iMac won't start ... Disk0s2: I/O error when starting in safe mode

Question

iMac won't start ... Disk0s2: I/O error when starting in safe mode

My iMac started lagging badly with a color wheels spinning round and round, so I rebooted and now it won't startup at all.

All I get is a white/grey screen with the Apple logo and a spinning wheel, but no joy in starting up.

I managed to start in safe mode, but it stopped at the following:

disk0s2: I/O error.

0 [Level 3] [ReadUID 0] [Facility com.apple.system.fs] [ErrType IO] [ErrNo 5] [IOType Read] [PBlkNum 1544944] [LBlkNum 3758] [FSLogMsgId 1702152349] [FSLogMsgOrder First]

0 [Level 3] [ReadUID 0] [Facility com.apple.system.fs] [DevNode root_device] [MountPt /] [FSLogMsgId 1702152349] [FSLogMsgOrder Last]

Don't understand a word of this, but would appreciate any guidance as to what to do? Is it time to take it in to the Apple Store or do I just dump the machine and get a new one?

I wonder if this is not caused by any updates? Would that be possible?

iMac

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,765 points

Mar 26, 2013 1:07 PM in response to FunkyJazzMuso

Your drive has probably failed.

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Answer 2

Mar 26, 2013 3:02 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy!

Is there any way of rescuing it?

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,765 points

Mar 26, 2013 3:06 PM in response to FunkyJazzMuso

I would guess not because of the I/O error. Usually that means something on the drive has failed.

The only possible thing you can do at this point is repartition and reformat the drive. Assuming the drive has not failed this may bring it back to life. But when you see these I/O errors it is not a good sign.

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Answer 4

Mar 27, 2013 12:18 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks again Kappy.

Unfortunately my optical drive stopped working quite a while ago, so there's no way I can reboot from the disks that came with the iMac.

So I guess it's going to become an extremely expensive and bulky paperweight.

Best start looking at the new models then ;-(

Could the drive be taken out and accessed via a ISB cable so I can at least rescue my iPhone and iPad info?

Or will I be given an option to back them up when connecting them to a new machine upon first connecting them?

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Answer 5

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Mar 27, 2013 12:26 AM in response to FunkyJazzMuso

FunkyJazzMuso wrote:

Could the drive be taken out and accessed via a ISB cable so I can at least rescue my iPhone and iPad info?

Without any problem. Just extract the hard drive, buy an enclosure to put the hard drive and connect it to your new computer after setting it up, so you will be able to transfer all your data onto the new Mac. You can find some enclosures in OWC > http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/External-Enclosures/

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

361,765 points

Mar 27, 2013 8:38 AM in response to FunkyJazzMuso

Yes, but only if the drive is accessible. If the drive has failed, then it's questionable whether you can retrieve your files. All I can say is give it a try.

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