Time Machine error : The backup volume could not be found

[Ryan21]

Hi,

I am having problem with Time Machine. When I try to backup using Time Machine, I get an error message, " The backup volume could not be found." Strangely, Time Machine recognized the drive when setting the Time Machine preferences, but not when I backup. I use a FireWire drive for backup as it has a unit of Time Capsule. My computer is one year old Intel MacBook. Anyone who was there before?

[Salome]

By using Time Capsule for backing up Time Machine on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later, it is possible that the volume of backup Time Capsule can not mount and Time Machine can not return to it. You may receive this alert:"Can not find the backup volume" This can happen if the Time Capsule disk has a long name. Rename the backup volume via AirPort Utility

1. Open AirPort Utility (in / Applications / Utilities).
2. Click the Time Capsule icon.
3. Click Manual Setup.
4. Enter the password to Time Capsule if you are asked.
5. Click the Disks icon.
6. Highlight the volume name that appears under "Time Capsule Disk".
7. In the Name field, enter a name for the volume that is less than 27 characters.
8. Click Update.
9. After Time Capsule restarts, open Time Machine preferences and reselect the Time Capsule volume in (the) Mac (s) using (n) Time Machine.

[Hoobastank]

If you delete the backup disk for Time Machine, or if the drive has a sleep function that is not activated for the backups Time Machine, this application can display the warning message "The backup volume could not be found "and therefore not possible to backup.

With hard drives removed

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. On the View menu, choose Time Machine.
3. Click "Change Disk ...".
4. Select the location of your backup again.


With hard drives that come in resting and not activated for the backups Time Machine

* Turn off the sleep function of the external drive.

[Theodot]

Some hard disks ship with a type of partition master boot record (MBR). For these disks, you should change the partition type and erase the disk to be compatible with Time Machine: To erase a disk erases all files it contains. Make sure you have or conducted a separate backup in another location of important files.

1. Open Disk Utility.
2. Select the icon for the backup disk on the left side of the window, which is typically a numerical capacity and is offset slightly to the left of the icons of units. If you see a tab called "Partition" continues through step 3.
3. Click on the Partition tab. (If you only see the tabs First Aid, Erase, RAID, or Restore is that you have selected a disk drive instead of the disc itself. Repeat step 2.)
4. In the Volume Scheme pop-up menu, choose the desired partition number (or 1).
5. Click the button "Options ...".
6. Select a new partition scheme:
* Use the partition scheme from Apple Partition Map if the disk is to be used with Time Machine and a PowerPC-based Mac.
* Use the GUID partition scheme if the disk is to be used with Time Machine and a Intel-based Mac.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Apply. This will erase the disk.

[Khushal]

Time Machine handles files and folders that have changed since the last backup, so it only makes copies of those files and folders If Time Machine loses control of files and folders that have changed since the last backup, compare an "inventory" of existing data with an inventory of the copy of backup. If you use a virus scanning software from another manufacturer and are having problems, make sure the backup folder from Time Machine (Backups.backupdb in the Time Machine disk) is excluded from virus scanning.

[SANEET]

Time Machine can lose control of the files and folders that have changed if the Mac has not gone out properly or if a disk is not mounted properly expelling removed first. This can also happen if you just installed a software update or if you use the computer for several days without making a backup Time Machine (for example, without having the drive connected).