megms
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Q: Disk utility can't repair disk?

After not using my iMac for about a month, I turned it on and it got stuck on the white loading screen. I've tried turning it on in Safe Mode multiple times and I also reset NVRAM/PRAM and nothing has worked.

 

I finally tried Disk Utility and it said the disk needed to be repaired, so I tried that and it says the disk cannot be repaired.

 

What should I do now?

iMac

Posted on Jun 15, 2014 4:12 PM

by Kappy,Solvedanswer
Kappy Kappy
Level 10 (271,850 points)
Desktops
A:

Yes, by usingTarget Disk Mode. Connect the two using a FW cable. Boot the "bad" computer into TDM by restarting then after the chime press and hold down the T key until you see the TDM screen. Now boot the "good" computer normally. You should see the bad computer's HD appear on the Desktop. You can access it like any other drive which should allow you to transfer your files to the good computer or an external drive connected to it.

Posted on Jun 15, 2014 4:40 PM

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megms

Q: Disk utility can't repair disk?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jun 15, 2014 4:16 PM in response to megms
    Level 10 (314,513 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:16 PM in response to megms

    Use a more powerful utility such as DiskWarrior, or if you backed the system up, erase that partition and restore your files from the backup.

     

    (108335)

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 15, 2014 4:16 PM in response to megms
    Level 10 (271,850 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2014 4:16 PM in response to megms

    Erase the drive and restore your files from your backup. Or you can try to backup your Home folder first, then erase the drive. Or you can purchase Disk Warrior, $99, and see if it is able to repair what Disk Utility cannot.

  • by megms,

    megms megms Jun 15, 2014 4:19 PM in response to megms
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2014 4:19 PM in response to megms

    Thanks for your quick replies!

     

    Is there any way for me to create a backup if I can't get past the white loading screen? Or is there a fix for getting past that screen besides the ones I already tried?

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Jun 15, 2014 4:22 PM in response to megms
    Level 10 (314,513 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:22 PM in response to megms

    Connect an external drive with Mac OS X installed and start up the computer with the Option key held down, or connect it to another Mac with a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable and start the iMac up with the T key held down; you may then be able to copy the files off.

     

    (108336)

  • by megms,

    megms megms Jun 15, 2014 4:32 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2014 4:32 PM in response to Niel

    Oh I see. I have a Macbook Pro, so I can back it up via that computer?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 15, 2014 4:35 PM in response to megms
    Level 10 (271,850 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2014 4:35 PM in response to megms

    You can do as Niel has suggested, but you will need an external drive with OS X on it to boot the computer or a second Mac (and both need to have Firewire or Thunderbolt ports.) If one has FW and the other has Thunderbolt, then a Firewire to Thunderbolt adaptor will be needed for one computer. And, you will need a Firewire cable long enough to connect the two computers.

  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Jun 15, 2014 4:40 PM in response to megms
    Level 10 (271,850 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2014 4:40 PM in response to megms

    Yes, by usingTarget Disk Mode. Connect the two using a FW cable. Boot the "bad" computer into TDM by restarting then after the chime press and hold down the T key until you see the TDM screen. Now boot the "good" computer normally. You should see the bad computer's HD appear on the Desktop. You can access it like any other drive which should allow you to transfer your files to the good computer or an external drive connected to it.

  • by megms,

    megms megms Jun 15, 2014 5:22 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2014 5:22 PM in response to Kappy

    Great, thank you! They both have FireWire ports so I will go get a cable and transfer the files.

     

    Thank you both for your fast responses and for your help!