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Input/Output problem with HD

Hello!

I just realised I had posted this in the wrong forum - apologies.

A few days ago I was unable to turn on my Macbook Pro, and was stuck on the white screen. I've been searching around quite a lot on this forum, and before I try fixing anything, I REALLY need to back-up my files! I just bought a 2TB hard-drive, which I have partitioned to GUID and Mac OS Extended (Journaled), (it perfectly works on another Mac).


I now want to attempt to create an image of my harddrive (Macintosh HD) onto my external drive (which is empty). I've tried doing this both in 'read-only' and in 'compressed', but about halfway through, I receive a message saying "Unable to create 04/2014 backup.dmg (Input/Output) error".


I saw on another similar post that I might want to install DiskDrill or DataRescue. I'm fairly sure this is impossible for me to do, since my screen is completely white, and I'm unable to access my desktop.


I can only access Disk Utility through pressing command+R when starting my computer.Hence, I need to successfully back up my files through Disk Utility...


I'm aware that my HD may be corrupted since this is happening, but there must be a way for me to put an image on my external HD?? A few days ago, when I clicked on Repair Disk it said "Impossible to repair: invalid node structure". But now, it says that "Macintosh HD appears to be OK". I have no idea what's changed... And I can still not start my computer past the white screen...


I'm very bad with IT and computers, and have extensively tried to fix this on my own, but I'm now stuck here, with this "input/output error"...!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!


PS: I do not have Applecare, this is an old computer from 2009.

Macbook pro

Posted on Mar 31, 2014 2:54 PM

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Posted on Mar 31, 2014 3:59 PM

Try starting your computer in Safe Boot Mode, you may get past the problem to allow the recovery of your data.


Or if that does not work have you access to another Mac? You may be able to put the faulty Mac into Target Disk mode and copy the files you want to the other Mac.

target disk mode http://pondini.org/OSX/TargetDisk.html


The input output error is possible a bad hard drive with part of the drive faulty, if it is I don't think the Disk Utility will handle that situation well and fail.


There is always a last possiblity that it is only the system files that are corrupted and a reinstall on the OS without erasing the drive may allow it to boot and retrieve your files. I would only recommend this if all else fails in case it writes over your data.


Have you an Apple store nearby or an Apple authorised repair shop, they may be able to get the data off for you. They may be able to put your faulty drive into a caddy and connect it to another Mac, from there run Disk warrior or some other Disk Utility.


Other than that it is sending the driv away to specialist recovery which can be very expensive.


You may get other suggestions, don't give up yet.

22 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 31, 2014 3:59 PM in response to Emily1991

Try starting your computer in Safe Boot Mode, you may get past the problem to allow the recovery of your data.


Or if that does not work have you access to another Mac? You may be able to put the faulty Mac into Target Disk mode and copy the files you want to the other Mac.

target disk mode http://pondini.org/OSX/TargetDisk.html


The input output error is possible a bad hard drive with part of the drive faulty, if it is I don't think the Disk Utility will handle that situation well and fail.


There is always a last possiblity that it is only the system files that are corrupted and a reinstall on the OS without erasing the drive may allow it to boot and retrieve your files. I would only recommend this if all else fails in case it writes over your data.


Have you an Apple store nearby or an Apple authorised repair shop, they may be able to get the data off for you. They may be able to put your faulty drive into a caddy and connect it to another Mac, from there run Disk warrior or some other Disk Utility.


Other than that it is sending the driv away to specialist recovery which can be very expensive.


You may get other suggestions, don't give up yet.

Mar 31, 2014 4:13 PM in response to Emily1991

Emily1991 wrote:


A few days ago, when I clicked on Repair Disk it said "Impossible to repair: invalid node structure". But now, it says that "Macintosh HD appears to be OK". I have no idea what's changed... And I can still not start my computer past the white screen...

How did you get to Disk Utility? Did the COMMAND-R allow you to get into the recovery partition?


Ciao.

Mar 31, 2014 4:27 PM in response to rack0 tack0

Hi, thank's for your response!


Safe Boot Mode has not worked as of yet, unfortunately.


I will actually try to use another Mac and firewire it to my faulty computer. I'm just worried considering my HD seems to be very corrupted that I will not be able to access my files... In normal circumstances, is it possible to just drag files from one computer to the other?


If not, do you think I could use diskwarrior from my host computer to use on my target computer?


