Time Machine won't back up onto Time Capsule

Question

Level 1

0 points

Time Machine won't back up onto Time Capsule

I upgraded to Mountain Lion last week, and Time Machine won't back up to my Time Capsule. When it fails, I get the message:

Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "Tom's Time Capsule".

The backup disk image "/Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle" could not be created (error 60)

I sometimes get the same message, but with "error 17"

I also get the following error message popup (even though the disk is the one in my Time Capsule):

The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer.

The popup offers three choices: Initialize, Ignore, Eject.

My local Apple Store Genius concluded that the problem must be with the Time Capsule, so I bought a new one. That didn't fix the problem.

Time Machine Buddy messages:

Starting manual backup

Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

Mounted network destination at mount point: /Volumes/Data using URL: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

Creating disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle

Error 60 creating backup disk image

Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle, status: 60

Backup failed with error: 20

Failed to eject volume /Volumes/Data (FSVolumeRefNum: -108; status: -47; dissenting pid: 0)

I did Repair Disk Permissions and Verify Disk and everything's OK.

I erased the Time Capsule using AirPort Utility and did a hard reset on the Time Capsule.

I did a re-install of Mountain Lion and that didn't fix anything.

My MacBook Pro is accessing the Time Capsule wirelessly, as it always has.

Help!

Posted on Aug 5, 2012 9:59 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 5, 2012 11:32 AM in response to tommca

Try connecting to the TC with an Ethernet cable.

Reply

Answer 2

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2012 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

Just tried it connected via Ethernet cable, and I get the same error message.

Time Machine Buddy messages:

Starting manual backup

Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/Data

Creating disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle

Error 17 creating backup disk image

Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle, status: 17

Backup failed with error: 20

Failed to eject volume /Volumes/Data (FSVolumeRefNum: -108; status: -47; dissenting pid: 0)

Starting manual backup

Network destination already mounted at: /Volumes/Data

Creating disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle

Error 17 creating backup disk image

Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Data/TomsMac.sparsebundle, status: 17

Backup failed with error: 20

Reply

Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 5, 2012 1:17 PM in response to tommca

Just to be sure, we're talking about a Time Capsule -- not an AirPort Extreme connected to an external hard drive. Right?

If so, proceed as follows.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Reply

Answer 4

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for the assistance. Yes, I am talking about a Time Capsule, not an Airport Extreme connected to an external hard drive.

I went through the test while in safe mode. I do have wireless connectivity, but when I tried to back up I was told the drive isn't available.

I then connected to the Time Capsule via Ethernet cable. The Time Capsule showed up in the left panel of my Finder window, but I got the following message when I tried to select the Time Capsule for backup in the Time Machine Preferences pane:

"There was a problem connecting to the server 'Toms-Time=Capsule.local'. Check the server name or IP address, and then try again. If you continue to have problemsm, contact your system administrator."

Time Machine Buddy messages:

Starting manual backup

Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe;AUTH=SRP@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

NAConnectToServerSync failed with error: 22 for url: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe;AUTH=SRP@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

Backup failed with error: 19

One other thought I just had. I had installed the app Time Machine Editor to schedule a backup once every 24 hours rather than the hourly backup. It seemed a bit irregular in the backup timing and I decided to uninstall it. I discovered from other's comments that the app can cause problems, even if it's deleted. It was recommended to delete the Time Machine Prefs file and restart, which I did. All this was around the time I installed Mountain Lion 10 days ago or so. Time Machine seemed to work for a while after than but then I started experiencing the problems I've described.

Could Time Machine Editor have mucked things up? Does that give any further clues about fixes to attempt?

Reply

Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 5, 2012 2:19 PM in response to tommca

From what I know of that hack, I don't think it's related.

I've seen reports suggesting that there is a bug in the ML networking stack with some odd manifestations. In some cases, changing a parameter seems to help.

