np_mac
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Q: Mac extremely slow and stalling completely

Hi there -

 

Over the last 2-3 days, I've suddenly found my Mac extremely slow, and which after a few minutes, stalls completely and I have to reboot. After reviewing some of the posts, I ran the Disk Utility, which after running 'Verify Disk' on Macintosh HD, found a few errors, and suggested I 'Repair Disk'.

 

In trying to Back-up my data prior to Repair Disk however I've found the computer stalls mid-way through the back-up, which is not surprising as the computer has been stalling completely after a few minutes of running, and I have to reboot every time.

 

I have two questions -

 

1. Am I more likely to be able to back-up in 'Safe-Mode' ?

 

2. Is it ok run 'Repair Disk' without backing-up my data ? I have seen conflicting views on some posts.

 

Thanks very much in advance.

 

Posted on Aug 13, 2014 5:15 AM

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np_mac

Q: Mac extremely slow and stalling completely

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  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 7:37 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 7:37 AM in response to np_mac

    As an update, this is the result I get when I run 'Verify Disk',

     

    Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”

    Performing live verification.

    Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.

    Checking extents overflow file.

    Checking catalog file.

    Checking multi-linked files.

    Checking catalog hierarchy.

    Invalid directory item count

    (It should be 31 instead of 30)

    Checking extended attributes file.

    Checking volume bitmap.

    Checking volume information.

    Invalid volume free block count

    (It should be 8467848 instead of 8467790)

    The volume Macintosh HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.

    Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Start up your computer with another disk (such as your Mac OS X installation disc), and then use Disk Utility to repair this disk.

     

     

    [This is a MacBook Pro, running on OS 10.6.8]

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 7:43 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 7:43 AM in response to np_mac

    Do what it says.  Use the original installation disk and start the MBP as if you were reinstalling the OSX.

     

    When you get to where the display shows a menu bar, select UTILITIES.

     

    From the drop down menu select Disk Utility.

     

    Run First Aid, Verify and Repair.

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 7:50 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 7:50 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    I don't actually have any installation disk, as I had the operating system already installed on the computer when bought (to the best of my memory). Any suggestions as to how I can proceed ?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 7:59 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 7:59 AM in response to np_mac

    On the bottom of the MBP is the serial number.  Enter it here and report the exact model information;

     

    https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

     

    What OSX do you currently have installed?

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 8:02 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 8:02 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)


    OS 10.6.8


    Thank you

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 8:19 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 8:19 AM in response to np_mac

    You will need to get replacement installation disks for you MBP.  Call Apple Customer Service and you will have to provide them with the MBP serial number.  There is a charge.

     

    The only other way around it is to get a Boot drive that will start the MBP or another Mac and set it up in Target Disk mode.

     

    Other wise you cannot repair the disk.

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 8:27 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 8:27 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you again for your help.

     

    1. I do have another MAC. Could you let me me know how I could use it....apologies if this sounds elementary but not really that savvy with these issues.

     

    2. Is repairing my disk likely to erase any of my data - have been trying to back up my data, but in its last 4 attempts, the computer has hung while using Time Machine.

     

    Appreciate your taking the time to answer these questions.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 8:32 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 8:32 AM in response to np_mac

    Here are instructions for target disk mode:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

     

    Repairing a disk should not result in any loss of data.  However the unexpected can happen.

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 9:09 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 9:09 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks. My (host) computer doesn't actually have a fireware port, so will have to figure an alternative. I did read somewhere that you could use Thundrebolt connection instead of Fireware. ?

     

    Do you think this should help.

    Disk Utility 12.x: Repair a disk

    Am trying to do as suggested, but pressing the ' Command (⌘) and R keys' during the Restart doesn't seem to boot it any differently from normal.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 9:28 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 9:28 AM in response to np_mac

    np_mac wrote:

     

    Thanks. My (host) computer doesn't actually have a fireware port, so will have to figure an alternative. I did read somewhere that you could use Thundrebolt connection instead of Fireware. ?

    You will then need something like this:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD464ZM/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapte r

     

     

    Do you think this should help.

    Disk Utility 12.x: Repair a disk

    Am trying to do as suggested, but pressing the ' Command (⌘) and R keys' during the Restart doesn't seem to boot it any differently from normal.

    That is for Lion (7.5) or later operating systems.  That information should have been included in the Apple support article.  You have Snow Leopard (10.6) so that does not apply in your case.

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 13, 2014 9:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2014 9:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you. This is turning out to be an expensive proposition !

     

    Do you feel on the basis of the message (that I got after Running Verify Disk) that I appended, that the problem should be repairable or impossible to say ?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 13, 2014 9:49 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2014 9:49 AM in response to np_mac

    np_mac wrote:

     

    Thank you. This is turning out to be an expensive proposition !

     

    Do you feel on the basis of the message (that I got after Running Verify Disk) that I appended, that the problem should be repairable or impossible to say ?

     

    I just cannot say.  It can go either way.

     

    Investigate the cost of the replacement disks.  In my opinion it is more advantageous to have them in the long run than the ability to use Target Disk mode.

     

    Ciao.

  • by np_mac,

    np_mac np_mac Aug 14, 2014 9:18 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2014 9:18 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Hi there - So I did manage to Repair Disk, in the Target Disk Mode, and got the message that the Disk Volume had been successfully repaired.

     

    HOWEVER, after restarting my computer, I've relaized the original problem persists - the system is excruciatingly slow, and again after a few minutes hangs completely.

    Tried backing up my data as well, though Time machine, and again in a few minutes the system stalls, and I have to reboot.

     

    Any suggestions ?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Aug 14, 2014 11:09 AM in response to np_mac
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 14, 2014 11:09 AM in response to np_mac

    Try this (it may or may not help).

     

    Take out the HDD and install it in an enclosure.  Connect it to the MBP via USB and use Startup Manager to boot from it.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1310

     

    Any change in performance?  (I am guessing that there may be an intermittent problem with the SATA connecting cable)

    I do not dismiss the possibility that the HDD may be faulty even though the DU repair seems to have worked.

     

    (If we had the installation disks we could run an Apple Hardware Test and consider a reinstall of the OSX.)

     

    Ciao.