how to delete Time Machine backups in Snow Leopard

[kailaq]

hi guys,

i keep my time machine backups on an external hard drive. in the past year, i've gone through 3 mac notebooks and all have a backup on my external hard drive. i was wondering how to delete all the time machine backups and start fresh?

i tried just deleting the folders and they went to the trash for my external hard drive but i can't delete them from there nor can i restore them - says "The operation can't be completed because backup items can't be modified."

help please?

 

[alust2013]

Just go into disk utility and reformat the drive. That should do the trick.

 

[HikariYuki]

You should open up time machine and navigate to the backup you want deleted then use the little gear icon to delete your backups.

Edit: Or do what alust2013 said to save time.

 

[GGJstudios]

Searching the forum with MRoogle will usually find answers to most of your questions:

Delete Old Time Machine Files?
Fastest way to delete Time Machine backup folder?
Deleting Time Machine backups left over from old computer
Time Capsule - How to Erase Time Machine Files and Startover?

 

[alphaod]

First you want to turn off Time Machine; then you can proceed to wiping the disk. Then you can turn on Time Machine again after selecting the disk you just wiped.

 

[kailaq]

First you want to turn off Time Machine; then you can proceed to wiping the disk. Then you can turn on Time Machine again after selecting the disk you just wiped.

i'm such a retard! that's why i couldn't delete any of my time machine files, its coz my time machine was on. thanks!!!