Invalid sibling link?

Hi,
Today my macbook pro started powering down after hanging during the boot process. going to verbose mode, i noticed an "invalid sibling link" error during the drive check, just before the cpu halted. the hardware diagnostics say nothing's wrong with the hardware.
I tried booting into single user mode, and running fsck_hfs -r, but that gets to the same point and throws an error, and i still cant boot. i cant get an appointment with the apple store until monday, and i have school work to do. what can i do to address this problem?
oh, and i've tried booting to the install disk but for some reason that doesnt work. the drive spins up and then it goes to the gray apple screen, which hangs and then powers down.
suggestions?

+Invalid Sibling Link+ can usually be fixed by the following utility......
If Disk Utility can't fix it, you'll need a more robust utility for the repair. I would recommend DiskWarrior. It is the best at directory repairs. It rebuilds then actually replaces your old directory. I feel every Mac owner should have a copy. Make sure you get the disk so you can boot up on it to run repairs. You can also install it on another drive and run it from there to repair this one. DW works faster that way.
I use DW once a month to try and catch errors in my system from getting too far out of hand. It has repaired every little and big issue I have ever had with my three Macs.
If you have a good backup, hopefully a clone of your system before you had issues, an Erase and Install will also rid you of this issue. But, beware! You will lose everything on the drive with this procedure. Let us know if you need help with that!
Good Luck! DALE
p.s. Here's a rewiew of DiskWarrior 4.

Similar Messages

Time Machine Backup on External Drive Invalid sibling link

I've used time machine to backup macbook air for several months. From Feb 2011 without any problems until about 2 months ago. I started to get the message that backups could not be started.
I realized that the disk would not mount right away. And after about 10 minutes or more I would get the message that my disk could not be mounted. The error said my data could be backed up and I should do it right away.
Okay, so I try to copy my backup files using finder and get an error saying I don't have permissions to copy data.
My research indicates my hard drive is failing, which is unfortunate, since I bought it within the last year :-(
Okay, so now I am trying to get my months worth of backups off the drive and this is proving to be quite difficult...actually, impossible.
Here are my latest attempts at resolving my issue:
1. Ran Repair Disk - reusts:
          error: Could not repair disk and something about backing up my data and reformating the disk
2. Ran fsck_hfs -f command in terminal
     The system indicated it was executing the command and about 2 or 3 minutes, I think the command prompt appeared. No other message
3. Run repair disk again - My results:
     Checking catalog file.
     INvalid sibling link
     rebuilding catalog B-Tree
     The volume My Passport could not be repaired
     Volume repair complete
     Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required
     Error: Disk Utility can't repair this disk...disk, and restore your backed up files
4. Created a new partition on another external drive and did a restore in Disk Utility from the broken drive to the new partition on the other drive. Took a few hours. Unfortunately, I just created the same problem on that partition (invalid sibling link)
Any other ideas on how I can rescue my backup data from the My Passport drive? I can see it in finder but I can't copy it do my other drive!
Research on forums and other sites have mentioned cloning the drive using "dd" command. Is this the same as the disk utility restore?
Is there some way I can change the permissions of the disk/partitition/files to enable me to copy the data to the new external drive?
Here is what the system looks like: Mac HD is my mac mini; My book is the WD 1TB external drive usb connected; My Passport is the broken external drive with the time machine backups that I can't get access to.
unknown3c07544bc705:Volumes oshunj$ ls -ale
total 8
drwxrwxrwt@ 5 root    admin   170 Dec 4 09:40 .
0: group:everyone deny add_file,add_subdirectory,directory_inherit,only_inherit
drwxr-xr-x 29 root    wheel 1054 Dec 3 18:17 ..
lrwxr-xr-x   1 root    admin     1 Dec 3 18:10 Macintosh HD -> /
drwxr-xr-x@ 15 oshunj staff   578 Dec 3 20:46 My Book
drwxr-xr-x@ 14 oshunj staff   544 Oct 16 19:32 My Passport
unknown3c07544bc705:Volumes oshunj$ ls -Orbitlake /Volumes
total 4
     2 drwxr-xr-x@ 14 oshunj staff -       544 Oct 16 19:32 My Passport
335990 lrwxr-xr-x   1 root    admin -         1 Dec 3 18:10 Macintosh HD -> /
     2 drwxr-xr-x 29 root    wheel -      1054 Dec 3 18:17 ..
     2 drwxr-xr-x@ 15 oshunj staff -       578 Dec 3 20:46 My Book
10710 drwxrwxrwt@ 5 root    admin hidden 170 Dec 4 09:40 .
0: group:everyone deny add_file,add_subdirectory,directory_inherit,only_inherit

