Macbook Pro crashed, Disk Utility failed to Repair, "fsck- fy" failed, No Time Machine Backup

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Macbook Pro crashed, Disk Utility failed to Repair, "fsck- fy" failed, No Time Machine Backup

Any tips for a Macbook pro that just crashed out of the blue? Had to boot using (Command + R); verified the Disk, it needed to be repaired, but Disk Utility failed to repair it. Tried rebooting using (Shift + S) Safe Mode, attempted to perform my very first Time Machine backup using an external HD while in Safe Mode. After an entire night the backup failed, and I think it only got about 30GB out of 300+. I tried to manual copy important files to the EHD but it wouldn't work, it just kept displaying "Preparing to Copy". I attempted the "fsck -fy" repair, but that also failed to repair the Disk. After 4 repeated attempts using the fsck method I gave up. I am able to reboot normally now, but everything either displays an error message or gets stuck processing (ie "network connection timeout", "Preparing to copy", "Keychain lost" and so on).So right now I'm stuck. I have no backup or copies of any of my files. Any ideas on how I can save my files, preferences, settings, bookmarks and what not? Before formatting the Disk and reinstalling the OS, cause it keeps saying that's the only solution.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 13, 2013 2:16 PM

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Answer 1

TO4 Author

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Apr 13, 2013 2:21 PM in response to TO4

To add: I don't know what caused the crash, I was processing images (I'm photograhper, yes the photos on the disk are important, and yes I made a big mistake waiting until now to attempt a backup) and my system was moving very very slow, so I attempted a restart, I walked away from my computer and came back half an hour later and it was still attempting to reboot (the gray screen with the apple logo), so I held down the power button forcing a reboot, once again it got stuck on the the gray screen after that is when I attempted booting into Disk Utility and the Disk Repair.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

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Apr 13, 2013 5:33 PM in response to TO4

If the data on the drive is related to your business, you should not try to recover it yourself. Go to a professional data-recovery service and expect to pay through the nose.

If the cost of such a service isn't worth it to you, a commercial product called "Disk Warrior" is sometimes able to scavenge the directory of an HFS volume that Disk Utility can't repair.

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Answer 3

TO4 Author

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Apr 15, 2013 5:05 PM in response to Linc Davis

I managed to Transfer all my important files by booting in Transfer Mode using a Firewire connection and another Mac. I was also able to use DiskWarrior via this method. It appears that DiskWarrior worked, it repaired the drive and all my files are still there. Managed to boot normally, at a normal speed. Had to reset my Network settings to gain access to my Wifi. But my "Key Chains" seem to be broken. I could reset these to default and possibly solve the problem but I don't want to do that if it will make it worse. Also the only other problem seems to be "Preview", every time I try to open a file using the Preview application the application crashes. I repaired "Permissions" using Disk Utility, but the problem still persists.

Disk Utility is no longer reading any problems with the drive. So I'm not sure where to go from here. Is there anything I can use to repair or reinstall just the few things that still seem to be corrupt? I'd hate to have to do a total format and reinstall just for Key Chains and Preview.

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Answer 4

TO4 Author

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Apr 15, 2013 5:07 PM in response to TO4

Actually scratch that I'm only able to join my Wifi network using Network Diagnostics. If I attempt to join any other way I immediatly recieve a "Connection Time Out" error

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

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Apr 15, 2013 5:28 PM in response to TO4

First you need to set up regular, automated backups, for example with Time Machine.

Then you need to consider whether you want to continue using a drive that malfunctioned as badly as yours did. I wouldn't.

Then you should reinstall OS X.

You may be able to fix your keychains using "Keychain First Aid" in Keychain Access.

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Answer 6

TO4 Author

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Apr 15, 2013 5:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

Tried Keychain First Aid, it was unable to Verify or Repair the Keychain. It kept saying "Keychain login not found" and displayed error message "Osstatus -67674".

Sounds like I'm going to have to resort to reinstalling OS X.

I managed to save all my documents, but is there a way I can save all my settings, preferences and application data (SN#s), ie "/Application Support" ?

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

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Apr 15, 2013 5:40 PM in response to TO4

Back up all data. Do not skip this step.

Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.

Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to use Recovery. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with proxy servers, or with networks that require a certificate for authentication.

When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to reinstall the OS. You don't need to erase the boot volume, and you won't need your backup unless something goes wrong. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade, so make a note of those before you begin.

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Answer 8

TO4 Author

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Apr 16, 2013 10:22 AM in response to Linc Davis

I backed up all my documents, if I reinstall OS X will this format the drive? I want to make sure I retain all my application data and settings. The only way I can copy data is using Transfer Mode and copying the files to another Mac. I can't get the corrupt Mac to recognize and external drive, so I'm unable to perform a complete back up via Time Machine.

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Answer 9

Linc Davis

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Apr 16, 2013 10:55 AM in response to TO4

if I reinstall OS X will this format the drive?

No, but your drive is malfunctioning and anything might happen at any moment. If you can't back up in the usual way, boot into Recovery, launch Disk Utility, and follow the instructions on this page:

How to back up and restore your files

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Answer 10

TO4 Author

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Apr 16, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

I attmepted to create a "New Image" of the drive using Disk Utility, but it failed so I'm manually copying Application and Library folders to the other Mac and then I'm going to proceed with reinstalling OS X

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Answer 11

Linc Davis

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Apr 16, 2013 12:19 PM in response to TO4

If you couldn't back up in Recovery mode, then the drive is actively failing, and reinstalling the OS is a waste of time. You need to take the machine to a service facility for testing, and replace the internal drive if it's confirmed bad.

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