Catalog B-Tree: "Keys Out of Order"

One day my ibook G4 suddenly stopped working. It started up, but there was only a blue screen. The cursor worked, but the desktop, dock, everything else was gone--nothing to click on.
I went to Apple support and discussions and followed info given there:
I ran the Hardware Test disk: It said everything passed. After that the apple and start-up window appeared, but it stopped, usually after "Starting Network..." came on, then it would become an all blue screen once again...and the cursor was frozen in the upper left hand corner.
I reset the PMU and tried to run the software restore disk, (shutdown and restarted holding "C" down). This time the start up got as far as "...time synchronization..." then stopped and went to blue screen again. (The disc icon didn't come up on screen, nor did it just start working as the Hardware Test disc did.)
After more research in the discussion groups, I started up in single entry mode and ran an "fsuk" check. It gave the "Catalog B-Tree: keys out of order" and Macintosh HD cannot be repaired message.
Then I read that if you have an "Extended" journal (or ?) the fsck might give benign error messages. So I don't know if the Catalog B problem is correct or not.
Further research led me to "Computer stops responding at "starting Network Filesystem" which is exactly where it stopped before I reset the PMU (which I understand resets the clocks).It suggests there is an NFS export Loopback problem and says to restore my network.nidb file from a good backup (what would that be?) or delete or modify the mount(s) causing the issue (also clueless as to what that might be).
I am hesitant to do anything else. (One bit of info said that if there is a file directory issue such as Catalog B, running and Upgrade or Archive and Install might worsen the problem.)
Can anyone here let me know what I should do, or if this is a fixable problem?
Thanks!

What Format is the Disk?
If it's HFS+ hen DiskWarrior® stands a good chance of fixing it, much better than fsck anyway.
Don't trust the Apple HW CD... it's next to worthless for finding problems last time I used it.
You can also pull ALL yhe Batteries and AX, let it set overnite, to reset everything.
If the HD is really shot, then you'll need an external HD and one of these...
http://subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftware/index.php?mainpage=product_info&productsid=1
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/datarescueinfo.php

Similar Messages

Hard drive verification keys out of order

Following a period of very slow reponses and some screen flicker I ran disk Utility and on verifying my hard disk (a single volume) I got the message while it was checking the Catalog File saying 'keys out of order' The underlying task reported failure on exit' followed by 'the volume needs repair'. I used my system CD to try and repair the volume but got the same message. Can anyone tell me what it means and what I should do?
The machine appears to be working OK otherwise and the slow responses and flicker have sorted themselves but Disk Utility still thinks there is something wrong. I have Tech Tool pro but am a little wary of running it having heard a few horror stories.
Thanks

If you don't have a backup, do that. If you have Disk Warrior, try it, but I think TechTool Pro 4.5.1 should be fine. But always backup first.
Start using an emergency clone / system drive. Either internal (there is room for four drives after all) or FireWire (might want FW800 card and case which run as well as the ATA/100 bus).
You can always boot into single user mode (command s on startup) and at the prompt, follow the line of instructions above about typing in "sbin/fsck -fy" to fix and repair the drive. But, in a case like yours, you should be using Tiger DVD 10.4.6 and may need 3rd party utility. So I'd upgrade TTP if you have not, and buy some disk drives.
But, I would never "it seems to be working" assume that it is or that it won't get worse - it pretty much has to get worse.
Throw out what you don't need, remove what you have backed up, remove cache folders, and make sure you have at least 20% free space.
My guess, with TTP4 and people having problems, it is rare, they didn't have a backup. DW seems to be - in over 6 yrs of use, the safest. It does one thing, and the only time it has trouble is the drive doesn't have room to write a new repaired directory, or it takes too long to scavange a drive.

10.4.10 'Keys out of order' - unable to repair disk!!

After getting sick and tired of endless problems with my 3 month old iMac, which only seem to get worse with every update, I've just run the Disk Utility. It found many problems with permissions and sorted those out. So then I thought I'd just verify the disk to make sure and got this....
Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Keys out of order
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
But no, it can't repair the disk.... Help!

I have to say I bitterly regret switching to Macs
- very expensive, unstable, and clearly susceptible
to fundamental problems like this.
All modern computers are susceptible to this sort of problem (file system corruption) -- that's why it is a fundamental problem. If you want to avoid the possibility, you have to avoid using a file-based OS, which limits you to OS's embedded in ROM ... like maybe a 30 year old Commodore 64.
Seriously, if you want to protect yourself from this sort of problem -- no matter what OS you use -- there is only one reliable option: backup your files regularly to something other than your startup drive.

