Restore problem – "The backup cannot be opened."

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caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Restore problem – "The backup cannot be opened."

Trying to restore a new HD from Time Machine backup. I get this error message...

The backup cannot be opened.

If this is a password-protected backup, you entered an incorrect password. Otherwise the backup may be damaged.

History

1. Beofre this, I backed up regularly to Time Machine. Hard drive failed. Bought and installed new HD. Successfully partitioned it (GUID) and installed Mac OS X. OS runs fine.

2. Inserted Leopard OS X disc. Ran "Utilities>Restore disk from backup..."

3. Located appropriate backup. Selected "continue."

4. Received prompt: "Opening time machine backup" for a few minutes (5-10 minutes)

5. Full error message:

The backup cannot be opened.

If this is a password-protected backup, you entered an incorrect password. Otherwise the backup may be damaged.

1. I never password-protected anything. In fact, I can access the file from any computer (once it's connected via USB).

2. I don't think it's "damaged." I ran disk utility on it, and everything checks out fine.

Further notes

This TM backup is on a networked drive with another TM backup. The other machine was able to access and navigate the TM backups.
There are no connection problems/issues between new HD/Mac and networked HD. I've tried it via the network and via direct USB and recieve the same message.
All software and drivers are up to date.
Machine functions properly otherwise. No other error messages.

Please help. My google-fu returns nothing. I've encountered others with similar issues but no resolution. Thanks for any advice.

Posted on Jul 16, 2011 11:29 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

noondaywitch

Level 6

8,167 points

Jul 17, 2011 4:00 AM in response to caleb27

You should use Setup Assistant on first boot after installing the new OS. Setting up an account and then trying to migrate is often fraught with problems.

For best results, connect the TM drive directly to the Mac, and follow the instructions in

http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/19.html In your case, from the green box - 'second chance'

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Answer 2

caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 17, 2011 10:14 AM in response to noondaywitch

Thank you so much for the response. Your instructions were very helpful, but now I have a different error message:

There are no Time Machine backups available on this volume.

Select a different volume, or connect using a different user name.

Here's how I got there...

When prompted "Would you like to transfer your information?," I selected "from a Time Machine backup. Even though I connected the drvie via USB, none of the TM backups showed up. So, I connected the drive to Airport Extreme, and it found the partitions.

Then, I connected to the appropriate partition. Beneath the name it says "Airport Name connected : 1 Time Machine backup found.

I tried it with each login and got the same error message each time. Any ideas?

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2011 2:00 PM in response to caleb27

To be honest, I'd be guessing if I suggested anything. I haven't come across that problem previously and I can't find a match in my references.

Might be prudent to wait for a more experienced TM type to look in (Like Pondini himself if he's about).

Sorry I can't be more help 😟

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Answer 4

caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 17, 2011 2:40 PM in response to noondaywitch

No problem. Thanks for trying. I've tried a few things, including going into the file from another machine and changing permissions. Now, the new Mac can see and access the drive but only over the network. When I connect it via USB, it does not recognize it. I'm not sure what to do, but I know I don't want to do a full restore over the network.

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Answer 5

Jul 18, 2011 1:28 AM in response to caleb27

Thought someone might have picked this up while we slept on this side of the Pond, but here's a quick thought;

By network, I assume you're connecting wirelessly? Have you tried connecting the Mac and the TM to the router by ethernet? If it still sees the TM backup that will be about half the time it would take over wifi. I migrated my stuff from my old G5 to my current Intel over ethernet and approx. 110 GB took around 9 hours. Over airport I'd expect that to be nearer 20 or so.

It still troubles me that it's not being recognised on USB, but I don't have a solution there.

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Answer 6

caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 18, 2011 12:25 PM in response to noondaywitch

I tried connecting via ethernet, and it worked! It did require me to type a password to connect to the Airport. As soon as I did that, the backup information changed in the selections to "1 Time Machine Backup found."

Then, the dropdown/status bar says "Checking Time Machine backup..." for about 3-5 minutes. When that's done, I get this error message:

There are no Time Machine backups on this volume.

Select a different volume, or connect using a different user name.

I don't understand how the Mac can see the backup but not let me use it. So frustrating.

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Answer 7

caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 18, 2011 2:03 PM in response to caleb27

Update:

I tried running an update. Now the drive will connect via USB. So, that problem's solved. I can navigate the drive in finder. However, when I go into Migration Assistant, it doesn't see any of the backups. Any ideas on how to force it to see the backups?

Thanks again.

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Answer 8

caleb27 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 18, 2011 4:14 PM in response to caleb27

Thanks for your help, noondaywitch. I think it's fixed...

Here's hoping this is my final update. Reporting back for anyone who may read this...

After many, many tries, here's how I ultimately solved the problem...

1. Wiped the drive. Reformatted Macintosh HD with GUID option selected.

2. Installed OS X. Installed Leopard OS X. Tried to run Setup Assistant from there, but it never saw the drive.

3. After a lot of searching, I found out I had to mount the actual backup to my desktop. I did this by double-clicking it in the finder window. It gave me no indication anything was going on, but after about 2-3 minutes, I got a "skip" or "cancel" option. I chose "skip." Got SEVERAL weird error messages...mostly to do with Disk Repair. I selected "OK" and the "Backup of USER NAME" was mounted on the desk top.

4. Opened Migration Assistant and proceeded as instructed.

TIL that if you back up over a network, the way to restore is to mount the backup to your desk top. But first you have to update ALL THE THINGS.

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Answer 9

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 18, 2011 4:14 PM in response to caleb27

caleb27 wrote:

. . .

I don't think it's "damaged." I ran disk utility on it, and everything checks out fine.

I assume you mean Repair Disk? If the backups are in a sparse bundle, did you repair that, or the disk?

This TM backup is on a networked drive with another TM backup. The other machine was able to access and navigate the TM backups.

What kind of drive is that? A 3rd-party NAS? A USB drive connected to a Time Capsule? Or ?

Are the backups in a sparse bundle?

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