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Verifying Time Machine Backups
- Thread starter RdeLassus
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Try holding the option key down then click the TM menu item and you should see verify backups there.
I have a Time Capsule, but I think it will be there for a local USB backup also. Not sure though.
I have a Time Capsule, but I think it will be there for a local USB backup also. Not sure though.
This works for me on local USB backup (if the drive is attached obviously).
Alternatively depending on OP's level of confidence, simply go into the Time Machine, browse and restore some sample individual files, then check the data files are what they appear by opening them...
Alternatively depending on OP's level of confidence, simply go into the Time Machine, browse and restore some sample individual files, then check the data files are what they appear by opening them...
I run TM backups on both a second internal disk and on an external disk. "Verify backup" is grayed out when I press the Option key. Some searching indicates it may only work on a TC backup? I'm running Yosemite.
I will have to try that this evening. Our external hard drive is attached to our wireless router as a network drive. Not sure if the option would be available on our setup or not.
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That's what I had thought as well.
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I didn't realize that you were able to restore individual files through Time Machine. I had thought that it was a restore the entire machine to a previous state type of software... then again, we've never had to use it so that may be why...
This is the main feature of Time Machine : allowing to restore a file/folder/application, etc... that got lost or damaged.
For testing purposes, you can "Enter Time Machine", select a file/folder, right-click on it, and select a destination (desktop for example), rather than using the large "Restore" button that would restore the file/folder to its original location.
This worked for a NAS-stored (AFP) backup too with Mavericks. Thanks for the tip.
In my experience (excluding Time Machine in Yosemite), the Time Machine menu approach to verification is normally offered only where a Time Machine server is used. Keyword AFP.
With or without AFP, it's important to note that verification is subject to the constraints of HFS Plus and fsck_hfs. Whilst the file system may appear to be OK, there may be problems with the disk, or data …
And that is why I prefer to go through the restore file etc. procedure every so often, just to be sure.
i did this but the "verify backups option" it's gray! Can't click in it.
Any thoughts?
I was thinking the same thing, but we have two members in this thread reporting it works with locally attached storage (USB/FW), so it may be OS version dependent.
I don't really know. Like I mentioned above, it seems different depending on what OS X version you are on.
Mine is certainly now staying greyed out on USB attached, can't say for sure when that appeared in full and now stays grey but I'd suspect it appeared under the last Mavericks release and probably changed again under 10.10.1
I've never had any Beta loaded so can't be that.
The option command also works with my NAS (WD MyCloud) attached via ethernet or wifi.
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The drives are WD and Seagate external USB 3.0 HDDs attached via USB port. Sorry, should have been clearer in my post.
Nope, it only verifies the disk image on which the backup is located. If it finds a problem, it will tell you to start over. That is the reason why it is only available for network drives, such as Time Capsule. This verification will be performed periodically by the system, so you don’t need to do it yourself. On a local backup, you will be using Disk Utility instead.
Verifying the integrity of the files themselves is something that is only possible since El Capitan via the tmutil utility (but only for new files). Unfortunately, Apple has not exposed it to the GUI. You can use it to verify checksums that it creates when it first copies the files to the backup drive.
Verifying the integrity of the files themselves is something that is only possible since El Capitan via the tmutil utility (but only for new files). Unfortunately, Apple has not exposed it to the GUI. You can use it to verify checksums that it creates when it first copies the files to the backup drive.
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to write your helpful post.
I'm using a Time Capsule which I like very much as is also gives me Wi-Fi as well.