Child Item

cannot use Automatic backup for External Drive

I have a external drive that has lots of production related files in it. I try to setup a automatic backup system by going into dropbox-click on my profile-click prefences- backup-manage backup- then i try to add my external drive but after selecting it it says "There was an issue backup up 'LIGHTING' Your files are safe in your external drive. Go to help center to learn more". I dont understand why this error is happening and how to fix it. Lmk what i can do and phrase it simple so i can understand.

Find more posts tagged with

Desktop

Error Messages

Sync

Dropbox Basic

Dropbox Backup

Insightful

AcceptAnswer

Closed - Partially Delivered

Comments

Walter

Hey @Lighting Dogo, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

May I ask what plan are you at the moment and how large is the external drive (and how much you've used from its capacity) you're trying to backup to Dropbox?

This will help us assist further.

Lighting Dogo

I am using the basic free plan, The external drive is 128gb but i am only using around 1gb on it

Hannah

Sorry to jump in here, @Lighting Dogo.

Can you please send us a screenshot of the error you're getting?

Also, what's your drive's file system?

And lastly, please hover your mouse over the Dropbox icon and let us know the sync status and version of the Dropbox app.

Thanks!

Lighting Dogo

I just updated to the latest version of dropbox and now its just loading when i try to back it up. Screenshot is linked. I dont know what you mean by drive files system but i linked info on it below. The other thing you asked below is also uploaded

Screenshot 2023-03-17 at 8.25.22 PM.png

Screenshot 2023-03-17 at 8.24.10 PM.png

Screenshot 2023-03-17 at 8.23.30 PM.png

BenDBX

Hi @Lighting Dogo

I spoke with a team member who was able to look into this. This issue occurs when the drive is not formatted correctly. Specifically, Dropbox is unable to read the external drive's UUID. The steps that they provided are below:

1. Navigate to disk utility and look at your external drive to see if it has a UUID
2. Re-format your drive and then check if the UUID shows up correctly (from step [1]). If so you will be able to proceed with your backup normally.

We can also get you on a support ticket if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Ben

Lighting Dogo

Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 2.29.16 PM.png

Thanks for looking into this! I really appreciate it. So about what yous aid with looking for the UUID, do i go to disk utility and look for UUID? If so then i cant find anything that says that. (Screenshot below). Also how would i re-format the drive on mac?

Lighting Dogo

I figured out to re-format it and did it. i used MS-DOS and now i think i found the actual issue. So theres 2 drives that pop up in Disk Utility which are the same drive. (screenshot below) The USB Sandisk drive does not have a UUID but the "erased drive" does. I think dropbox is using the USB sandisk and isnt finding the UUID because its not there but idk how to fix that issue.

BenDBX

Hi @Lighting Dogo

I don't see a UUID in your screenshot, but I was able to view the UUID of my drive by clicking on Apple Symbol (top left) > About this Mac > More Info > System Report > Hardware > Storage. I don't personally have an external drive, but I believe it will show there.

Best,

Ben

Lighting Dogo

Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 2.43.18 PM.png

Lighting Dogo

i re-formated it to ExFAT and tried backing up but still nothing, and used MS-DOS and still didnt get anything. It stays on the loading screen on dropbox and keeps on loading

BenDBX

Hi @Lighting Dogo

Thanks for trying these troubleshooting steps. At this point, I believe it makes the most sense to get you on a support ticket. Would you mind if we reached out via email?

Regards,

Ben

Lighting Dogo

Sure, email works best for me: [email removed as per Community Guidelines]

Megan

Hi @Lighting Dogo, I just sent you an email, I'll see you there!