Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iMac won't restart, "Disk full error"

Shuts down soon after Apple, status wheel and status bar appear during startup. Tried safe mode, etc. and got "disk full error." "Could not be repaired."

iMac, iOS 6.0.2

Posted on Jan 27, 2013 8:41 AM

Reply
4 replies

Jan 27, 2013 8:58 AM in response to Johnsayd

Do you have another Firewire capable Mac? If you do, you can hook it up via Target Disk Mode and clean up whatever is filling the full machine. Target Disk Mode is described here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661


You'll need to use a program such as Find Any File to locate the largest file on the machine searching by files larger than 100000000 (8 zeros are shown, that's ~100 MB).

http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/

If it is a log file or a movie that you forgot to cleanup, you'll be in luck, those can easily be removed. Cache files if they are deleted may have corruption issues, and you'll have to locate another file.

Jan 27, 2013 1:26 PM in response to Johnsayd

I think the store appointment would be safest.


--------------------------


Of course, it's unix.



You need to get into single use mode for steps one and two that are listed below.

This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492


Basically, you hold down the command-s key then powering on your machine. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar. On a PC keyboard, it will be the windows key, I think.


# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write:

# ( in case of partial success repeat this command until errors go away. )

/sbin/fsck -fy

/sbin/mount -uw /


the delete command is rm. note the file is gone. there is not recovery beside backup

man rm

for cryptic details


"mac $" is the prompt yours will be different. Do these commands first. mac is my short user name. I do not thing the whoami command will give you your short user name . you will have to know or guess.


mac $ ls /Users

Deleted Users/ compile/ macLimited/ na copy/ standard/ t2-org/

Shared/ ftp/ macPanels/ na-old/ startup/ textw/

a (Deleted)/ mac/ mysidekick/ seeker/ student/


mac $ ls /Users/mac/Documents/

ALDL Getting Started Guide.doc

AccordianFinalColorSmall copy.jpg

... files clipped ...


Here is an overview of the terminal commands. Lets assume that your account has a short user name of mac.
#What is my short user name? Type the whoami command.
mac $ whoami
mac
mac $
#How to list all of your disks.
# The ls command is for list
mac $ ls /Volumes/
Audio CD Macintosh-HD Spotless Tiger-ext
mac $
# Let's say your flash drive is named Spotless


# cd is change directory
mac $ cd /Volumes/Spotless
# pwd is print working directory
mac $ pwd
/Volumes/Spotless
mac $
# The ls command is for list # l is long # F is type of file where / is directory mac $ ls -lF
total 134704
-rw-r--r-- 1 mac staff 64560 Mar 3 2009 A-picture-of-Youpi-key.png
drwxr-xr-x 83 mac staff 2822 Nov 7 14:52 Applescript files/
drwxrwxrwx 12 mac staff 408 Dec 13 2008 Christmas Cards/
drwxr-xr-x 9 mac staff 306 Dec 21 17:39 Christmas Cards 2009/
... trimmed ...
What does all this mean?

drwxrwxrwx

d = directory
r = read
w = write
x = executeable program

drwxrwxrwx
| | |
| | all other users not in first two types
| |
| group
|
owner

Every Unix resource: files, folders, etc has an owner, group, other
a file has one owner.
a file has one group. A group contains a list of users.


To gain access to a file. You can be the owner, in the group, or not being the owner or in the group you ended up as other. Each of these categories has read, write, or execute permissions.


# l is long
# a is all to show hidden files & folders
mac $ ls -lFa
total 134736
drwxr-xr-x 41 mac staff 1496 Dec 22 17:11 .
drwxrwxrwt 8 root admin 272 Dec 24 13:55 ..
-rwxrwxrwx 1 mac staff 15364 Dec 23 12:52 .DS_Store*
drwx------ 4 mac staff 136 Jan 22 2009 .Spotlight-V100
drwxrwxrwt 5 mac staff 170 Sep 14 16:36 .TemporaryItems
d-wx-wx-wx 4 mac staff 136 Dec 31 1969 .Trashes
-rw-r--r-- 1 mac staff 64560 Mar 3 2009 A-picture-of-Youpi-key.png
drwxr-xr-x 83 mac staff 2822 Nov 7 14:52 Applescript files
drwxrwxrwx 12 mac staff 408 Dec 13 2008 Christmas Cards
drwxr-xr-x 9 mac staff 306 Dec 21 17:39 Christmas Cards 2009

... trimmed ...
# mv is move or rename
mv -i the-name the-new-name




# You can just rename the file back to what it was with mv command.
mv -i old-name new-name


Here is what these commands mean:
cd is change directory
pwd is a print working directory
ls is list
sudo is Super user do
mv is move or rename


For cryptic comments, you can always uses the manual command which is man. For example:
man mv


# Type the letter q to quit.
In case you have spaces in your filenames or directories, you need to escape them. See examples:

mac $ ls -l ~/"see it"
-rw-r--r-- 1 mac staff 3171 Oct 26 23:38 /Users/mac/see it
mac $
mac $ cd /Users/mac/Desktop/ttt\ html\ copy/


Do you know about tabing? Type in a few letters of a name then press the tab key. The computer will type out the rest of the name if it is unique.


Press the up arrow key to see the previous command(s).


To edit a command, use the left arror key to more left and the right arror key to move right. Use the delete key to delete the key to the left. Type a letter to insert.


history to see many previous commands.


mac $ history

2 man launchd.conf

3 history


----------------------


http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2692161&tstart=0



press the return key after every command.

iMac won't restart, "Disk full error"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.