After four months my Imac hard drive suddenly began making very audible noises.  What should I do?  audible noises.  What should I do?

After four months my Imac hard drive suddenly began making very audible noises.  What should I do?

Back up your system, make a Genius Bar appointment and take it in. If it's 4 months old you are still on warranty, let them fix it.

Similar Messages

  • After having replaced the iMac hard drive I no longer can make iTunes security backups from my iPhone 4S?

    After having had my iMac's hard drive replaced (had a defect 1 TB Seagate) and the 10.8.2 reinstalled, I no longer can make security backups from my iPhone 4S. iTunes simply tells me that the backup cannot be saved on my computer (which it has done numerous times prior the replacement of the hard drive). Any suggestions on how to fix this?

    Click the green jelly button at top left of iTunes window to resize the screen to fit.

  • How to get batch recognition of (!) on some tracks after moving library from external hard drive to new iMac (with terabyte hard drive)?

    I'm using Lion 10.7.2 and iTunes 10.5.2
    I have moved my iTunes music from an external hard drive onto my new iMac (with a terabyte hard drive) with music folder organized - when I try to play some tracks I get the iTunes can't locate warning and so I follow through and show iTunes the track - they are all in the music folder on my iMac hard drive - they all copied over and they all appear in the iTunes library list - so far as I can tell out of a 500 gigabyte music collection - but there are so many giving me the error - many other tracks function as they should too, some work others don't - So I'm looking for a way to get all the error tracks fixed in a batch correction way. Doing this individually with each track just isn't realistic.
    Can anyone suggest how I might fix this issue?
    Also, after I show iTunes the song location and it plays, I get a find files prompt that looks like it wants to find other files, but that just causes the process to jam and I have to force quit iTunes and then it doesn't remember what I last showed it next time I open iTunes.
    Also I'm trying to avoid the use of the consolidate function because that would copy a whole other set of music - not in iTunes - that is in the process of being edited (audio hijack pro and fission tools being used to put vinyl and tapes to mp3) But all that other music just means the consolodate function across my whole computer would be too much.

    Some details seem to be coming into focus - I have started scrolling through the main library list A to Z repairing tracks individually (there are thousands, but it's what works so far) - as I work through, it appears the problem occurred on tracks where album artist metadata was different than song artist metadata, predominantly. I'm not sure that is 100% the case in every instance, but that is what it's looking like. I don't why that happened, must be some technical glich I guess.
    Also, I tried running Doug's Scripts - the one titled, iTunes Track CPR v1.3 - it is supposed to fix exactly the kind of issue I'm having - I bet it would work for some people with a similar issue - but for my case it only identifies the 'de-linked' tracks and doesn't repair them - that is at least helpful as I scroll though to fix them - I can see exactly which tracks have the issue quickly after running that script - but iTunes doesn't remember that warning symbol after a log-out, so it's only worth running the script on a set of tracks I intend to review and fix in any given session at a time.
    If you are interested, Doug's free scripts can be found at
    http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=itunestrackcpr
    there are other interesting and useful iTunes scripts there too...
    also, unrelated to the issue I'm having, I found a lot of really useful and time saving metadata fixing free scripts at - hubi's iTunes scripts - the page isn't English, but the script download is easy to find -
    hubi's scripts work for batch selections of tracks - so if you import an album and find the metadata screwed up somehow, you can select the whole set of screwed up tags at once (even across a series of albums), run the easy to use script, and watch it all be fixed automatically while you sit back and relax...
    http://hubionmac.com/wordpress/category/softwareschmiede/applescripting/itunes/
    just for reference, here is a sampling of what hubi's scripts can do...
    there are other useful scripts out there - the tough part can be finding the one that helps you...
    01-(un)capitalizes
    01-(un)capitalizes
    This script changes.... THIS TEXT into This Text... or this text
    01-Delete spaces
    Sometimes invisible blanks are behind an artist name or album name...this script deletes these blanks behind or infront of the strings
    01-Delete x first-last chars. of Title
    A Name like "01--Ray Of Light" will be changed to "Ray Of Light" and the01 will be entered in the tracks tracknumber id3 field =)
    01-fix combined Artist-Title
    Sometimes Tracknames look like:
    "Madonna---Ray of Light" and in the artist field you see something like"Ripped by Me"... this script puts Madonna back to the right field... all youhave to do is to enter the right delimiter ("---" in this case)
    01-switch Artist<->Title...
    Switch ID3 field a with ID3 field b (not only Artist with Title any more =)!
    01-z_filename ->Title
    Sets the ID3 field Title to the track's filename)
    01-z_trackNr-Filename->ID3
    When a track's filename look like "01-Madonna-Ray of Light.mp3" andyou don't have the track's tracknumber stored in the ID3 Tag... this Scriptcan do this for your =)

