How do I fix "kernel[0]: disk3s2: I/O error" message?

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Level 1

0 points

How do I fix "kernel[0]: disk3s2: I/O error" message?

For the last couple of weeks, I have seen the spinning wheel show up on virtually any task I try to accomplished, especially when using Safari. At times the delay is just a few seconds and other times a delay for up to 20-30 seconds.

At first I thought it was Safari so I reinstalled the latest update. Went to Time Machine and brought back any programs that I had recently updated for downloaded and still no change.

I went to Activity Monitor and did not see anything unusual. then went to Console where I get the following error message on virtually any task I key in "kernel[0]: disk3s2: I/O error." i have Verified my drives and have repaired disk permissions. Still the problem persists.

What causes this error message and how do I fix the problem?

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 16GB Ram, 1.8TB storage

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 3:15 PM

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Answer 1

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jul 23, 2009 2:49 AM in response to woodytenn45

Hi-

Any of your hard drives external?
If so, a common cause of I/O errors is a bad cable (USB or Firewire).
Replacing the cable with a quality cable would be in order.

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jul 23, 2009 5:40 AM in response to woodytenn45

Any time you think it is safari, and that is one program where manually emptying the temp files and caches doesn't happen on its own automatically, you really need to do it yourself, or rely and hope on the "Reset" feature.

Anytime a program is updated, good idea to clean the temp caches anyway as they may cause trouble.

Check home library /Caches/MetaData and empty the contents, and the icon cache as well. When Safari launches, it copies the bookmarks into a cache folder as well so there are 100s or whatever files there.

Don't rely on Apple First Aid, and not with a maxed out system. Disk Warrior is reliable and finds more. Trouble is unlike TechTool Pro it is one at a time, and mostly one trick only, so it can be slow and can't do much to speed it up.

There are nice FAQs on preventing and troubleshooting kernel panics if you look and want to go that route.

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Answer 3

Philscbx

Level 2

164 points

Jul 27, 2009 9:30 AM in response to woodytenn45

I had very similar effects for the longest time of the constant spin & wait.
Frustrating as well when the older PowerBook G4 just snaps to it.

Example/ a simple Text Edit with one line of type/attempt save as/spin 10s to bring up Finder.

I didn't have Disc Warrior handy, I just grabbed at what I had on hand included from a bundle packaged
with the OWC external hard drive of 'Speed Tools'.

I just performed this the other day, it found 10 errors (60sec) during defrag.

I've heard in the past Mac's don't need Defrag, as it apparently does this on restart, if I recall.

Although the process hung later, maybe from screen saver write, this guy is so snappy, and no spin action has occurred since.

It seems logical as well, if some files were just too far from each other causing the long waits.

No other process was used.

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