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Tried to set up new external hard drive for time machine: wouldn't back up because the (presumably Mac) hard drive is nearly full. Now the external hard drive won't erase (process 367) so I can't use it to back up files from the Mac hard drive.
Mac mini, macOS 11.3
In addition to backing up, you will not be able to upgrade if the Mac mini’s storage is full.
Have a look at > Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support
Once you have accomplished that, then make a backup and try upgrading the macOS.
Well let's look for obvious problems that may be causing your issue. We don't have much to go on so please do the following:
It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate towww.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.
When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.
For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community It is helpful to us if you download the report to your Desktop.
Do you have any of the following third party apps installed:
defygrass-bird wrote:
Tried downloading Etrecheck but I can't get it to open.
If you can’t get a signed app to open, and can’t get a storage device to dismount, your Mac is probably either unusually locked down, or one or more malfunctioning add-ons such as add-on anti-malware, add-on cleaners, add-on VPN apps, or other such.
I’ve met add-on apps from storage vendors that have gotten tangled with external storage devices, too.
Boot into Safe Mode, see if you can get Etrecheck running there, and then post the report.
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
Without an explanation of how you are attempting to re-format the Time Machine External Hard Disk we cannot help you out. Also, are you really on Mac OC 11.3 as your profile indicates??????????????
What brand and model is this external hard drive? And what is shown in Disk Utility when you select that drive? A screen shot of Disk Utility showing that information wouldn't go amiss.
Uninstall Adguard per the developers instructions.
What is the diagnostic shown when Etrecheck can’t be opened?
Is the Mac booted into Safe Mode, with the “safe mode” indicator shown in the menu bar?
Thanks for replying and, yes I am on OS11.3, wanting to upgrade, needing to backup prior to upgrade. I had another external HD, it wouldn't backup, got the error message "Time Machine could not back up Macintosh HD-Data because it is nearly full...Delete some files on this disk and try again."Misunderstood, thinking Seagate HD was full, purchased new HD, tried to backup with time machine, got the same error message. I figured I could use the new external HD to backup music and photos and free up enough space on the Mac HD to allow me to use the older HD for backing up time machine. New HD shows up on the screen with time machine logo, so I assume it is somehow formatted for that, although the space in use on it is less than 1MB. I am no power user: I have liked Apple for working pretty seamlessly, most of the time, though upgrades have, in the past, involved "revoltin' developments" and I've gotten shy of the process. Anyhow, I found a video on the web on setting up an external HD on the Mac. Their first step was to use Disk Utility to erase the HD, which seemed like the way to go, however due to "process 367" I can't erase, so I'm stuck. I hope this is clear enough: with my initial question I was trying to be succinct, hope I haven't given indigestion with this reply.
Mr Hoffman: Yeah, I was in safe mode. Anyhow, I thought to check out if I could reformat the external HD with AdGuard disabled, and, sure enough, it worked. So, I moved the music files to the SanDiskHD, took them off the Mac and successfully got time machine to back up to the older SeagateHD. So thanks to all who contributed. I think I'll remember that AdGuard can muck up what seem like ought to be fairly straightforeward processes.
SanDisk G-Drive Armor ATD. Appears on Disk Utility as "G-Tech Armor ATD Media, USB External Physical Disk . Guid Partition Map 1TB
Tried downloading Etrecheck but I can't get it to open.
den.thed: that was my aim in trying to use the new HD to make backups of music and photos. Seemed like that could free up a sizable chunk of storage. Am I missing something?
rkaufmann87: Adguard
Mr Hoffman: trashed AdGuard, finally: took me a while to try holding down the shift key before hitting the start button for the Mac to get in safe mode. Anyhow, no luck getting EtreCheckPro to open.
Can't erase external hard drive:in use process 367