Keys out of order - reinstalling OS X or get Disk Warrior - Advice?

My nightmare is below but before describing it, I'm at this point in the problem: using an IBM laptop I've already logged into my 800MHz Mac G4 using Target mode and extracted all important files using HFS Explorer. Now I need help on what to do next so that I can try to save myself from having to reformat the Mac's hard drive. The full story:
I ran 5 Apple software updates (listed below with approximate versions from my recollection) and the Mac installed them fine but rebooted to a blank blue screen. The OS level before running these updates was v.10.4.10 ...
Apple OS X version 10.4.11 update
QuickTime v. 7.5.1
Java Console update
iTunes 8.0.1
…and one other minor update program.
... after several reboots I found that the Mac was pretty much gone. The error message I got in verbose mode was: "keys out of order, (4, 726)". I started the Mac in Single User Mode and ran several variants of the fsck command (-y, -fy, etc.) about 4 times each and no dice - the message I always got was: "Rebuilding catalog B-tree"... followed by: "volume could not be repaired". The Mac will not boot from the Mac OS X CD and I already tried holding down the "C" key trick but no dice there either. The only thing I haven't tried yet is typing "boot cdrom" at the Apple Firmware prompt - and wanted to ask if anyone thinks this might actually boot the OS X CD (?)
At this point my real question is how to preserve the programs & files on the Mac and get it back working, if possible, without having to reformat the hard drive. I did not purchase Disk Warrior because the Mac won't boot the OS X CD using the "C" key. The Mac will eject the CD tray and I can insert the OS X CD but the CD never spins up and the Mac spits the CD out and then shuts itself down. If the "boot cdrom" command will work in the Firmware, then purchasing Disk Warrior becomes an option. I see my options right now as the following. Anyone know which option is best to reduce the headache factor and save the wallet.
1. If "boot cdrom" using Apple Firmware will in fact boot a CD, will using Disk Warrior preserve the Mac's installed programs (Adobe Suite CS2) once Disk Warrior creates the new hard drive volume?
2. Use "boot cdrom" using Apple Firmware and re-install OS X (will Adobe Suite still be installed?) Yes, it's a legal copy of CS2 but the install CD is not at my house and will take a week to get.
3. Reformat the hard drive, install OS X and reinstall Adobe Suite, reconfigure my wireless settings, etc. and all the other stuff you have to do after a hard drive has to be reformatted.
4. Take it to the local Apple Store
5. ??? Any other options out there ???
Thanks in advance.
RPQ

Thank you for the replies. Here is the final outcome on this one: a bad hard drive. The verdict from a local Apple authorized service center was that it was a coincidence that the hard drive (made in 2001) pretty much failed at the point when I was running the 5 updates. On their test bench, my Mac would not boot from the OS X CD or a DiskWarrior CD, but, it would boot from an external hard drive. I was told the CD-ROM drive and hard drive are on separate buses so the service provider did some testing with a new hard drive and the old hard drive. They were straight with me and everything they tried made sense because they were the same problems that I encountered when trying to fix/diagnose the Mac. In the end, they installed a new 250GB hard drive, installed OS 10.4.6 and gave me the old hard drive back – on which I still can access all the old files just in case I missed any with my original copy job to my laptop using HFS Explorer. $169 total bill. Not bad.
I still think there is probably a way to clone the old hard drive but that could have run up the labor charges and by that time I could have purchased another entire (used) G4. So the only real loss is not having the Adobe CS2 suite of programs installed but I can still get the install disk if needed. Now sitting in my update list is: the Apple update to OS 10.4.11… the minimum OS system requirement to get a brand new Nano to work on a Mac. My fear is that running that update might cause the same Keys out of Order issue on this ol’ Mac so I’m thinking that I’m not going to install any more updates – just in case!

