Q: When installing Yosemite, received error "File system verify or repair failed"

This what I am getting. Trying to install since Thursday. I reformatted the SSD (third party) but getting stuck just after installation starts. Tried clean install, and still getting the same error. Tried with Mountain Lion (for some reason when I restore from Time Machine, it did not showed Mavericks to re-install) not as a clean install, and nothing. Now I going to load Mavericks and see if from there I can install Yosimite. This is so annoying. I never had any issues in the past. I actually installed the Beta Yosimite without any issues. Thanks!

I Am having the same issue for the second time. When trying to install maverick I faced the same problem and then it got complicated that I had to remove my hard disk. I am sure there is nothing wrong with my hard disk , I had to pay 500 dollars last time to fix it. Now I'm angry that despite the headache of last time in trying to fix the issue ,  lion is again making issues with new installation. I want a fixation to this that I don't need to fix tjos each timE I install an upgrade

There's nothing really wrong with the disk

i can boot  using command-R and open a terminal and see all my files

although the root has been moved a bit by the yosemite install process

IMice tried to reinstall os x - the reinstall took shows 2 disks, Macintosh HD and Recovery HD and says both are locked

so currently  still  stalled

Still stuck! What's wrong with Apple on this release???? Installed Mountain Lion, the Mavericks, and tried to install Yosemite and nothing. Getting this error message now. The system shut down by itself like 3 times, until I receive this. Interestingly is that the Beta Version works. I really don't get it. Help please!!!

I think that you all are missing the point.  This is not an issue with Yosemite, and it's not going away if you go back to Mavericks or any prior Mac OS version!

What this error means is that you have a HARD DRIVE PROBLEM that is unrelated to your attempt to upgrade to Yosemite.  To protect you, Apple has wisely added a disk check into the installer that has diagnosed this PREEXISTING ISSUE with your disk.  For good reason, you cannot, and should not, be able to install Yosemite before you repair your hard drive.

Your first step should be to backup your disk if you don't already have several backups.

Then, try Apple's instructions for repairing your drive structure: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1782

If Disk Utility can't repair your drive, then I recommend the paid software DiskWarrior: http://www.alsoft.com/diskwarrior/

If DiskWarrior cannot repair your drive then you should take it in to the Apple Store to allow them to test your drive.

Once you have solved your drive issues or replaced the drive, then you can move forward with installing Yosemite.

Hello Tim,

I ran disk check using Disk Utility and it found no errors. I also did a repair, just to check, and it found nothing, and I am talking about clean installs as well. I formatted and tried again, and still the same issue. I also tried to install on the original hard drive that I purchased the Mac with I am using for backup now, and it gave me the same error. Will try your suggestion and see what happens.

mlucashouston,

You are right then, that is very odd.  Especially considering after a reformat.

Is this a factory installed drive from Apple or is it a replacement or external drive?  I'd suggest that those of you having this issue on drives that Disk Utility says are fine, should give the specifics of your hard drive types.  This might reveal something consistent with your setups that some of the smart folks here can work with.

Ok, I just re-installed Mavericks and ran Verify Disk via Disk Utility. See results below. Everything seems to be fine. I am missing something?

Thanks!

Hello Tim,

Mine is a SSD that I installed after a couple of years. It's a OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD Media. There must be something additional that needs to be done to make it run, now that I am thinking about it.

I think I might need to do a firmware update on the SSD.

Maybe others with OWC or other 3rd party SSDs will now find a common issue to discuss.  You may also want to look on OWCs support.

Good luck with a solution.  I am considering an SSD replacement for my 2011 iMac right now so I'm interested in your outcome.

Did the firmware update. First try, it went all the way, but then it came back to the OS Utilities screen, and after I restarted, it went back to OS Mavericks. Tried another one...this time, wiped the SSD again....it went all the way, completed the installation, and when it restarted, it gave an error, that OS Could not be installed. This is ridiculous! I am really ****** right now...3am, and still can't figure this stuff out. The stupidest  things is that the beta works....I really don't get it!! Help please!

I managed to finally install Yosemite. Had to restore my system from backup and then repair disk using disk utility tool. Now Yosemite is installed and everything is working fine.

Hi,

I have recently tried to do a clean install of the Yosemite OS but the install was unsuccessful and I have had nothing but trouble since. If you have any ideas on how to fix it, or have found a way, I'd be very grateful. I'll let you know too...

(Note: Recently I have not used TimeMachine as it kept on corrupting my external HD, so I have backed my files up manually on another volume but no previous OS backup to revert to)

This is what I've done:

Attempt 1: Bootable USB

I created a bootable USB of Yosemite (via Terminal etc.). I was able to install Yosemite and it restarted. On restart, it continued to install the other system files, but suddenly stopped as it "could not extract files from BaseSystemBinaries.pkg". I restarted the Mac and it continued to install the other system files, but after a while it came up with a message saying "couldn't attach disk image". Then I tried once again and it came up with some other error message. I went into Disk Utility, erased the disk and the Macintosh HD partition and attempted to re-install Yosemite from the USB after another restart. Despite having erased the disk, the installation went straight back to installing the excess files (I guess once you get to that point, it remembers and you can't get out of it until the process completes). Unfortunately, once again, error messages came up. (Note: USB was formatted for Mac Os X Journalled thingo)

Attempt 2: Internet

I removed the USB and it said I could install the extra files from the net. I entered my WIFI code, AppleID password etc and the download started. Unfortunately I do not have 293 hours to wait until the download completes, and after waiting two hours and noticing the download had another 394 hours to go, I decided this was not going to work.

Attempt 3: Downgrade

I hunted around in my old CDs and DVDs and found a bootable DVD of Mac OS Lion. It installed completely and I was so over the moon! I Then thought - ah, perhaps I can upgrade from Mac OS Lion to Yosemite. I copied the Yosemite Installer from the USB on to my Mac and started the install. All went well until the computer restarted and proceeded to install the excess files - once again, I had problems as the "BaseSystemBinaries.pkg" couldn't be opened.

Attempt 4: Confused

I figured that I would easily be able to downgrade again considering it worked last time. I did exactly the same things - erased the disk in Disk Utility etc, but for some reason, the install failed and each time I tried to restart, the Mac returned to the same place (a bar "installing Mac OS Lion) and failed shortly after.

Thoughts

1) How do I get the Mac to forget or erase the previous install attempt so I can attempt another fresh install. It remembers which stage of install the installer is at be it for Yosemite or Lion. It keeps returning to the same stage and fails. Even after erasing the disk and partition, and resetting the PRAM.

2) Could my Yosemite Installer be corrupt? How on earth could it become corrupt after installing from the internet? What if I had not attempted a clean install, upgraded. I'd be in the same position and if I hadn't backed up, lost absolutely everything...