Level 1

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Invalid Key Length?

Had issues recently w/ power button not working until I reset power strip, lil problems w/firefox so ran verify permissions this morning...it noted some stuff & I repaired (mainly firewire? I recently transferred stuff to a Powerbook). Decided to verify disk when it came up with an error (don't remember the exact error) so ran repair which came up with the invalid key length, then went to repair, but just keeps repeating. Says 'repair attempted on 1 volume...could not be repaired.' What now? Don't want to exit disk utility until I know 'what next.' thx!

PowerMac G4 8839 MDD 1Ghz/256MB/60GB Combo, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Epson Perfection Scanner 1200U

Posted on Sep 30, 2011 10:08 AM

26 replies

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Oct 3, 2011 11:34 AM in response to bootgal

Does that Passport drive have Firewire, or just USB, is it Bus powered or does it have AC power?

Certainly cheap enough to try, but won't be bootable if just USB, & Bus powered models have trouble with Macs more often then not, as well as USB1.1 being incredibly slow for backup purposes.

bootgal Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2011 12:54 PM in response to Limnos

ok, yes I certainly do need 'proper backup'...been living dangerously (otherwise, I'm VERY prepared, have a spare tire & it's not flat!)...I COULD erase the PB & not partition since I've only had a couple weeks & other than the apps I transferred over & the user folder from the desktop, haven't used much so could start from scratch if need be. Was trying to find the best option to save the desktop data 'just in case'...but it would also mean that what I did transfer would be erased & if there was a problem cloning the desktop to the PB, I'd be 'toast' yes?

the Passport has only USB 2.0 & is Bus powered...I checked locally (rural, so Wally's & Target nearest) but no external drives they have on the shelf have FW (which I know will also be faster)...but Amazon ships fast, so just tell me what drive(s) would be best mac-compatible options w/FW & I'll see what I can get. Time Capsule doesn't work w/Tiger, correct?

btw...updated my profile becuz I run a legacy printer via iPrint adapter & scanner that needs a SCSI which is why I'm still on Tiger & G4...which brings up another ? if I have to start from scratch is 'classic' on Tiger? or do I need to install Panther first, then Tiger (if I have to erase) thx!!

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Oct 3, 2011 1:10 PM in response to bootgal

Firewire drive suggestions...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MAU4S7250GB8/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MAU4S7500G16/

They work well with Macs & come with additional Backup SW.

The WD My Books have had far less than glowing reviews for Macs...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1543028

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2191614&tstart=0

http://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3219&p=42023&hilit=western+digital#p420 23

http://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2939&p=34120&hilit=western+digital#p3412 0

The following external hard drives are bootable on Intel-based Macintosh computers systems through USB:

• My Book Essential Edition

• My Book Essential Edition 2.0

• My Book Home Edition

• My Book Mirror Edition

• My Book Office Edition

• My Book Premium Edition

• My Book Premium Edition II

• My Book Premium ES Edition

• My Book Pro Edition

• My Book Pro Edition II

• My Book Studio Edition

• My Book Studio Edition II

• My Passport Studio

The following external hard drives are bootable on Intel-based Macintosh computers systems through FireWire (1394a/b):

• My Book Home Edition

• My Book Mirror Edition

• My Book Office Edition

• My Book Premium Edition

• My Book Premium Edition II

• My Book Pro Edition

• My Book Pro Edition II

• My Book Studio Edition

• My Book Studio Edition II

• My Passport Studio

The following external hard drives are bootable on Power PC based Macintosh computers systems through FireWire (1394a/b):

• WD My Book Premium Edition

• WD My Book Pro Edition

The following external hard drives are not bootable on Power PC based Macintosh computers systems through USB/FireWire 1394(a/b):

• My Book Essential Edition

• My Book Essential Edition 2.0

• My Book Home Edition

• My Book Mirror Edition

• My Book Office Edition

• My Book Premium Edition II

• My Book Pro Edition II

• My Book Studio Edition

• My Book Studio Edition II

• My Passport Studio

• My Passport Elite

• My Passport Essential

• WD Passport

• WD Passport (Silver)

Limnos

Level 10

428,159 points

Oct 3, 2011 1:19 PM in response to bootgal

Re. drives: Best to avoid bus powered. Don't always seem to work well on Macs.

