Disk utility first aid operation failed and iMac freezes when it is rebooted

Question

Level 1

21 points

Disk utility first aid operation failed and iMac freezes when it is rebooted

iMac Intel Core (2010) 320 GB 4GB RAM. Running OS 10.11.6

Started computer, white screen appeared with icon of a folder with a question mark in the folder. Nothing else could be done, so re-booted iMac holding down the command and "r" keys to open Disk Utility.

Ran First Aid, advised "Incorrect block should be 1172 instead of 601. File system verify or repair failed. Operation failed." "Running first aid failed, if possible back up the data on this volume. Click done to continue."

Reboot is successful, but screen is frozen with no access to the hard drive. I am unable to open System Preferences due to the freeze.

The spinning rainbow circle of death keeps running so I am not able to source any other repair mechanism.

Might anyone have any ideas of how to proceed? The iMac is obviously not able to boot to the hard drive.

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 3:14 PM

Reply

Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,516 points

Sep 28, 2016 8:32 AM in response to biddymon

This likely means the HD has failed and needs to be replaced. How you proceed is to take the computer to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider who can help replace the drive and get you back in business. If you are not aware of any local AASPs please click the following link to begin finding one near you.

https://locate.apple.com/country

Reply

Answer 2

biddymon Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 28, 2016 8:35 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you very much R. I thought this would probably be the issue and your reply confirms my thoughts.

This is my wife's iMac and I am not sure how recently she backed up the data. Do you think that an Apple technician would be able to saver the data?

Reply

Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,516 points

Sep 28, 2016 8:48 AM in response to biddymon

biddymon wrote:

Thank you very much R. I thought this would probably be the issue and your reply confirms my thoughts.

This is my wife's iMac and I am not sure how recently she backed up the data. Do you think that an Apple technician would be able to saver the data?

Not likely but you can ask. Assuming your wife has been using Time Machine or another method of backing up then recovering data is easy. If she was not backing up, when she gets the computer back get her an external HD (I recommend OWC (www.macsales.com) Mercury Elite Pro series) and begin using Time Machine to backup at a bare minimum.

Reply

Answer 4

biddymon Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 28, 2016 8:48 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks very much R.

Reply

Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,516 points

Sep 28, 2016 9:03 AM in response to biddymon

Your welcome and good luck.

Reply