Two major tools are available to help you deal with problems. Here’s how to use them to best effect.
macOS
Is Time Machine becoming erratic? A simple diagnostic process can establish what the problem is, and how to deal with it.
Here are two log excerpts which should be identical, but only one out of all the entries is actually the same. What is wrong?
Working out why Time Machine backups go wrong isn’t necessarily that different from unravelling classical mythology. In some ways.
Getting deeper into using Sierra’s new logs, and investigating why Time Machine backups become irregular.
Devising strategies for getting the best out of Sierra’s new logs. Or should we just abandon them as a lost cause?
Does macOS scheduling fail when it has been running for more than 10 days? Irregular backups suggest that it does.
Significant improvements to Consolation for browsing logs. The others gain proper version numbers and icons.
How complex is the code needed for an app like Consolation? Most of it is actually straightforward if not simple.
Can’t find what you want in Console? Try this new log browser: although still a beta-release, I think it will do the job.
The Eclectic Light Company 