Macintosh HD problem repairing....help!

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Macintosh HD problem repairing....help!

I have a late 2009 iMac w/ OS X Lion and also Bootcamp with Windows 7 Ultimate. Lately I started noticing whenever I tried turning my computer down and held ALT down to prompt the partition I want to go in, it wouldnt let me choose and just continued to go on with Macintosh HD. So I just rebooted until it finally prompted the options to get to Windows. I left for 4 days with my computer on sleep (In Windows) and I wanted to get to my Macintosh HD, so I rebooted. It started up with the Apple logo and a loading bar underneath, and when that finished loading, it just had a wheel that would keep going (I waited for like 15 minutes then eventually just shut it down). I restarted it and the same thing kept happening, so then I went into Recovery Mode. Verified disk. Couldn't verify all the way. Tried to Repair disk, couldn't repair. I am so worried. I have screenshots here to explain it better (maybe?)

trying to verify: http://i.imgur.com/lPVbC.jpg

then when I tried repairing it it did this: http://i.imgur.com/fMa5b.jpg

Someone help! I don't have an external hd right now and I don't know if I can afford one seeing as I have a lot of space used on my computer so thatd probably be unaffordable for me right now)

What do I do?

iMac

Posted on Dec 27, 2012 3:53 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

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Dec 27, 2012 3:55 PM in response to boibarbie

Looks like a faulty HD, I'd recommend purchasing Disk Warrior, it's about $100 but it may be worth it. In your case I'd recommend backing up immediately if you can and then plan on replacing the HD.

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Answer 2

boibarbie Author

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Dec 27, 2012 3:58 PM in response to rkaufmann87

i can't really buy that right now lol. how do i back up even? i think i might regret asking this but do you think theres anything geeksquad could do? the nearest apple genius bar is 2 hours away.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

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140,532 points

Dec 27, 2012 4:02 PM in response to boibarbie

If you cannot afford a replacement HD and you can't afford Disk Warrior then you will need to save some money. Personally I wouldn't let the Geek Squad within a 100 feet of my computers, that's your call but it's not going to save you money.

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Answer 4

boibarbie Author

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Dec 27, 2012 4:03 PM in response to rkaufmann87

is that the only thing I can do? So the HD is basically just ****** either way? and how much is it?

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

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Dec 27, 2012 4:08 PM in response to boibarbie

Prices will vary based on location, you can call your local AASP or Apple Store for estimates.

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Answer 6

boibarbie Author

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Dec 27, 2012 4:14 PM in response to rkaufmann87

will i lose everything? how do i back it up?

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

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Dec 27, 2012 4:19 PM in response to boibarbie

If you haven't been backing up now then yes you will probably lose everything. Backup isn't something you should do it's something that is crtical and must be done for just this type of occurence. You have Time Machine built into your system all you needed was an External HD to plug into and you would have had a basoc backup plan. You could have also created a backup by creating a bootable clone of your system. If I am correct and the HD has failed then you're in for a painful lesson, one that most people go through. Once they have learned the lesson most become almost religious about backing up.

Asking how to backup after a HD crash is like asking about fire prevention after losing your house in a fire.

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Answer 8

boibarbie Author

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Dec 27, 2012 4:45 PM in response to rkaufmann87

can disk warrior do anything at this point? my friend said the same thing happened to her macbook years ago and they replaced her hd for free bc it was faulty, but i dont know if theyd do the same.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

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Dec 27, 2012 5:07 PM in response to boibarbie

Disk Warrior may be able to help, you can download a test version and try it. You will have to purchase it though to run a full test.

Your machine is from 2009, it's out of warranty however if bought AppleCare it will be covered. Did you buy AppleCare and is it still covered? If it covered call them and then will help you test the machine and then determine what the next step is. If you do not have AppleCare or it has run out the repair will be an out-of-pocket cost repair.

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Answer 10

boibarbie Author

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Dec 27, 2012 5:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

will the test version tell me if it can even fix the problem though?

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Answer 11

rkaufmann87

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Dec 28, 2012 5:39 AM in response to boibarbie

It will verify it has problems, you should visit their web site and forums and pose that question though.

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Answer 12

boibarbie Author

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Dec 29, 2012 10:38 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Ok i got my hard drive replaced my apple certified people and I got it home now and i put in my snow leopard dvd and it wont recognize it and it does nothing when i boot using 'C' key. just a blank screen with a folder and a question mark. What do I do?

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Answer 13

rkaufmann87

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Dec 29, 2012 10:56 AM in response to boibarbie

Apple explains how in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 14

boibarbie Author

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Dec 29, 2012 11:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87

well that didnt really help at all...i mean literally nothing happens when I turn it on, or even if I press alt or C or even command when booting. nothing at all. just a white screen with a flashing folder, even with using a usb keyboard.

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Answer 15

rkaufmann87

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Dec 29, 2012 11:22 AM in response to boibarbie

Take it back to the AASP that replaced the HD and ask them to help install OS X.

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**Macintosh HD problem repairing....help!**

Macintosh HD problem repairing....help!