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Even over USB-C to LAN the MacBook crashes? Holy **** what did I buy.
I am not making excuses for Apple.Yes, it is frustrating to start that first backup and Time Machine crashes or hangs. However, it is probably a software problem that Apple will have to workout. Any computer manufacture has software problems of some kind.
 
Even over USB-C to LAN the MacBook crashes? Holy **** what did I buy.

Only one way to find out. Clean install, copy some large files onto clean install, and run TimeMachine to see if it does a clean backup. If it does, then it's software. If it still crashes, then it could be an OS bug that MAY be fixable (assuming it's not hardware).
 
This thread is worrying. My first Time Machine backup (542GB) is in progress. It's about half way, but it's been running for 7 hours without obvious issue. Would I have experienced the problem already if it was going to happen? This is using a LaCie USB-C drive.

Edited to add: I didn't use the OS image it came with. I reinstalled Sierra before doing anything with it using Internet Recovery.
 
Only one way to find out. Clean install, copy some large files onto clean install, and run TimeMachine to see if it does a clean backup. If it does, then it's software. If it still crashes, then it could be an OS bug that MAY be fixable (assuming it's not hardware).
I did a clean install Tuesday evening, and didn't have any problems doing a Time Machine backup. Granted, the backup size wasn't 100GB as many here. Previously, Time Machine hung up at 90% done (57 GB) the first try.
 
I did a clean install Tuesday evening, and didn't have any problems doing a Time Machine backup. Granted, the backup size wasn't 100GB as many here. Previously, Time Machine hung up at 90% done (57 GB) the first try.

I'm too lazy to go through all those steps myself. If you're willing try a clean install, put 200G of data on there and try. The data could be just multiple copies of the largest file in one folder that you can delete after the fact.
 
What's the size of your backup ? Is your installation on your new MacBook Pro coming from migration or fresh ?

Crashed at around 50GB of a 220GB fresh backup. Upon reboot and restart of TM backup, machine crashed again within 5 minutes. Installation came from migration of my 2013 MBP.

--wilson
 
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My first backup (540GB) to LaCie USB-C drive completed without incident, but I left it on overnight, and this morning found that the MBP was powered off because of a crash. Powering it on without the USB-C drive connected works fine, but if I reconnect the drive, a few seconds later, the MBP crashes every time. It seems like the encrypted Time Machine drive contents are causing the crash.
 
Can I suggest that anyone who is encountering this issue reports it to Apple Support. I have done so, but they say they don't have any other reports yet.
 
Can I suggest that anyone who is encountering this issue reports it to Apple Support. I have done so, but they say they don't have any other reports yet.

Hmm, I opened a case for system crashes due to TimeMachine backups over USB-C. Not sure why they said they don't have other reports.
 
I haven't had any crashes during Time Machine backup, but twice in 6 days I've gotten messages about the backup failing validation and it starts the complete backup all over again. I'm backing up to a remote disk attached to a Mac mini running as a server. In six years of using this setup I'm only seen this once before. I have 3 other macs backing up to this setup and none are having problems. I think there is a problem but it's not clear what it is yet.
 
I was having the issues described above and someone mentioned that it could be from a specific USB-C to USB adapter or hub being the issue. I plugged in my Seagate 4TB drive directly to my Mac with a cheap USB-C to USB-A adapter and it fixed the issue. The first backup finally completed today and many since. I also plugged the drive back in to my Belkin Thunderbolt Dock and no issues (specifically crashing) has occurred since.
 
Unfortunately I'm not using a hub or adapter. The drive connects with a cable which has USB-C at both ends. It also comes with a USB cable so I suppose I could try that and the Apple USB adapter and see what happens. I'll probably wait and see if I get a response from Apple on Monday. They took some crash logs to look at.
 
I am having the same issue:

Copying files via Finder.
Source ext. TB Pegasus Promise 2 via Apple TB -> USB-C Adapter
Destination: ext. HD-Dock via USB 3 and Auker Adapter.

Copying 2.43 TB of data, Computer crashing and rebooting after 2.04 TB files copied.
Could reproduced the event.

Sent the crash log to Apple, will contact them
 
It might not be a new problem, but I've not encountered this particular problem myself until getting the new MBP. I've been doing 500GB Time Machine backups for several years without incident. Now, just plugging the drive in crashes the MBP every time. It seems like it could be an issue with the driver for the USB-C ports.
 
It might not be a new problem, but I've not encountered this particular problem myself until getting the new MBP. I've been doing 500GB Time Machine backups for several years without incident. Now, just plugging the drive in crashes the MBP every time. It seems like it could be an issue with the driver for the USB-C ports.
Looking back, it appears that this problem has reared its ugly head in many OS releases. And each time, Apple has had to issue a fix. That was the point I was making in my previous post. I wasn't suggesting that most users have had the problem.
 
interesting thread. i setup my tbMBP from a full 950GB El Cap back up on my old Time Capsule (802.11N version). This was done wirelessly as well and it runs flawlessly without incident. the new machine has been backing up as well without me knowing so it really has been seamless as I had to do nothing.

the only painful thing about the process was the amount of time it took to backup... around 12 hours. so i literally just set it up overnight, let it do its thing, and i was up and running the next morning.

I'm hoping there are no future errors though. are the errors due to the external HDs + adapters?
 
Level 1 technician made me do a SMC reset, then passed me over to a level 2 technician.
They are apparently aware about this issue but do not seem to have a fix yet.
He asked me if I would agree to create a new partition on my HD, do a clean install and the redo the copying manipulation to see if it software or hardware related.
He offered me as well to change my computer.
For the moment he is contacting other technicians in order to see if there are any new informations concerning this issue and the sales department in order to find out how fast I could get a new machine.
Waiting for his call
 
When I called, the technician also had me do a SMC reset and then start up normally. Then I plugged in the USB-C disk, at which point the MBP crashed as expected. Then I ran a data collection tool they had emailed me. It ran for about 10 minutes, then it sent 350MB of logs to Apple, which were to be passed on to engineers. I'm hoping to hear something back from them Monday.
 
Have the exact same issue here over in Germany. Ran reliable until external USB drive made a time machine backup. But other drives connected with Apples own adapter or any other USB C hub crashes as well. It really seems to be some USB(c) issue. Reinstall does not change anything. Using only apple software with all updates available. I really hope they fix this or I will return this 2800 Euro piece of crap...

Also tried the latest macOS 10.12.2 beta 3 public release - no change, still crashes...

Another test with an external 4K Asus monitor with display port to USB C dongle. Works fine most of the time, but disconnect and reconnect leads to crash of macOS. So it really seems to be USB C related rather than USB drive related. Apple should get their act together. What are they testing before releasing those machines???
 
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Having the same issue. Seems that the system or something is ejecting the drive during backup...This seems to trigger crash.
 
Just as a reference, I'm using a Lacie P9227 Porsche Design Slim 2TB disk, connected with the USB-C to USB-C cable that came with it. I've been running Time Machine backups (including the initial 500 GB backup) without any issues on my 15" MBP (2.9/455/1TB).
 
The new 2016 MBP is known to have issues with various devices plugged into the USB-C port. Louis Rossman who does component level repair videos on youtube did a video showing that if he had dongle plugged in to the USB-C port and wifi turned on and tried to load a webpage it would not load properly. Basically this new machine can't walk and chew gum at the same time.
 
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