Cannot save files because of disk error

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Level 1

30 points

Cannot save files because of disk error

This week my mac pro started to become flaky. Apps that I use all the time, started having problems saving, then they started having problems opening files. I could drag and drop files on an app and they would open. Cmd+S would sometimes save, sometimes not. If I closed the window without saving, I'd get the warning prompt, select OK to save and the file would save. Printing started flaking. Page setup comes up with a blank dialog, with Printer settings pulldown blank. Trying to print, either nothing would happen or the app would crash. I have run disk verfy - everything checks out. I have repaired permissions, I have run techtool pro. Nothing works. I have done a Cmd-Opt click to start apps for a fresh prefs file. It seems to have started with one app and is showing up in others, mostly Adobe/Microsoft apps, but now Open Office, too. I've had and diagnosed many macs over the years, but this one's got me perplexed. I've got Sophos Antivirus and nothing has been detected....

TIA for any help!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2 x 2.4 GHz Quad-Core / 8GB RAM

Posted on Feb 8, 2012 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 8, 2012 11:19 AM in response to Doug Mokaren

Disk Utility Verify checks the Disk Directory for damage. It does not check the blocks were data are stored.

What you have sounds like it could be data errors. This sometimes shows up as SMART Status errors (shown in Disk Utility when you select the Physical Drive).

Tech Tool Pro "Surface Scan" function, if available, may give you some insight, but it may take several hours to complete.

If you do not have current backups, you should get an external drive and makes some now. Think hard about replacing that current drive as well.

If you actually have a Mac Pro 65 lb tower, adding a new data drive, and using a different drive as a Boot drive has many advantages, including performance improvements.

If a MacBook Pro, memory errors can cause many wacky problems, so memory testing may be called for. (Not needed on Mac Pro tower due to Error-Correcting Code ECC memory).

If still not found, re-Installing Mac OS may bring some relief.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Feb 8, 2012 2:15 PM in response to Doug Mokaren

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on some Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)

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Answer 3

Doug Mokaren Author

Level 1

30 points

Feb 9, 2012 8:36 AM in response to Linc Davis

I did some activity monitor checks to see if there was any malware (none), ran copy cloner (I have a .dmg file of my computer, but wanted a separate system clone to work with), ran a deep antivirus check (nothing), etc. This morning, before starting up, I thought to do a SMU reset by pulling the plug for 15 seconds, plugging back in and waiting 5 seconds before power up. There's also the intel-based option of quit apps, apple+sleep, wake, apple+restart, apple+shut down.

Upon power up, things are seeming normal. File open, File save is working, Page Setup displays correctly, Printing works... I will keep testing.

Someone mentioned that the hard drive could be going bad, so I'll keep backing up, get a new drive to have on hand and keep on going.

Thanks for all the input!

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Feb 9, 2012 9:04 AM in response to Doug Mokaren

I would be more concerned with the stuff to detect junkware

also SMC Reset, includes power on 5-10 seconds powerbutton while unplugged

A couple programs test for bad sectors, a drive that has reduced the number of spares is usually due for long formatting

keep it on hand, as backup

deep AV check, uninstall if you did.

just cloning, and using clone, can help

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