Sierra and Time Machine

After following up Entropee’s advice some 2 weeks ago, my TimeCapsule back-up problems persisted. Please note that I am not using a dynamic antivirus software apart from an irregular OnyX run. The recent user comments, on the sheer size of the initial back-up after the macOS Sierra update, made me decide to (1) use an Ethernet cable between my router and my iMac and (2) to also keep my WiFi connection OFF-line. It took the iMac a little while to locate the TC back-up disk. As expected, the speed of backing-up improved a lot. Today was the first time my iMac stated that it was “cleaning up” which however lasted even much longer as the entire “back-up” process. After some 8-9 hours, the “verifying back-up” process was finally completed. My iMac now states: “Latest back-up today at 16.42” (= 7.18 hours ago !).

I suspect that the Apple WiFi connection is just not stable enough to process this enormous initial back-up job.

Hence, I recommend every user to follow Entropee’s advice while using an ETHERNET cable.

The problem is caused by Sophos AV. If you go to your Sophos preferences panel and disable "active scanning" and then try running your Time Machine backup it will complete the backup. I contacted Sophos about the issue. They said they are some compatibility issues with MacOS Sierra and Sophos. They are aware of the problem with the Time Machine backups hanging on "preparing backup" and they're working on a new release to resolve the problem. I hope this helps. G/L

I have also upgraded to Sierra and now find myself reading this 15 page TM nightmare. Thank you Apple. So being a masochist I have tried all of the solutions posted. My MBP is not using Sophus. Norton has been uninstalled. CleanMyMac has been uninstalled. The TM backup disk has been reformatted. As suggested by entropee, the small library file com.apple.TimeMachine has been removed three times, machine restarted, etc.

I can say with complete confidence that none of the above actions, suggestions, improvements, or uninstallations have even slightly improved the situation. So I thought I would post with complete resignation and defeat. Now, after one hour of "preparing.." TM has backed up 70MB out of 285GB. A quick calculation indicates that this process will require over a month to complete.

Post an Etrecheck report here.

OK, thanks, hope you find something.

EtreCheck version: 3.1.2 (334)

Report generated 2016-11-09 17:59:45

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 5:57

Performance: Below Average

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

time machine

Hardware Information:ⓘ

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7) CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 162

Video Information:ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 512 MB

Color LCD 1680 x 1050

System Software:ⓘ

macOS Sierra 10.12.1 (16B2657) - Time since boot: about one hour

Disk Information:ⓘ

Hitachi HTS725050A9A362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

500G (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 333.49 GB (63.40 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

XP PRO 60G (disk0s4) /Volumes/XP PRO 60G : 165.76 GB (6.29 GB free)

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898 ()

USB Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. iPhone

Apple Card Reader

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Seagate BUP Slim BL

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Gatekeeper:ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions:ⓘ

/Library/Application Support/Norton Solutions Support/Norton Utilities

[not loaded] com.symantec.kext.symdc (1.3.0r006 - 2009-08-23) [Support]

/Library/Application Support/Roxio

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0 - 2015-10-04) [Support]

/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.paragon-software.filesystems.ntfs (14.2.288 - SDK 10.5 - 2016-11-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.pgp.iokit.PGPdiskDriver (10.2.0.2317 - 2016-11-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.pgp.kext.PGPnke (10.2.0 - 2016-11-09) [Support]

[loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4 - 2016-11-09) [Support]

[not loaded] foo.tun (20080804 - 2016-11-09) [Support]

/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4 - 2016-06-23) [Support]

[loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.5 - 2016-06-23) [Support]

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4 - 2016-06-23) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.2 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchAfaTech (1.1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergy450 (1.1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergyXS (1.1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchEmpia (1.1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchVoyager (1.1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.escortinc.PassportMaxDriver (1.0 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.jft.driver.PdaNetDrv (1.0.64 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.markspace.driver.Android.RNDIS (1.2 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[loaded] com.pgp.iokit.PGPwdeDriver (1.2.0d1 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

[not loaded] com.roxio.BluRaySupport (1.1.6 - 2016-11-08) [Support]

System Launch Agents:ⓘ

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 177 Apple tasks

[running] 95 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[failed] com.apple.postfix.newaliases.plist (2016-09-23)