Also, how to re-install OS? I do not have a CD since I installed the latest (free) version from apple. I believe it is Mavericks. It is possible to re-install without erasing my files?


I'd really like not to bring it to Apple, as I do not wish to spend a lot of money on something I could fix myself...


OGELTHORPE - I accessed Disk Utility through Command-R, yes.

Mar 31, 2014 4:41 PM in response to Emily1991

Emily1991 wrote:


In normal circumstances, is it possible to just drag files from one computer to the other?

Yes. (Target Disk Mode) Theoretically you could put the 2009 in Target Disk Mode and attach your external 2 TB HDD to the host Mac as well and then drag and drop from the MBP to the 2 TB HDD.


If not, do you think I could use diskwarrior from my host computer to use on my target computer?


I have never used it, so I cannot comment. I would give it a try as a LAST resort.

Also, how to re-install OS? I do not have a CD since I installed the latest (free) version from apple. I believe it is Mavericks. It is possible to re-install without erasing my files?


If COMMAND-R works, the 4 option menu has an OSX reinstall option. Use that.


Ciao.

Mar 31, 2014 4:42 PM in response to Emily1991

I would try it again, and again. and ...


I just helped a friend whose computer would not boot - OS 10.7 - and we ran Repair Disk five times before it said everything is a-ok.


If not, do you think I could use diskwarrior from my host computer to use on my target computer?

Yes, if you boot in Target Disk Mode you can, and should run DW on the drive. It cannot hurt.


In normal circumstances, is it possible to just drag files from one computer to the other?

Yes, you can do that. In TDM mode you can certainly get on the target's drive to drag and drop to your host's drive.

Mar 31, 2014 5:08 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you.


Theoretically you could put the 2009 in Target Disk Mode and attach your external 2 TB HDD to the host Mac as well and then drag and drop from the MBP to the 2 TB HDD.


Yes I will try that. I have very little hope it will work considering the 'state' of my HD 😟


If COMMAND-R works, the 4 option menu has an OSX reinstall option. Use that.


Thank's I'll try that if Target Mode is ineffective.


I would try it again, and again. and ...

I just helped a friend whose computer would not boot - OS 10.7 - and we ran Repair Disk five times before it said everything is a-ok.


Thank's but I've already tried about 10 times without any luck...


I'll try some stuff soon and hopefully I'll be able to save my files. Any ideas on how to actually fix the 'invalid node structure' problem once this is done...?

Apr 1, 2014 4:55 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

Ok I have ordered a firewire cable to connect to my other mac. It will arrive tomorrow.

On the off-chance that I cannot 'drag' files from my broken computer in target disk mode, I've looked at 3 other options (to also use in target disk mode):


Migration Assistant

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US


Disk Drill

http://help.cleverfiles.com/how-to-recover-lost-files-from-your-mac-internal-har d-drive/


Data Recovery

http://mcaf.ee/x0pfi


Do you have any ideas about this? Would either of them be likely to work, in target disk mode? I am so frustrated and angry at myself for not backing up my files before... My number 1 priority is to save my most important files (pictures, university documents etc.) Thank's!!

Apr 1, 2014 7:35 AM in response to Emily1991

You will have to try it, sometimes these things need different techniques. If you can access the drive you may find that copying small portions works better than one large chunk. Also you may find one or two files are inaccessible, ignore those and get as much as you can.


Most of us have been there and lost files with either no backup or an untested unusable backup. You only do it once, when you are sorted out, it does not matter what computer or operating system you start to use, always have two tested backups available.


Let's hope Target Disk Mode gets you those files.

Apr 2, 2014 8:46 AM in response to rack0 tack0

It works!! 😀 My firewire cable just arrived, I connected my broken computer to the working one, and I have managed to transfer some vital files to my external HD via the working computer!! What a relief.

Am currently trying to transfer everything over, will let you know if this works!


Bottom line of the story for people in my situation: connect a firewire cable to a working computer, you'll be able to transfer your files! EVEN if nothing else works (i.e. input/output failure etc.) 🙂


Once I'm done with this I'll try reinstalling OS, and if not i'll try diskwarrior. Will also keep you posted on this.


PS: The 'Applications' folder on my broken HD is empty! Does that mean the 'invalid node' or 'invalid sibling link' problem lies with the Applications?? I obviously don't care about saving those, so if they're the problem, that's fair enough...

Input/Output problem with HD

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