How can I use Disk Utility in Yosemite

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Level 1

9 points

How can I use Disk Utility in Yosemite

My iMac originally came with an OS X Install DVD for 10.6.2. Whenever, I had computer issues, I normally would boot up from the install dvd and use Disk Utility. I have recently upgraded to Yosemite. The DVD will mount on my desktop but the Install icon now has a slash on it. I know for newer iMacs that don't have a superdrive you can get Disk Utility by restarting and pressing down on R. I believe that gets you Recovery mode. Is that what I should do know too? I know you can run Disk Utility from the Utilities folder, but that application only checks for permissions and fixes them. How do I check for problems with the hard drive?

Posted on Jan 20, 2016 2:15 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:21 PM in response to paulmont

1. You should restart with the Command and R keys held down. Unless you're about to sell or give away the computer, or the computer's internal drive fails, you don't need the DVD.

2. Use the Disk Utility from the recovery partition, or if needed, the Apple Hardware Test.

(138624)

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Answer 2

paulmont Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:38 PM in response to Niel

It didn't work. I restarted and held down command and R. My iMac made some weird noise in the background for a few seconds and then just rebooted back to the normal desktop.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:53 PM in response to paulmont

Some older Macs were not able to update the firmware to allow internet recovery. Here is some info on that:

Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support

Internet recovery requires Command + Option + R keys to work. Local recovery (on newer machines) requires Command + R, so you can try either one of those methods.

What exactly are you trying to do in Disk Utility?

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Answer 4

paulmont Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 20, 2016 3:19 PM in response to babowa

My iMac has been acting up lately. Couple weeks back it hummed loudly while I was listening to audio. At the same time my applications froze and I had to do a hard reboot. I've had issues in Quark 10 trying to print export a document into a pdf and the program freezes up in mid process. I would need to force quit Quark. I've had issues duplicating pdfs to another folder. I would drag and drop the file but I get an error message saying the the file was in use even though it is not open. After 4-6 attempts at drag and drop, the file will eventually copy. I was hoping Disk Utility might fix some of these issues or at least repair after all my restarts and force quits.

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Answer 5

paulmont Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 20, 2016 3:23 PM in response to babowa

My iMac is late 2009. 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. I couldn't find it on the link you provided.

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jan 20, 2016 3:31 PM in response to paulmont

That means you can't use the internet recovery. And you said, the local recovery (Command + R) did not work? Then your only way would be the install DVD or a bootable clone you made (I know the clone would work as I've used it).

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Answer 7

paulmont Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 20, 2016 3:43 PM in response to babowa

The install DVD was for 10.6.2. My operating system is now 10.10.5. When the dvd shows up on my desktop the Install icon has a slash on it. Is it okay to reboot from the install dvd even though the icon has a slash?

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Answer 8

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jan 20, 2016 5:12 PM in response to paulmont

I'd boot up holding down the C key (which should boot directly from the DVD) or the Option key which should bring up the Startup Manager - then select the DVD. If you just insert it, it won't work because it knows that you're running a later OS version.

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Answer 9

paulmont Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 21, 2016 6:59 AM in response to babowa

I will give this a try and try to boot from the DVD. I wasn't sure earlier if the slashed icon meant that I could no longer use the Disk Utility from the DVD because of the newer OS.

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Answer 10

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jan 21, 2016 7:41 AM in response to paulmont

No, I think it's because your current OS won't allow it to install an earlier OS - that's how Macs have always been. You need to boot from an external source (in this case: the DVD) and wipe the drive.

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