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Level 1

5 points

time machine

Hi - I am backing up my SSD drive on a WD My Passport external drive, connected via the USB 3.0 of my new MacMini.

I have done a partition in the WD drive. I have 450GB in the partition

In the first back up, everything is OK, but any subsequent backups are not backing up new files; at least they do not appear in the Time Machine!

I have no idea how to tackle this. I have recently erased the external drive and re-started the back up, but the problem does not get solved.

Anyone has any idea as to how I could solve this problem?

Thanks very much,

Posted on Feb 11, 2013 9:44 AM

Best reply

QuickTimeKirk

Level 10

125,941 points

Posted on Feb 11, 2013 10:06 AM

Eject the drive partitions (eject button or command-e).

Switch the USB 3 port on the cable and test again.

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25 replies

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 12, 2013 2:44 PM in response to IgnacioSuper

I will put a test file in /Users/ignacioruiz/ tomorrow and see if it gets backed up.

I have a few questions.

Time Machine backs up every hour. Why do you have to wait until tomorrow to find out whether a file is backed up? Have you installed some kind of hack to change the behavior of TM?

Are all the files not being backed up in the Dropbox folder? Dropbox is a system modification. I've never used it and I don't know how it interacts with TM.

Have you installed "WDSmartware?" If so, get rid of it according to the vendor's instructions, then reboot and test.

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 12, 2013 2:52 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi - answers:

- I am in London, it is nearly 11pm, here. I am sending this post from my home laptop, and I have the problem in my work machine, a MacMini, that is in my office.

- at home, I have a time capsule, that backs up my laptop using TM. I have no problem with TestFile2 here at home; that is, TM is backing it up well at home (TestFile2 was copied into my laptop automatically via Dropbox).

- i will double-check tomorrow, but I am pretty sure I did not install WDSmartware in my MacMini. I remember I thought it might conflict with TM. I will double check tomorrow, just in case.

Thanks a lot.

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Linc Davis

HI all - I have tested TM in these folders, and test is successful. That is, I can see those files in the "latest backup" view in TM:

/Users/ignacioruiz

/Users/ignacioruiz/Documents

Also, thinking that the problem could be in Dropbox, I tested the home dropbox folder, and TM worked well:

/Users/ignacioruiz/Dropbox

Please any ideas what to do?

Thanks.

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 7:58 AM in response to IgnacioSuper

uuuhhh!!! I have found an interesting patern.

In a folder that is causing the problem, let's say that I have

TestFile.rtf

TestFile2.rtf

In the back up, I only have

TestFile.rtf

Now... I create a third file in the folder, so that now I have

TestFile.rtf

TestFile2.rtf

TestFile3.rtf

I run TM, and in the back up I see:

TestFile.rtf

TestFile2.rtf

Now I create a forth file in the folder, so that now I have

TestFile.rtf

TestFile2.rtf

TestFile3.rtf

TestFile4.rtf

I run TM, and in the back up I see:

TestFile.rtf

TestFile2.rtf

TestFile3.rtf

There is a pattern here that I hope someone can realate to the source of the problem. It appears that when a new file is created, the lastest file created is not shown in TM, but other past files are, even if they appeares as not having been backed up in the past!!!

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 13, 2013 8:08 AM in response to IgnacioSuper

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 next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

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.

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 10:08 AM in response to Linc Davis

Interesting results....

In safe mode, the problem did not exist.

However, now that I have rebooted normaly, the problem seems to have disappeared! New files back up correctly.

Yesterday, I did a normal re-boot, and I have seen the problem this morning. So it seems that safe re-booting has changed something and the problem is gone?

Feb 13, 2013 11:37 AM in response to IgnacioSuper

booting into safe mode forces some checking and error correction of the file system. It may have also fixed the issue if you ran a repair permissions in disk utiltiy. But your TM is normal now. Thats great that everything works!

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 3:44 PM in response to davidsignal

Thanks a lot guys. I will keep an eye on this in the next few days. Hopefully it is permanently solved.

One further question: I have noticed that the applications that are linked to files extentions have changed. How can I put them back to what they were before?

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 13, 2013 3:58 PM in response to IgnacioSuper

To associate a file type with an application, select a file of the given type, open the Finder Info window, and then select an application from the Open with menu. Then click Change All.

IgnacioSuper Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 14, 2013 6:32 AM in response to Linc Davis

All - just to thank you very much for your help. Everything seems to be working nice and smooth now 🙂

All the best from London,

time machine