Step19

Q: Can't repair disk using Disk Utility

Hi, my MacBook (10.7.6) was freezing frequently and I was not able to use Command+Option+Esc to safely force quit. I would only be doing light Internet surfing whenever the laptop froze. No new software or hardware installed recently either to cause the problem. Anyone encounter this problem too?

 

Tried using Disk Repair and this is the message I get: disk utility stopped repairing macintosh HD. Disk utility can't repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk and restore your backed-up files.

 

Under the details of the disk repair process, the following items were highlighted in red.

 

1. Checking volume bitmap: volume bitmap needs minor repair for under allocation

 

2. Checking volume information: the volume macintosh HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

Volume repair complete.

 

3. Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.

Error: disk utility can't repair this disk...restore your backed-up files.

 

Appreciate any help you can give on what the underlying problem could be and how to reformat the disk now.

 

Thanks in advance!!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Nov 25, 2012 2:34 AM

Close

Q: Can't repair disk using Disk Utility

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2
  • by clintonfrombirmingham,Helpful

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Nov 25, 2012 5:58 AM in response to Step19
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 25, 2012 5:58 AM in response to Step19

    Sure - which model do you have (late 2011, for example)? If your SATA speed is 3-6 Gbps there are a world of SSDs to choose from and they're not too expensive these days nor are they difficult to install.

     

    Clinton

  • by Step19,

    Step19 Step19 Nov 27, 2012 4:17 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 4:17 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

    Thanks Clinton. SSD installed and MacBook is working like a dream!

  • by Samy12,

    Samy12 Samy12 Mar 3, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Step19
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 3, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Step19

    Hello, my macbook crashed a few days a go  as well and after going to the recovery drive and OX Utilities  tried to verify and repair disk it gives me this error "Disk Utility can't repair this disk...and restore the backed up files" is the second time that occurs after replacing the hard drive for a new SSD, i thought my problem was solved and is not. Any Ideas? the only other thing i can think of is the logic board?

  • by rarmanda,

    rarmanda rarmanda Jun 13, 2013 10:53 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 13, 2013 10:53 AM in response to mende1

    I got the same message (Disk utility can't repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk and restore your backed-up files.) because my iMac was forcefully shut down.

    How do I make a Time Machine backup if startup disk won't boot and I can't use anything except Disk Utility? I already copied the whole disk using Disk Utility restore function to an external HDD but not working, after copying it just says the external drive is corrupted too.

  • by brental,

    brental brental Aug 28, 2013 5:20 PM in response to Step19
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 28, 2013 5:20 PM in response to Step19

    Does this answer work for 10.8?  Also, can I restore from a time-capsule back up or do I need some sort of local backup?

  • by Neo911,

    Neo911 Neo911 Oct 21, 2013 10:05 AM in response to brental
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 21, 2013 10:05 AM in response to brental

    You can restore from Time Machine backup no problem.

  • by Neo911,

    Neo911 Neo911 Oct 21, 2013 10:15 AM in response to Step19
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 21, 2013 10:15 AM in response to Step19

    I have just expereinced the exact same issue with my 2012 MBA.  Initially it would not complete a Time Machine back up (several attempts).  Prior to that I was experiencing some seemingly random shut downs (e.g. I would simply close the screen and an hour later I would lift the screen open only to find it re-booting).  This happened on a couple of occasions.  Then the TM issue.

     

    I decided to run Disc Utility and verify the disc, it immediately advised me to repair the disc, which I did.  However within moments it advised that I needed to re-boot, save what I could and re-format the drive.  Well, I coiuld not get it to boot back up, just kept shutting off. 

     

    So I bit the bullet and formatted my MBA.  Completed a clean install (did not go off TM back up), I did transfer my applications from another Mac I have and all was well... for a few days.  Today it just randomly shut down and when I restart it, it seems to be booting into safe mode but never boots.  Simply shuts down after I wait for the progress bar to run its course.  Rinse and repeat a few times with the same result.

     

    So off I go to run Disc Utility again and same thing: it tells me to format the drive. 

     

    Either the HD is dead or the logic board is toast.  Genius bar appointmen made and will report back with findings.

  • by jimmythejuice,

    jimmythejuice jimmythejuice Feb 6, 2014 8:09 PM in response to Neo911
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 8:09 PM in response to Neo911

    Man I am experiencing the same thing and it is really frustrating. If you get this, please respons back here with details from your appointment at the apple store!!

  • by Robertaco,

    Robertaco Robertaco Sep 27, 2016 2:20 PM in response to rarmanda
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 27, 2016 2:20 PM in response to rarmanda

    Where u able to fix this? same issue here

Previous Page 2