Disk utility says "keys out of order,... HD could not be repaired"

I have been trying to install osx 10.4.3 (just the update version) from the store bought kit. It fails during check of destination volume. First I found out that it was not a good idea to have 3rd party memory installed so I removed that, but no change. I have tried to repair HD using disk utility launched, at first from 10.4.3 install disk, then from original 10.3 install disk. Disk Utility now says:
Keys out of order
Rebuilding Catalogue B-tree
the volume Mac HD could not be repaired
Error: the underlying task reported failure on exit -9972
1 volume could not be repaired
Shortly after I install these 2 sticks of memory yesterday (referenced above), I was having troubles. Don't remember exactly what or what sequence, but got the locked beachball 2 or 3 times. At some point, there was a 'static' type "POP" over the speakers and maybe from the tower too but at that instant the desktop background reverted from some green apple swirls to the default blue swirls. Other than that everything continues to work perfectly fine. Static electricity is really non-existent here ; very humid, and I was carefull during install of the memory.
I made a disk image yesterday to back up selected files prior to trying to load 10.4.3 and not sure if I may have done something wrong there....
I have some 3rd party software installed like Nikon scan, Audacity, Firefox. What else do you need to know?? How do I fix the HD? How can it be messed up if everything is working normal?

It's not likely that the memory installed caused the corruption of the B-Tree, more of a coincidence that you noticed it soon after the installation. To fix a problem of that magnitude, you have two options:
1) Back up all of your important data, erase the hard drive, and reinstall everything.
2) Buy a program such as DiskWarrior to fix the B-Tree without requiring you to erase your hard drive.

"Underlying task" + "Keys out of order" + Not turning on

I've been running my Powerbook G4 for the better part of two years now, and now that my one year Apple warranty is conveniently expired I'm having repeated problems.
A few weeks ago I had the first problem, which was a complete system freeze. I shut down from the power button and from then on I couldn't start up the OS (spinning wheel on startup screen).
I sadly found no solutions after trying to boot from the install DVD and using the Disk Utility ("The underlying task reported failure on exit" when I tried to verify/repair disk, as well as repairing permissions.), so I erased the entire harddrive and then reinstalled. (I had to do this twice because the update to 10.4.9 made my applications not work, but I figured that problem out and got everything working and in order).
After getting all my applications installed again, and registering them all, everything seemed fine. Everything worked for the next week or two, and then the system froze again. After waiting in silent horror for a few hours I decided to use the power button again. NOW, the computer will boot up, everything seems normal at a glance. But you cannot open finder, or most applications, and when I open Firefox I get a very nice pattern of strange "u" shaped symbols.
I did the whole Install DVD disk utility shpeel, and successfully repaired permissions. Next, I tried to repair the disk and recieved something like "Keys out of order". After trying for a few minutes to repair a C-tree of some kind, the disk utility spits out a "The underlying task reported error on exit" message. Frusterated, I found something on the internet that told me to try "sbin/fsck -fy" in the single user mode. So I restarted and tried to enter single user mode, and the computer shut off at the grey apple screen.
Now I can't get past the grey apple screen, whether its with cmmd + S, cmmd + c, or just normally. It just shuts right on down.
I've tried taking out the battery and A/C connection and then turning it on, but still no luck. Also, I havent found any solutions for this on the web.
Luckily, I have all my music and other important files on an external firewire drive.
ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
Apologies for such a long rant.
Cheers
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I managed to boot the computer with the option + power button so I can access disk utility now.
The S.M.A.R.T status of the drive is "Verified".
I'm working on getting a copy of DiskWarrior right now, hopefully that resolves the problem.

Keys out of order - help!

Hi, all I hope osmeone can help:
Background: I run 10.3.9, have 1.12 GB RAM, and use Adobe CS2. Try to maintain about 10GB hard disk space, using an external drive for storage. InDesign has been a little buggy, strange resetting of defaults, crashes when exporting, tried the usual repair permissions, run sudo commands, helps some but after a strange hanging (repair permissions lost contact with Utility Manager) I tried running fsck -y and fsck -f and got some error messages. On restart, I got something like "restart your computer immediately" after my desktop opened and I tried to start an app. I booted from the CD, ran DU and the computer seems fine BUT>>>>>>BEFORE I mess around again as a single user (I am intrepid, but not knowledgeable)
HEre is the message I got before I booted from the CD(as best as I could copy).
/deo/rdiskOs5
Root file system
Checking HFS Plus volume
Checking Extents Overflow file
Checking Catalogue file
Illegal Name
Illegal Name
diskOs5: I/O error
Keys out of order
(4,36067)
Rebuilding Catalogue B-tree
diskOs5: I/O error
The Volume MacHD could not be repaired
I have been working in InDesign on one document and all seems okay, but after reading some of the forums, I'd like to be sure.
NOTE: sometimes I get a soft grinding sound when the computer is starting up, it is intermittent. I can't afford a new computer or lots of software at the moment, and I hope someone can help!

