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

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Level 1

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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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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Jul 23, 2015 4:08 PM in response to smsct

You are doing it incorrectly, please carefully read Time Machine: How to transfer backups from a current backup drive to a new backup drive - Apple Support.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

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."

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Answer 3

etresoft

Level 9

56,978 points

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?

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Answer 4

smsct Author

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.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 23, 2015 8:10 PM in response to smsct

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Answer 6

etresoft

Level 9

56,978 points

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.

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Answer 7

ghokie

Level 1

23 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!

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