  • External hard drives suddenly changed to read only

    Three of my external hard drives suddenly changed to read only. These hard drives have been working on my macbook pro for months. When I click on get info 'read only' shows up and there is no lock icon nor is there a window that shows name | permissions, also in disk utility the 'verify disk premissions', 'verify disk', 'repair disk', and 'repair disk premissions' buttons are ghosted and I can not select them. I have not made any changes to my computer and I have read many other posts and have not been able to find a solution.

    About a hundred times with no luck. Some of my research is leading to Western Digital, there may be a problem with the drives' 'smartware' software. I've been using this drive for months and I never used the 'smartware', but I tried it anyway with no luck. I just remembered that four days ago I had this drive plugged this drive into an Iomega wireless storage device and it seemed to work fine. Now the wireless storage device can't find the drive at all. I just need to know if there is a way I can change the permissions back to read/write, otherwise I will have to buy another drive and transfer all the data to the new drive and re-formatt the wd drive.

  • Internal iMac hard drive keeps trying to power down without my consent

    How do you stop an internal hard drive from shutting down when you didn't ask it to?
    Background:
    I use Missing Sync for Palm to sync my Palm handheld with my iMac. My Palm has a SD card slot it in and the sync software came with a program that allows me to mount the
    SD card as an external drive on my iMac. From there, I can add podcasts, music or whatever I want directly to the card. I have used this software since March with no problems.
    Also, when you put my computer to sleep or shut it down, there is a click and then the internal hard drive shuts down.
    Last night, I activated the program to mount the SD card to my iMac and instead of it mounting, the iMac's internal hard drive started trying to shut down.
    I have used this program many, many times to mount the SD card to my iMac with absolutely no problem. It was weird this time because I kept hearing that clicking noise. The computer became extremely sluggish. To me, it appeared that the internal hard drive was trying to shut down. After about 4-5 clicks, it succeeded and the computer froze.
    Since that time, shortly after you turn the iMac on, you hear that clicking noise trying to power down the hard drive. Sometimes, it just takes a few clicks and the hard drive shuts off. Sometimes the computer will boot all the way up, I can log in and launch a program before it shuts off and the computer freezes. While I can't check the drive with First Aid or Diskwarrior because it shuts off before I can scan it, I assume the data and the drive are ok because I have been able to successfully boot from it and log into my account but shortly after I log in, the hard drive shuts down and the computer is stuck.
    Any ideas? Any help would be wonderful!

    You are right. It is failing. I took my Mac into the Apple Store and talked with a genius. Although the hard drive would not do what it had at home (typical when you're trying to get something diagnosed) I shut it down so he could hear the noise I do.
    Sure enough, he said the noise I heard was the drive read head hitting its start position. When a hard drive shuts down, the drive head moves out of the way since the "hard disk" is actually a thin floppy magnetic disc. The noise I kept hearing was indeed the drive trying to shut down.
    Fortunately, I did make a clone of my internal drive to that external drive 6 months ago so I was (eventually) able to copy over all the important files, update the external clone and boot off of it.
    Sure enough, tonight, I opened Disk Utility and it said in plain red letters that the drive had reported a hardware failure and should be replaced.
    Since my iMac is Summer 2001, the Mac Genius said they no longer carry parts for it so he gave me the name of a local place that would be glad to fix it up. I called them and luck would have it that they were completely out of the internal drives used by my model iMac. So I have to check next week to see if they have received more in yet.
    The good news is I can get a slightly larger interal hard drive since I was down to 10GB of a 60GB factory drive. So far, I hear I can go as high as 160GB but the RPM must be lower since my iMac has no fans.
    Thanks for your help! As much as I didn't want to believe it, you hit the problem right on.