***Update to ask question***
I would love to setup my new mini like my MBA. Is there anything wrong with restoring my entire drive, I think it starts at /User/ level, to my mini????
You know you never know when you will need the backups. This makes me angry especially since I can see the files but can't repair the disk.
OTOH, I attempted something I just now read about, option-click on time machine icon. Funny thing, I selected other disk and my passport (original broken drive) popped up with time machine backups on it.
I, quite timidly, selected the disk, opened the time machine and traversed my broken drive with backups from feb.
hmmm. I then, selected some random pdf file to restore and behold, It was restored to my mac mini right before my eyes.
I'm confused. But I think I will go with your suggestion and just put the drive away in a closet somewhere and hope to never really need it. It is quite interesting though that I am unable to repair this disk but I can restore files from it....Odd, I tell you, odd....
Thanks

Start-Up: Folder with gray question mark / Disk Utility: Invalid Sibling Link

Yesterday, I was working on my computer and it froze up. My only option was to reboot by holding down the power key. When the computer restarted, the screen was all grey with a folder in the middle of the screen with a question mark.
I tried the following:
1) Boot up computer while holding down the "Option" key. - Didn't work.
2) Boot up the computer while holding down the "Shift" key. - Didn't work.
Since the first two options didn't work I inserted the original system install disk and booted up while holding down the "C" key. I selected "English" as the language and then opened "Disk Utilities." I pressed "Repair disk" within First Aid. The message I am getting is as follows:
"First Aid failed. Disk Utility stopped repairing "Macintosh HD" because the following error was encountered: Filesystem verify or repair failed."
The details screen shows the following:
"Verify and repair volume "Macintosh HD"
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid sibling link.
Rebuilding Catalog B-tree.
The volume could not be repaired.
Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed."
I ran the "Repair disk" function about 6 times but it was not successful.
I was then going to try to do an "Archive and Install" from the original system disk but when I go to do that no destination options appear at the "Select Destination: Where do you want to install Mac OS X?"
I have not backed up my data very recently (and a lot of what I have stored on this computer is work - I am a freelance designer) so I would like to do something that at least allows me to transfer my data off of my hard drive before reformatting or anything like that. Of course, if there is a less intrusive fix that can leave my hard drive in tact, that would be ideal.
Any advice? Tips? Solutions? I have a MacBook Pro, 15" that I purchased 3 years ago (my 3 year Apple Care plan just expired about a month ago).

You are in a tough situation. The disk appears unusable according to Disk Utility. As was suggested you may (only may) be able to salvage it with Disk Warrior (not sure about Data Rescue). DW can sometimes recover a drive that DU can't. But nothing else can be suggested.
If you can get that disk recovered then back it up ASAP, wipe the disk, reinitialize it, and verify it. But I'm the paranoid type, and with the kind of errors you show for that disk, I am not sure I would ever trust it again. At most I would relegate it to a scratch disk.
Note, if it is a drive that you bought, most drives have a 3 to 5 year warrantee period, so you could get it replaced by the manufacturer if it is within that warrantee period.

My external hard drive will not open and only shows up in Disk Utilities. When I try yo repair it, it give me and error of invalid sibling link. How do I fix my external hard drive?

My external hard drive will not open and only shows up in Disk Utilities. When I try yo repair it, it give me and error of invalid sibling link. How do I fix my external hard drive?

