TM on ext. HD files corrupted,can't backup, pls. help

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TM on ext. HD files corrupted,can't backup, pls. help

We have a Toshiba USB 3.0 & 2.0, 750 GB/Go External Hard Drive storing our TM backups that was unplugged by mistake without turning it off/ejecting, and it will not back up. Message states that "files can't be copied onto the backup disk because it appears to be read only". Tried several recommendations: turning the external drive off, and removing the USB cable, restarting mac. Also went thru several cycles in Disk Utility of trying to verify and repair the disk. The last time I tried, there were several messages, including 'DU can't repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files" , as well as "you may need to repair or reformat the disk using Disk Utility. If the disk can't be repaired, you must use a different disk for backups. Open T.M. preferences to select a different backup disk."

We have already spent several hours reading and working on this without success. BTW we also have Carbonite backup for extra protection. OS is Snow Leopard 10.6.8.

Questions: is the Ext. HD likely damaged by this? So far, most of what we read is that it is not. For example:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1358201

We are able to click the T.M. backup icon on desktop and see past backups, but just cannot backup anything more.

What is the best plan of attack here? I do not know the first thing about partitioning the Ext.HD, but read about that. We only have one partition dedicated to T.M. backups .

Considering my elementary knowledge, is it best to erase the existing BackUp's and start from scratch? there is an Erase tab with several options but I don't know what to select. Thank you very much!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 2, 2013 8:45 AM

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Answer 1

Pondini

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Sep 2, 2013 4:50 PM in response to ethermom

ethermom wrote:

. . .

Questions: is the Ext. HD likely damaged by this? So far, most of what we read is that it is not.

Yes, most likely, the damage was caused by the improper disconnection.

Considering my elementary knowledge, is it best to erase the existing BackUp's and start from scratch?

Yes. Erase it with Disk Utility, but in this case, take the time to do a one-pass zero out of the entire disk, just to be reasonably sure it's ok. See #1 in Using Disk Utility

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Answer 2

ethermom Author

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Sep 3, 2013 1:06 PM in response to Pondini

Thank you very much, but I have since discovered something else.

Upon further investigation, I've discovered a problem in the settings under the " Info" drop down.

The privileges have changed from when it was set up!

I have looked in both the administrator and another user account. Under Sharing and Permissions, "Read & Write" privileges had been set for both of these account holders in their respective accounts and are still listed there , but on Sept 1, "everyone" was added with only the "Read only" privilege in both accounts.

How could this happen, and how can it be undone? In the admin account, I have unlocked the padlock and used the admin. password so that I should be able to get ride of the 'everyone/read only' setting. But the whole section has the greyed out look and is not letting me make a change??

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Answer 3

Pondini

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38,863 points

Sep 3, 2013 1:18 PM in response to ethermom

Do you measn you can't erase it with Disk Utility?

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Answer 4

ethermom Author

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Sep 3, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Pondini

I didn't try the erasing yet--I just meant to add the information about the privileges being changed.

Is there a way that I could get rid of the "everyone/read only" in the Time Machine Backups Info window?

Because of the above permissions issue, I may not even be able to use the external hard drive to back up after erasing it?

Or will erasing it wipe the Sharing and Permissions as well, and I can reset that up? Thank you for your help!

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Answer 5

Pondini

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38,863 points

Sep 3, 2013 1:40 PM in response to ethermom

ethermom wrote:

. . .

Or will erasing it wipe the Sharing and Permissions as well

Yes, it should.

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Answer 6

ethermom Author

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Sep 3, 2013 1:44 PM in response to Pondini

OK, I'll take a deep breath and follow your directions in the previous email, will respond back as well if it resolves. Thank you VERY much!!

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Answer 7

ethermom Author

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Sep 8, 2013 2:36 PM in response to ethermom

Well, I can't figure out how to send a private message quickly to Pondini, so will just add this message.

Hello Pondini,

Thanks very much, your directions worked beautifully.

After Time Machine was erased, we were able to use it to backup everything again. It took about 7 hours to erase with the one pass zero, and then seveal hours to back up, but that's nothing compared to needing to buy a new external drive or losing data. What a relief! Thanks again!

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Answer 8

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Sep 8, 2013 2:42 PM in response to ethermom

ethermom wrote:

Well, I can't figure out how to send a private message quickly to Pondini,

There is no faciity for that here. 😟

Thanks very much, your directions worked beautifully.

After Time Machine was erased, we were able to use it to backup everything again. It took about 7 hours to erase with the one pass zero, and then seveal hours to back up, but that's nothing compared to needing to buy a new external drive or losing data. What a relief! Thanks again!

Great! 🙂

However, if your stuff is worth backing-up, please consider keeping "secondary" backups. SeeTime Machine - Frequently Asked Question #27 for details and some suggestions.

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