Time Capsule / Time Machine Error that the disk image is busy

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Time Capsule / Time Machine Error that the disk image is busy

Hi -

I have a Time Capsule (the last version that was released) that I am using for Time Machine Backups. However, Time Machine stopped being able to back up to the device.

First, Time Machine would stall when saying that it was "Connecting to backup disk." (I also saw a message that "Time Machine did not back up because the computer was running on battery power. Connect your Mac to a power source while your backup disk is available." However, I suspect this may have been an old message from a previous attempt when I may have been on batter power, as I have not been on battery, and I have not recently gotten this message, only others, as described below.)

Then, following the suggestion of John Galt here, I attempted to remove and reconnect to the backup.

I successfully removed the backup.
When I click to add the backup disk, it correctly sees the "Data" volume on the Time Capsule, I click Set Up Disk, and successfully enter the Time Capsule's password to connect to it.
A message says "'Data' already contains an existing (encrypted) backup for this computer. Would you like to continue using the existing backup or erase the existing backup?"
I click "Use Existing Backup" and successfully enter the password for the existing backup.
I would then see the message, "The disk image “XXX.sparsebundle” is busy. Check that the image is not in use by another computer. If the image is not in use and the error persists, try rebooting the server."
I rebooted the Time Capsule again, and again attempted to add the Time Capsule as a Time Machine backup.
This time, the Time Capsule was successfully added to the list of backups, and it waited and waited while "Connecting to backup disk." Finally, it stopped, with an error that "The back up on "[Time Capsule Volume Name]" is already in use."

So, I seem to be back to where I started. Any suggestions? I would love to avoid losing access to my old backup history, but if I need to start it anew, I will.

I should mention:

I can see the volume in the sidebar in the Finder, and open it to see the sparseimage for the backup.
I also have other machines backed up to the Time Capsule, so I'd love to avoid completely erasing the disk.
Time Machine successfully backs up to a separate external hard drive that I use for off-site storage.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

Time Capsule

Posted on May 15, 2023 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

May 18, 2023 07:49 PM in response to Adville

Double click on the sparsebundle file to open it. Wait 15-20 seconds to see if a window that looks similar to example below will appear on the desktop.

It took me 3-4 tries before the window finally appeared on the desktop, so keep trying. Vary the speed of the double-click.

When the window appears, you can click the "Skip" button to speed things up. After a few minutes, you will see an icon appear on the desktop that will be similar to the example below:

Double click the disk to open the contents and display a list of backup dates. Look for an "In Progress" file. If it appears, delete the file.

Eject the disks on the desktop, close the windows and restart the Mac. Power off the Time Capsule and restart as well.

Try to run a backup as follows:

Hold down the Shift key while you click on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the Mac's screen

Select Back Up with Consistency Scan

This process will run a check on the backup file and try to correct for any errors before the backup actually begins. You can watch the progress by clicking on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the Mac's screen and then clicking on Open Time Machine Preferences. Newer operating systems will be Open Time Machine Settings.

Realistically, there is maybe a 50/50 chance that things will work. Unfortunately, the odds decrease with Ventura in my experience.

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Answer 2

Jaym_8

Community Specialist

May 17, 2023 03:56 PM in response to Adville

Hello Adville,

If the Time Machine backup is not working on your device, here's some basic steps you can try: Time Machine troubleshooting on Mac

If the issue continues, you'll want to contact Apple to report it: Get Support

Cheers!

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Answer 3

Bill_T1

Community Specialist

May 17, 2023 06:18 PM in response to Adville

Hi Adville,

If the steps in the provided article didn't help, then reaching out to Apple directly will be the next step. If you wish to isolate the behavior further ahead of time, you may gather the following information which may be applicable for contacting support:

1) You mentioned that you have other backups on this Time Capsule. Do those other devices still back up successfully?

2) To rule out basic software and setting complications, follow How to use safe mode on your Mac to test the behavior in safe mode, and follow the guidance in that article for the recommended steps based on the results if the issue does or does not continue in safe mode.

Regards.

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Answer 4

May 18, 2023 08:55 AM in response to Adville

We are in the last gasp stage of trying to solve this issue, but if you have not already opened up the sparsebundle file for the Mac that is backing up and looked for an "In Progress" file.....(which is likely corrupted)......to delete, that is worth a shot.

Normally, an existing "In Progress" file will be deleted when you restart your Mac, but sometimes this does not occur and the only thing left to try at that point is manually delete the "In Progress" file, then restart the Mac and try a backup again.

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Answer 5

Adville Author

Level 1

24 points

May 18, 2023 07:28 PM in response to Adville

Thanks, Bill_T1 and Bob Timmons,

Good suggestions. I am away presently, but I will check on the backup status of the other machines that back up to the Time Capsule. I will also attempt to start the machine in Safe Mode and see if it backs up successfully (I wasn't aware that backups still occur in Safe Mode).

I will also check for an "In Progress" file and attempt to delete it. I believe that I attempted to double-click on the sparsebundle file previously and I can't remember if: a) nothing happened, b) I got an error, or c) it opened and I didn't see anything that appeared unusual to me. Is there anything special I need to access the sparsebundle?

Thanks,

Adam

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Answer 6

Adville Author

Level 1

24 points

May 17, 2023 06:04 PM in response to Jaym_8

Thank you for the response and the links, although none seems responsive to stalling in the ‘Connecting…’ phase or the error that the backup is in use.

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Time Capsule / Time Machine Error that the disk image is busy

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