Time Machine does not appear to auto delete old backups

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Level 1

13 points

Time Machine does not appear to auto delete old backups

I would like old backups to be automatically deleted, but so far does not appear to have occurred as I have not received any warnings. I have checked the box in the setup dialog box to do so. I have only 60GB remaining and receive warnings from Tech Tools that the free space threshold is at 2% remaining.

Does the drive have to be fully exhausted before older backups are automatically deleted (causing the warning), and if so should I turn off the Tech Tools warning for remaining disc space for that drive?

I am using an OWC Mercury Elite AL Pro 2TB external drive with an eSATA connection. Our typical business files can range from 100 to 300MB each. In the Apple Support Mac 101 Time Machine article it states "As your backup disk begins to fill up to its capacity, Time Machine intelligently deletes the oldest backups to make room for newer ones (and will alert you if the "Warn when old backups are deleted" option is selected in Time Machine preferences)." To date, this warning has not appeared making me think no deletions have occurred.
Thanks for any thoughts, Scott

MacPro, 3GH, 16GB ram, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Also have a Silver Bullet G4 Tower & iPad

Posted on Dec 4, 2010 7:53 AM

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Answer 1

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Dec 4, 2010 9:29 AM in response to Scotttt

Scotttt wrote:
I would like old backups to be automatically deleted, but so far does not appear to have occurred as I have not received any warnings. I have checked the box in the setup dialog box to do so. I have only 60GB remaining and receive warnings from Tech Tools that the free space threshold is at 2% remaining.

Does the drive have to be fully exhausted before older backups are automatically deleted (causing the warning)

The oldest backup(s) won't be deleted until there isn't room for a new one. And "warning" is a bit misleading -- when there isn't enough space, the backup will fail, without deleting anything, until you deselect the option. See #C4 in [Time Machine - Troubleshooting|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Troubleshooting.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

Note that this has changed for Snow Leopard; it does the deletion(s) automatically, then sends a notice.

and if so should I turn off the Tech Tools warning for remaining disc space for that drive?

Yes. That accomplishes nothing. Time Machine manages it's space automatically.

To date, this warning has not appeared making me think no deletions have occurred.

That's not strictly true; it applies only when Time Machine has to delete your oldest backups to make room for new ones. But it also deletes "expired" backups every time it does a new one. See #12 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

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Answer 2

Scotttt Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 4, 2010 11:08 AM in response to Pondini

James, thanks so much for your quick and detailed response. I would have sent you a PM instead of here, but was unsure how to do so. Thanks again, Scott

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Answer 3

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Dec 4, 2010 11:28 AM in response to Scotttt

Scotttt wrote:
James, thanks so much for your quick and detailed response.

You're quite welcome, and thanks for the star.

I would have sent you a PM instead of here, but was unsure how to do so.

The forums don't have that ability.

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