Invalid sibling link may not be fixable by Disk Utility. (Disk Utility is very conservative, and will not attempt repairs that might cause you to lose data.)
It is an indication of serious Directory damage.
that leaves
a) third-party Utilities that will take those risks, or
b) re-initializing the drive (which deletes all your data) and restoring from another backup source.
c) "Copying off whatever files you can salvage" has gone by, and you cannot copy anything off a drive that will not mount. You may be able to use "rescue" programs such as prosoft engineering Data Rescue to copy files to another drive, but that sounds a lot better than its reality. You may get many files, but not get ANY filenames.

Invalid sibling link error

I have a 15" PB which gave an "invalid sibling link error" one month ago and I was not able to even repair it using DiskWarrior. I have Apple Care Protection plan, so I sent it for repairs and the repair guys replaced the motherboard as they suspected it was the reason. On return, I reformatted the HD and installed everything from stratch. Everything was working fine till last Saturday morning, when computer would not boot up. So I checked using Disk Utility from PB DVD, and the dreaded "invalid sibling error" came up again. Since I have a bootable backup of the HD, I formatted the HD and tried to load the system on the HD from the backup copy. But the writing of backup using CCC hung up and I had to quit it. After that I was not able to find the HD using Disk Utility from DVD.
I have sent it for repairs again, but can anyone help me understand the core problem here. Since last time they replaced the motherboard, I think they will replace the HD this time around. Is the logic board, motherboard or the HD that is the root cause of the problem?
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 100GB HDD, 1.5GB RAM

I had never heard of "invalid sibling link error" until you post, and when I ran a search on it the best explanation I could find is that it is a directory-related problem. See the following (assuming it is correct): http://www.computing.net/mac/wwwboard/forum/2584.html The suggestion there, though, is that DIsk Warrior should be able to fix the problem, and you've already told us that you tried using Disk Warrior on it and it did not work.
Very puzzling. Please post back what happens when you get your PB back from being repaired.
Good luck.
-- JDee

Recurring Invalid Sibling Link

Hey Everyone,
I've had my 12" powerbook for perhaps a year and a half now and hadn't had a problem with up until maybe just before christmas - the problem being an invalid sibling link in the file structure.
I did a lot of looking around the web about this and concluded the best solution would be to backup, wipe the drive and then move eveything back on. I did this (with great difficulty seeing as some files seem to give it a hard time accessing and it'll often just sit there clicking the hard disk in a very annoying and very regular fashion) and reinstalled Tiger. For a while everything seemed to be fine, but soon I noticed the drive doing it's weird unproductive clicking again (sort of like click click cliiiiiick) and it'll sometimes just lock up the system til it's through clicking (this happens when i'm trying to open a few apps at a time like safari, itunes and MSN).
I verified the disk back when i first noticed it clicking again and everything was fine - i did the same again last night and am told there's an invalid sibling link. Thing is, surely this shouldn't happen less than two months after I wiped the disk the first time? I sincerely hope this isn't a hardware problem though since it's happened again I'm kinda worried it might be. Another idea i was wondering about is, could it be due to corrupt files somewhere? I had particular trouble moving some files over to my firewire hard disk when i was backing up - could that cause problems like this?
I tried running fsck and it couldn't do anything because of the invalid link.
This is really irritating as I'm an English student and really rely on my powerbook for essays/research not to mention MSN, iMovie and Warcraft III!

