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Time Machine backing up external drives?

Hi,


I have an iMac (2012) running 10.8.5 i have two WD My Books hooked up via FireWire chain. One WD (1TB) is for data storage, the other (2TB) is for Time Machine backup. I've always been able to have the WD data storage included in the TM backup, for some reason around June/July (update to 10.8.4?) it seems this has stopped being backed up - the internal drive of the iMac is being backup up just fine... just not the extrenal drive (both drive are Westren Digital My Book, 1TB and a 2TB)... This set up worked fine for many months prior to Jume/July, in fact i can still browse the older backups via Finder...


Any ideas?


Thanks,

John

Posted on Sep 17, 2013 10:58 PM

Reply
43 replies

Sep 19, 2013 12:11 AM in response to John0

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select

View Show Log List

from the menu bar.


Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message that corresponds to a failed backup. Now

CLEAR THE WORD "Starting" FROM THE TEXT FIELD

so that all messages are showning, and scroll back in the log to the time you noted. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.

If all you see are messages that contain the word "Starting," you didn't clear the text field.

If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.

When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.

Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.


Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Sep 19, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,


Done as you say - very interesting there seems to be a number (hundreds) of references to "FontImporter" failing...


There are many instances of this failure but but 'cut' most of them other than a few examples that look to contain slightly different information:


19/09/13 8:18:10.466 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Starting manual backup

19/09/13 8:18:10.631 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation failed - "/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/M/Perpetua/Monotype/MPerpetua".

19/09/13 8:18:10.631 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation Result - "(

kATSFontTestSeverityFatalError,

kATSFontTestSeverityInformation

)".


[cut]19/09/13 8:18:30.775 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([42007]) mdworker(42007) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/S/Stone Sans/Adobe Systems/StoneSanIta/..namedfork/rsrc (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 153994)

19/09/13 8:18:30.786 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([42007]) mdworker(42007) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/S/Stone Sans/Adobe Systems/StoneSanIta (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 153994)

19/09/13 8:18:30.819 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation failed - "/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/S/Stop MN/Mecanorma/StopMN t1".

19/09/13 8:18:30.819 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation Result - "(

kATSFontTestSeverityFatalError

)".


[cut]


19/09/13 8:18:39.210 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([41978]) mdworker(41978) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/W/Wedding Text/Bitstream/WeddiTexBTReg (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 155010)

19/09/13 8:18:39.265 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([41978]) mdworker(41978) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/W/Weidemann/International Typeface/WeideBlaIta (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 155020)


[cut]


19/09/13 8:18:39.330 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([41978]) mdworker(41978) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/W/Weidemann/International Typeface/WeideBolIta/..namedfork/rsrc (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 155022)

19/09/13 8:18:39.339 AM sandboxd[42004]: ([41978]) mdworker(41978) deny file-read-data /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/W/Weidemann/International Typeface/WeideBolIta (import fstype:hfs fsflag:4A09018 flags:240000005E diag:0 uti:com.apple.font-suitcase plugin:/Library/Spotlight/Font.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 155022)

19/09/13 8:18:39.340 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation failed - "/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/W/Weidemann/International Typeface/Weidemann Book".

19/09/13 8:18:39.341 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation Result - "(

kATSFontTestSeverityFatalError

)".


[cut]


19/09/13 8:18:41.214 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation failed - "/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/Fonts/Z/Zymurgy/Unknown/Zymurgy".

19/09/13 8:18:41.215 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation Result - "(

kATSFontTestSeverityFatalError

)".

19/09/13 8:18:44.068 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation failed - "/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/Fonts Backup/New Fonts-bk/MSO2004-fonts/MT Extra".

19/09/13 8:18:44.068 AM mdworker[41978]: FontImporter: Validation Result - "(

kATSFontTestSeverityInformation,

kATSFontTestSeverityTechnicalError,

kATSFontTestSeverityMajorError,

kATSFontTestSeverityFatalError,

kATSFontTestSeverityMinorError

)".

19/09/13 8:18:51.559 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Copied 6127 files (81.7 MB) from volume MacMini i5 HD.

19/09/13 8:18:52.082 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Copied 6128 files (81.7 MB) from volume MEDIA_1TB.

19/09/13 8:18:52.097 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Using file event preflight for MacMini i5 HD

19/09/13 8:18:52.107 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Will copy (Zero KB) from MacMini i5 HD

19/09/13 8:18:52.110 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Found 14 files (Zero KB) needing backup

19/09/13 8:18:52.111 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: 751.9 MB required (including padding), 1.92 TB available

19/09/13 8:18:52.758 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Copied 486 files (82 bytes) from volume MacMini i5 HD.

19/09/13 8:18:52.893 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Copied 487 files (82 bytes) from volume MEDIA_1TB.

19/09/13 8:18:52.919 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Created new backup: 2013-09-19-081852

19/09/13 8:18:53.082 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Starting post-backup thinning

19/09/13 8:18:53.082 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: No post-back up thinning needed: no expired backups exist

19/09/13 8:18:53.402 AM com.apple.backupd[42018]: Backup completed successfully.


