[MacNNUK]

Got the dreaded Time Machine read only error message this morning.

Unplugged external USB TM disk, rebooted imac, tried disk utility, nothing worked.

In the end I attached the TM drive via USB to a PC, quick formatted it, then back into iMAc via USB, Apple disk utility would allow me to format Apple Extended Journalled.

TM menu popped up immediately, so I have lost all previous TM backups, but at least I am now TM'ing my iMac again.

Any ideas as to why this happened, first time in 2 years for me.

Fortunately for me I also CCC and direct copy backups too.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by MacNNUK 

Fortunately for me I also CCC and direct copy backups too.

When you clone a disk, why rely on a third-party app that has caused others trouble in the past? Instead I suggest you use OS X's built-in cloning tool. It's rock solid, it's very fast and it's of course free. You'll find it on every OS X installer DVD and on every OS X installation.

/Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility > Restore.

Select erase destination to get a bootable clone in block-copy mode (fast!).

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Simon 

When you clone a disk, why rely on a third-party app that has caused others trouble in the past?

It's ironic that you lecture him on using Apple software to avoid problems, while his problems were caused by using Apple hardware and software, and his saving grace were [backups done by] 3rd party apps.

-t

[Simon]

It's not about Apple vs. non-Apple. It's about stuff that works vs. stuff that doesn't. CCC has caused loads of trouble in the past and yet a lot of people still aren't aware that cloning is built right into OS X.