How to delete Time Machine Backup without reformatting??

[angemon89]

I want to delete the Time Machine backup for my MacBook Pro because I no longer own the machine.

In the past I know I've tried to delete a backup by dragging it to the trash and emptying it, but I remember that didn't work. The finder would just say something along the lines of "calculating blah blah blah..." for hours.

So how can I do this? Anyone know?

[spinnerlys]

Disk Utility > Erase > choose Time Machine backup disk > choose Mac OS X Extended as file system > press Erase button.

It should be done within a minute or two.

[angemon89]

I don't want to reformat because I have 3 different computer backups on my TM.... don't think you read my thread title.

[spinnerlys]

Originally Posted by angemon89

I don't want to reformat because I have 3 different computer backups on my TM.... don't think you read my thread title.

I read your title, but as you haven't mentioned your other data on the HDD in your original post, I just assumed you wouldn't want to wait for an entire formatting with ones and zeros.

Try this:

Open Time Machine. Go to the top level i.e the one with your HD. Navigate to the backup you want to delete and use the actions menu in the Finder toolbar. It has an option to delete the backup. Also, when using the actions menu, with a file or folder selected there is an option to delete all instances of the file/folder from all backups.

[angemon89]

Hmmmm, I'm not seeing the option to delete the backup anywhere.

I saw that hint on macosxhints.com and noticed it was for 10.5. I wonder why I'm not seeing that option in SL.

[spinnerlys]

So you don't see this:

[angemon89]

Oh, that's what you mean... Well I don't have the MBP anymore so I can't really do that.

[maflynn]

go into the terminal and use the rm command to remove it.

Just do a man rm to see what flags you need to use.