Time Machine backups greyed out

tolgao wrote:

Should I do Reset Permissions on my new account one more time ?

If you need to, it won't hurt. But it only fixes permissions in your home folder, not your top-level Applications folder.

Can I also install Mountain Lion when it is released ?

Sure. While no details have been announced yet, upgrading to a new version of OSX doesn't affect anything else -- you just get a new version of OSX and the default Apple apps. Just be sure you have good backups in case something goes wrong.

How about Disk Permissions in Disk Utility ? Does it fixes top-level Applications folder ?

For things installed by OSX or the OSX installer, yes. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1452

It won't hurt to run it, but you shouldn't have any problems with those apps anyway.

You may have problems with apps you installed in other ways, but you already know how to fix those, if/when you run across them.

When do you think it will be best time to delete my Home Folder in old account ? So that I will gain some free space.

Whenever you feel sure you've got everything you need from it. 😉

If space is critical, you might want to look carefully at some of the larger items, and, if you're sure about them, delete them first.

You'll have the backups of it for a while, too (as long as there's room on your TM drive), so restoring from them is another option if something's missing or damaged. Just don't delete the whole home folder -- leave enough that you can still log on and access the backups (as the new account won't have permission to the backups of the old account.)

Unfortunately the same problem occured again today. When I go to old backups in TimeLine, my Home Folder Admin is greyed-out(grid) again. This time, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Library folders are normal(no grid) on Finder window in TimeLine. This time, I am going to format my harddisk, and install fresh Lion. But I don't know where to start now ? Can you refer me to documents how to move data manually to external hardisk before formatting hardrive ?

Here is the link to re-occurence of the old problem:

http://d.pr/i/x2l3

Edit: My external hardisk is connected to my TimeCapsule with a USB cable. If I will format my Mac's internal hardisk and install Lion on it, Wil I be able to access the contents of USB hardisk(connected to TimeCapsule) after formatting and installing Lion ? or Should I connect my external hardisk to my Mac directly with USB cable ?

Message was edited by: tolgao

tolgao wrote:

Unfortunately the same problem occured again today. When I go to old backups in TimeLine, my Home Folder Admin is greyed-out(grid) again. This time, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Library folders are normal(no grid) on Finder window in TimeLine.

You've apparently got some sort of problem (likely software) that's damaging those folders. 😟 This will probably keep happening until you find and fix it.

And it's a tough one -- you need an Apple "guru." You haven't said where you are, so make an appointment with the nearest AppleStore (http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/) or Apple Authorized Service Provider (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434?viewlocale=en_US).

I live in Ankara, Turkey. We don't even have an Apple Store in Turkey yet. It means no Genius support. We have two Apple Premium Resellers(same company different locations) in Ankara. And they have one Technical Support Center but it is not an Apple Authorized Service Center. I am not sure that they can help me with this specific issue. I don't have much important data on my Mac. It is okey if I format it, as long as I keep some documents. Do you think some documents cause the damage or some applications ?

tolgao wrote:

I live in Ankara, Turkey. We don't even have an Apple Store in Turkey yet. It means no Genius support. We have two Apple Premium Resellers(same company different locations) in Ankara. And they have one Technical Support Center but it is not an Apple Authorized Service Center. I am not sure that they can help me with this specific issue.

Sorry to hear that; I had a feeling you didn't have much help available. 😟

I don't have much important data on my Mac. It is okey if I format it, as long as I keep some documents.

Yeah, but I doubt that's going to help for long.

Do you think some documents cause the damage or some applications ?

An app (or kernel extension). Or problem with OSX, but you've reinstalled that, right?

Copy your important files to the external HD (drag via the Finder). I'd connect it directly to the Mac, as that will be faster than copying via your network.

Good luck!

Yes i did reinstall OSX(Lion). It did not solve the problem. As my last option, I will reformat my hardisk and install fresh Lion. I will put some data back on my Mac and test it for a week or so to see, if the problem reoccurs. If it happens again. I will take TimeCapsule to Service. We have 2 years warranty for Apple products that were sold in Turkey. I bought the Time Capsule in Turkey. If I will take Time Capsule for service, should I take my MBP and Time Capsule together to show them the problem ? or Should I only take Time Capsule and tell them the problem ? I am worrying that what if they will access to some of my old backups. Anyway, I took your time too much for my problem. Thanks for everything.

I don't think it's the Time Capsule. Something on your Mac is doing something odd to the folders while they're on your Mac, and Time Machine is backing them up.

If there's enough room on your external disk, try connecting it directly to your Mac and backing-up to it. See if the problem persists -- if it does, that rules out a problem with the TC.

I connected my external hardisk directly to my Mac. Now it is backing up 130 GB. One interesting thing, When I choose Select Disk... in Time Machine Pereferences. I can see Encrypt My Backup option, this is greyed out in Time Capsule, but I can choose it in my external hardisk. Why is it so ? Why Time Capsule does not allow me to Encrypt Disk ?

Now it is okey with both Time Capsule and my External USB hardisk. The problem was: when I sort my Home Folder with "Date Added" it causes grid(grey-out). But when I sort it with Name or Kind, or Size, etc, then there is no grid(grey-out) image. Something wrong with sorting with "Date Added". It is weird. Do you think that should I still format my hardisk and fresh install Lion, and move my data in it ? or Should I just leave it as it is ?

As you recommended I backed up everything to USB external disk. Same grid(grey-out) problem occured. Then I realized that the problem is not Time Capsule. As you said, it had to do with corrupt folders or files. Then I figured out this sorting-out problem.

tolgao wrote:

. . .

I can see Encrypt My Backup option, this is greyed out in Time Capsule, but I can choose it in my external hardisk.

That's true in Lion -- you cannot encrypt network backups.

In Mountain Lion, however, you can.

tolgao wrote:

. . .

when I sort my Home Folder with "Date Added" it causes grid(grey-out). But when I sort it with Name or Kind, or Size, etc, then there is no grid(grey-out) image

Gadzooks! I never would have thought of that!

Good for you for finding it. 🙂 🙂

Do you think that should I still format my hardisk and fresh install Lion, and move my data in it ?

No, there's no reason to think that will change anything.

You may want to file a Bug Report with Apple. See Reporting a Problem to Apple.

I'll try to reproduce it, and file through a different channel, but can't do that until it opens up again - probably a month or so.

Glad it's sorted out!