Error message "incorrect number of file hard links" after Lion installation. Please could you advised to solve this problem; my iMac (mid 2010) is working well

Did you run that via Disk Utility on Lion? If not, note that you always use the version of Disk Utility that matches the version of OSX on the disk.

If you did, it should say to start up from the Recovery HD to repair it. See Using the Recovery HD.

After having installed Lion on my MacBook Pro 2011 same problem for me: Incorrect number of file hard links.

Used the recovery HD and it's fixed.

Thanks for the link.

I'm having this issue as well and would like some advice. I installed Lion a few days ago and noticed that Time Machine began acting weird. It copied my entire hd each time it copies, taking hours each time. I ran the Disk Utility from applications/Utilities and got the above message about an 'incorrect number of file hard links'. Reading through the link you posted above on Using the Recovery HD, it states that the Disk Utility is the same version that's in my applications folder, the one I already attempted to use. Do I go through the recovery HD and use the disk repair option regardless? I'm confused about why the disk utility in my applications folder is not effective in Lion?

Do I go through the recovery HD and use the disk repair option regardless?

To repair your internal HD, yes. You can repair any other drive/partition either way.

I'm confused about why the disk utility in my applications folder is not effective in Lion?

The difference is, Disk Utility can't repair the file system on the disk your Mac is running from (kind of like a brain surgeon operating on himself). The Repair Disk button is grayed-out and not usable when you select the same disk.

Your Mac has to be running from a differnet source. If you have a "clone" type of backup, you could start from it and use the copy of Disk Utility on it. If not, use the Recovery HD.

See #A5 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting for details.

Thank you, Pondini. Not only does it say it is repaired but I learned something in the process. Hopefully TIme Machine will behave better now. It is presently 'preparing backup'.

Martha Mcsherry1 wrote:

Thank you, Pondini. Not only does it say it is repaired

Yay!

I learned something in the process.

Always good. 🙂

It is presently 'preparing backup'.

Yes, that will take a while after the Repair Disk. There will be a message about a "deep scan" in your logs. #A1 in the Troubleshooting link shows how to see them; #A6 explains some of the common messages.

My boot drive has been repaired, as I stated above, and my back up drive scanned and found to be in good shape but Time Machine insists on continuing to make a full back up each time. I don't get any error messages but it backs up for several hours (182 GB), finishes and then starts again at the beginning of the next hour. What might I be missing? Thanks again.

One possibility is a corrupted preferences file. Try a "full reset" per #A4 in the Troubleshooting link.

If that doesn't help, see #D7 there. It shows several possibilities, depending on exactly what's getting backed-up.

Considering the directory problem you had, it's also possible the same problem damaged something in your installation of OSX. You may need to install the "combo" update, or even Lion itself. See Installing the ''combo'' update and/or Reinstalling OSX.

You should 'win' lots of points if we solve this one, Pondini. I have done the 'full reset', except I don't think it anything was reset. The file I was supposed to delete in my preferences folder was never there to begin with. I'm pretty sure I was in the correct Library as it was tricky to get there and it contained 'com.apple.TextEdit.plist' and 'com.apple.TWAINBridge.plist' with nothing in between, the target file being 'com.apple.TimeMachine.plist'. I thought the file might appear after disconnecting the drive, which I did according to the instructions. When I hooked it back up, five minutes later, Time Machine already knew it was my backup drive and what my exclusions were and the preferences file did not magically appear. Apparently I do not have a corrupted preferences file; I don't have one at all. Next? I hesitate moving on to your second suggestion as there seems to be an issue with this one.

Thanks again in advance.

Martha Mcsherry1 wrote:

You should 'win' lots of points if we solve this one, Pondini. I have done the 'full reset', except I don't think it anything was reset. The file I was supposed to delete in my preferences folder was never there to begin with. I'm pretty sure I was in the correct Library as it was tricky to get there and it contained 'com.apple.TextEdit.plist' and 'com.apple.TWAINBridge.plist' with nothing in between, the target file being 'com.apple.TimeMachine.plist'.

No, you're in the wrong place -- that's the Library folder inside your home folder.

You want the /Library folder, at the top level of your HD. Check #A4 again; you may need to follow the link to #A7 to "navigate" to the one you want.

(Unfortunately, there are at least three Library folders on every Mac; one at the top level of your HD; one inside the top-level System folder; plus one inside each user's home folder.)

I feel like I'm on a scavenger hunt and it's getting very dark! You are absolutely correct. My computer doesn't show my HD in the finder window. That's been the case for a long time. At one point, I found a solution and fixed it but then it reverted. So I thought I had found the 'magic solution' when I read to hold 'option' and press 'go'. How can I access that level of my computer if I can't see my HD? My son showed me a trick once but he isn't accessible right now.

OK, through a series of machinations, I have found the right file and deleted it. It keeps reintroducing itself so I guess I'll need to delete it from the trash as well? I need to take care of some non-computer related issues right now. Just wanted to let you know that I found it.

Martha Mcsherry1 wrote:

I feel like I'm on a scavenger hunt and it's getting very dark! You are absolutely correct. My computer doesn't show my HD in the finder window. That's been the case for a long time. At one point, I found a solution and fixed it but then it reverted.

From a Finder menubar, select Finder > Preferences, then either General (controls what appears on your desktop) or Sidebar (your Finder windows's sidebar) and check the box with your Computer's name, hard drive, etc.

I read to hold 'option' and press 'go'.

On Lion, that allows you to see the Library folder inside your home folder (it's only hidden in Lion).

I have found the right file and deleted it. It keeps reintroducing itself so I guess I'll need to delete it from the trash as well?

No, you've deleted the one that may have been damaged. As with most preferences files, OSX will create a new one, with default values, when needed, which is what we want. (Sooner or later, you should empty the trash, but it's not a problem.)

As mentioned in #A4, you'll have to re-select your Time Machine drive, re-select any of the things that were checked on the Options panel, and re-enter any exclusions.

I have a different problem which prevents my HD from appearing on either my desktop or sidebar. I don't know what it is but others have documented it. I was able to circumvent it by going to Finder > Preferences and then setting the "New Finder windows show: Macintosh HD" I've never seen that option before but it's a good one. All of the boxes you refer to have been checked all along. Believe me, I spent hours on this issue last time I needed to access that library.

I understand what you mean about OSX creating a new preference file but in this case the 'new' file includes all the information from the previous one - ie backup drive and options. The instructions say to disconnect the external drive, reconnect it and then delete the file. It would make more sense to me to delete the file while the drive is disconnected, which is what I will try next.

Off to give it another try. Thanks! 😀