AFAIK, neither MacJanitor nor Onyx could have caused the problem, they are just GUI wrappers for tools that are part of Mac OS X. And journaling should in theory prevent any damage to the filesystem caused by improperly shutting the system down.
As to your question "Is there any alternative to Diskwarrior/wiping the disk?" the answer is no, at least none that I know of. There are other utilities out there and you may want to consider them before deciding a purchase, but in the end you're going to do something like that.
This is not a data corruption problem with any of your files. The corruption is in the data that Mac OS X keeps internally about the structure of the filesystem and the physical location of the files on disk. The problem itself may end up causing file loss/corruption, but the other way around is unlikely IMHO.
Why this is happening to you repeatedly I don't know, but until you find it out (if ever), I think DiskWarrior is your best option because chances are that you're going to need it more than once. Moreover, you should really consider running DiskWarrior regularly until the cause of the problem is found. Otherwise you may end up losing and/or corrupting your own files as a result of the corruption in the filesystem.
Finally, about the start up in Safe Mode problem. Does it always happen, i.e. are you always unable to startup that way, or only on the first attempt, or what? Does it happen when you start up from the internal disk only, or also when starting up from the external disk? If the internal only, did it also happen when Disk Utility reported no problems on that disk?
One of the things starting up in Safe Mode does is automatically checking the filesystem on the startup volume, so it should come as no surprise that it fails in your case. And yes, you should be worried about it, but probably no more that you are by the invalid sibling link problem, as they both are likely the same problem.
iMac G5 17" (iSight) Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Macbook not starting up - Invalid Sibling Link

Hi,
I have a Macbook Pro 13 inch (Early 2011). It refuses to start up anymore. I have done the following tests/checks
1. Try booting into safe mode. It gets stuck there as well.
2. Boot into single-user mode and run fsck. It get a "Could not repair Macinotish HD" (or something similar, I ran this a long time ago and am recalling what it said)
3. Booted using the OS X Install Disk, and ran Disk Utility. Tried repairing and got
Invalid sibling link
Rebuilding catalog B-tree
The volume Macintosh HD could be repaired
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
Error: Disk Utility can't repair this disk...disk, and restor your backed-up files.
4. I also ran fsck_hfs -r as some sites suggested, but this didn't work either.
I believe this is not a hard disk fault, since I can boot into my Windows partition without issue.
Is there any way to fix this problem WITHOUT having to reinstall the OS?
In cases reinstallation is the only option, how do I go about backing my data? Should I create a New Image (using Disk Utility) and back up everything on an external HD? Won't this also image the corrupted part?
Here's my problem with reinstalling the OS. I have a software that I have absolutely have to use in 3 days. However, I do not have access to the installation disks for that software. Thus, I would really not like formatting my HD. If I back up my data using the New image feature above, can I retrieve that software?
BTW, I also have access to another Windows laptop, if that will help at all.
This is a time urgent matter and I would be grateful if I get a reply asap. I really need my laptop to work. Thanks a lot!

Invalid Sibling Link > Invalid Sibling Link: Apple Support Communities
You may need Disk Warrior ...

Can anyone help with an invalid sibling link problem?

Following the computer not getting through to admin sign up today, I ran Disk Utility from the start up disk. It revealed an invalid sibling link that couldn't be repaired. I've trawled the web for a solution, which had me sign in with single user mode (currently logged in as such).
In this mode, I did the following:
Typed umount /dev/disk0s3, which seemed to have the HD mounted on it.
Typed fsck_hfs -r /dev/disk0s3
It says: The volume Macintosh HD could not be repaired.
Q: how do I remount the volume and then safely shut down to get a techie on this? I'm not sure I'm confident enough to fix the problem or attempt to retrieve files with Firewire. The problem computer is a Powerbook G4, the potential target to use as an external hard drive is an imac 7.1.
I'm not sure if the volume is mounted. If I type 'ds' it lists /dev/disk0s3 as mounted on /
Whereas devfs is on /dev, fdesc is on /dev and <volfs> is on /.vol. I don't really understand this - a bit out of my depth. I wondered if mount /dev/disk0s3 would remount it?
Any help appreciated.

