Recurring "Invalid volume directory count" error

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Level 1

11 points

Recurring "Invalid volume directory count" error

Hi everyone!

I'm hoping that someone can shed some light on this issue, because I'm just about to lose my mind trying to figure it out!

I manage a small companies' network of approximately 35 Apple Macintosh computers. All the computers are newer 2009 or later MacBook Pros and 2009 or later iMac running Mac OS 10.5.8 or 10.6.6.

A small number of computers persistently report one or more "Invalid Volume Directory Count" errors whenever I perform a Verify Disk check in Disk Utility roughly once per month. The errors are always easily corrected by booting the computers from their system CDs and then performing a Repair Disk and/or executing an fsck command in single user mode. Unfortunately, the problem recurs the very next time I check the affected computers' disks.

One particular user whose computer had always exhibited this problem recently received a new 2010 MacBook Pro 15, and now THIS computer exhibits the problem as well! Even more baffling, and just to be certain I avoided copying any damaged Library component from the old computer's drive, I didn't use the Apple Migration Assistant to migrate this user's hard drive to the new computer; rather, I performed a clean installation of all the applications and then copied his data to the new user account. Once again, Disk Utility reported the same error the very next time I performed a Verify Disk scan on the new computer's drive.

All staff use the same applications, and most of the other computers do not exhibit this problem.

I'm completely stumped by this problem! HELP

Message was edited by: psiciliano

MacBook Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Multiple systems affected

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 5:00 PM

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Answer 1

psiciliano Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 25, 2011 5:19 PM in response to psiciliano

Sorry, forgot to mention that this problem occurs on both Mac OS 10.5.x and 10.6.x systems.

Thanks again!

Message was edited by: psiciliano

Message was edited by: psiciliano

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jan 25, 2011 5:22 PM in response to psiciliano

The appropriate way to migrate to a new machine is to use the setup assistant as described in Best Practices and Setup new Mac.

As for the current issue, rather than trying to fix the issue with DU, I recommend using DiskWarrior. Install it on an ext FWHD running Snow Leopard, boot the machines with it, and run DW from there. Much faster than using a CD/DVD and it does a much better job fixing the issue.

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Answer 3

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jan 26, 2011 3:36 AM in response to psiciliano

As baltwo points out, sometimes a different utility works better. [DiskWarrior|http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html] and [TechTool Pro|http://www.micromat.com> are both more capable than Disk Utility and may fix a problem that Disk Utility isn't quite completely fixing.

However, it's entirely possible that the drives in the affected machines are dying. It's also possible that the users of those machines are doing something boneheaded, like shutting down every night by holding down the power key until the machine cuts power. That sort of thing can easily corrupt the disk structures. It could also be misbehaving software that is repeatedly damaging the disk structures.

So, just keep those machines very well backed-up, make sure the users are well-trained and that you know what software is being used on those machines, and keep an eye on the SMART status (in Disk Utility) for the drives in the affected machines.

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Answer 4

psiciliano Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:45 PM in response to baltwo

Hello Baltwo!

Thanks for your suggestion! I actually did use Disk Warrior on two of the computers that have been giving me the most amount of trouble, and just like when I repaired the problem using Disk Utility, the problem reoccured shortly after Disk Warrior fixed the problem.

This problem is gonna drive me nuts!! D:

Pietro

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Answer 5

psiciliano Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:54 PM in response to thomas_r.

Hi Thomas!

Thanks for your advice!

I doubt that the drives are dying for the following reasons:
1. The computers are fairly new
2. I do check the SMART status every time I perform monthly diagnostics, and the affected units' drives always report back ok
As for backing them up, I will certainly attempt do so more frequently.

I have to believe that the problem must be caused by the way in which the affected users handle their computers; although when I ask them, they always assure me that they properly shut down and/or restart their computers.

As for the possibility that a program may be causing the issue, since everyone in this company uses the same software, I would expect this problem to affect considerably more systems than it presently does.

I will continue to troubleshoot this problem and (hopefully) discover its cause once and for all.

It's these sorts of problems that will one day do me in...career-wise, anyways. 😀

Pietro

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