Disc Utility - no valid packages

Since updating to 10.4.8, my disc utility doesn't run. I get error message saying no valid packages. Now I can't correct peferences or run disc utility at all. Any fix?

Hi davey84jones,
disregard Federico's advice, under these circumstances this is useless (and actually produces this error).
You obviously deleted the packages in the /Library/Receipts folder. These are required by disk utility in order to check permissions. For instructions how to solve this problem please read this article: Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: Disk Utility shows a "No Valid Packages" alert
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

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Corrupt Library Files, Disk Util: No Valid Packages, apps, plug-in probs

Darn, I could just kick myself. The current state of my computer is flashing me back to a nightmare from my pre-Mac days.
While backing up files to DVD I inadvertently/mistakenly/clumsily/stupidly (not sure) dragged what I thought was a copy of the Library folder I had created on my hd into Trash. When some of my apps stopped working and messages about missing internet plug-ins began to appear I realized I had screwed up. I ran Disk Utility a few times and either got the error message: "No Valid Packages" or a system hang. I attempted to repair the Library by moving files back to where I thought they should go and now have 2 Library files (syst and user) that have become a bit convoluted.
The good news is that I copied all of the files from both Libraries to my hd so I think I have everything saved. The bad news is that I don't know what goes where and I don't have a frame of reference, (ie the file structure) to work off of. For example, there is only one folder, (Library) inside the System folder and I can't remember if this is right or not. (System > Library > Automator, Caches, CFM Support etc.) My User Library looks intact but may have had some files shuffled around.
The way I see it, there are three alternatives or a combination thereof:
1) Ideally, I'd like to be able to get the files where they belong and return the file hierarchy to it's correct state.
2) Start more or less from scratch and re-install all of my effected apps, plug-ins, etc.
3) I read about an archive function that uses the OS installation disk to return files to their proper places. Can't remember the exact name and haven't been able to find the knowledge base article.
TXIA for any advice you might offer that will help get me out this predicament.
~ I.M. Stewpid
Message was edited by: Old-E
Message was edited by: Old-E
Message was edited by: Old-E

Copying Library files is problematic because of permissions issues that arise when you then try to copy them back.
The procedure you're referring to is called Archive and Install which will install a fresh copy of OS X and archive the old system into a Previous System Folder. See the following:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Disk Utility - No Valid Packages(?)!

Trying to verify/repair disk permissions on my 40G internal after verifying disk. Disk Utility immediately says:
"Disk Utility stopped verifying permissions on “HD37.25” because the following error was encountered:
No valid packages"
What does that mean? How to fix it so i can verify/repair again?

No, not from that folder. I did delete an iPhoto package that was somehow from years ago in my Doc folder, but that't it. Also, when i check the info button on this drive in DU it says partition: 2. Does this mean my drive is partitioned? I have not done that. I'll check that article you mentioned now.

Disk Utility - No valid packages error

I've deleted the contents of my /library/receipts/ folder and now I cannot repair permissions using Disk Utility. It now spits out a "No valid packages" error and cannot proceed. I never thought these .pkgs were important to Disk Utility.
Is there any way to make this work again? Will the removal of these packages affect the performance of the OS?
Thanks.
PowerMac G5 Uni 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 2GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro SE

I believe you'll also need Essentials.pkg.

Disk Utility Error "no valid packages"

Hi,
I have a PowerBook G4 with 1GB RAM.
I've noticed a significant system slowdown lately. Programs take longer to open and respond, and it's rather annoying. I came to the forums to seek some remedy, and tried to run a Disk Utility to check that everything there is at least okay. But when I click on verify permissions, I get an error that says "no valid packages." Does anyone know what this means and how to fix it (if it needs fixing; I'm assuming this isn't a good thing, whatever it is!).
Thanks.
Lori