annexit:
if I download it and there is no software to make it a startup disk, what can I do? Can I install it on another computer and firewire them or something?
I am assuming that by "it" you are referring to Disk Warrior.
If you download the file, you will not be able to boot from the downloaded file. However, as you correctly anticipate, you can install it on another computer and run the tests in Firewire Target Disk Mode.
• Download Disk Warrior.
• Install DW on a second Mac.
• Connect computers via Firewire.
• Start up other (Host) computer and log in
• Hit power button on affected computer (Target) and immediately after chime hold down the "T" key. The firewire symbol will flash on the Target computer screen and the Target HDD will mount on the Host computer's desktop as a Firewire Drive.
You are now ready to launch and run Disk Warrior.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Key out of order

My HD was running a bit slow and I ran Norton to check it out. It ran into some major catalog errors which it could not fix, the scan ended with an error message saying the program ran into something it could not fix.
So I ran Disk Utility and it fixed the catalog errors but it says I have another problem: Keys out of order.
I ran the utility twice as it suggests in documentation I found here. It still did not fix the problem. The documentation suggested that if Utilities could not fix it to try fixing it with a 3rd party program, so I tried Norton again and again it ran into something it could not fix.
The documentation suggests I reformat.
Ok, but is that going to erase my Hard Drive?? I don't want to erase anything.
What are the steps to reformatting without erasing the hard drive?
iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6) nothing extra has been added, same ram etc.
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4)

Possibly it might. Can't say for certain.
Windows requires defragmentation, OSX does not.
If you have to backup & reinstall, which is a definite possibility, and the cheapest way to go, grab a freeware utility for keeping things in good working order on your Mac like these:
UpdateWasher http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20559
Onyx http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582
These are both built to keep OSX optimized, and do the Mac equivalent of defragmenting.
If you stop paying good money for BLOATWARE that just hogs your system down, you'll be richer, and your Mac will run much better.

Keys out of order, disk utility fails

PowerPC (?, whatever came just before Intel-based machines) iMac running 10.3.something failed to boot - hangs at "Logging into OSX" window but never gets there to log in. Booting from Install CR-ROM and running Disk Utility fails to repair Catalog. Booting in single user mode results in "Keys out of order (4, 51882)" "The volume Macintosh HD could not be repaired". Also tried to boot from Prosoft "Data Rescue II" CD-ROM but no help
Any suggestions to repair/recover?
Files all appear to be there - can navigate around in Unix and list them. Also have external Lacie hard drives connected (unconnecting does not resolve problem) - Would there be a way to cp or rcp some key files to these external drives to at least recover some?

Welcome To  Discussions jeff_st!
If all else fails, and you have access to another Firewire enabled Mac, you can also use Firewire Target Disk Mode, to backup as much data as possible.
Then reformat the HD, zeroing all data, and perform an Erase & Install.
ali b

PowerBook doesn't boot. Keys out of order?

A few weeks ago my powerbook's keyboard stopped working properly - unresponsive or nonresponsive keys. It seemed to right itself after a couple of boots.
Last time I was using it (weeks of use later) it started to make a high pitched whine and I had to shut it down using the power key as nothing else would work. I have not since been able to boot it up. The boot process gets as far as the 'bong' and the grey screen with the spining time cog and then the screen goes black and it goes off.
I have just tried running disk first aid from the installation disk and got the following message:
Disk utility stopped repairing "macintosh HD" because the following error was encountered:
The underlying task reported failure on exit OK (the blue button)
I noticed in the report box the following:
in red-
Keys out of order
in green-
Rebuilding catalogue B-tree
The first aid got no further than this
Please can somebody help me?
Has my drive failed? Is there any thing else I can try to do with my installation disk or do I have to resort to target mode to try to rescue my files before flinging it through the window?!

Hi, Christie. If you're planning to fling your Powerbook out the window, please be sure to open the window first, and give me time to get out there in the yard to catch it before it lands.
What you need is DiskWarrior (the best option) or TechTool Pro, which should resolve the "keys out of order" problem in your hard disk directory in just a few minutes. That problem may have been caused when you forced the machine to shut down after it began to whine, or it may have been present beforehand. Directory corruption of that kind is most often caused by abnormal operations like forced shutdowns and freezes, but it can also cause them later on if it isn't corrected. A failing hard drive can also cause its own directory to be corrupted, and bad RAM and other hardware faults are also possible causes of directory damage. But much more often the culprit is just a one-time glitch in software that can be remedied using DiskWarrior or TTPro and won't soon recur (as it's likely to do very soon if there's an underlying hardware cause).
If you have a complete, recent backup of your hard drive, another option to consider is erasing the drive completely and restoring everything to it from your backup. That too will write a new, undamaged directory to the disk, but it's more tedious than using DiskWarrior or TTPro. Of course it's also free.