[not loaded] 41 Apple tasks

[loaded] 169 Apple tasks

[running] 99 Apple tasks

Launch Agents:ⓘ

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-07-28) [Support]

[failed] com.adobe.CS4ServiceManager.plist (2009-08-23) [Support]

[failed] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist (2010-11-12) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-08-24) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2016-09-11) [Support]

[running] com.paragon-software.NTFS.fsnotify.agent.plist (2016-11-08) [Support]

[loaded] com.paragon-software.facebook.agent.plist (2016-11-08) [Support]

[running] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceAgent.plist (2012-12-27) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist (2014-06-24) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist (2014-06-03) [Support]

Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2014-12-24) [Support]

[running] com.adobe.agsservice.plist (2016-10-07) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-10-25) [Support]

[not loaded] com.ciscosystems.ciscoconnect.daemon.plist (2013-02-20) [Support]

[not loaded] com.ciscosystems.ciscoconnectupgrade.daemon.plist (2013-03-03) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-09-02) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2016-06-22) [Support]

[running] com.paragon-software.NTFS.fsnotify.daemon.plist (2016-08-29) [Support]

[loaded] com.paragon.NTFS.launch.plist (2016-10-21)

[loaded] com.pgp.framework.PGPwde.plist (2015-12-01) [Support]

[running] com.pgp.wde.pgpwded.plist (2011-11-22) [Support]

[loaded] com.roxio.UpdateRetrospect.plist (2010-07-22) [Support] - /tmp/retro/engineupdater.sh: Executable not found!

[failed] com.roxio.launchd.retroengine.plist (2010-07-22) [Support] - /Library/Application Support/Retrospect/RetrospectEngine.bundle/Contents/MacOS/RetroEngine: Executable not found!

[running] com.seagate.TBDecorator.plist (2016-06-23) [Support]

[running] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceDaemon.plist (2012-12-27) [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist (2014-06-24) [Support]

User Launch Agents:ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-07-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2016-07-28) [Support]

[running] com.amazon.music.plist (2016-09-04) [Support]

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist (2014-12-01) - /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/OSServices.framewo rk/Versions/A/Support/CSConfigDotMacCert: Executable not found!

[running] com.dtv.vgconnect.plist (2016-10-21)

[loaded] com.dtv.vgconnect.uninstall.plist (2016-10-21)

User Login Items:ⓘ

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-16) [Support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.3 (2012-05-29) [Support]

AdobeExManDetect: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 (2015-01-09) [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 2.4.2.4 (2012-04-29) [Support]

SlingPlayer: Unknown - SDK 10.8 (2015-07-17) [Support]

AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-09-12) [Support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 (2014-10-01) [Support]

DivXBrowserPlugin: 2.0 (2009-12-30) [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-11-08) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-10-21)

Flash Player: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-11-08) [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-04-25)

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.9 - SDK 10.6 (2016-10-11) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 (2014-10-01) [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

Scorch: 5.0.1 (2009-08-23) [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 101 build 13 (2016-09-11) Check version

User internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

OctoshapeWeb: 1.0 - SDK 10.8 (2016-09-28) [Support]

tossc plugin_x86_64: TOS Sharing Center plugin_x86_64 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 (2016-03-09) [Support]

WebEx64: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 (2014-07-15) [Support]

thinkorswim plugin_x86_64: thinkorswim_x86_64 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 (2016-03-09) [Support]

RealPlayer Plugin: Unknown (2015-08-12) [Support]

SlingPlayer: Unknown - SDK 10.8 (2015-07-17) [Support]

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (2013-04-25) [Support]

Safari Extensions:ⓘ

1Password - AgileBits - https://agilebits.com/onepassword (2016-10-16)

Translate - SideTree.com - Apps for Mac and Web - http://SideTree.com/extensions.html#Translate (2016-01-31)

3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ

Flash Player (2016-10-25) [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV (2012-03-20) [Support]

Java (2016-09-11) [Support]

Paragon NTFS for Mac® (2016-11-08) [Support]

Retrospect (2010-07-26) [Support]

Seagate Dashboard for Mac OSX (2016-06-27) [Support]

