Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

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

22 replies

Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 3, 2014 4:20 AM in response to rack0 tack0

Ok, well I managed to secure all my files.

I'm now trying to make my computer come back to life...

Reinstalling OS did not work, DiskWarrior did not work...

Is my only hope now to restore my entire computer? I wouldn't mind doing that since I've saved all my files but I'm unsure as to how I can restore? Is it the "erase" button in Disk Utility?

Does this have a chance of working? Thanks!

Apr 3, 2014 4:28 AM in response to Emily1991

Reinstalling OS did not work

You already tried reinstalling the OS and want to try it again?

Yes, use Disk Uility to erase the drive and ask DU to verify the disk before trying the install one more time.

Good luck.

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 3, 2014 4:29 AM in response to Emily1991

Emily1991 wrote:

Reinstalling OS did not work,

Exactly how did you try? Boot the MBP with COMMAND-R or did you use the original installation disks?

What happened?

Ciao.

Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 3, 2014 4:33 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Well the first few times I tried it just stopped halway through and didn't progress any more (without a CD -I don't have a CD- but with wifi to get Mavericks). So instead I tried diskwarrior, which failed (I borrowed it from a friend, and I don't think the version he has works with 10.9). So I tried re-installing OS again instead but this time it said "Could not find installation information for this machine. Contact Applecare."

I'm gonna have to go the Apple store, aren't I? 😐

Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 3, 2014 5:05 AM in response to Emily1991

Actually nevermind, stupid me... it was just a bad internet connection. I'm trying again now, hoping that it will not stop halway through!

Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 3, 2014 5:25 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

The OS re-installation is definitely stuck at 1 hour 30 remaining (for "downloading additional components"). it's been at 1hour30 for about half an hour without moving...

Emily1991 Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 3, 2014 8:15 AM in response to Emily1991

I'm starting a new thread since I have a completely new problem. Thank you all for your help.

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Input/Output problem with HD