iMacNuoobs
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Q: Computer dead since updating to Maverick... HELP

I own a 1.6.8 imac bought in 2010.

I tried to update to Maverick and forgot to back up my data (my stupidity).

Now whenever I try to boot up, Maverick installer gets an error, saying disk is damaged.

Apparently the solution to that is to repair your disk in disk utility.

However, the repair disk button is greyed out- apparently means that the computer decided it's not repairable.

 

So my only option is:

- back up the disk on external hard drive to save the data, and erase the entire disk.

 

But when I try to create a disk image, or restore with source: Mackintosh Hd to destination: external hard drive,

I get an input/output error.

 

The setting on the hard drive is mac (journaled), with 1 tb left for storage.

What can I do next to save my data before erasing the entire disk?

Any help would be greatly appreciated... I've been gruelling through this for too long.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5), ?

Posted on Nov 8, 2013 1:41 PM

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iMacNuoobs

Q: Computer dead since updating to Maverick... HELP

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  • by iMacNuoobs,

    iMacNuoobs iMacNuoobs Nov 10, 2013 5:14 PM in response to FrenchToast
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 10, 2013 5:14 PM in response to FrenchToast

    Instead of purchasing an internal hard drive or Ubuntu, I installed the snow leopard onto my external hard drive and booted from that. So I backed up all my data onto the external, and was able to cleanly erase the original disk. Now the problem is how do I change the startup disk back to the original hard drive and do a clean install of Maverick (or Snow Leopard at least) onto that?

     

    When I press options at the booting, I can't find the option of booting from my original disk- only the external.

  • by WZZZ,Helpful

    WZZZ WZZZ Nov 10, 2013 5:43 PM in response to iMacNuoobs
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 10, 2013 5:43 PM in response to iMacNuoobs

    I'm not sure in what form you have your data backed up on the external. Is it just files you moved over there after installing the Snow on the external? How did you get those files over there? I thought they were locked up with the failed Mav install.

     

    You can't boot from the internal because it's only been erased and you haven't installed a bootable volume there yet. Hence there's nothing there to boot to.

     

    If you want to make it bootable, you can use a cloning program like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper, or just use Disk Utility Restore. The source will be the external, the target will be the internal.

     

    But first you should make sure the Internal is formatted properly. MacOS Extended (Journaled)/GUID Partition Scheme.

     

    Here's a link for that. And no need to do any zeroing.

     

    http://pondini.org/OSX/DU1.html

     

    And a link for Disk Utility Restore.

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2184

     

    I think I'd leave Mav alone for the time being.

  • by iMacNuoobs,

    iMacNuoobs iMacNuoobs Nov 10, 2013 9:14 PM in response to WZZZ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 10, 2013 9:14 PM in response to WZZZ

    When I downloaded SL to the external and booted from there, the installer asked me if i wanted to restore data, and I selected the option for restoring data from another disk on this volume.

    After five (!!!) hours, all the data and user settings, preferences were copied onto the external, and then I erased the original hard drive from there. Then I reinstalled SL onto my original hard drive, and then the subsequent update to Maverick.

     

    I managed to solve my problems, and all seems fine. Thanks for all your advice people! I also hope my confusion helped others who might be facing the same problema s well.

  • by Frederick0245,

    Frederick0245 Frederick0245 Nov 11, 2013 1:44 AM in response to iMacNuoobs
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Nov 11, 2013 1:44 AM in response to iMacNuoobs

    Just picked up the threads and pleased to see you have now recovered your data & system.

     

    I too am not yet happy to migrate to Mavericks and if and when I do I shall install it to a clean HDD initially until I feel it is completely stable.

     

    I see WZZZ also advises to steer shy at the moment of Mavericks.

     

    Thanks for reporting back it is really helpful for all to learn from someone elses experience.

     

    Regards

     

    Fred

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