I tried 'excluding' that folder from the TM back up and running 'backup now', but looking at the backup folder still nothing from the external 'Media' drive shows up.


User uploaded file


And looking back at the Console logs, the same message appear regarding the 'Fontimporter'.


Thanks for your time, appreciated!


John

Sep 19, 2013 5:35 PM in response to John0

Launch the Font Book application and validate all fonts. You must select the fonts in order to validate them. See the built-in help and this support article for instructions. If Font Book finds any issues, resolve them, then boot in safe mode to rebuild the font caches. Boot again as usual and test.

Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode. In that case, ask for instructions.

Also note that if you deactivate or remove any built-in fonts, for instance by using a third-party font manager, the system may become unstable.

Sep 19, 2013 8:30 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hmmm, copied the 'fonts backup' folder on MEDIA_1TB to a different drive and deleted it from MEDIA_1TB (and emptied trash), ran Backup Now and still nothing contained in MEDIA_1TB has been backed up... looking at console i get this:


20/09/13 9:01:05.596 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Starting manual backup

20/09/13 9:01:06.209 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Backing up to: /Volumes/BACKUP_2TB/Backups.backupdb

20/09/13 9:01:08.773 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Found 26 files (37 KB) needing backup

20/09/13 9:01:08.777 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: 404.9 MB required (including padding), 1.92 TB available

20/09/13 9:01:10.045 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Copied 540 files (37 KB) from volume MacMini i5 HD.

20/09/13 9:01:10.231 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Copied 541 files (37 KB) from volume MEDIA_1TB.

20/09/13 9:01:10.243 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Using file event preflight for MacMini i5 HD

20/09/13 9:01:10.244 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Will copy (Zero KB) from MacMini i5 HD

20/09/13 9:01:10.246 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Found 6 files (Zero KB) needing backup

20/09/13 9:01:10.247 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: 404.8 MB required (including padding), 1.92 TB available

20/09/13 9:01:10.472 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Copied 144 files (82 bytes) from volume MacMini i5 HD.

20/09/13 9:01:10.592 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Copied 145 files (82 bytes) from volume MEDIA_1TB.

20/09/13 9:01:10.638 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Created new backup: 2013-09-20-090110

20/09/13 9:01:10.866 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Starting post-backup thinning

20/09/13 9:01:10.866 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: No post-back up thinning needed: no expired backups exist

20/09/13 9:01:10.886 AM com.apple.backupd[58432]: Backup completed successfully.

No more font errors but still no contents of MEDIA_1TB in the backup?


PS: i did run the font validate on the active fonts on the system (the fonts that were on the MEDIA_1TB are only a backup copy)... only a few minor errors regarding duplicate fonts.


Thanks,

John

Sep 19, 2013 9:52 PM in response to John0

Triple-click anywhere in the line of text below on this page to select it:

com_apple_backup_excludeItem=com.apple.backupd

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).

In the Finder, press the key combination command-F to open a search window, or select

File Find

from the menu bar. In the search window, select

Search: This Mac

from the row of tokens below the toolbar. Below that is a popup menu initially showing Kind. From that menu, select Other...

A sheet will drop down. In that sheet, select Raw Query and click OK or press return.

Now there will be a text box to the right of popup menu. Click in that box and paste (command-V).

The search window will show all files and folders on mounted volumes that Time Machine excludes from backup, not including the ones excluded in the preference pane. If there is anything in the window that you think shouldn't be excluded, post for further instructions.

Sep 20, 2013 8:57 AM in response to John0

Select the text on the line below by dragging across it. Don't include the blank space at the end of the line. Only the text should be highlighted.

xattr -d -r com_apple_backup_excludeItem

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).

Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:


☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)


☞ In the Finder, select Go Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.


☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.


Paste into the Terminal window (command-V), then press the space bar.


Now switch to the Finder and and select the volume that is causing the problem. Drag the volume icon into the Terminal window. More text will be added to what you entered.


Click in the Terminal window to activate it, then press return.


The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear.

Test.

Sep 20, 2013 3:18 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for that. Ran the command, got a number of error messages ( there were some dozens of lines, example below):


macmini-i5:~ MacMini$ xattr -d -r com_apple_backup_excludeItem /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB

xattr: No such file: /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/iPhoto Library/Masters/2004/Thailand-Myanmar 2004/LouBru.jpg

xattr: [Errno 1] Operation not permitted: '/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/John0/Milner-Fenwick/MF online/code/header.inc'
[cut]


xattr: [Errno 1] Operation not permitted: '/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/John0/Milner-Fenwick/MF PE Update/MF_instprev/op10_instantpreview.asp'

xattr: [Errno 1] Operation not permitted: '/Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/John0/Milner-Fenwick/MF PE Update/MF_instprev/op11_instantpreview.asp'

macmini-i5:~ MacMini$


Other than the first item listed (the JPG), these references are web pages/files that i use with DreamWeaver and one feature/function of DW is to lock files when uploaded (part of the sync and colaboration eature/function).


