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Disk utility can't repair but can't access the HD to back-up files?

I'm relatively new to MACs and have a 2TB Seagate with a good portion of our family pics on it. I opened the Disk Utility and attempted to repair the HD but get the message:

"Error: Disk Utility can’t repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files."

Here's where I'm stumped...I can't actually access the disk to back it up. At one point I was able to open the disk and see the files so I went and bought another HD to back it all up....but now I can't access it. I've found a few threads discussing using recovery software but the data isn't that important. I was using the HD as my Time Machine BU so I'm more nervous about re-formatting it and trusting it with my data again. Should I bother even reformatting it or just toss the thing?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), Seagate 2TB HD

Posted on Jul 13, 2013 7:27 PM

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2 replies

Jul 14, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Chamerican

You might try a force mount...


Launch/Utilities/Terminal and enter this command at the prompt

diskutil list

Press return. If it sees the disk, note the number of the disk (far left column) you want to mount.


Then, enter this command

mount /dev/(number of disk)

Put in the number no parenthesis.

Press return.


If you're able to mount copy off the data you need. Even if you can mount it, wouldn't I trust the disk again.

Try Drive Genius in demo mode to run a surface scan and see if there are any bad blocks.

Disk utility can't repair but can't access the HD to back-up files?

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