Hi librarygirl and Welcome to the Discussions!
Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: Disk Utility shows a "No Valid Packages" alert
Disk Utility can't verify or repair permissions on the Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4 volume if the "BaseSystem.pkg" file is not in /Library/Receipts.
This alert appears when you try to repair permissions with Disk Utility:
"First Aid failed
"Disk Utility stopped repairing permissions on '(volume name)' because the following error was encountered: No valid packages"
In the Disk Utility text window, this message appears in red text:
"Error: No valid packages (-9997)"
This happens when the BaseSystem.pkg file is not in /Library/Receipts.
Solution
If you've moved this file, move it back to /Library/Receipts. You shouldn't normally remove any files from /Library/Receipts.
If the file has been deleted, replace it by copying it from a different computer that uses Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4, or by reinstalling Mac OS X 10.3/10.4 from an installation disc.
"Reinstall" means you can install 10.3 or 10.4 from a disc, if it's the same version of 10.3/10.4 (such as 10.3.3 on both the installation disc and computer). If the version of 10.3/10.4 on the computer is newer than what's on the install disc, then use the install disc to perform an Archive and Install installation instead, then update to a later version of Mac OS X.
Joe

No valid packages error in Disk Utility

I have been experiencing some problems with my eMac so I thought I would get Disk Utility to check my HD over. First I started by checking Permissions to which I get the following error.
Repairing permissions for “Macintosh HD”
Error: No valid packages (-9997)
I restarted using my install disk. When I ran Disk Utitlity it reported no problem with the HD. I did a repair run anyway, just in case. Then tried to repair permissions once more. Still the above error.
I had about 10mb of free space left on my HD a couple of weeks ago. After some clearance work however it is now back to just under 10GB free space.

There are Four Basic ways to use Pacifist..download from....
www.charlessoft.com
A. Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
B. Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
C. Insert Mac OS X installer CD and when it mounts, navigate to ....
Menu/Go/Go to Folder, and in the window, type....
/Volumes/disc name/System/Installation/Packages (where disc name is the name of the CD/DVD that you inserted.
• Click "Go".....
• Drag .pkg to Pacifist..... proceed to step 7.
D. Insert your Mac OS X install disk 1 .... and open Pacifist.
1. In Pacifist, select "Open Mac OS X Install Packages" ... dialog may appear asking for disk 2, then disk 3 and finally disk 1 again....{if CDVD is not used)...If “Stop Loading” is selected...the procedure will stop!!!
2a. When loading is complete, a new window appears, click the triangle to display contents of each package...Select item and proceed to step 7.
3b. or click the “Find” icon in the Pacifist window and type the name of the software you need.
3. In the list that comes back, click the top most entry for the item that you want. ..... that is the one for the English language.
4. On the top of the Pacifist window, click “verify” .... you will probably be prompted for your password.
5. Enter checks for.... “verify permissions” and “verify file contents.” and click “verify” ....enter password when prompted.... you will get back output which may
look like this:
20 files were scanned.
20 of 20 files were present on the hard disk.
0 of 20 files had file permissions that did not match those specified in the package.
0 of 20 files had checksums that did not match those specified in the package.
6. Click “close”. Go to step 7.
Extract or Install........
7. In the Toolbar (upper left), you now have the option to extract or install. Click a file in the lower list and those two icons will be enabled.
8. If “Extract to...” is selected.... navigate to the location where the file will be placed, select “choose”, select “extract” in new dialog that appears,authenicate , if prompted, click “OK”.
9. In the next dialog, click “Extract”.
10. If “Install” is selected... dialog will appear with the location/path of the installed software. Click “Install”
11. Type in your password, click “OK”
• Pacifist will begin to extract files.
12. In steps 8/10ß.... you also have the choice to “cancel”å
Notes.....
• Pacifist may find that a file it is installing already exists on the hard disk. Pacifist will present you with an alert panel....
Stop
Leave original alone
Update ..... Default selection
Replace .... Replace option should only be used on full install packages
george