When confronted with an issue that Disk Utility can't fix, most people get Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro may be able to help too. Or you could try wiping the disk clean, writing zero's to the surface, and restore from backup.
Here's the mount format for 10.5. If you have 10.4 or earlier, you can choose it at the top of the page: http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Darwin/Reference/Manpages/ 10.5/man8/mount.8.html

Disk Utility- Invalid Sibling Link

Can anyone tell me what this is about
Verifying volume “G5 HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid sibling link
The volume G5 HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
I had a similiar problem and posted this
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=3486224#3486224
I have erased and installed the complete system (10.4) again and only been using Safari and ichat for a few days. I have updated all software etc.
I was about to migrate all my files back from an External HD FW and decided to Verify the disk quickly and this message came up.
Do i have to buy another hard drive?
If so what do you recommend? (about 250gb)
G5 2.3DP Mac OS X (10.4) G3 Pisimo 400, Maxtor 250gb External FW HD, ipod etc

If you have erased (but not zero'd the drive) and re-installed 10.4 after the first problem, and then it has happened again, you could try an erase with zeros (select 'Security Options' in Erase) and a complete new install of 10.4 and combo update to 10.4.8
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1048comboupdateppc.html
'Zeroing' is supposed to map out the bad blocks on the drive so that they are not used.
When you have re-installed, you could run Disk Utility(the one on the 10.4.8 drive) and Verify Disk on the boot drive a couple of times. If there is any sniff of an error, see below.
But you may feel happier to replace the drive, as they are not that expensive. I have a Seagate 300GB as the second, 'data' drive, which was a good size/price combination at the time of purchase, but you may want a smaller, faster one as your boot drive. You will find many recommendations if you browse/search the forum.
Note that it is not impossible that other problems are causing the directory corruption - but getting the drive running right would be my priority. Good Luck.

On MacBook air, "/sbin/fsck - fy" gives an error "Invalid sibling link"k

MacBook air will not start on powen-on. Tried Disk Utility, but it can't repair. Tried "/sbin/fsck -fy" It gives an error "Invalid sibling link (4, 35776)... and at the end given a Disk full error, and quits by saying that "the volume Macintosh HD could not be repaier"
Any suggestions on how to fix the issue?

MacBook air will not start on powen-on. Tried Disk Utility, but it can't repair. Tried "/sbin/fsck -fy" It gives an error "Invalid sibling link (4, 35776)... and at the end given a Disk full error, and quits by saying that "the volume Macintosh HD could not be repaier"
Any suggestions on how to fix the issue?

Powerbook G4 10.4.11 won't start from hard drive . Tried repair, " The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972).Invalid sibling link,invalid B tree header, invalid map node,invalid record type,the volume needs to be repaired.

Powerbook G4 10.4.11 won't start from hard drive . Tried repair, " Invalid sibling link,invalid B tree header, invalid map node,invalid record type,the volume needs to be repaired.Powerbook G4 10.4.11 won't start from hard drive . Tried repair, " The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972).Invalid sibling link,invalid B tree header, invalid map node,invalid record type,the volume needs to be repaired.
The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972).

kauribill wrote:
" The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972).Invalid sibling link,invalid B tree header, invalid map node,invalid record type,the volume needs to be repaired.
The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972).
This is a directory issue that Disk Utility cannot fix. Although it manifests itself as a software issue sometimes it may be hardware based. See DiskUtility reports "Underlying task reported failure" when repairing avolume http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1901?viewlocale=en_US". You can try using a utility like TechTool Pro, Drive Genius or Disk Warrior to repair and replace the directory. Another option would be to use the Archive and Install feature to reinstall. If the problem returns after correction you may have a failing or failed HDD.
cornelius

Errors when installing os x 10.4- Invalid sibling link-volume check failed

I am trying to upgrade my PowerPC G4 from OS x 10.2.8 to 10.4. I bought the Tiger Retail DVD. The install disc boots and runs, but near the end of installation, I get " Error Installing Software- Please try installing again" I opened the disk utility on the installer and tried first aid- which failed.
"Invalid Sibling Link"
"Volume check failed"
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
HFS volume checked
1 volume could not be repaired because of an error
I tried first aid repeatedly with no luck. I tried the fsck repair suggested in one of the discussion forums "fsck -fy"
again, "volume check failed"
I'm looking to buy DiskWarrior as suggested, but am curious about another option I've read about. I found a macosxhints website http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070204093925888
that suggests running the install disk, clicking on terminal and unmounting the drive that the OS system "lives on". If I do this, will I lose the data already on my computer? The hint does not talk about how to remount the drive.
I am NOT computer savvy. Would this be getting in over my head? It sounds simple enough, but I don't want to do any irreversible damage. Should I just buy disk warrior, or would the safest bet be to buy an external hard drive and back up everything, then perform an erase an install with Tiger?
Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!!