Time Machine:ⓘ

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

500G: Disk size: 333.49 GB Disk used: 270.09 GB

Destinations:

Time machine Sierra [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 0

Oldest backup: -

Last backup: -

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk size 333.49 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ

47% com.apple.iCloudHelper

31% secd

12% Finder

8% WindowServer

8% ABAssistantService

Top Processes by Memory:ⓘ

692 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(3)

496 MB kernel_task

422 MB mdworker(14)

152 MB Finder

94 MB kextcache(4)

Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ

691 MB Available RAM

23 MB Free RAM

3.33 GB Used RAM

668 MB Cached files

768 KB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information:ⓘ

Nov 9, 2016, 04:19:09 PM Self test - passed

Nov 8, 2016, 12:50:36 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SymDaemon_2016-11-08-125036_[redacted].cpu_reso urce.diag [Details]

/Library/Application Support/Symantec/*/SymDaemon.bundle/Contents/MacOS/SymDaemon

Nov 7, 2016, 10:11:36 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Skype_2016-11-07-101136_[redacted].crash

/Applications/Skype.app/Contents/MacOS/Skype

If none of the solutions posted to this Discussion solve your Time Machine problem, creating a new Discussion is required.

This one has degenerated into nothing but a honeypot with the only common problem that Time Machine isn't working. Or, maybe it is working but it doesn't appear to be. There are several possible causes, with at least as many solutions.

There are many reasons for "Preparing Backup..." and they are all unique to one's particular installation. They each require individual attention and diagnosis. I can address your unique concerns in your own Discussion.

For now, bear in mind that merely one hour of "Preparing..." is insignificant. It cannot be extrapolated into any meaningful completion time.

Get rid of Norton Solutions,

I did this as mentioned in my post in addition to all the other changes. Why do you suggest this? I was hoping someone would have a solution.

It's still present in your report, thats why. (and thats how I knew)

Do whatever you want to do.

Well whatever, but I fixed the problem on my machine and want to tell everyone what I did! Its a new answer!

"secd" is a process that runs to help out the iCloud Keychain process. If you look in activity monitor, you will find it. Many have reported that this process runs often greater than 90% CPU and their machines get quite hot, eats up their battery quickly, in 5 cases destroyed the motherboard.

One reported that if you turn iCloud Keychain "on" that secd pretty much goes away. I noticed this was happening in my case. So I turned on iCould Keychain, since I do not use it anyway, and sure enough, secd is now running way down below 1% and not at 90%.

And the other side effect was that Time Machine is now running at normal backup speeds. I hope this helps someone else. Going to turn Norton back on.

TM seems to be flawed, have a look at the discussion, Time Machine in Sierra messed up again! https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7737427..

Hi, My answer is not what you were looking for but you should consider it nonetheless. IMHO Time Machine is not a viable approach to long term backup. Eventually it will go wrong. Furthermore, if your house is burgled and you loose your computer, your Time Capsule will go with it (if you have one). I favour using cheap 3.5" drives in an external USB caddy, together with the Carbon Copy Cloner utility. Although CCC lacks some functionality compared to TM, it is bullet proof and burglers are generally uninterested in loose 3.5" HDs.

You might consider using TM for its ability to revisit recent versions of files. But in parallel you should be running CCC on an loose 3.5" HD for long term backup and archival purposes.

In my life I have had several sparse bundles get messed up, so I would not use Filevault on my startup disk or a backup. It is fine for keeping an encrypted disk image for stuff you want to keep private.

BTW, in the old days, before this forum had its face lift, many super users used to claim that Apple did not read these posts. Nowadays, they clearly do because staffers reply to some questions. But even back then, I am sure Apple paid attention. It would have been out of character for them to ignore persistent bugs. I remember a spotlight bug (it returned hits to email messages) that affected some users: this discussion ran for years and accumulated almost 100 pages of argument.

On advice of Apple I trashed Sophos Anti-virus ( Home for Mac) software.

This solved the problem.

Had the same problem of TM getting stuck at the "preparing backup" stage. Disabling my anti-virus (Bitdefender) did nothing.

After spending many hours searching the web and re-re-re formatting my backup disk, I disconnected the ethernet cable from my macbook, and Time Machine started right away... :S

Which Ethernet cable? your connection to the internet?