Time Machine backup failure

Question

Level 1

12 points

Time Machine backup failure

I get the message:

Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “Time Machine Backups”. Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

I restart the system and am able to do the backup.

Three questions:

1. Is my backup drive failing and need to be replaced?

2. If I get a new drive, do I need to do any formatting when connecting it to my system?

3. Is there anything else that might work besides restarting the system?

Thank you!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 3:50 PM

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Answer 1

stirling-dad Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 10, 2016 5:17 PM in response to stirling-dad

I should add that the failures happen about once or twice a week.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Aug 10, 2016 5:05 PM in response to stirling-dad

1. Possibly, but...

Open console in Applications>Utilities, check the system log for the date/time of the last problem for clues.

Open console in Applications>Utilities, check the system log for the date/time of the last problem & the Startup right after that for clues.

Click on the top line we want, Shift plus click on the bottom line we want, CMD+c to copy, then paste the text in a reply with CMD+v

A few dozen lines should be about right, hundreds or thousands won't likely be readable

2. Yes, most likely tou'll need to Format it Mac OS Extended Joutnaled, GUID Partition scheme.

3. The Console may give us some clues.

PS. Could be as simple as a poor cable.

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Answer 3

stirling-dad Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 10, 2016 5:17 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply. What should I be looking for in the console output? There are many lines in the output?

1. How can you tell if it's a bad cable?

2. Where do you get cables?

3. How do you format the drive?

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Aug 10, 2016 8:28 PM in response to stirling-dad

Look for errors, especially IO errors.

1. tough ti tell, but maybe jiggling it?

2. USB, FW, or what kind?

https://support.google.com/a/answer/176600?hl=en

http://www.pccables.com

3. Thanks to Pondini, Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks...

http://Pondini.org/OSX/DU.html

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Aug 11, 2016 8:18 AM in response to stirling-dad

Start with C10 in the 1st linked article.

Time Machine Troubleshooting

Time Machine Troubleshooting Problems

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