how to delete a time machine account?

[steve knight]

I made a new account on my mac and want to delete the old time machine backup. whats the practical way to do it?

 

[Morod]

If I understand the question correctly, you want to erase TM and start fresh. If so:
Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility.
Select the TM drive, choose the erase tab in Disk Utility, and choose which erase format you want. Then use the HD as a new TM.
Hope this helps. I did mine this way and there were no problems.

 

[steve knight]

I have done that before but I only want to erase one of the backups not the whole thing. I once deleted the files but it did not free up the space.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I have done that before but I only want to erase one of the backups not the whole thing. I once deleted the files but it did not free up the space.

Did you empty the trash?

 

[steve knight]

not sure if I did not not. I think i did. but would that work on a time capsule? I will try it and see.

 

[upaymeifixit]

One thing you don't want to try is deleting a backup via Finder, you end up with lots of permissions errors (not being able to empty the trash).

The best way to do it is to enter Time Machine > Go to the backup you want > There should be a gear icon or something in the Finder Toolbar, Click on it > Select Delete Backup.

 

[steve knight]

I tired entering time machine and deleting the whole backup but just got an error. but I had right clicked and choose delete.
so far deleting from finder is working. well I left and when I got back I had the dialog box. been emptying the trash for about 4 hours now there were a bit over 3,000,000 files. hope it's done by the time we get up.

 

[steve knight]

doing it from finder did not work. got the trash emptied but it did not free the space.