I did a forced 'Backup Now' after the command had finished, same issue - no content of the MEDIA_1TB in the backup location.


Again, many thanks!

Sep 20, 2013 5:29 PM in response to Linc Davis

Rebuilt the Spotlight index on the MEDIA_1TB drive as suggested, did both a regular scheduled backup and a forced Backup Now.


Sorry to say, still no contents in the MEDIA_1TB backup folder/directory, entering TM only shows the 'Now' contents.


Might it be permissions related?


Last login: Sat Sep 21 08:02:22 on ttys000

macmini-i5:~ MacMini$ cd ../../

macmini-i5:/ MacMini$ cd /Volumes/MEDIA_1TB/

macmini-i5:MEDIA_1TB MacMini$ ls -l

total 16

drwxrwxrwx 12 MacMini staff 408 19 Sep 07:19 Android-Backup-Updates

drwxrwxrwx@ 4 MacMini staff 136 20 Sep 22:00 Apple TV Photo Cache

-rwxrwxrwx 1 MacMini staff 696 26 Jul 16:04 Apple TV Photo Database

drwxrwxrwx 201 MacMini staff 6834 19 Sep 07:19 Apps-Utils-Updates

drwxrwxrwx 5 MacMini staff 170 19 Nov 2012 Desktop

drwxrwxrwx 31 MacMini staff 1054 19 Sep 07:19 General

drwxrwxrwx 50 MacMini staff 1700 19 Sep 07:19 John0

drwxrwxrwx 85 MacMini staff 2890 19 Sep 07:19 Lou

drwxrwxrwx 10 MacMini staff 340 19 Sep 07:19 Movies

-rwxrwxrwx 1 MacMini staff 696 26 Jul 16:04 Photo Database

drwxrwxrwx 4 MacMini staff 136 19 Sep 07:19 eBooks

drwxrwxrwx 7 MacMini staff 238 19 Sep 07:19 iMovie Events.localized

drwxrwxrwx@ 41 MacMini staff 1394 20 Sep 13:33 iPhoto Library

drwxrwxrwx 1437 MacMini staff 48858 19 Sep 07:19 iTunes

drwxrwxrwx 3 MacMini staff 102 19 May 2012 private

drwxrwxrwx 5 MacMini staff 170 8 Aug 19:48 temp

macmini-i5:MEDIA_1TB MacMini$ cd ../

macmini-i5:Volumes MacMini$ ls -l

total 8

drwxrwxr-x 12 MacMini staff 476 18 Sep 22:10 BACKUP_2TB

drwxrwxrwx@ 30 MacMini staff 1088 20 Sep 09:00 MEDIA_1TB

lrwxr-xr-x 1 root admin 1 20 Sep 13:37 MacMini i5 HD -> /

Sep 20, 2013 10:18 PM in response to John0

Launch the Disk Utility application and select the icon of the backup drive in the list on the left. Select the drive, not the volume icon(s) nested beneath it.

At the bottom of the window is some information about the drive, including the Partition Map Scheme. if the scheme is anything other than GUID Partition Table, you need to repartition the drive in that format. For instructions, search the built-in Disk Utility help for the term "partition."

Partitioning will remove all data from the drive, so you must first back up to another drive if you haven't already done so. Never erase your only backup. If there's anything other than backup data on the drive you're going to partition, it must also be backed up to another drive.

If the partition scheme on the backup drive is already GUID, or if you're not sure, don't change anything at this point. Repeat the Spotlght search that you did earlier and see whether the results are the same.

Sep 21, 2013 1:42 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hmmm, says:

Disk Description : WD Total Capacity : 2 TB (2,000,365,289,472 Bytes)
Connection Bus : FireWire Write Status : Read/Write
Connection Type : External S.M.A.R.T. Status : Not Supported
Connection ID : 5891262160535278 Partition Map Scheme : Apple Partition Map

So i guess i'll repartition... will need to backup to another drive first, will keep you posted.


Thanks,

Sep 21, 2013 4:32 PM in response to John0

Re-partitioned the drive to GUID:

Disk Description : WD Total Capacity : 999.5 GB (999,501,594,624 Bytes)
Connection Bus : FireWire Write Status : Read/Write
Connection Type : External S.M.A.R.T. Status : Not Supported
Connection ID : 5891263567203430 Partition Map Scheme : GUID Partition Table

Re-ran your instructions from:

com_apple_backup_excludeItem=com.apple.backupd

To:

Rebuild the Spotlight index on the volume.

Testing show, MEDIA_1TB contents still not being backed up...


For now, i'm using Carbon Copy Cloner to backup MEDIA_1TB to another 'My Book', EXT_1TB. But i'd really like to get back to using only Time Machine... but, may be i should just have the machine HD backing up via TM and let CCC do the data backup (doesn't seem very 'Apple' though).


Again, really appriciate your time Linc!

Time Machine backing up external drives?

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