Erased/formatted new backup SSD for Time Machine ok? Strange results

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Erased/formatted new backup SSD for Time Machine ok? Strange results

I was getting the backup erasure messages on my iMac so I chose to buy a bigger backup drive for Time Machine backups. First, I was unaware that I needed to click 'Show All Devices' and erase the physical SSD to format the drive properly. I did it wrong and failed a couple of times.

Now that it is done, the info in Disk Utility regarding this SanDisk Extreme is strange. It still shows the random names that were given to the disk when the formatting failed.

I'm reluctant to start using the new SSD drive until I know I've done it correctly. I added some screenshots. First one shows a pink and orange bar with names of failed erasure on left and right. In the middle is the name I gave to the drive when I succeeded in erasing/formatting it. The other screenshots show how I got there.

What the heck is going on? TIA!

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 10.13

Posted on Feb 14, 2022 2:13 PM

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Answer 1

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caedmon65

Level 4

2,488 points

Feb 14, 2022 2:32 PM in response to Mama-Gaga

Try clicking the partition button and removing the partition of the disk you don’t want. When you connect a disk that has recently been erased, a message that asks “would you like to use ‘disk name’ for time machine backups?” Click yes there and follow any instructions that show up.

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Answer 2

Mama-Gaga Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 14, 2022 3:57 PM in response to caedmon65

Sorry, but I don't really understand partitions, etc. When I closed Disk Utility and reopened it, the info and look of it changed.

The top is SanDisk Extreme... under which is Container disk6 followed by SanDisk 2TB which is the name I used when erasing.

Screenshot is what I see when I click 'partition.' These kinds of messages turn me into a 'deer in the headlights.'😳

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Answer 3

caedmon65

Level 4

2,488 points

Feb 14, 2022 4:11 PM in response to Mama-Gaga

From the new screenshot, I think that you have it erased and formatted correctly. You can choose to use it for Time Machine by opening system preferences, clicking on time machine, then choose “select disk”. From there, your can choose the disk you want to use for time machine backups.

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Answer 4

Mama-Gaga Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 14, 2022 5:34 PM in response to caedmon65

I'm going for it! SanDisk appears to have 300MB of data on it for some reason. Time Machine dialog box said it was incompatible and needed to be erased first so I gave the go-ahead. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Time Machine is estimating about 9 hours for the first backup. :/

I would have transferred the old backups to the new drive to save time, but I prefer not to open another can of worms.

Thanks so much for all your help!

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Answer 5

caedmon65

Level 4

2,488 points

Feb 14, 2022 5:37 PM in response to Mama-Gaga

You’re welcome. Sometimes disks have a bit of space used for formatting and other random things, so it is normal for there to be something like 300mb of storage used after erasing the disk.

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Erased/formatted new backup SSD for Time Machine ok? Strange results

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