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Level 1

13 points

Time Machine could not complete the backup

I tried to do I a TM backup and after a long wait from "Preparing To Backup Disk" I got the following message ...

Time Machine could not complete the backup.

This backup is too large for the backup disk. The backup requires 273.42 GB but only 188.44 GB are available.

Time Machine needs work space on the backup disk, in addition to the space required to store backups. Open Time Machine preferences to select a larger backup disk or make the backup smaller by excluding files.

[ ? ] [ Open Time Machine Preferences ] [ OK ]

I use an external hdd parition exclusively for TM which has 400GB capcity and 188.44GB. Why won't it TM just overwrite the old backups / data?

I'm using Lion on mid 2009 Macbook Pro

Cheers.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 7, 2013 8:05 AM

17 replies

darkhorse85 Author

Level 1

13 points

May 27, 2013 8:32 AM in response to Linc Davis

Disk Utility reads...

If you don’t want to erase the destination disk, deselect “Erase destination.”

I can't find the way to deselect "Erase desination" which is very important as I must keep the current data that exists on Destination.

Thanks

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

May 27, 2013 9:23 AM in response to darkhorse85

If you use that method, you must erase the destination. Otherwise you'll have to use the Finder, which may not work.

Time Machine could not complete the backup