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Q: How to get around error message when copy Time Machine backup to new external drive?

I am trying to move TimeMachine backups to a new external drive by dragging per the support article on this subject. The new disk is properly formatted, etc. The copy starts ok but I eventually get a message: “106DC5DF-388D-4345-8734-0D621A341EC5” cannot be converted. Please install a newer version of iWork".   This seems odd - why is it checking software versions during a copy operation?  How can I work around it?  What is it really trying to tell me to install? Is there a better more efficient way to transfer the data?

iMac (27-inch Late 2009), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 3:48 PM

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Q: How to get around error message when copy Time Machine backup to new external drive?

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  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jul 23, 2015 4:08 PM in response to smsct
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    Jul 23, 2015 4:08 PM in response to smsct
  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 23, 2015 4:45 PM in response to smsct
    Level 10 (207,990 points)
    Applications
    Jul 23, 2015 4:45 PM in response to smsct

    Although Apple documentation says you can copy Time Machine backups in the Finder, it's very slow and sometimes doesn't work at all.

    This technique will only work if the volume you're copying to is the same size, or larger than, the one you're copying from.

    First, open the Time Machine preference pane and click the Select Disk... button. You may have to unlock the settings first by clicking the padlock icon in the lower left corner of the window. Authenticate as an administrator.

    Delete the volume you're going to copy from the list of backup destinations. Then turn Time Machine OFF.

    Launch Disk Utility, open the built-in help, and search for the term "Duplicate." Follow the instructions. All existing data on the destination volume will be erased. That shouldn't be a problem, because you don't want to mix backup and non-backup data on the same drive anyway.

    If the volume you're copying was encrypted by Time Machine, you may have to unlock it first. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar of the Disk Utility window.

    Turn Time Machine back ON and select the new volume as a backup destination. You can also continue to use the old volume, if you wish. The two will be alternated when both are available.

    CAUTION: If the volume you're copying is corrupt, as shown by Repair Disk or Verify Disk in Disk Utility, then that corruption will be copied to the new drive. Don't copy data from a corrupt volume on a malfunctioning drive. Put the drive aside and don't use it until you're sure you'll no longer need the data. Then securely erase it and take it to a recycling center. Do the same if the Restore operation fails with "disk errors."

  • by etresoft,

    etresoft etresoft Jul 23, 2015 5:10 PM in response to smsct
    Level 7 (29,243 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 23, 2015 5:10 PM in response to smsct

    Hello smsct,

    I see a number of reports from people with s similar error trying to copy iWork files to foreign file systems. DId you make sure to reformat the new drive has HFS+ (jounaled) with the GUID option?

  • by smsct,

    smsct smsct Jul 23, 2015 8:03 PM in response to smsct
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2015 8:03 PM in response to smsct

    rkaufmann87,  The article you reference is the one I followed step by step.

     

    etresoft,

     

    This is the info on the source drive:

      Disk Description : Seagate Backup+ Desk Media  Total Capacity : 3 TB (3,000,592,977,920 Bytes)

      Connection Bus : USB  Write Status : Read/Write

      Connection Type : External  S.M.A.R.T. Status : Not Supported

      USB Serial Number : NA5JMDJ6  Partition Map Scheme : GUID Partition Table

    Mount Point : /Volumes/Seagate Backup Plus Drive  Capacity : 3 TB (3,000,248,999,936 Bytes)

      Format : Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled)  Available : 1.05 TB (1,054,335,606,784 Bytes)

      Owners Enabled : Yes  Used : 1.95 TB (1,945,913,393,152 Bytes)

      Number of Folders : 1,455,127  Number of Files : 11,283,934

     

    This is the information on the  new destination drive (the only files were from  a previous copy attempt and can be deleted.)::

      Disk Description : Seagate Backup+ Desk M Media  Total Capacity : 4 TB (4,000,787,025,920 Bytes)

      Connection Bus : USB  Write Status : Read/Write

      Connection Type : External  S.M.A.R.T. Status : Not Supported

      USB Serial Number : NA7DLR65  Partition Map Scheme : GUID Partition Table

    Mount Point : /Volumes/Time Machine Backup  Capacity : 4 TB (4,000,338,190,336 Bytes)

      Format : Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled)  Available : 4 TB (3,998,155,849,728 Bytes)

      Owners Enabled : Yes  Used : 2.18 GB (2,182,340,608 Bytes)

      Number of Folders : 105  Number of Files : 168

     

    Do you see any problems with the set up? I wasn't sure what you meant by HSF+

     

    Linc Davis,

     

    I verified the old drive and it appears to be ok, no problems were found..  I tried to find the help you mentioned but it came up with nothing that appeared relevant.

     

    I suspect what I will end up doing is the simplest of all:  disconnect the old Time Machine backup drive and put it in a safe place in case I need an ancient file and then start afresh with the new drive.  The old one was giving me concerns due to the noises it was making.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 23, 2015 8:10 PM in response to smsct
    Level 10 (207,990 points)
    Applications
    Jul 23, 2015 8:10 PM in response to smsct

    Screen Shot 2015-07-23 at 8.07.51 PM.png

  • by etresoft,

    etresoft etresoft Jul 24, 2015 6:45 AM in response to smsct
    Level 7 (29,243 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2015 6:45 AM in response to smsct

    Hello again smsct,

    That looks fine. I think you are choosing the right option. Time Machine is a backup, after all. I think sometimes people get too attached to their 2 years worth of backups. Before, Time Machine, people only ever had a single backup at a time anyway, if that.

  • by ghokie,

    ghokie ghokie Sep 23, 2016 5:22 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Sep 23, 2016 5:22 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Great answer - solved my problem on the first attempt. Wish this was more common knowledge. Thanks for your help!