lot of space, 2TB backup. If problems will occur I will buy a new backup disc and start a new backup. The reason for this is that I have moved so many files and folders from my computer on the backup and then deleted them on my computer therefore I can not format the backup .

Regards

Marleen

Time machine is working beautifully now.

I will do as you suggest.

Here is what I did now.

I tried to move one of the backupdb folders from the 2TB trash on to my 2TB backup, and it said no items.

Than I clicked on other folders in the 2TB backup trash selected, on info, when it said no items, till I got one folder where it said :calculating size.

So I knew there must be something in there. I moved that backupdb folder into my 2TB backup and it started copying

I started on 21 mei 16;45h copying 271,4 GB, 41.000items to my 2TB backup, First it said it will take 8 days, then 12 hours, then16 hours then 10 , 9 8,5andso on, and on may 22 midnight about 3am, all was done in 10 hours.

I could use my iMac 27" high Sierra for other things during the copying periode. Then I opened the copied backupdb folder in my 2TB and a lot of stuff is in there.

Now I noticed that all the 23 backupdb folders underneath the backupdb folder in the 2TB trash bin I copied, are empty, and all the 68 other backupdb folders above the backupdb folder in the 2TB trash bin I copied are not empty, because the computer is calculating size quite long and does not say Zero KB.

My conclusion is that the trash of the 2TB is slowly emptying all the backupdb folders one after the other ? which of course takes a considerable amount of time. That may also be the reason why my 2TB trash seems not to empty? 

I tried now to empty one of the empty  backupdb folders with the > command >empty immediately, and a popup window said: The operation can't be completed because the item "folders" is in use. Now I have wait till all the folders are emptied and see if the 2TB trash will empty after that.

Thanks for now, I will let you know when and if the trash of the 2TB backup does empty finally.

Hi BD,

I have a new 3TB backup disc now from WD Elements and want to use it now for backup w. time machine on my high Sierra.

~Do I need to format the brand new 3TB hard drive before I choose it, to back up w. time machine? (I read something time machine does not recognise it )

~Also I would like to part the disk in half, half fotos and half documents, but do not know how.

~Does the new Time Machine backup also back up all my adobe programs like psd, Ai and iD and windows for mac, like word etc?

~Can I connect the new 3TB to my iMac with a fire wire, to let the backup happen faster?

~can I exclude the old backup disc from time machine, when I set up the new time machine? I read something

like say - (minus), the reason is: I want to store the old backup as it is for a little longer (that means not format it at the moment but later, because there are too many important folders I do not know exactly which ones and where, but I can always look them up and copy them to my computer later, when I feel like it and take my time with it.)

Would you know where to look so I know how to do all that, and please answer some of my questions .

Thank you so very much for your patience and help!

Personally I wouldn't partition the new drive I'd transfer the backup foesto thge new drive after you format it...

I will then not partition it.

What to do then if I not partition it?

I'd transfer the backup foesto thge new drive, does this mean the new drive I have from WD Elements has this name now before I format it? To what name do I changet it if I do not partition the drive? MacOS Extended Journaled? You were right, the disc has no Firewire port. It came with a very short normal usb cable.

Hi BD

I have headaches because now I am sitting here and have connected the new 3TB Elements drive, and I do not know what to do, all the links you gave me are too confusing and some did not allow me to open them.

I just want to format that new drive to Mac Os Extended(journaled)?

and use the new one as new backup. where do I go to do that.

The old backup I ejected and just keep it for now like it is and format it when the new backup is done, which will take a lot of time I think.

Hi BD,

it's MacOS Extended, she is doing fine and has already backed up half of. the 237GB.

Thank you so much for all your helpful advices, relentless non failing support and patience!! I think you must be a very good teacher!! You see I am an artist and therefore technical stuff is kind out of my world. I was working and finishing a demanding contemporary Corona times painting and my attention was not really on the computer. If all is done I'l let you know.

It is very nice I can use the computer during her big task! I thought I could not use the computer during this time. Happy surprise!!

But when I go to the backup disc all the data is in there .

Wait a minute, what about my computer then, how do I connect him to the new 3TB then?

I was thinking, if I would have connected my iMac to the 2TB with a fire wire would it have copied the backupdb file from the 2TB trash faster, and this way have copied them all?

I think I got it now,

I formatted the new 3GB and it looks like this.

If you think all is ok I will connect the disc to backup the computer in Time machine