Volume Header needs minor repair

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Volume Header needs minor repair

I have subj error few times.
Is it really minor and can I ignore it?

---LOG---
Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
%)
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
Volume Header needs minor repair
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
---END LOG---

I have seems same problem as here: http://lists.apple.com/archives/Darwin-dev/2006/Sep/msg00076.html

As for this document I should ignore it: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107250

..but I have iMac 24" Core 2 Duo not "This document applies to Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier". It's 10.4.8 =(

iMac 24" Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 16, 2007 4:09 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 4:22 PM in response to nikanorov

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Is your data backed up? See my backup FAQ first if not:

http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

And once you are backed up, get Alsoft Disk Warrior 4.0, which now is made for Intel Macs, and can repair volume damage like this. It doesn't always work, and won't if the drive is nearing death. This is why I suggest backing up first.

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Answer 2

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 4:33 PM in response to a brody

Heh. $99.95 software what for? I can fix it by "fsck". I just can't understand why it's happend. =(

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Answer 3

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 4:42 PM in response to nikanorov

FSCK can't repair or directory issues. See my directory FAQ:

http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html

For those it can't you need Alsoft Disk Warrior.

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Answer 4

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 4:46 PM in response to a brody

My problem is clearly fixed by fsck. But it happens again 2 time or more (all reboots are clear) =(

Why you think I have some "directory issues"?

P.S.: I have backup at NAS, but I don't wont some performance issues.

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Answer 5

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 4:54 PM in response to nikanorov

NAS, what's NAS?

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Answer 6

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 4:59 PM in response to a brody

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage

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Answer 7

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 5:05 PM in response to nikanorov

What do you mean you don't won't performance issues?

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Answer 8

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 5:07 PM in response to nikanorov

As for why I think you have directory issues, is that the issue repeatedly manifests itself according to your own testimony here. What this suggests is that either data corruption is happening in the volume header which only happens if the boot sector is damaged in some way, which can happen if the directory is damaged, or if the drive itself is damaged and needs replacing. Directory issues can also occur if your hard drive is overly full, or you have to force restart your Mac without going through the Apple menu to restart it (i.e. if you get a four language screen telling you to restart your machine, restarting it from the power button will potentially cause directory issues).

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Answer 9

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 5:08 PM in response to a brody

When your HDD is dying, you can get slow read/write (and of course other errors). Those of course can slow down your computer =)

I just wont to know is this error minor or have something with hdd dying.

And of course if it's minor why I see it so regularly, but don't see it at G4 with same 10.4 at all.

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Answer 10

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 5:11 PM in response to a brody

if you get a four language screen telling you to restart your machine, restarting it from the power button will potentially cause directory issues

I don't have any kernel panic, so I hope it's software =)

P.S.: Also I have UPS, so this mac have shutdown and restart from apple menu or console only.

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Answer 11

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 5:18 PM in response to nikanorov

It is impossible to tell. As long your data is backed up, you can fix the directory issues with a more powerful software like Alsoft Disk Warrior without worrying about whether or not the error is minor or not. If it isn't minor, then Disk Warrior will merely speed the death of an already dying hard drive. If it is minor you won't see any more volume header needs repair issues after repairing with Disk Warrior.

Just for your info, you are mis-spelling want. won't is the word that is the contraction for will not.

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Answer 12

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 5:22 PM in response to a brody

Just for your info, you are mis-spelling want. won't is the word that is the contraction for will not.

Sorry for this. My primary language is Russian and we have now 4:23 AM (time to sleep?).

It is impossible to tell. As long your data is backed up, you can fix the directory issues with a more powerful software like Alsoft Disk Warrior without worrying about whether or not the error is minor or not. If it isn't minor, then Disk Warrior will merely speed the death of an already dying hard drive. If it is minor you won't see any more volume header needs repair issues after repairing with Disk Warrior.

Perfect, but... about $100 for 1 time use of software, hm. No thanks. It's not very good solution for me.

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Answer 13

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 5:28 PM in response to nikanorov

The console does not offer shutting down. I presume you mean the Terminal. And if the Terminal is what you shut down by, I'm not sure that's entirely safe for the directory if done frequently.

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Answer 14

nikanorov Author

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Jan 16, 2007 5:30 PM in response to a brody

Yes, Terminal. Not very often, but I remember few times i do "sudo reboot". Hm, it can be very interesting.

As UNIX guy I can't understand what problem "reboot" can do for fs layer. But who knows (perhaps somebody from apple support can tell about this?).

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Answer 15

a brody

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Jan 16, 2007 5:35 PM in response to nikanorov

Apple support is reachable here:

http://www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html

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