  • Please help RE retrieval/transfer of imac hard drive to imac Part 2

    Absolutely any assistance would be gratefully appreciated thank you. I am computer illiterate and I need assistance retrieving data from a imac hard drive (rest of computer isn't working) to a newer imac. Previously had received help from the forum and found out I needed an external casing (thank you again to all those that helped), but no shops near me sell them, sales person told me Sata HDD Docking (OTB) would be able to do a similar thing. I really suck with technology, so I humbly ask if any patient persons more intelligent than me could help me with some basic questions to help me retrieve/transfer data. Let me know if I need to give details. Any links to guides or tutorials welcome as well, but I tend to second guess myself and fail at basic terms often, there are probably 6 year olds with better computer skills and knowledge than me, so yeah, pity welcome, help even more so. Oh first question am I still suppose to use Migration Assistent or do I just turn on computer with old HD in dock connected?

    Okay, I apologize for throwing you the following curveball - it appears the shop assistent I was talking to may not have been as knowledgeable as I had hoped, because I don't think my imac is compatible with USB 3.0? I tried putting it into the dock but nothing happened - it gave me four options, transfer from another Mac, transfer from a PC, transfer from a Time Machine (and something else) and forth option was not to transfer now.
    I attempted to transfer from Mac and Time Machine options, but with both the loading dial spun for 10 mins with each with no change. So I decided to try and set up the computer anyway. The internet set up part came up but at the time I didn't know how to set it up, and now with retrospect I assume I have to set that up before I "register this computer" as no hard drive is showing onmy computer at the moment? Sorry for the sudden and strange switch in problems but now that I have set up the internet - could you or anyone else please tell me how I can register the computer details (or why the hard drive icon is not appearing assuming those things are connected - when I did fill those details out before it told me it couldn't send them now and would have to be done later?)
    Sorry for being so clueless - any help appreciated.
    I am looking up my imacs specs now to see if it actually can access this dock. (thank you once again)  

  • Imac hard drive replacement

    Incredibly my rarely used 2011 Imac Hard Drive is toast. I saw they have a replacement program but even though it is way too soon for a hard drive OF QUALITY to be going out so soon as mine - mine is not included in the replacement program. 
    Which I have a problem with - how odd it is that they had enough trouble with these computers/hard drives to do a replacement program but mine which did the same thing, expired way too soon isn't covered.  I've not had use of the computer for 4 months while I tried to fix the problem so it lasted a little over a year.
    Anyway I need to know what to do to try to replace it myself as i haven't the funds to take it to Apple for repair.   Plus, Apple Computers and me are history I will never buy another after spending over $1200 for a computer that's nothing more than a very large paperweight right now.
    How do I know what size and all that?
    I may not be able to afford even that so more than likely this is going to be a very nice looking worthless computer going to the landfill.

    I Am leaning more toward Kappy's comments, based on your attitude and comments, but I will ask some questions and add some useful comments as I am in a somewhat charitable mood.
    Do you still have AppleCare on this iMac?
    From your rather blunt comments I assume no, but have to ask anyhow.
    This is why I recommend purchasing and registering for 3- year extended AppleCare.
    Because of the nature of the newer iMac designs, hardware failure seems more likely or commonplace occurrence. I believe it's more of a excessive heat related issue than anything else despite what Apple has qualified as "normal" operating temps for these iMac models.
    Check out the iFixit home site and search for iMac disassembly or tear/take down. Or search for iMac hard drive replacement on the site.
    Another option is for you to purchase an external FireWire 400/800 drive as your new boot drive.
    Running your iMac from a FW800 drive will be about as fast as running it from the iMac's Internal drive.
    If you can afford it get as large a drive as you can afford.
    And just for your info, while hard drives can last for years without issue they will go bad, eventually.
    Some drives crash and burn faster than others. Especiallly true of the notebook style drives that Apple installs into the newer design iMac. With hard drives, the question is not if they will fail, but when will they fail.
    If you had all of your data backed up to an extra, external drive or optical discs to begin with, you wouldn't be so upset about your internal drive dying as your data still would've been intact on another drive or discs in the first place.
    I Always advocate for having some sort of backup strategy for your important data in the event of hardware or hard drive storage failure.

