Macbook 5,2, OSX 10.10.2, 4GB RAM, 750 MB Hard Disk. All of a sudden the system stopped; had to restart with cmd+R, on Disk Utility ran Verify, answer was that it wasn't possible to verify, and that I should run Repair Disk. When clicked on Repair Disk there was a message stating that file system check exit, error code 8. What to do? Is it safe to reinstall OSX without losing my data? Thanks in advance!
OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)
No, it isn't safe to do that. You need to erase the disk then reinstall OS X:
Install or Reinstall OS X from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should install the version of OS X that was installed.
No, it isn't safe to do that. You need to erase the disk then reinstall OS X:
Install or Reinstall OS X from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should install the version of OS X that was installed.
Thanks Kappy, that is very good and detailed advice. I ended up recovering from Time Machine last backup, though. Just lost some of more recent data. Should I run Disk Utility/Repair Disk again? Again, it was very helpful of you, thanks a lot.
Yes, you should always repair the hard drive after an abnormal shutdown.
I'm getting the same "exit code 8" on my LaCie Porche 3TB external HD that can't be repaired, any suggestions?
I have the same situation with my LaCie Porsche 3TB ext HD that I use with my Time Machine. It suddenly start giving me an exit code 8 upon running First Aid.. Curious what you discovered or found out in trying to repair your LaCie hard drive?
John
disk error exit code 8
