Modifying a backup disk's creation date

[GardinerW]

Running into a problem with the first disk in a backup set. I get an error telling me that the tape name is correct, but the creation date is wrong. I ran disk warrior on the disk prior to this because it was not mounting and I believe when it fixed the directory it altered the creation date info.

 

Retrospect will now not allow me to access the backup files from this tape even if I try rebuilding the catalog from the tapes or transferring it to another backup set.

 

Is there a program that can allow me to set the creation date to match what Retrospect is looking for? Running OS 10.5.4 on an Intel Mac Dual Core G5. I have looked everywhere for a solution to this and have found nothing that resolves my specific problem.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

-Gardiner Welch

[CallMeDave]

Running into a problem with the first disk in a backup set. I get an error telling me that the tape name is correct, but the creation date is wrong.

 

- What Type of Backup Set is this? Is it a Removable Disk Backup Set (the only Type on Mac OS that can have multiple hard drive members) or a Tape Backup Set (the only Type that would have tape names)???

[GardinerW]

Sorry should have mentioned it is a removable disk backup set using Iomega 35GB drives.

 

I categorize each set as follows: A001-Joan_Lunden, A002-Iconix, A003-Covergirl and each disk in a backup set has an ascending naming scheme such as 1-A002-Iconix, 2-A002-Iconix, 3-A002-Iconix and so on. It is the 1-A002-Iconix in particular that is giving me trouble since the creation date no longer matches what the snapshot (I am guessing) is telling Retrospect to look for.

Edited September 9, 2008 by Guest

[CallMeDave]

- What is the exact wording of the error dialog?

[GardinerW]

The error message reads:

 

"1-A002-Iconix is not a member of this backup set. Although it is named correctly, it has a different creation date: 9/3/2008 8:05PM, instead of the desired 1/18/2006 1:09 PM. Please find the proper member or re-execute with the other backup set."

 

Just had a thought-Could I create a new backup set with this tape in particular and then "transfer" the other tapes to that? It will ask for a catalog that has this first tape as a member though right? That catalog would not exist of course unless I can somehow create a new one that would recognize the problem tape as a member.

 

 

 

[CallMeDave]

Please stop referring to tapes. Tapes are used in Tape Backup Sets; they are long, flexible and really, really thin. Iomega REV drive cartridges used in a Removable Disk Backup Set are rigid and round.

 

There are many utilities that will modify attributes, including some available from Terminal.app.

 

For ease of use, I'd recommend XRay by Rainer Brockerhoff:

http://www.brockerhoff.net/xray/

 

Hopefully Retrospect only cares about time to the minute; XRay provides editing down to the second.

 

Dave

[GardinerW]

Thanks for the tip on XRay I will check that out.

 

I didn't know tapes were long, flexible and really thin...thanks for the tip on that as well. ;-p

 

I am so used to talking about tape backups that it was an honest mistake. I obviously meant to say backup disks in this case.

[GardinerW]

Tried XRAY and even after saving the new creation date Retrospect still thinks it sees the more recent date and rejects the disk.

 

I noticed something else in that XRAY shows that "ignore privileges on this volume" is checked, but I am unable to uncheck that as the option is greyed out and doesn't even show up if I use the "Get Info" at the finder level. Not sure if that is part of my problem, but thought I would mention it.

 

Any other thoughts. Would using the Terminal make a difference and what are the commands I would need?

 

Thanks again for your help.

[CallMeDave]

According to the Retrospect User's Guide

http://kb.dantz.com/article.asp?article=1116&p=2

the solution is to Rebuild the Catalog (page 199):

 

Retrospect asks for a particular disk, tape, or disc, but then reports “‘2-FooSet’ is not a member of this backup set. Although it is named correctly, it has a different creation date.â€

 

This means you have more than one disk, tape, or disc with the same name. This can happen if you run a recycle backup to new media and later try to do a normal backup with older disks, tapes, or discs. If possible, locate the proper medium for the restore.

 

Try other disks, tapes, or discs to see if any match the catalog you are using.

 

If you are sure this disk, tape, or disc has the files you want, rebuild its catalog. Go to the Tools tab, click Repair, and select the appropriate repair function to rebuild the catalog (see “Rebuilding a Catalog†on page 188).

So what happens when you attempt to Rebuild the Catalog using the problem disk as the Media?

 

Dave

[GardinerW]

I get a "Can't use, content unrecognized" error.

[CallMeDave]

I get a "Can't use, content unrecognized" error.

 

 

Since the Read Me seems pretty clear, could you provide the exact steps you are taking, note exactly when you get the error, and transcribe the exact wording of the error.

 

Dave

[Mayoff]

Content Unrecognized can mean several things:

 

1) Someone renamed the disk...it does not have the name Retrospect gave it.

 

2) The disk contains non-Retrospect data

 

3) The Retrospect Data files are missing from the disk

 

4) The Retrospect data files are damaged.

 

5) You are using a file backup set and not a disk backup set...by selecting the wrong rebuild type.

[GardinerW]

Ok here is the rundown of the steps taken to rebuild the catalog:

1) Choose Repair

2) Choose rebuild from removable disks

3) Choose the first disk in the backup set (the one that is giving me trouble)

4) Confirm that I want to replace a known backup set named A002-Iconix

5) Confirm that the set is not an encrypted backup set

6) Choose a destination for the new catalog

7) Recatlog scan starts and then gives "Can't use, Content unrecognized" error.

 

So at this point should I just tell Retrospect that the disk is missing and move on? Is there a way to know exactly what is on that first disk to confirm how critical the data is to me? I notice under Reports/Contents I can view the backup set contents, but there is no indication as to what data is on what disk or am I missing something there?

 

If I do say the disk is missing is there a way to add that disk back into the mix if I get it to read in the future?

[GardinerW]

Also is there any other way to scan the retrospect file and confirm whether the data is ok, corrupt or just in the wrong format? Meaning I believe the issue is with how the data is being read from the disk vs. the actual data being bad.

[Mayoff]

I would contact tech support directly so they can help analyze the problem.

[CallMeDave]

Of the 5 causes Robin lists for the error you are getting, all but one of them (corrupt data) can be cross checked with some simple sluthing.

 

1) Someone renamed the disk...it does not have the name Retrospect gave it.

Since you have other Members in this Backup Set, does the Volume name of the disk, as shown in the Finder, match the name(s) of the other Member(s) (other then a different sequential numeral)?

 

2) The disk contains non-Retrospect data

Since you have other Members in this Backup Set, does the data file on the volume match the data file(s) on the other Member(s)?

 

3) The Retrospect Data files are missing from the disk

See #2 above.

 

5) You are using a file backup set and not a disk backup set...by selecting the wrong rebuild type.

Gonna have to trust you on this one.