  • I need to replace my late 2006 20" imac hard drive

    here's what i have
    VIN,IMAC (20-INCH LATE 2006)
    running leopard 10.5.8
    Hardware Overview:
      Model Name: iMac
      Model Identifier:    iMac5,1
      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
      Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
      Number Of Processors: 1
      Total Number Of Cores: 2
      L2 Cache: 4 MB
      Memory: 3 GB
      Bus Speed:    667 MHz
      Boot ROM Version: IM51.0090.B09
      SMC Version (system): 1.9f4
      Serial Number (system): W8******VUV
    WDC WD2500JS-40TGB0:
      Capacity: 232.89 GB
      Model:    WDC WD2500JS-40TGB0
      Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
      S.M.A.R.T. status: Failing
      Volumes: Macintosh HD:
      Capacity: 232.57 GB
      Available: 106.04 GB
      Writable:  Yes
      File System: Journaled HFS+
      BSD Name:    disk0s2
    disk utility shows this:
    my mac is still running like a champ but as the pictures above show it's time
    i've found a lot of people with the same question i have on this site with answers but most links that people suggest are broken or 2 of the hard drives they've recommended are discontiued
    i've got a frys electronics and best buy near by or internet if that's the best way to go about it
    what exactly do i need to look for when i'm at a store or online?
    what size hard drive, any? 250GB, 500GB, 750GB, 1TB
    3.5" SATA
    7200RPM
    does cache matter?
    anything else?
    people's responses to: Need to replace my late 2006 imac hard drive - what should i be looking for to replace it?
    1. You can use any 3.5" Sata drive, WD or Seagate would be good choices.
    2. Do not use "green" drives like the WD Blue series. WD Black are fine as are Seagates.
    3. The 2T green will work fine in the Intel iMac's. I always suggest using the quieter and cooler running Blue's or Green's in the iMac's.
    4. Personally I have upgraded the Hard Drive in several Early Core Duo's using both 320GB and 500GB WD Cavair Blue's.
    5. WD Caviar Blue or WD Caviar Green, they run cooler and quieter than the WD Black or Seagate's.
    6. I'm very happy with the WD Caviar Blue that replaced my factory installed 160GB Seagate HD a few months ago.
    i've found some good DIY tutorials for install
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShY8zuT-wPg&feature=player_embedded
    http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+20-Inch+EMC+2105+and+2118+Hard+Drive+Repl acement/1092/1 
    any help will be appreciated,
    sean k
    <Edited by Host>

    thanks for the quick reply kappy,
    i plan to purchase a new imac when they are actually shipped, in stores, and i know all my handicap assisted devises will work on it
    you say "Do not buy a drive designed for SATA 3 6 Gb/s interfaces as some may not work on the controller in your iMac"
    at frys it breaks the groups like this:
    Interface (32)  
    SATA/300 (17)
    SATA/600 (9)
    PATA/100 (6)
    could you take a look at this link to frys and recommend a hard drive
    http://www.frys.com/search?cat=-69564&pType=pDisplay&fq=100413%203.5-100415%2072 00
    or bestbuy internal hard drives
    like you said it's got a limited life and just need something to get by till the new imacs arrive

  • Hi. My iMac hard drive is running Mavericks.  I have an old version of Quark Xpress (3.32) which won't run in Mavericks.  Can I partition my hard drive and run an older system on one partition, so I can access my Quark?  Is that possible?

    Hi. My iMac hard drive is running Mavericks.  I have an old version of Quark Xpress (3.32) which won't run in Mavericks.  Can I partition my hard drive and run an older system on one partition, so I can access my Quark?  Is that possible?

