Time Machine doesn't backup new files

For some applications, if the application is open, then Time Machine will not back up it's files.

Start with A4 in the 1st linked article.

Time Machine Troubleshooting

Time Machine Troubleshooting Problems

What happens if you run Repair Disk

I have time machine with snow leopard and no problem- but I do understand that, If I want extra saves on what I am working on - save the file - and do a Backup now from the time machine menu -- that allows me to have extra backups for a floating 24 hour period (default hourly backups).

I don't fathom why you are dragging and dropping files into time machine - as that is not the way it works at all.

Tara Easley wrote:

I know that's not how it works, that's the problem! Dragging them in there is just a temporary fix until I can figure out how to fix this. Maybe I should just clear off the external hard drive altogether and re-install it? The latest versions of everything I need are on my desktop, so maybe I should just start all over! I'll call the WD Passport Hard Drive tech support tomorrow and see what they think, but I'm sure it's a Time Machine issue and not a hard drive one.

In your original post you state you have Snow Leopard and Yosemite -- if on the same Mac - which version are you actually running - most of the time - that is the one that should control time machine.

Tara Easley wrote:

Yosemite 10.10.2

Apple Yosemite help says it may not back up some files because the software manufacturer won't allow it 😮

Also - when you upgraded to yosemite did it ask you if you wanted to inherit the backup? That may be the problem - also in Yosemite help on-line

If you Search this site - using the search button next to People - there are a number of same type of threads.

Tara Easley wrote:

I don't remember what it said when I upgraded to Yosemite. It was a long time ago. Thank you for looking this stuff up for me. Do you think it would work if I just do a re-install of the external hard drive? Maybe I can find an update for it or Yosemite that would make them work better together.

If you went from Snow-leopard to Yosemite - that is the problem - when I checked out Maverick I pulled down some of its time machine notes - and apparently you have to be at Lion or above to be able to inherit the Time Machine backup.

Rather rude of Apple - as it is insisting on jumps to the latest without adding necessary conversion steps missed in the intervening levels.

Clarification questions - is the backup working generally? Are all new files not being backed up or just some?