Hi confused- I just fixed my invalid sibling link error on my HD. Stop using your HD!
It will only get radically worse. I went to http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/ to see which version of Disk Warrior I needed which was 4.1. Then I went to a retail store & bought the CD $99. On the box, it must say 4.0 with 4.1 included + CD rev 42. You must use the CD as the download won't boot up your HD. In the box is a 1-pager of simple instructions. Put disk in CD drive, follow instructions, click rebuild HD, wait 15 minutes. My HD is perfect!!!now. It fixed permissions, rebuilt my directory, fixed my CS3 Adobe applications, fixed corrupted prefs, found & restored ALL files. I lost nothing! Plus made a PDF detailed report. Best $99 i ever spent. Good luck!

TS1367 I have MacOS 10.5.8. It is not booting. It stops at the blue screen. I used the disc utility - verify disc. I get the following message - Invalid sibling link. Volume check failed. Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed. Please give a solution a

I have MacOS 10.5.8. It is not booting. It stops at the blue screen. I used the disc utility - verify disc. I get the following message - Invalid sibling link. Volume check failed. Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed. Please give a solution anybody?

Many times I tried to simply update from 10.5.8 without any success. It starts and after few minutes ...
I used many different install disks (I bought ofiicial release from Mac seller), so I think this is not a problem with wrong version or bad install disk. A few days ago I've got back my computer from Apple technical support and technician told me he had this same problem with system installation

Re: Invalid sibling link came the reply

Hi Folks, I have a big problem, I was saving a document when the spinning beach ball arrived.
The computer just quit, i've never had Mac quit like that before.
I ran Disk Utility, (Invalid sibling link came the reply) I can see the drive greyed out, I highlight the
drive, the blue Mount button lights up but the HD doesn't mount.
I re-booted from my Diskwarrior cd and that way managed to bootup from an external HD.
I ran diskwarrior. When I reached the point to replace the directory I get a flag telling me that there
is not enough free disk space to perform a fail-safe replacement of the directory.
Does anyone know: How much space is required to replace the directory (I have 2.5 gig available)
Is there a way to pull stuff off the HD. !!!!
At this point I think a couple of glasses of vino calapsso is what I need.
What can I do next. Thanks very much in advance.......... B Taylor

Hi-
Does anyone know: How much space is required to replace the directory (I have 2.5 gig available)
Oh my! 10 to 15GB minimum free space, or no more than 80% capacity. You have problems....
At this point I think a couple of glasses of vino calapsso is what I need.
No, you need another hard drive.
Buy a new hard drive, and install it in the other hard drive bay. Format the new drive with Disk Utility, and install OS X. Boot to the new drive, and then you can move files to the new drive.

HD crash/meltdown on my PB G4 - INVALID sibling link?

noticed my HD has become extremely slow when trying to load an appl. like mail. After force shut down,impossible to pass grey display with spinning wheel and Apple logo, so I booted from an external FW800 HD (10.4.6).Disk utility / verify disk
stops with: Invalid sibling link - the volume HD needs to be repaired - Error:The underlying task reported failure on exit - volume needs repair.
When running repair disk I get the message: failed and error: couldn't unmount disk.
Is there a hardware problem with my HD here? It takes over 30
minutes to open/display any folder in Finder.
How can I repair it?
External HD just work normal.

Data Rescue will recover data in whatever form it is. Unfortunately if the directory is damaged it isn't in very usuable form.
If Disk Warrior is saying "Disk Malfunction" I'd actually use Data Rescue versus Disk Warrior. Data Rescue is less destructive on disks than Disk Warrior.
And yes I'd replace the hard drive once you have recovered as much as possible.
In the future always backup your data as my FAQ explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

Invalid sibling link?

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