Kingdm4
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Q: Time Capsule failing to write back ups.

I’m having a continuous problem with Time Capsule writing backups.  After having no problems for a couple of years,  TC is now fails to write backup every 3 to 4 weeks and I’ve found no cause nor a solution to the problem. 

 

The TC shows fine in the finder,  the sparsebundles are there.  Time Machine creates the sparsebundles as normal and will do backups normally for about 3 or 4 weeks.  The the error message pops “Backup Failed” and says that Time Machine can’t write to the file.  At that point the existing backup is lost,  I’ve found no way to recover.   I have erased the hard drive via Airport Utility,  recreated the backup only to have it fail again in 3 to 4 weeks. 

 

I set up another 3 tb HD connected to the iMac USB and have TM writing backups to it without a problem while the TC HD continues to fail.

 

The MPB was working up until this week and now is showing the same error.

 

My set up is pretty straight forward.  iMac connected to TC via ethernet, MBP connected via ethernet.  iMac backup is to internal 2tb on TC,  MBP backup is to 1 tb external connected to TC USB. 

 

Apple support suggested that the problem is a bad ethernet cable.  I’ve tried replacing the ethernet cable,  no change.  Turned off ethernet using wifi,  no change. 

 

It is not a space problem,  on both drives only half of the available space is being used.

 

Does anyone have any guesses as to the cause and the cure.  It appears to me that the problem is related to the TC connectivity,  are the ports going bad?   This is my 3rd TC in 6 years, not real happy with the reliability!

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Sep 7, 2016 9:19 AM

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Kingdm4

Q: Time Capsule failing to write back ups.

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  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 7, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Kingdm4
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    Sep 7, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Kingdm4

    Unfortunately, the TC is probably Apple's most unreliable product....my opinion.

     

    It sounds like the disk surface on the TC hard drive has one or more defects which are causing the backups to become corrupted after a time. The only good solution is to replace the hard drive inside the TC or replace the TC itself.

     

    If you feel that the disk surface is OK on the TC (I don't, based on experience), the only other thing to try is a complete erase of the TC hard drive using the Zero Out option in AirPort Utility.  This will likely take 4-6 hours or more depending on the size of the drive that you have on your TC.

     

    If you don't want to lose the backups of other Macs, you will have to copy them over to another drive before you erase the TC, then copy them back over after the erase operation is complete.

  • by Kingdm4,

    Kingdm4 Kingdm4 Sep 7, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Sep 7, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I've tried erasing the TC HD but not using the Zero Out option.  I'll try that next.  However,  I'm still confused as to why the external drive is now experiencing the same problem.  I was fairly convinced that the TC HD was the problem until the external drive started exhibiting the same problem.  If its the TC disk surface then only the Backups to that drive should be impacted,  it should not affect the external drive.  So now I'm wondering if the communications on the TC is at fault.  I'll try one more time re-creating the backup after I  zero out the TC drive. 

     

    Also, I have had zero success in copying a backup to another drive,  copying it back and getting Time Machine to find it.  TM always defaults to making a new backup.  What's the trick to getting TM to recognize an existing sparse bundle?

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 7, 2016 3:54 PM in response to Kingdm4
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    Sep 7, 2016 3:54 PM in response to Kingdm4

    I was fairly convinced that the TC HD was the problem until the external drive started exhibiting the same problem.

    I am guessing that the external drive is the 1TB you are using for the MBP.

     

    Exactly how old is this TC and what model is it?

     

    When you mention ethernet. is that plugged directly from the computer in question to the TC LAN ports?

     

    Is the TC doing router .. or is it in bridge mode?

     

    There are definite known issues (for some users at least) with the networks if say the Macs are plugged into a different router and the TC is bridged.

     

    The fact that it started about 2years into the life of the problem corresponds with Bob's comment.

     

    Unfortunately, the TC is probably Apple's most unreliable product....my opinion.