    Hi ancelau,
    QuarkXPress 3 is a Classic Mac OS application, so you need a version of OS X that still supports Classic. I believe 10.4 was the last one.
    So if you have an iMac that boots with 10.4, then yes that is possible. I doubt though that newer Macs boot with OS X 10.4.
    So why don't you upgrade QuarkXPress 3 to a newer version? I am not just asking that because I want you to spend money with us.
    Typically using software that was released almost 20 years ago is just feasible when you keep an environment that was current at the time of release or a few years after, so an older Mac with a operating system present at that time. 20 years in IT is a lot.
    So my opinion is that on a new Mac with a brand new operating system you need to use something a bit more current.
    How about QuarkXPress 9 (released 3 years ago) or QuarkXPress 10? You are better off with v9, as QuarkXPress 10 only opens v7 and higher (whereas QuarkXPress 9 opens v3.1 and higher).
    Or - I am even happy to make an exception - upgrade to 9 and we give you 10 for free? Let me know please.
    Thanks
    Matthias

  • IMac hard drive failing; external TM will restore but won't then back up

    It appears my early 2009 (OS X 10.9.5) hard drive is failing as it crashed 6 months ago, in November and again this week. SMART Utility says it has re-allocated 6 bad sectors and there has been 1 re-allocated event. Each Time I have successfully restored from an external hard drive with TM on it. Prior to the November fail, CCC reported an odd (unknown to me system file) corrupt file but, instead of replacing the file as perhaps I should, I decided to re-boot which it wouldn't do and hence the November TM restore.
    However, despite restoring successfully the external TM will no longer make back ups. I have tried repairing it but it is greyed out and Verify says 'unable to complete.' Eventually I did get the greyed out button to work but Repair reported:
    Verifying volume “Time Machine”
    Checking file system
    Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
    Checking extents overflow file.
    Checking catalog file.
    Keys out of order
    Invalid extent entry
    Incorrect block count for file iNode785919y8
    (It should be 13 instead of 4194317)Invalid extent entry
    Missing thread record (id = 82)
    Incorrect size for file iNode78591999
    (It should be 4096 instead of 274877907467)
    Invalid extent entry
    File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78591999)
    File has incorrect number of links (id = 78591999)
    (It should be 1 instead of 17)
    Missing thread record (id = 18)
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    Incorrect block count for file iNo$e78592002
    (It should be 4194317 instead of 13)
    Missing thread record (id = 82)
    Invalid extent entry
    Incorrect size for file iN/de7x592003
    (It should be 4096 instead of 274877907467)
    Invalid extent entry
    File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78592067)
    File has incorrect number of links (id = 78592067)
    (It should be 1 instead of 17)
    Missing thread record (id = 4194322)
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78592004)
    File has incorrect number of links (id = 78592004)
    (It should be 1 instead of 17)
    Missing thread record (id = 18)
    Incorrect size for file iNode78592005
    (It should be 0 instead of 64)I
    nvalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entryIncorrect size for file iNode78592006
    (It should be 0 instead of 4194304)
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    Missing thread record (id = 4194322)
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    File record has hard link chain flag (id = 82786312)
    File has incorrect number of links (id = 82786312)
    (It should be 1 instead of 17)
    Missing thread record (id = 18)
    Incorrect block count for file )Nod%78592009
    (It should be 65 instead of 1)
    Invalid extent entry
    Invalid extent entry
    Incorrect block count for file iNode78592010
    (It should be 0 instead of 4194304)
    Invalid extent entry
    Incorrect size for file iNode78592011
    (It should be 0 instead of 274877906944)
    Invalid catalog record type
    The volume Time Machine could not be verified completely.
    Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
    Whilst pondering this, the hard drive crashed again this week. Bizarrely I was able to restore from the very same external TM that will not let me do further back ups nor be repaired.
    I wonder if there are any further checks I can do to establish if my iMac hard drive is failing? I will then decide whether to replace the hard drive - I see I can fit a WD 6TB with the jumpers set to reduce the speed to 3GB/s - or buy a new iMac.
    I wonder also whether there is anything I can do to preserve my TM back ups. I realise I am being guided to re-format this external drive, but can I do that and then add back the actual existing back ups (which I would transfer to another disk before re-formatting) rather than start again from no history newly formatted?

