crowley721

Q: Greyed out "Verfiy Disk" and "Repair Disk" in Disk Utility

Hello,

 

This is my first time using this discussion platform and really hoping one of you guys can help me out.

 

My 2011 Macbook Pro running on OS Lion suddenly froze and when I restated it the only thing showing up on screen was a flashing grey folder with a question mark inside. Looking through these discussion boards I found that this means the system cannot find it's system software.

 

I have attempted to restart using OS X Recovery as advised and have tried to check that my Startup Disk using Disk Utility from the Recovery window.

 

A disk is showing up and it does contain files (which is a massive relief!) but all options on this window once I select the disk and select "First Aid" are greyed out. I have the option to click the button to "Show Details" but this does not make and difference or show any new information.

 

I cannot afford to lose the files that are on this computer ( University thesis that I have not backed up inn 2-3 weeks!)

 

I do not know what to do at this point as I cannot access the files to back them up. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Apr 22, 2016 5:55 AM

Close

Q: Greyed out "Verfiy Disk" and "Repair Disk" in Disk Utility

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by crowley721,

    crowley721 crowley721 Apr 22, 2016 6:21 AM in response to crowley721
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 22, 2016 6:21 AM in response to crowley721

    Additional Information:

     

    I was following the following instructions.

    If a flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support

     

    No start up disk showed up in the OS X Recovery when I went into the Apple menu and selected Startup Disk. This is why I went on and tried repairing the disk but Disk Utility is not allowing me to do this.

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Apr 22, 2016 6:49 AM in response to crowley721
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Apr 22, 2016 6:49 AM in response to crowley721

    At the very least, the contents of the drive are damaged enough to impede the normal OS to start up, which is why no startup disk gets offered. Given that the priority is to save whatever can be saved, the quickest way would be by transferring over to another Mac in Target Disk Mode.

     

    Procure another working Mac of the same or newer vintage (hardware and OS-wise). Get an appropriate interconnecting cable: if both are 2011 or newer, the best is a Thunderbolt cable, else a Firewire 800 cable (might need an FW to Lighting adapter if the other Mac is so new as not to have native FW ports). Connect both Macs with the cable, your sick Mac should be off. Start up your sick Mac while holding down the T key; a Firewire or Thunderbolt icon will be the only thing onscreen, depending on the kind of cable you used. On the other Mac, which was on before all this, the sick Mac's drive should appear on the desktop: proceed to open it, locate all important files and copy them over. If you want to play double safe and have an empty external drive or drive partition of appropriate size, might want to clone the sick Mac's internal drive onto it: won't work (boot up) either but it will contain all there's there. Once your data is safe, you can proceed to getting it working again: holler back for more.

     

    If the sick Mac's drive does not show up in the other Mac's desktop, then things are more desperate. Holler back.

  • by crowley721,

    crowley721 crowley721 Apr 22, 2016 6:53 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 22, 2016 6:53 AM in response to Courcoul

    Hi Courcoul,

     

    Thanks for the response. I have been onto Apple Support and it seems that my hard disk has completely failed and what I am seeing show up as a disk is the backed up time machine which is separate to the disk. They suggested replacing the hard disk and the data will be saved up until the latest time machine back up.

     

    Is what you suggested still possible if the hard disk has failed? I can borrow a friends macbook and try find a thunderbolt cable if so.

     

    Thanks

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Apr 22, 2016 7:13 AM in response to crowley721
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Apr 22, 2016 7:13 AM in response to crowley721

    It is very good that you have a TM backup so there won't be a total loss. But from what I understand, that's on the same (dead) HDD, so you're not out of the woods yet. If you were to replace the drive (which you will probably have to do eventually), have them tell you how the new system on the new drive is going to pull the TM backup and from where. Disclaimer: I don't use and am a total TM ignoramus.

     

    I would recommend you try the Target Disk Mode recovery I outlined. If successful, that will get you a rescued copy of your latest data. Will it work? Depends on the kind and severity of the failure and only until you try will it be assessable.

  • by crowley721,

    crowley721 crowley721 Apr 22, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 22, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Courcoul

    Great thanks for your help Courcoul!