Time machine will not complete first backup

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Level 1

5 points

Time machine will not complete first backup

I have been using the same G-drive Pro Enterprises Desktop 6Tb for all TimeMachine backups. As of Oct 23, TimeMachine has decided that it could no longer back up to it. The drive is not full. I've first aided, erased and reformatted it. It was APFS then and still is now. The only message I receive is that "Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “G-Drive (Time Machine). An error occurred while preparing the backup.”

There is no other options. I'm out of ideas. This drive is brand new (purchased thrtee ago Oct 2022). What's going on?

Mac OS Monterey v12.6

iMac Pro

Posted on Oct 23, 2022 12:08 PM

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Answer 1

Ronasara

Level 6

15,339 points

Oct 24, 2022 10:28 AM in response to Smcdonogh

Well, so far you have done the right things. Are you now able to click on (access) the backup disk? If so, that confirms that it is accessible. You could try running Disk utility repair on both the backup disk and then your HD. Next try restarting the computer in the Safe Mode. Hold down the Shift key on restart. Be patient as the process can take up to ten minutes while the OS is doing repairs and cleaning its caches. Then restart normally and try toast up the Time Machine backups.

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Answer 2

Smcdonogh Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 25, 2022 12:18 PM in response to Ronasara

Thanks for the above.

Unfortunately, after trying the disk utility on the backup disk and also in recovery mode on my HD - the error remains, despite first aid giving all disks the all clear. Time machine tries to autobackup, saying 'connecting to backup disk', then says 'preparing to backup' before quickly saying 'stopping' then the backup stops. Leaving a message sayting ' Time machine could not complete the backup. An error occurred while preparing the backup.'

Any more ideas on a fix? as I am stumped!

thanks

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Answer 3

Nov 7, 2022 10:02 AM in response to Smcdonogh

I have the EXACT same problem!

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Answer 4

Nov 7, 2022 10:03 AM in response to Tom Perkins1

I'm going to try direct Time Machine to MacBook and not wifi. I also reset Time Machine. No luck

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