Time machine password request...no password works to unlock the disk

Question

Time machine password request...no password works to unlock the disk

Hi there,

I'm having a very odd problem. I connected my time machine external back up drive today and the disk which automatically loads and pops up to my desktop did not appear. It seemingly could not see/recognise the disk, or another (non backup) partition on it.

I tried a different USB port, and after I pulled the USB cable out a password prompt (enter a password to unlock the disk) appeared, whichever password I entered it would not accept.

The odd thing is why request a password after the disk has been removed? I confirmed this 3 times. Also, I do not believe I ever set a backup password. If I did it would have been set to the same as my login - but this is not being recognised.

Has anyone any ideas as to the issue? I have other folders on this drive which are not backed up ; (

Thanks for your help...

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 2:42 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 22, 2012 3:01 AM in response to deepandmeaningless

The last time I tried, the password box popped up when I connected the disk. When I entered a password it just greyed out and nothing happened....

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Answer 2

Feb 23, 2012 2:28 AM in response to deepandmeaningless

Right, the disk itself is corrupted. I left it connected to the computer for a while, and then this message came up telling me the disk was read only, and that I needed to reformat it. I am going to take off the files I need and reformat it. No idea how or why this corruption occured.

Anyway, hope this helps some poor soul in the future.

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Answer 3

Schpo

Level 1

0 points

May 18, 2012 3:15 AM in response to deepandmeaningless

Hello... I have the exact same problem and I've been stuck for a few days without finding a solution.... Can you confirm that, after entering the password (which was not accepted....it greyed out and nothing happened), you left your external disk connected and that after a while, a message came up telling you that the disk was read only and that you needed to reformat it? Thanks!

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Answer 4

May 18, 2012 4:59 AM in response to Schpo

Yes, this is exactly what happened.

If there is nothing on the disk you need right now, my advice would be to reformat it and back up. But I am no technical expert...

If there is info on the disk you need access too...then don't do the above. Hope this is of help.

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Answer 5

Jan 22, 2014 9:08 AM in response to deepandmeaningless

hi everyone,

The same happened to me today and I was very upset - password was not working even it was correct.

So, I left the backup disk switched to my MacBook and in 15-20 minutes it was fine 🙂

Thank you all for sharing your experience !

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