HT202174: How to verify or erase an AirPort Time Capsule disk

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gMac1213

Q: Multiple computers on Time Capsule.  "Backup is too large for the backup disk"   ???

I am getting the following error:

 

"Time Machine Error

 

This backup is too large for the backup disk. The

backup requires 15.38 GB but only 3.94 GB are

available."

 

 

I have a two MacBook Pros that I have been backing up to my 1 TB Time Capsule using Time Machine.  Recently, I have started getting errors saying that there is not enough space to complete backups.  Between the two MacBook Pros, there is a max of 400 GB that I am trying to backup.  I thought that old backups were deleted to make room for new ones - so what gives?

 

I used Migration Assistant to migrate everything from the old MacBook Pro (2009) to a new MacBook Pro (2011).  I also used Migration Assistant to Migrate everything from an old MacBook to the old MacBook Pro (2009).  So, I am now only using the two MacBook Pros (2009 and 2011).

 

Is it possible that there are old backups on the Time Capsule from the MacBook and the MacBook Pro (2009) from before the Migration?  If so, how do I find them and delete them? 

 

My goal is to create more space on the Time Capsule so I can continue backups of the two Pros.  Thanks for the help in advance.  Sorry if this is confusing.  Please ask questions to clarify.

Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd Gen)

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 1:25 AM

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Q: Multiple computers on Time Capsule.  "Backup is too large for the backup disk"   ???

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  • Helpful answers

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Mar 24, 2012 2:35 AM in response to gMac1213
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 24, 2012 2:35 AM in response to gMac1213

    The time machine does not work as well when there are multiple computers using the TC.

     

    It really does not seem able to dispose of the old backups.

     

    Pondini may help..

     

    http://pondini.org/TM/C4.html

     

    IMHO.. The best bet is to plug in a USB drive large enough to save everything on the TC and do a back directly from the airport utility.. disk, archive..

     

    Then wipe the TC using erase.. and do a fresh TM backup on both computers.

     

    Keep the USB drive in a draw for a year and a day.. after that you can assume anything on it is no longer required wipe it and do another backup of the TC.

  • by gMac1213,

    gMac1213 gMac1213 Mar 24, 2012 2:49 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Mar 24, 2012 2:49 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks for the advice LaPastenague.  I have been mulling over the idea of doing just what you are saying, but am looking for a way to avoid a full wipe of the Time Capsule.

     

    Anyone have any other suggestions?

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Mar 24, 2012 4:10 AM in response to gMac1213
    Level 9 (52,330 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 24, 2012 4:10 AM in response to gMac1213

    Read carefully the pink box in the reference I sent..

     

    Since you have recovered material already I think that is what is making it a mess.

     

    If backups are important to you.. a back up of a restored machine backed up to old time machine.. is just asking for things to go wrong. Deleting manually causes terrible issues.. if you have already recovered.. you don't need the existing backups and anyway you are copying them across to USB drive.. If you had to recover from them you could.. but a fresh start is going to be a lot smaller and a lot more efficient place to start.

  • by gMac1213,

    gMac1213 gMac1213 Mar 24, 2012 4:21 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Mar 24, 2012 4:21 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks again for the info LaPastenague!  I was able to use the pondini.org website link to delete the backup from the MacBook that I no longer use.  This freed up enough space to last me for awhile.

     

    Cheers!