Prosoft Data Rescue for Hard Drive "No Valid Packages" in Disk Utility

I have a Macbook and I believe the hard drive has crashed. When I turn it on, I get the circle with line through it and the folder with question mark inside blinking.
I got the Install Disk 1 to boot up but can not verify the hard drive. I get the following message "No Valid Packages" and disk verification fails. I also checked the SMART status of the hard drive and it says "Not Supported".
I also can not re-install the operating system, as there is no hard drive that shows up to install it to when I try to run the installer disk.
I know I need a new hard drive, much bigger one. I'm purchasing this today, a 320gb Samsung M6 Series internal drive and a Western digital external 500gb WDE1U5000N.
I also want to purchase the Prosoft Data Rescue but have several questions:
1)I read the this can work if disk utility sees the hard drive. The hard drive is seen in disk utility, but like i said before the drive has failed and it can not mount. I've read other reviews that said Prosoft can still be used in this case, but I want to make sure..please define what is meant by "disk utility being unable to see the hard drive"...Does this mean "dead hard drive or the hard drive not physically being VISIBLE in disk utility (because mine is, I just can't mount or verify it)
2)If I can use Prosoft, when I put it in my damaged Macbook to recover the files, can I then put these files onto my new external drive? Or do I have to have another internal drive to do this? (I'm just buying 1 right now)...How do you get the recovered data off if I can not move it onto an external drive? Do I put it on a disk and then take the damaged hard drive out, put the new one in and then put it on the external?
Sorry for the questions but I want to buy today by 5pm so it ships by Friday to me to fix this ASAP, thanks!

I read the this can work if disk utility sees the hard drive.
Prosoft Data Rescue can help recover files after a software failure. (Usually related file directory problems.) It sounds, however, that you've experienced a hardware failure of your original hard drive. No amount of software can ever recover a hard drive from a hardware failure. If you really need to recover the data, a data recovery service may be able to help. The cost will depend on the steps needed to recover the data and how much data is recovered.
-Doug

"Error: No valid packages (-9997)" Tiger installation disc

When attempting to install tiger on my imac g4, it gets to about 65% on the essentials bar then errors, something like BomFatal error some files are not written properly. My harddrive repairs fine but the Mac OSX disc, when i run permission verification first aid returns "Error: No valid packages (-9997)". The support page was not paticularly helpful in this respect, and the folks here tend to be more helpful anyway.
Thanks in advance.

Here's a post with replies that cover your issue.
Posting in the Airport for Windows forum will not get the help you need. I found this post by accident.
Perhaps, (if this is what you have) the iMac Flat Panel forum would help you more.
DALE

Getting Error Message: "No valid packages (-9997) in Disk Utility

I am having some permission issues with my iBook G4 12". But when I run Disk Utility and select the HD and tell it to Repair Disk Permissions, I am prompted for an administration password (I AM the administrator) and then, once entered, in the Disk Utility status window I get:
Verify permissions for "[hard disk name]"
Error: No valid packages (-9997) -- in Red Lettering
Permissions verification complete
Can anybody inform me what is going on and what I need to do?
Tom
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2GHz MacBook, 1GB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive

Tom --
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently files have been deleted from your Receipts folders.
See this article for more info:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25704
I hope your BaseSystem.pkg file has just been moved, and not deleted.
But if it's gone, there are instructions in that article to fix the problem.

Repairing permissions - Error: No valid packages(?!) Wha?

Computer's been doing strange things lately. Not recognizing my airport signal (none of my neighbor's wireless signals either); not recognizing any printers when time to print; no quicktime playback; some sent and received emails lost in space, etc. So I'm getting ready for an archive and install when I think I'll try repairing permissions first. Verifying disk says volume is fine. But i get an immediate error of no valid packages for repairing permissions. Anyone know what this means and how to rectify it?

First "Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Verify & Repair if needed, then use Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751
Where are we now after a reboot?