    Omdineen wrote:
    It boots up to where its just my background and the Finder bar but then crashes, so I can't click anything. Anything from here or am I just screwed?
    There are a few remaining options.
    If you have another Mac with a FireWire port, try FireWire Target Disk Mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
    You need a FireWire cable to connect the two Macs. This will allow you to mount your failing HD on a working Mac and copy files that way.
    Try Safe Mode - read about it first:
    Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components.
    Starting up in Safe Mode 
    This assumes the Finder is crashing due to a third party system extension or optional system component that Safe Mode will prevent from loading. You should still be able to copy files directly to an external device, but file sharing will be disabled.
    Lastly boot from the DVD again, repair the disk again, reinstall OS X, and keep your fingers crossed. You're squeezing the last drops of life from the thing.

  • I have a 2007 20" iMac. Can I get a solid state hard drive installed?  Can the Apple store do it?  How long?  What cost?

    I have a 2007 20" iMac. Can I get a solid state hard drive installed?  Can the Apple store do it?  How long?  What cost?

    Sure-glad to help you. You will not lose any data by changing synching to MacBook Pro from imac. You have set up Time Machine, right? that's how you'd do your backup, so I was told, and how I do my backup on my mac.  You should be able to set a password for it. Save it.  Your stuff should be saved there. So if you want to make your MacBook Pro your primary computer,  I suppose,  back up your stuff with Time machine, turn off Time machine on the iMac, turn it on on the new MacBook Pro, select the hard drive in your Time Capsule, enter your password, and do a backup from there. It might work, and it might take a while, but it should go. As for clogging the hard drive, I can't say. Depends how much stuff you have, and the hard drive's capacity.  As for moving syncing from your iMac to your macbook pro, should be the same. Your phone uses iTunes to sync and so that data should be in the cloud. You can move your iTunes Library to your new Macbook pro
    you should be able to sync your phone on your new MacBook Pro. Don't know if you can move the older backups yet-maybe try someone else, anyways,
    This handy article from Apple explains how
    How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support''
    don't forget to de-authorize your iMac if you don't want to play purchased stuff there
    and re-authorize your new macBook Pro
    time machine is an application, and should be found in the Applications folder. it is built in to OS X, so there is nothing else to buy. double click on it, get it going, choose the Hard drive in your Time capsule/Airport as your backup Time Machine  and go for it.  You should see a circle with an arrow on the top right hand of your screen (the Desktop), next to the bluetooth icon, and just after the wifi and eject key (looks sorta like a clock face). This will do automatic backups  of your stuff.

  • Help! iMac hard drive failure No Backups

    I bought iMac in 2011 and worked perfectly fine until 4 days ago. The first sign was everything became so slow. Every task took about 2 minutes to finish or the mouse cursor spinning forever. Then I started reboosting the system. The problem remained. The following day, I tried to turn on the iMac. However, within 10 seconds, it shut itself down. I tried reboosting on and off for a few more times. Exactly the same thing happend. I haven't done anything to iMac. I mainly use it for surfing on Internet, listening to itune or using iphotos.
    Then I realized, since I bought iMac, I never used time machine or external drive to set up the backup files. I was stupifiied that I never thought about it because I secretely believed that iMac will never have hard drive problem on me. I never even had such problems in all my precious PCs. All my files from my previous PCs are in iMac as well as saved word documents, photos, and videos. It would be the worst thing in my life if I lose all of these files including files that have sentimental values.
    I already made appointment with apple store genius bar. But while anxiously waiting for the appointment, I wonder if anyone could tell me a solution to recover all my files in iMac.
    Thank you!

    This depends entirely on the nature of the failure or if there even has been a disk failure as opposed to a system failure.
    You might try reinstalling Snow Leopard:
    Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
    If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
    If the above is not possible:
    General File Recovery
    If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro.  Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive.  Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and TestDisk.  Look for them and demos at MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.
    The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.
    Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.
    If the above is not possible, then you would need to send the drive to a disk recovery service such as Data Recovery by DriveSavers | All Drives, RAID, SSD & iPhones. These services are very expensive and provide no guarantee of success.

  • Mac OS X v10.8.2 Mountain Lion - constant chatter on my iMac hard drive on start-up and no applications running.

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    Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

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