You cannot open the application "Disk Utility.app" because it is not supported on this type of Mac.

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Level 1

47 points

You cannot open the application "Disk Utility.app" because it is not supported on this type of Mac.

I mounted a disk image, which popped up a message about Disk Utility not being supported on this type of mac. I ignored it because the image seemed to be mounted, and I was able to drag the app icon out of the image and into my application folder.

Then I tried to launch the app and it wouldn't launch because it "may be corrupted" or something along those lines. I didn't pay close attention because I thought hey, it was just a bad download, I'll try again.

Now I can't open Disk Utility. Every time I try I get this message. I've seen a similar message a few times since updating to Mavericks with other applications (one I can remember is Text Wranger occasionially complains it can't open a file, but it can, and trying again usually gets it to work... This previous experience led to my cavalier approach to the Disk Utility wierdness)

How can I get Disk Utility working again?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Nov 14, 2013 12:37 PM

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Answer 1

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Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:16 PM in response to dwightk

Take a look at the info pane for the app in question (in Finder 'File > Get info…').

It should be type 'Intel'. If it anything else could be a left over app from an earlier install. What is the location of the app?

I have had issues where Spotlight will attempt to list apps on external disks before the ones in the Applications folder. Eject the external disk if this is the case & try again. Sometimes the 'launch this filetype with app XXX' db can pick the external drive too. it can be rebuilt if it seems like the issue fits (I need to double check for 10.9).

Also see if the app works in safe mode…

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

Boot into 'Safe mode' (hold shift after the chime until the spinning 'cog' appears). Ensure the login window says 'safe mode'. It will disable all third party extensions & startup items.

If the Mac is better in safe mode it is may be time to get a system report from etrecheck and look at the third party items. Be aware that some features will be disabled like wifi on some models, graphics drivers will be in a reduced mode - this is normal in safe mode. Reboot to go back to normal.

Backup before you do any of the tasks below (just in case).

It shouldn't hurt to reboot into recovery & repair permissions (also verify & repair the disk). Hold cmd+R to boot to recovery & then use Disk Utility on the boot disk.

Another option is to reinstall the OS. The default 10.9 installer option will leave the 3rd party apps & user data in place (like an upgrade). It may correct any corrupt apps, or fix permissions issues etc.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

141,454 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:24 PM in response to dwightk

You will need to locate the Terminal app in your Mac's Utilities folder. It looks like this:

Find it by selecting Utilities from the Finder's Go menu.

Open Terminal.

Copy (triple-click to select the entire line) and Paste the following line into the Terminal window, followed by the Return or Enter key:

file /Applications/Utilities/Disk\ Utility.app/Contents/MacOS/Disk\ Utility

Copy and paste the results of that command in a reply.

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Answer 3

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:30 PM in response to John Galt

That gave me:

/Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app/Contents/MacOS/Disk Utility: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64

It's the correct app. It seems to have returned to functionality. I'm once again able to open .dmg files and I can double click on Disk Utility to launch it. Such a weird behaviour.

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Answer 4

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:35 PM in response to dwightk

Well, heh, now double clicking on the app icon DOESN'T work but I can mount images. Things are going crazy.

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Answer 5

Nov 14, 2013 1:46 PM in response to dwightk

I just clciked on Disk Utility to get the version number. Mine is showing as version 13 in Mavericks. Are you seeing the same? I wonder if you don't have some much older version of Disk Utility perhaps on another partition or hard drive that is still being selected as default. That would explain that icon you posted which is usually only seen when trying to open very old apps that were dual binary for PPC and Intel that are no longer supported.

Try clciking on that file and from get info use the "Open With" and make sure you select your newest Disk Utility and see if that works. Also click Change All to make sure the newest version is the default.

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Answer 6

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Alan Wood

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, an old version, but it's version 13 here too:

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Answer 7

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 14, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Alan Wood

...although I do see there is a different app for mounting disk images: Disk Image Mounter. That was definitely out of commision for a bit with all the .dmg files showing up as a blank icon, but it is working fine now.

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Answer 8

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 15, 2013 5:54 AM in response to dwightk

Ok, so by right clicking and selecting "Show Package Contents" > Contents > MacOS > Disk Utility (with terminal style icon) I can get Disk Utility to Launch with a cryptic terminal message

The main icon is still crossed out and gives me the same message as before if I try to launch it that way.

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Answer 9

dwightk Author

Level 1

47 points

Nov 15, 2013 6:10 AM in response to Drew Reece

This inadvertantly helped me... I wasn't able to get to safe mode because I didn't read the instructions carfuly. I just held down shift while the computer restarted (I think safe mode you have to shut the computer down and start holding down shift after the startup chime).

After getting to the login screen, I logged in, then it went to the apple logo screen with a progress bar... after maybe 5 minutes the computer restarted and Disk Utility is now working. Not sure what that was.

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