(Takes Its) Time Machine

[Olybirder]

I had to replace the hard drive on my Mac Mini at work a couple of weeks ago as it had started to report errors. Since then Time Machine hasn't been working properly and I haven't been able to get a complete back up yet.

It starts off by 'Preparing' which involves it sitting there for up to several hours with the stripy bar whirring away. With a bit of luck it then moves on to 'Backing Up' which takes a few more hours. If it manages to complete that it then changes to 'Finishing' which takes yet more hours. However, Time Machine is programmed to make hourly back ups and this seems to trigger it to return to 'Preparing' again before it completes a full back up.

This is driving me crazy and, despite erasing the partition on the hard drive which meant that I lost all my previous back ups, I still haven't managed to resolve the problem. I have been attempting to back up the files since 9.00 this morning and at 12.50 it has just returned to 'Preparing' once more.

Does anybody have an explanation for what is happening and, more usefully, a solution? It worked perfectly before I replaced the hard drive.

Ron

[Wally]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but might prove useful if all else fails...

IDrive for Mac can now backup the Time Machine data to your online account. This is to provide an additional protection to your Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. You can recover your Mac / data directly by downloading the Time Machine folder from your IDrive for Mac account. You can also request a drive to be shipped to you via our Rapid Serve program containing Time Machine data.

Setting up Time Machine Backup is easy. Simply select the Time Machine backup from the left-hand pane of the application.

Note: The Time Machine folder in your IDrive account will be in sync with your Time Machine data. This means, data removed from your local Time Machine folder will also be removed from the online account. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the Time Machine folder data and to insure that the folder size will not grow out of control.

[Olybirder]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Thanks Wally. I will look into that.

As an example of what is happening, my latest backup was 46.2 MB. It started at 12.57 and finished at 13.59. It is now on 'Finishing backup', so I will see how long it takes to complete that, assuming it does.

Edit. At 16.25 it finally finished the back up. That means that for 46.2 MB it took about 30 mins 'Preparing', 1 hour Backing up' and 2.5 hours 'Finishing the backup'. Hopefully, now I have a complete backup it will do a quick incremental backup of the changed files from now on. Here's hoping!

[tomphotofx]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Just a thought but did you choose:- Mac OS Extended (journaled) when formatting the drive?

Tom

[Olybirder]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Just a thought but did you choose:- Mac OS Extended (journaled) when formatting the drive?

Tom

Yes, that is what I always use. Is that correct?

SuperDuper has just done its backup on the other partition without any problems.

Ron

[tomphotofx]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

From what I can gather that is the best format to use.

Tom

[Olybirder]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Thanks Tom. The next scheduled backup is at 5.30. I hope it is a quick one as I am going home at 6.00. I have had enough today.

Ron

[Olybirder]

Re: (Takes Its) Time Machine

Ho hum. The backup started at 5.30 and now at 6.15 it is still 'Preparing'. That's enough for today. I will try again on Monday.

Ron