Delete time Machine backup

[fredbert]

I have some times when Time Machine will report that is cannot backup due to the sparse image on the NAS being 'in use'. This more often happens with my MacBook Air ([stuck on] Big Sur) than the Mac Minis ([stuck on] Catalina).

The normal way I 'fix' it is:

1. Check that the affected Mac isn't currently trying to do TM.
2. Log onto the NAS and open File Station in the 'time machine' shared folder, which is where all Macs' sparse image folders are location.
3. Select the affected Mac's sparse image folder and delete it.
4. Wait for quite a while.
5. Back on the Mac run a new, full TM backup:
   1. If that works then it should be ok from now.
   2. If it doesn't work then remove the NAS as a TM destination and re-add it. Then do a new, full backup.

I've just had to do this and in step 5 I wasn't paying attention so cannot be certain if I selected to run a backup first or clicked on the disk icon. For me it asked which destination and so I just select the NAS again and entered this Mac's TM user's password (each Mac as a different NAS account for TM, and a disk quota).

 

[buckland]

Much obliged! I will try this out this evening... I'm lucky the USB drive is still backing up daily so I can go about this less panicked than otherwise. The step by step is just what I needed.
Rob (aka buckland)

 

[fredbert]

Much obliged! I will try this out this evening... I'm lucky the USB drive is still backing up daily so I can go about this less panicked than otherwise. The step by step is just what I needed.

No problem. I use Carbon Copy Cloner to make bootable clones and backups, so TM is only a "why not since it's there". Also use Synology Drive sync and backup tasks for active data. TM has never been that useful for me.

 

[buckland]

It worked! and the TM is back (for its limited time until full) Appreciate your help and I guess it shows it is time to expand my horizons and investigate alternative backups. As long as the Synology Drive sync is there and I have the space I should give it a go.
Thanks again

 

[buckland]

Well bac k at it again with the same messages as before. I deleted the Sparse bundle folder thinking as before it should work. Alas no. So I decide as long as I don't know what next to try I looked in the recycle bin folder and it had 995 Gig (my limit on the TM folder is 1 T. So I decided to empty the recycle bin (I don't have it scheduled). And that makes me wonder ...should I have the recycle bin enabled or not enabled on a TM backup?
Even though I emptied the RB folder and then re-deleted the Sparse bundle folder it still says I don't have enough space own the "local". Any and all ideas/thoughts appreciated

 

[buckland]

An Update: After I had deleted the Recycle bin... it took 30 minutes and then the TM started a new 1st time backup.
So should I disable the Recycle Bin or should I set up a schedule to do so... as that somehow is important to have running?

 

[fredbert]

I wouldn't enable Recycle Bin feature on the Shared Folder that you use for TM. I have one shared folder specifically for TM and that's how I set it up.

 

[buckland]

Thanks Okay I just wasn't sure if the Recycle Bin was somehow a vital part of how the TM shed older files. I have disabled the RB for that shared folder. Appreciate your guidance.

 

[tekguru]

Hmmm, sideways on to this but in a similar vein, should I turn off the recycle bin for the web share which I use to host my forum files?

 

[fredbert]

I guess the question is: how would you use the recovered files?

If you haven’t a chance to reconstruct back to a known state (e.g. because they are from a multi-file database, Postgres) then what’s the point of saving in the rubbish bin. It would be better to do proper incremental backups. But if you only need individual files then the rubbish bin may be useful.

 

[tekguru]

Hmmm, sideways on to this but in a similar vein, should I turn off the recycle bin for the web share which I use to host my forum files?

I had turned the option off, just the placeholder needed deleting I'll leave the thread in peace now

 

[buckland]

Back again with either something new or something forgotten...ah age. As my 1 T USB connected drive to NAS for secondary backup became full again I decides to repeat the process ....alas I may have screwed up. I went to File Station and deleted the Sparse Bundle file (not the Sparse Bundle Folder). I Time Machine (menu bar) I deleted that destination (USB drive). Then I tried to add a new destination hoping the folder would be listed. The attached photo said it apparently can not see the attached drive.