Re. Time Capsule: Not on Tiger, and TC isn't really a "backup" in the sense that a clone is a backup. TC is more a way to get back an older version of a file but doesn't let you boot your system like a true clone.

Re. Classic: Check the system discs that came with the computer (not black, retail ones). They will likely have Classic on them which could be done as a custom installation. Alternatively, you can just copy the "System Folder" folder (not OSX's "System" folder at the top level of your hard drive and make sure it goes back to the same place on the new installation.

bootgal Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2011 1:44 PM in response to BDAqua

thx, not wed to WD drives, just happened to be the one available nearby. On the OWC, those are FW400...wouldn't the FW800 be faster? or is it a marginal improvement? already have the FW800 cable if it's worth the extra $$ for speed. Otherwise, can buy a 400 cable. thx!

bootgal Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2011 1:58 PM in response to Limnos

thx...no 'bus powered,' got it...most are that are readily accessible, unfortunately. & no Time Capsule...thought so. 250gb seems sufficient? will the external hard drive back up both PB & desktop to it? not sure how that works or if I need to?

On Classic...yes, have the disks for both PB & Desktop...didn't realize that's where the 'classic' stuff was. ok, I see there is an OS9 System Folder...that's what you're referring to? to copy over?

btw...I really appreciated the analogies above...now those are keepers! you & @BDAqua are gr8 😉

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Oct 3, 2011 2:04 PM in response to bootgal

Oh, if your Mac has FW800 definitely get the Quad interface for more money...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MEAQ7500GB16/

And those OWC drives come with all the cables you'd need...

OWC Mercury Elite Pro "Quad Interface" Hard Drive

36" High Quality Double Shielded eSATA connecting cable (eSATA - eSATA)

36" High Quality Double Shielded FireWire 800 connecting cable (9-9 Pin cable)

36" High Quality Double Shielded FireWire 400 connecting cable (6-6 Pin cable)

36" High Quality Double Shielded USB 2.0/1.1 connecting cable

External AutoSwitching 100/240v 50/60Hz Power Adapter

Vertical Stand

Mercury Elite Pro Manual

Backup and Utility software CD

Intech® SpeedTools Utilities™ OEM (For Mac OS 8.6 - X only)

Prosoft Engineering® Data Backup for Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later

bootgal Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2011 2:16 PM in response to BDAqua

yep both have FW800 (PB & Desktop)...didn't realize these came WITH cables, but gr8...& I see it has 2 FW800 ports, so does that mean I can have both connected to backup to this device on a schedule?? I don't need separate external drives for each do I?

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Oct 3, 2011 2:50 PM in response to bootgal

so does that mean I can have both connected to backup to this device on a schedule??

Sadly no, only one at a time can connect, but it is possible to share the drive & backup over a Network if need be.

bootgal Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2011 9:35 AM in response to BDAqua

ok, have the OWC drive. just want to confirm a few things.

if I want to back up both the PB & desktop, (realize & can't do same time) do I set up a partition as here? http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=HDDppcintelformat/HDDppcint elformat.html

or should I be using different instructions? and is Carbon Copy Cloner what I need to use once the OWC is formatted?

then once I backup the desktop, I verify it's 'there' on the external drive....& should disconnect the FW/external drive, or is that unnecessary?

then shut down & start-up from the Mac Install disk, use disk utility & erase & write zeros as noted above?

& reconnect the external drive & restore my back-up to the desktop? do I have this right? feel like I'm missing steps, pls clarify, thx

before I restore, should I confirm via verify disk that the invalid key length error is gone???

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Oct 6, 2011 10:39 AM in response to bootgal

Well, to back up both, you need to split it into 2 partitions, one for each Mac.

Then use CCC to clone the drive, when done, reboot ewith it still connected & holding the Option/alt key downn, choose the new clone to boot from & test out that it is really all there.

before I restore, should I confirm via verify disk that the invalid key length error is gone???

Yes. You can even do the erase, zeroing, & verify booted from the new Drive/Partition.

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Invalid Key Length?