HT2711: Mac OS X: Disk Utility incorrectly reports disk errors on startup volume (disk)

Learn about Mac OS X: Disk Utility incorrectly reports disk errors on startup volume (disk)
Bklyn_Girl
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Q: I used the "repair disk utility" to see why my computer is running slow but it gives me an error message saying, "disk utility can't repair this disk, and restore your backed up files.  My computer was running slow and taking some time to load pages.

I haven't used my computer in a month, so when I turned it on, I saw it was running slow. The circle that is used to load the page kept coming up and it took sometime for things to load up. I tried to go Into safe mode, and it worked, but I know your limited on what you can do in that world. I also tried to repair the disk but it kept giving me an error message. How can I resolve this problem?

MacBook Pro, iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Feb 22, 2014 8:17 PM

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Bklyn_Girl

Q: I used the "repair disk utility" to see why my computer is running slow but it gives me an error message saying, "disk utility can ... more

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  • by BobRz,

    BobRz BobRz Feb 23, 2014 5:16 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 5 (6,115 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 5:16 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    You don't give any details on your machine, such as what model and what version of OS X you're running. Assuming it's something current, try booting into the Recovery partition by holding down Command R at boot. Run Disk Utility and try a repair from there. If it still fails, either your hard drive or the SATA cable that connects it to the motherboard is going bad.

  • by LowLuster,

    LowLuster LowLuster Feb 23, 2014 5:17 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 6 (12,074 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 5:17 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    What model year is it, how old is it?

     

    Hard drive fail, that is a fact. Could be yours is on its way out.

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 6:50 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 6:50 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    I'm sorry. Well I know that it is 2012 and it has Mac OS X and iLife installed in it.

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 6:59 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 6:59 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    It states when I try to repair the disk, "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"! But if it says this, how can I go in and backup my files if I can't even get into the main screen. Is there any other way to do that? I saw there was a time machine restoring system you can used but I think that's something you have to manually set up. Duh, why don't they tell me

    These things ahhh. I'm gonna lose my files now! I didn't expect this to happen with a mac. 

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Feb 23, 2014 6:59 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 6:59 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    The headline of your post says you ran Disk Utility, that DU reported a drive that could not be repaired.

     

    The only option is to replace the hard drive. You can do this your self, or have it done.

     

    By all means post back if you need more detailed advice.

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 7:04 AM in response to Eustace Mendis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 7:04 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

    I guess that's what has to happen. I was trying to restore from an earlier state but I guess you have to set up time machine manually. I'm gonna lose everything on my hard drive. I was trying to go into safe mode to try to save anything I'm gonna lose but I'm not sure if I can do that either.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Feb 23, 2014 7:05 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 7:05 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    Time Machine is a back up you have to set up to back up before there is a problem like a hard drive failure.

     

    It is possible to recover files from a failed drive, but it is an expensive proposition.

     

    There is a faint hope that an app like Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro might repair the drive. You could try making an appointment at an Apple store and ask a technician there to take a look... the diagnosis will not cost you.

    http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Feb 23, 2014 7:05 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 23, 2014 7:05 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    Do you not have a backup at the moment (do you not bother to backup)?

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 7:18 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 7:18 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    My repair page says:

    Missing thread record

    Invalid node structure

    The volume Macintosh hd could not be verified completely.

     

    Is there anyway to try to get into system from here to back up any files?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Feb 23, 2014 7:20 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 23, 2014 7:20 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    Reboot into Safe Mode and backup from there, use an external drive large enough to hold everything on your Mac, use Time Machine to perform the backup.

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 7:21 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 7:21 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    I have an external hard drive I usually use to back up, but unfortunately, I didn't back up all my files on there only pictures and I haven't don't that in a few months. It was down for a month and when I turned it on after getting a new adapter it has many updates I had to perform. I did that but I hope by doin that it did not mess up the system even more because before that, it was running fine.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Feb 23, 2014 7:21 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 23, 2014 7:21 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    Are you intending to backup or not?

  • by Bklyn_Girl,

    Bklyn_Girl Bklyn_Girl Feb 23, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    How do I reboot in safe mode, and use time machine as well?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Feb 23, 2014 7:23 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 23, 2014 7:23 AM in response to Bklyn_Girl

    Time Machine works in Safe Mode, reboot, plug the drive in and use it to make a backup before you do anything else.

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