Time Machine

[dottylou]

Bit of a random question guys, but I use Time Machine to back up everyday and for some reason it is stuck on "preparing" for ages and not backing up.

Just wondered if anyone can shed some light as to what to do?

I've shut it down and re-started but when i tried it again, it's still stuck on preparing....

Hope you can help!

thank you

 

[PureIT]

Hiya

Have you tried browsing the hard disk it is trying to back up to and checked there are no problems with the device ie it's full. I'm in Essex too so if you need me to take a look PM me. I'm very reasonable


Regards

James

 

[dottylou]

It says there is plenty of space available that is what is confusing.
It's still 'preparing' now.... not sure how long to leave it before switching it off. If i do switch if off, will I damage anything?

 

[adxba]

Was going to suggest the same thing, If the drive is full, most of the time Time Machine will bring a warning up asking you what you want to do. But some of the time it just sits there waiting to start....

Is your mac the only mac backing up to the same drive via Time Machine? If not are the others still backing up successfully?

And ... once again, as James says...( ) open finder, the bar on the left should find the Time Capsule / Fake Time Capsule and you should be able click on it [You may have to click Connect As and put your user and pass in], and create folders/files etc.. If not it could be a permissions issue.

Is it a real Airport / Time Capsule or is it a 3rd Party device such as Buffalo etc?

Hope helps a wee bit at least!

 

[PureIT]

i'd unplug the external hard disk and plug it back in(from the power) and restart the mac. Should be okay. Mac's are pretty hard to break

 

[dottylou]

I've haven't had this happen before, there is plenty of space available and it's an external hard drive.

I will stop it, unplug it and restart. Fingers crossed.
If it doesn't work, i'll be calling on you again.

thanks guys

 

[dottylou]

Well that didn't work. I unplugged it and restarted - still says preparing for ages and then nothing....

any further suggestions?

 

[denny206]

Mine was doing that here and there. Make sure it's on the right disk under preferences--that fixed it for me. It does take forever to prepare, but eventually it will backing up.