Error: No valid packages (-9997) on IMAC G5

I got the above message when I tried to run the utility disk. It also said: Disk utility stopped verifying permissions on "Mac OS X install Disc 1" because the following error was encountered: No valid packages. Does that mean my hard drive is toast? Can I replace it and if so, how much would it cost?
I also tried to run the Mac OX install disc 1 but when I get to the select destination part, there's no hard drive that appears. UGH! Help please!
My disk utility screen only shows my 4.2 GB Pioneer DVD-R and the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 that i put in.
Thanks,

Here's a post with replies that cover your issue.
Posting in the Airport for Windows forum will not get the help you need. I found this post by accident.
Perhaps, (if this is what you have) the iMac Flat Panel forum would help you more.
DALE

Error No Valid Packages

Ok so this is the story. Backed up my iMac with a new 1 TB drive using Time Machine. All fine. Took about an hour but seems fine simple as anything. Firewire 800 very rapid.
Decided to do the same with my Macbook this cant be difficult Im telling myself... good one.
Ok so using a USB external drive I started backing up the Macbook. (I must say here that the drive wasnt empty it had some stuff on it already) I figured this was ok but now Im beginning to think otherwise. After about 45GB the backup starts to freeze. I left it an hour but then it just wouldnt do anything. In hindsight me deciding to stop the backup was probably a bad thing at this point but after I stopped it the macbook froze.
I had to reboot... wont reboot... just sits there spinning and the apple icon.
Rebooted from the disc and disc utility and ran permissions I get the message Error No Valid Packages.
At this point Im seeing just over 100 GB in use, and 200 free.. so I know my stuffs there but I just cant get it to boot OSX.
For reference its Snow Leopard. Please help!!!

Try running Disk Repair from the Install DVD. Sounds like you may have some HD corruption. Alternately, you could try booting while holding Shift. This will put you in SafeBoot. If you can boot here, backup your important files!
For more info on what SafeBoot does:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

10.4 Blinking Question Folder/No Valid Packages

From what I have seen this is probably a mute point, but I was hoping for some help.
My computer turned back on and loaded to the blinking question mark folder. I loaded from the OSX installation disks and went to disk utilities. Under first aid my only option was to verify (the other three options were greyed out). When I selected to verify it gave me a message it could no continue because of no valid packages. Apple has up a fix on this no valid packages issue, however, it requires you to be able to get into your computer, which I can't do due to the blinking question mark folder. Is my one year, one month old, perfectly cared for macbook harddrive crashed? or is there something else to try?
Thanks

You have corrupted system files which is why you get the question mark at startup. The solution is to reinstall OS X which coincidentally will also fix the packages problem. This latter problem occurs because you have deleted your /Library/Receipts folder or its content. This is a definite no-no.
You can try reinstalling this way:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) 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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Updated Tiger, now get "no valid packages" waring

Hello,
My Macs are usually outstanding, but I have a problem that I can't solve.
I recently used Software Update on three Mac computers to update to the latest version of Tiger (version 10.4.11).
Now, all three Macs won't recognize blank media like CD-R's and DVD-R's.
I fixed this problem on my iMac by using Disc Utility to "repair disc permissions". But when I now try to do the same thing with my PowerBook G4, I get a new warning message that says "No Valid Packages".
What to do?
Thanks,
Andrew

Hi again Andrew
FYI, "KB" stands for the (Apple) Knowledge Base. Here are a couple more articles that discuss blank media, although they relate to earlier releases of OS X:
Mac OS X 10.3.5 through 10.3.9: Disk images and blank CD-R, CD-RW media, "-536870208" alert in Finder
Mac OS X 10.2: "Unknown Error -2147352480" When Burning CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Media
They may give you some hints on what to search for in the Knowledge Base. A good place to start your search from is Here.
You had 3 machines fail, but your iMac G5 recovered after Repair Permissions but your Powerbook did not? What about the third machine?
l am not sure what else to suggest for the moment. Tell me how the KB article I recommended allowed you to successfully run "Repair Permissions": what exactly did you do? It may be you didn't do quite enough on the PowerBook, but let me know.

Repair permissions attempt failed "no valid packages"...

hello.
I tried repairing permissions by booting off the original install disk, but I got an error that said that the request couldn't be completed.
It actually said "error, no valid packages".
But under that is said "repair permissions complete".
Any thoughts?
Thank you!

Hello, 10.5 doesn't use that method...
Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: Disk Utility shows a "No Valid Packages" alert...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25704-no
Seems you must be using a 10.4 or earlier Install Disc... DO NOT use such to attempt any repairs to a 10.5.x or higher drive.

Disc Utility - no valid packages

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