Old Time Machine Hard Drive - Can't access files?

Question

Old Time Machine Hard Drive - Can't access files?

Hi

I have just put an external hard drive I have not used for a approx a year into a spare bay in my Mac Pro. It has HD video on it, but was surprised when I rebooted my machine to see it is a Time Machine drive (green and white desktop TM hard drive icon). There is just under 400GB free space of the total 1TB drive, but can only access approx 260GB of that free space.

So, I am wondering if the remainder of the drive - approx 140GB is an old Time Machine backup from either Lion or Snow Leopard.

Time Machine can not see the files nor can I access them via Finder. I only have Mountain Lion on my machine at present, but could partition my Boot SSD drive to add Lion or Snow Leopard on to it.

Is there any reason why I can't access these TM files if they do existing, or could there be other reasons why this is happening.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 31, 2013 6:41 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jan 31, 2013 9:55 AM in response to AppleMacCider

If the volume is listed as a backup disk in the Time Machine preference pane, remove it.

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thansk Linc Davis

Since my last clean install, I have not had Time Machine turned on. I have just checked after reading your reply and is still off, so no drives are using TM.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jan 31, 2013 12:24 PM in response to AppleMacCider

The volume could still be on the list, even if TM is turned off.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2013 12:30 PM in response to Linc Davis

Sorry, I think it's the way I replied to your last question.

TM remains switched off from doing last clean install and have not used it this time. I now use an SSD for my boot drive and all my important files I use as and when needed are stored on other hard drives.

TM at the moment is swtiched off, but with the paddlock open it is asking me to Select Backup Disk - is this what you meant in your last post? Just wanted to clarify - thanks

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jan 31, 2013 12:41 PM in response to AppleMacCider

If no backup disk is selected, then something is wrong with the external drive. Back it up, then try repairing it in Disk Utility. If that doesn't work, erase and restore from the backup.

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Answer 6

Jan 31, 2013 12:49 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for that. This is what I was expecting to have to do, but wanted to check it here first. I thought it was suspicious that TM not turned on but drive is showing as a TM drive.

Even if the original OS was say Lion or even Snow Leopard, would that matter if now using Mountain Lion.

If not - then it's time to wipe the drive and start again.

Thanks for your help Linc

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jan 31, 2013 12:57 PM in response to AppleMacCider

Even if the original OS was say Lion or even Snow Leopard, would that matter if now using Mountain Lion.

No.

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Answer 8

zenmanic

Level 1

15 points

Mar 10, 2013 11:53 PM in response to AppleMacCider

If anyone is wondering Time Machine puts a file on the hard drive when it designates it a Time Machine Backup. This is an invisble file that is read when attached to a different computer. Thats why you the hard drive icon shows it as a TMB even though time machine is turned off.

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Answer 9

zenmanic

Level 1

15 points

Mar 11, 2013 12:01 AM in response to AppleMacCider

Also the invisible file that i speak of is small and does not include the actual backuped files. All Time Machine backups are visible and navigable by the Finder. Also the simply act of repair disk in disk utility has solved this problem for me in the past when hard drive size was different then what i was seeing in Finder.

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