Select ▹ System Preferences ▹ Network. If the Network preference pane is locked, click the lock icon in the lower left corner and enter your password to unlock it. Then select Advanced ▹ Hardware ▹ Configure: Manually. Change the MTU setting to Custom and enter the value 1280. Click OK and then Apply. Test.

You must apply the change before it takes effect.

If the issue is resolved, experiment with higher MTU values until you find the highest one that works. The higher the MTU, the better the network interface will perform.

If changing the MTU has no effect, restore the Configure setting to Automatically.

Reply

Answer 6

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2012 2:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

No luck. I set the MTU paramet to 1280, but got the same error reports.

Time Machine Buddy messages:

Starting manual backup

Attempting to mount network destination URL: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

Mounted network destination at mount point: /Volumes/Data-1 using URL: afp://Tom%20McAuliffe@Toms-Time-Capsule.local/Data

Creating disk image /Volumes/Data-1/TomsMac.sparsebundle

Error 60 creating backup disk image

Failed to create disk image /Volumes/Data-1/TomsMac.sparsebundle, status: 60

Backup failed with error: 20

Failed to eject volume /Volumes/Data-1 (FSVolumeRefNum: -107; status: -47; dissenting pid: 0)

Reply

Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 5, 2012 4:03 PM in response to tommca

When you connect to the TC with Ethernet, is there anything between it and the Mac besides a single run of cable?

Reply

Answer 8

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2012 4:48 PM in response to Linc Davis

Nothing but cable between the MacBook Pro and the TC.

Reply

Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Aug 5, 2012 6:23 PM in response to tommca

I don't know of anything you can do that you haven't already done. You seem to be dealing with a bug, but I don't know what triggers it. You were misinfomed by the Apple "Genius."

The new TC is under warranty. Call AppleCare to see whether they have anything to offer, and if not, return it for a refund.

If I come across any more information that might be relevant, I'll update this thread. Please do the same.

Meanwhile, you should back up to a locally attached external hard drive.

Reply

Answer 10

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2012 6:40 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for your help, Linc. I'll be calling AppleCare in the morning and will back up to an external drive. I'll post any updates.

Reply

Answer 11

Sagew2

Level 1

4 points

Aug 6, 2012 8:11 PM in response to tommca

I'm having the exact same issue (right down to the error messages) on a 2007 Santa Rosa Macbook Pro. Were you ever able to get back on track? I have other macs that can use time machine on the same disk without problems.

The only difference for me is that I'm running an Airport Extreme with a Synology DS211J. All other NAS functions are working perfectly.

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 12

tommca Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 6, 2012 8:42 PM in response to Sagew2

Problem solved by a very sharp technical specialist at AppleCare. My problems started when Time Machine was extremely slow and balky after I upgraded to Mountain Lion. During that time I followed a number of suggestions for potential fixes, including changing my Time Capsule name to eliminate special characters. During that process, my KeyChain somehow ended up with conflicting entries, and that was the source of the problem. The AppleCare guy spotted the problem and once the older KeyChain entries were deleted Time Machine is working again.

Reply

Answer 13

ATBagala

Level 1

0 points

Aug 9, 2012 3:47 PM in response to tommca

I had the exact same problem after installing Mountain Lion on my Macbook Air. The fix for me was changing the name of the Time Capsule and Time Capsule disk. Not sure which name change did the trick, but it worked.

Reply

Answer 14

Fairwolf

Level 1

0 points

Aug 14, 2012 6:11 PM in response to tommca

Do you remember how you deleted the keychain entries, and which ones?

Reply

Answer 15

ATBagala

Level 1

0 points

Aug 15, 2012 4:43 AM in response to Fairwolf

I used the airport utility to change the names of my base station and disk (not my network). This did the trick.

If it helps anyone for further troubleshooting, I have two Time Capsules (one at home and one at my office) and back up my computer to both. I have only had this problem with one of them, the older 500 GB Time Capsule. Sorry, I don't have the specs for either at the moment.

Reply