Keys out of order -- follow up to earlier post

I ran the install disc Disc Utility Test and the Hardware Test disc on the computer since I posted my first question earlier tonight "Computer won't finish start-up -- any suggestions". The Hardware Test came back fine. The Disc Utility test on the install disc says: Keys out of order. It does not, however, explain how to repair this problem on the hard drive.
Is there any way to fix this problem on the hard drive?
Power Mac G4 Quicksilver Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Invest in DiskWarrior. I had the same problem and DiskWarrior fixed it. No other utility programs worked for this problem. DiskWarrior is very inexpensive. Ordered online in the afternoon. It was delivered to my office the NEXT morning.

I have an iMac mid 2010. After Disk utilities said the drive was corrupt, I ran the hardware test (extended) 3 times. No problems. I than ran Disk utility again and got 2 messages in red-keys out of order, and --Volume corrupt, can't be repaired. I tried

I have an iMac mid 2010. After Disk utilities said the drive was corrupt, I ran the hardware test (extended) 3 times. No problems. I than ran Disk utility again and got 2 messages in red…keys out of order, and ……Volume corrupt, can't be repaired.
I tried to do a system install, but message said…disk can't be changed. Will a complete erase and install fix this ?
Everything is backed-up.

There's hardware and software.
Your drive could physically be in good condition but something has caused the file structure to be messed up (it just happens sometimes). The directory that keep track of files is corrupt. Disk Utility can help determine if that is the issue. In some cases it can repair the problem but it cannot do it to a drive that is being used to boot the system while you are doing that. You have to boot from another drive. Some things DU cannot repair and you need to try a stronger utility such as Diskwarrior.
A failing hard drive (one with mechanical issues) can be a cause of file structure issues but this is by no means always the case. Apart from looking at the SMART diagnosis feature of Disk Utility (and smart isn't totally reliable) there often isn't a way to tell if a drive is failing until it suddenly happens, which is why you need to maintain backups.
In your situation it does sound serious and not just minor directory corruption. You can try erasing (formatting) the drive, You may need to do this if it is really corrupt, in which case there could be underlying physical issues. I use old technology but if you have the patience you can try erasing the drive with the security option of writing zeros once (don't do more unless you are going on a 3 week vacation). This makes the drive not simply assume everything is okay by forcing it try every part of the drive by writing data. If something is gong wrong you may find it marks a lot of bad sectors, or flat out refuses to format. Then you know you need a new drive.

"Keys out of order" message in Disk Utility

Hi,
I was just doing a regular maintenance check with Onyx and to my surprise it said I needed to repair the disk using the Installer DVD and Disk Utility.
I did this and again to my surprise I seem to have a problem.
After the whole processs is complete these messages come up:
"keys out of order" (in red)
1 HFS Volume repaired (in green)
1 Volume could not be repaired (in red)
I don't know what to do about this. On the one hand my system seems to be running fine, but on the other if these errors are coming up then surely there is an issue which I need to resolve.
Could someone enlighten me on what to do next?

Hi,
Thanks. Unfortunately my battey died and now I am stuck on the apple logo at reboot. Opening disk utility via the install disk doesn't work as disk utils doesn't recognise any disks (even though I hear them spinning)
I am lucky in that I am able to access th powerbook's HD in target mode via firewire on my G5
so I am going to copy over a lot of my data and then invest in Diskwarrior.
However, I am a little confused with the Diskwarrior website. I would prefer to download as I am not near a shop to buy the software and I would rather not pay for express amazon delivery.
Would I be able to use the download of diskwarrior on my Powerbook?
It seems a little confusing:
"If You Are Purchasing DiskWarrior
Repairing your usual startup disk requires that you start up from another disk. In order to use the download copy of DiskWarrior, you will need to start up from another disk with Mac OS X 10.3.9 through 10.4.x installed. You will then need to run a copy of DiskWarrior from a disk that is not the disk you are repairing. (The DiskWarrior download does not include the Apple System files necessary to create a startup CD.) If you cannot use the download version of the software (i.e. you have only one internal hard drive and this is the drive you wish to repair), please order directly from our sales department or from one of our resellers to be sent the software on CD. If you order via the secure server, you will be sent a CD, but delivery of your CD will take approximately three to four weeks, depending on your location."
Basically I am in a hurry to get my Powerbook working by Thursday my two options are
a)Buy from Amazon and pay extra to get express delivery by wednesday
b)Buy download from Alsoft (with cd version on way in 2-3 weeks)....however if the download version is not sufficient then i'm screwed.
I'd really appreciate help here. It just happens that I have to work away on Thursday....and I therefore need my powerbook. I usually use my G5 in my home studio.
THANKS!!
Message was edited by: recall

