Backup failure -- Can't access catalog

[dobbsp]

The following is a log excerpt from a scheduled backup.

 

? Retrospect version 6.0.212

automatically launched at 9/25/2005 1:30 AM

+ Retrospect Driver Update, version 6.5.102

 

+ Normal backup using EasyScript Backup at 9/25/2005 1:30 AM

Can't access catalog for backup set Backup Set A, error -43 (file/folder not found).

9/25/2005 1:30:18 AM: Execution incomplete.

Quit at 9/25/2005 1:30 AM

 

The thing is, the catalog appears to exist, and the previous week's backup worked. So far, I've gotten one, and only one scheduled backup done in the two months I've had Retrospect. I'm getting discouraged!

[CallMeDave]

Quote:

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The thing is, the catalog appears to exist...

 

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It _appears_ to exist?

 

Existing is one thing; existing in a manner and place that Retrospect can use it is another.

 

- What Type of Backup Set is this?

- Have you moved the Backup Set to another location?

- If you go to Configure->Backup Sets->YourBackupSet->Configure, does Retrospect see it? Or does the program prompt you to point out its current location?

 

Dave

[dobbsp]

In answer to your questions:

 

1. I am backing up to a file on an external FireWire drive.

2. I have not tried to move the backup set. It is at the top level of the disk I bought for the purpose of backups. The disk is a LaCie 250GB Porsche drive.

3. Retrospect has no problem seeing the backup set from within Configure->Backup Sets->YourBackupSet->Configure.

 

Some additional facts:

 

1. Immediate backups to this same backup set work with no problem.

2. The only time that a scheduled backup worked was when it was scheduled for 11:30 pm and my wife was logged on to the computer.

3. After she complained, I moved the backup to 2:00 am. It has never worked at this time.

4. Suspecting disk sleep as the culprit, I checked my Energy Saver settings. They are: put the computer to sleep: never; put the display to sleep: 1 hour; put the disks to sleep when possible: not checked.

5. As an experiment, I scheduled a backup for 2 am this morning. I also added a crontab to do "ls /Volumes/Backup >/dev/null" at 1:55 am, 5 minutes before the backup was scheduled. The backup failed with the same problem: Can't access catalog for backup set Backup Set A, error -43 (file/folder not found).

6. I have sent an email request to LaCie describing the problem. They have not replied yet.

7. This morning, I set up a scheduled backup for a time when I would be logged in (starting at 7:15 am). It worked perfectly.

 

Conclusion:

 

Backups (immediate or scheduled) made when someone is logged in work. Backups made during idle time (early am hours) fail.