    To which I am +1.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 7, 2016 4:09 PM in response to Kingdm4
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:09 PM in response to Kingdm4

    However,  I'm still confused as to why the external drive is now experiencing the same problem

     

    Your original post did not mention any problems with the 3 TB drive connected to the USB port on the iMac. Are you saying that there were no problems a few hours ago, but now there are problems with that backup as well? Or, are you asking about another drive.....maybe the one connected to the USB port on the Time Capsule?

     

    So now I'm wondering if the communications on the TC is at fault.

    Not sure what you mean by "communication". The TC is not involved at all if you have a drive connected directly to the USB port on the iMac.

     

    What's the trick to getting TM to recognize an existing sparse bundle?

    There is no trick.  If you erase the Time Capsule drive, Time Machine will not continue backing up to the old sparsebundle file that is reinstalled on the Time Capsule after you erased the drive.

  • by Kingdm4,

    Kingdm4 Kingdm4 Sep 7, 2016 4:06 PM in response to LaPastenague
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:06 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Yes, the 1 TB is the external drive for the MBP connected via the USB port on the TC.

     

    The TC is the 802.11ac 2 TB version and was purchased in 2013.

     

    The TC is being used as the router,  it is not bridged.  The iMac ethernet is direct to the TC Lan Port.  The MBP is connected to the house ethernet which is fed by an ethernet port on the TC.

  • by Kingdm4,

    Kingdm4 Kingdm4 Sep 7, 2016 4:19 PM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:19 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Sorry,  let me clarify. 

     

    Backup 1 - iMac to TC via direct ethernet connection to TC

    Backup 2 - MPB to external 1 TB hd connected to TC via USB

    Backup 3 - iMac to external 3 TB hd connected via iMac USB

     

    There are no problems with the backup 3,  that is working as expected so far.  Just started using that HD in mid August after the TC had failed for the 3rd time.

     

    I restarted Backup 1 in mid August and am now receiving the failure to write errors.  This is the 4th failure in the last 4 months or so.

     

    Backup 2 had been operational for 6 months without incident.  This week I started getting the failure to write errors.

     

    What I mean by "communication" concerns the ethernet and usb ports on the TC.  Since I'm now receiving errors from both the ethernet and USB connected devices could the cause be the something with the ports?  

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 7, 2016 4:24 PM in response to Kingdm4
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:24 PM in response to Kingdm4

    A clue might be that all of the problems that you describe involve a sparsebundle file for backups.  The sparsebundle idea......in my opinion....is not a reliable method for backups.

  • by Kingdm4,

    Kingdm4 Kingdm4 Sep 7, 2016 4:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Yes, I've seem to have had my share of problems with the sparsebundles.    Because of that I also use Carbon Copy monthly to another external HD and keep that in a fireproof safe.  I like the convenience of the TC and luckily I haven't had to rely on it.  But having to start over every few weeks is unacceptable.  I was ok with once a year or so, but not with this situation.

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 7, 2016 5:39 PM in response to Kingdm4
    Level 9 (52,270 points)
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    Sep 7, 2016 5:39 PM in response to Kingdm4

    Using CCC is a very smart move and one i recommend to anyone having issues the current situation.

     

    My Gen5 TC recently broke down reliability wise. I opened it and replaced the hard disk with a WD green type. It has been better since. But I don't think the sparsebundle itself is the problem.. I use Time Machine now to a Synology NAS which has been excellent, fast and reliable.

    I do think the issue is partly or mostly networking which the TC seems more problematic than others. This issue causes the backups to corrupt and leads to needing to continually delete and restart.. but the hardware is also less reliable than it should be for the price.

  • by Kingdm4,

    Kingdm4 Kingdm4 Sep 7, 2016 5:43 PM in response to LaPastenague
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    Sep 7, 2016 5:43 PM in response to LaPastenague

    I'm starting to lean towards TM to an external.  I've got to NAS drives now, maybe I'll start using one for backups.  Replace the TC with an extreme and move on.

     

    thanks for all the inputs.