Time machine fails to do fresh back-up deleting old files and freeing uo space in the disk

Time machine is unable to do backup.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Aug 24, 2022 10:23 AM

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Time Machine needs more space Hello, I have not used Time Machine for a long time, but now I want to back up because of the new OS. I get a 750GB HDD, format it and use it for Backup. After a while, there is a message: Can not complete Backups. In the Backup Tab, it says: 37.47 GB available. But my system disk total Capacity is only 500 GB with 24 GB still available. When I look into the 750 GB HDD, I see 3 Folders in there with a Time Machine Icon, all with today's date and a long serial number after. When Get Info, it says 0 Byte on all 3 Folders. The drive Information says 292.37 GB free. But why does it say 37.47 GB is available? If it creates a Backup every hour and it is running out of space, then it should delete the very first backup to make room for the latest. This is how I understand how a Backup System works. Very confusing indeed. Thank you for any help in understanding the System. Dorian
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Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “Time Machine” I am having problems backing up to Time Machine. I have not been able to backup since August. I get the following: I have an internal 4TB SSD with 204.6GB free. The external drive is a 4TB HDD. From what it says, TM deletes old backups and replaces it with new backups. If that's so why can't it do that? Its confusing since there is 200GB free space it should be able to make a backup with no error, shouldn't? This has been the case for a long while now and I can only get it to make a backup when I erase the TM drive and start over.
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1 reply

BDAqua

Level 10

250,181 points

Aug 24, 2022 7:21 PM in response to skbag2015

Start with this...

Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes or more.

Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

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Time machine fails to do fresh back-up deleting old files and freeing uo space in the disk

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