WD Sentinel: Time Machine Backups Fail with error 516

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Description

Using a WD Sentinel DS5100, WD Sentinel DS6100, WD Sentinel RX4100 or WD Sentinel DX4000 as backup target for Time Machine backups results on the backup failing with error message '/Volumes/Time Machine/Name.sparsebundle' could not be created (error 516).

When initially creating a backup, Time machine automatically creates a sparsebundle file on the backup's destination disk. The name of the sparesbundle file contains the Mac computer's name, such as {MacComputerName}.sparsebundle. A computer with a name that includes one or more special characters could potentially get an error while creating the sparsebundle file. For example, if a Mac computer name is Tom's MacBook Pro, the creation of sparsebundle very likely will result in an error due to the special character (') included in the computer name.

The application treats special character(s) as an Invalid entry and prevents the users from completing Time Machine backups of their Mac computer while using a WD Sentinel DS5100, WD Sentinel DS6100, WD Sentinel RX4100 or WD Sentinel DX4000 as the backup disk.

Without the sparsebundle, the user will not be able to use the WD Sentinel DS5100, WD Sentinel DS6100, WD Sentinel RX4100 or WD Sentinel DX4000 as a backup destination for Time Machine backups.

Resolution

When an error occurs related to the sparsebundle file creation (such as error 516), WD recommends to check if the Mac computer's name contains one or more special characters. The list of invalid characters include / \ [ ] " : ; | < > + =? * _

If the computer name contains one or more special characters, rename the Mac computer without including any special characters.

To verify the Computer name, please follow the instructions below:

1. Make sure you have proper credentials to edit system information
2. Open System Preferences
3. Select Sharing.
4. The Computer Name is display on the screen.
5. Unlock the System Preferences if is locked.
6. Make necessary correction to remove the special character(s) from the name.
7. Click Edit to verify that the network name do not have any special character(s).
8. Click OK to complete the selection.

After renaming the Mac computer, retry the Time Machine backup from the Mac computer, selecting the WD Sentinel DS5100, WD Sentinel DS6100, WD Sentinel RX4100 or WD Sentinel DX4000 as the backup disk.