Time Machine not backing up all my files

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Level 1

60 points

Time Machine not backing up all my files

Recently installed a new hard drive in my iMac. I restored the hard drive from my latest Time Machine backup and everything went fine except a few albums were missing from iTunes. The albums were still in iTunes, but the files werent on the hard drive so iTunes asked me to locate them. They weren't where they should be so I checked the Time Machine backup and sure enough, all those albums werent on the backup. So I downloaded them all again and put them back into iTunes and they are now there and iTunes is playing them fine. But for some reason, in my newest backups, those particular albums are still not being backed up. I have restarted my computer and erased the Time Machine backup and had it backup everything again but no luck. It just will not backup these certain albums. Its almost like iTunes is hiding them or something, very strange because Time Machine seems to have backed up every other file on my computer. Any ideas what could be causing this and how to fix it so that I can back up ALL the files on my computer?

Posted on Dec 5, 2012 6:09 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 17, 2012 9:42 PM in response to poil66

There is something I forgot to ask you to do. Move or copy the problem files to another folder, such as the Desktop. Are they backed up there?

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Answer 2

poil66 Author

Level 1

60 points

Dec 18, 2012 4:16 AM in response to Linc Davis

Yes, they backed up once I moved them to the desktop, but not in iTunes.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 18, 2012 8:39 AM in response to poil66

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 the test is to determine whether your 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:

Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, 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?

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.

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Answer 4

poil66 Author

Level 1

60 points

Dec 29, 2012 11:20 PM in response to Linc Davis

So by test in safe mode, you mean back up in safe mode, right? I did that. Still wouldnt back up those folders in safe mode. And they still wouldnt back in regular mode after trying it in safe mode. So the files will back up when I move them out of iTunes. Just not in iTunes for some reason.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 30, 2012 7:47 AM in response to poil66

Please post the output of the following shell command:

defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine

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Answer 6

poil66 Author

Level 1

60 points

Dec 30, 2012 2:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

This is an incredibly long output, any specific parts that are important? Also, I was supposed to run this in terminal in regular mode, not safety, right?

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Answer 7

poil66 Author

Level 1

60 points

Dec 30, 2012 2:51 PM in response to poil66

Near the top of it is this:

ExcludeByPath = (

and then after that is a list which inlcudes all the problematic files

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 30, 2012 3:14 PM in response to poil66

Triple-click the line below to select it:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist

Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select Services ▹ Reveal from the contextual menu. A Finder window should open with a file selected. Move the selected file to the Trash. You'll be prompted for your administrator password. Reboot, recreate your Time Machine settings, and test.

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Answer 9

poil66 Author

Level 1

60 points

Dec 31, 2012 6:43 PM in response to Linc Davis

Yes, that did it! Thank you very very much!

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Answer 10

Mar 2, 2013 1:30 AM in response to poil66

Anybody knows What is the Librarian folder under Library/Application Support/Librarian/ ? Thanks.

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