Help with backups.

[countrykid333]

now when ever i go to backup time machine it takes 30 mins. to "prepare back up"(it didn't take this long even the first time i did it) and has not successfully backed up in 3 days.
so is this a hardware or software issue, I ran disk utility first aid and it said nothing is wrong.
i would prefer that i am backed up, because my computer live a pretty rough life, and all of my papers on it.
thanks for the help.

 

[pol0001]

Have plugged your Time Machine Drive directly into your Mac or into a hub? I made the experience that it takes more time to back up large data changes, when my drive is connected to the hub.

I had a similar problem once. Couldn't solve it with disk utility etc. I formated the Time Machine drive and it is working fine since then.

 

[moez]

Just let it do 'preparing for bckup' for a while... leave it on and eventually it would start backing up. IMO the next time would be faster.