Macintosh HD can't be mounted, keys out of order and repairing can't be completed

Hi,
English isn't my mother tongue so I'll make my best to be understood.
I have a Macbook Pro from 2012, running on Yosemite (latest version). I installed Onyx which told me my disk needed to be verified and repaired. Following this advice, I restarted my computer with Disk Utility and completed a verifying and repairing. Which led to a terrible outcome. Since then, everytime I boot with my user on my Mac, my computer shuts down in the middle of the progress bar. I tried to find an explanation to it and fix it, so I tried the following things:
1) I booted with CMD + R to go into Disk Utility
2) I runned a verify Disk on "Macintosh HD" Core Storage Logical Volume Disk, which didn't give me any error
3) I unlocked "Macintosh HD" Mounted encrypted partition and runned a verify disk, which says :
"Keys out of order
The volume Macintosh HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired.
File system check exit code is 8.
Error : the disk needs to be repaired, Repair disk."
4) Unfortunately, the "repair disk" button is grayed.
5) So I runned repair Disk on "Macintosh HD" Core Storage Logical Volume Disk, which didn't give me any error.
6) I tried to boot my computer again but it still shuts down when trying to open my user.
7) Did all the same process again, but now the error is "Keys length incorrect" and repairing is now always blocked in the middle of the progress bar.
Is there any way I could extract the data I care about (photos, etc.) before erasing the disk or buying a new one?

There's hardware and software.
Your drive could physically be in good condition but something has caused the file structure to be messed up (it just happens sometimes). The directory that keep track of files is corrupt. Disk Utility can help determine if that is the issue. In some cases it can repair the problem but it cannot do it to a drive that is being used to boot the system while you are doing that. You have to boot from another drive. Some things DU cannot repair and you need to try a stronger utility such as Diskwarrior.
A failing hard drive (one with mechanical issues) can be a cause of file structure issues but this is by no means always the case. Apart from looking at the SMART diagnosis feature of Disk Utility (and smart isn't totally reliable) there often isn't a way to tell if a drive is failing until it suddenly happens, which is why you need to maintain backups.
In your situation it does sound serious and not just minor directory corruption. You can try erasing (formatting) the drive, You may need to do this if it is really corrupt, in which case there could be underlying physical issues. I use old technology but if you have the patience you can try erasing the drive with the security option of writing zeros once (don't do more unless you are going on a 3 week vacation). This makes the drive not simply assume everything is okay by forcing it try every part of the drive by writing data. If something is gong wrong you may find it marks a lot of bad sectors, or flat out refuses to format. Then you know you need a new drive.

Keys out of order?

i think this is a command line question. i recently unplugged my B&W G3 so i could use the space to play with my new (to me) G4. i also "borrowed" some RAM from the G3 to install in the new machine. when i tried to hook up the G3 again, it would not load anything. i did the usual 'zap' and 'option' dance, which did finally bring the beast to life, but it would go to black screen where i would get "root". i know very little about Mac OS command line, so i didn't try to do anything there. i would type 'exit' which would give me a run down of the start-up POST and end in a "panic, stops here" line [sorry, not the exact term, but your get the idea].
so i put in the OS install disk (OS 10.4) and run the first aid utility to see whats up. i get a red line that reads "Keys out of order, needs repaired". what does that mean? i ended up erasing the hard drive and am now reinstalling the OS, but was wondering what mistake i may have made to crash the system in the first place.
Message was edited by: rtabish

The "keys out of order" message indicates your hard drive has file directory corruption. Disk Utility can't fix, but usually DiskWarrior can. I don't think the RAM removel/reinstall could have cauised this problem.
Besides using DiskWarrior, the only other option is to erase & reinstall the system which you have done.
 Cheers, Tom

Catalog B-Tree: "Keys Out of Order"

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