Disk needs repairing but won't?

Question

Hi,
Under instruction from OnyX, which recommended I repair my startup disk, I booted up from the CD (in which I also ran into some problems when my CD drive wouldn't open using the keyboard key; held down the mouse button on startup instead) and ran Disk Utility. First I verified it (or at least tried to), and here's the log:
+Verfifying volume "Macintosh HD"+
+Checking extents overflow file+ (coloured red)
+Checking catalog file+ (coloured red)
+Checking multi-linked files+ (coloured red)
+Checking catalog hierarchy+ (coloured red)
+Checking Extend Attributes file+ (coloured red)
+Keys out of order+ (coloured red)
+The volume "Macintosh HD" needs to be repaired.+ (coloured red)
+Volume check failed+ (coloured red)
+Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)+ (coloured red)
+1 volume checked+
+0 HFS volume verified+ (coloured green)
+1 volume failed verification+ (coloured red)
Anyone know what happened here?
I then tried to repair it. Here's the log:
+Repairing disk for "Macintosh HD"+
+Mounting disk (S, "Checking HFS plus volume.", 0)+
+Checking extents overflow file+
+Checking catalog file+
+Checking multi-linked files+
+Checking catalog hierarchy+
+Checking Extend Attributes file+
+Keys out of order+ (coloured red)
+Repairing volume+
+Rechecking volume+
+Checking HFS plus volume+
+Checking extents overflow file+
+Checking catalog file+
+Checking multi-linked files+
+Checking catalog hierarchy+
+Checking Extend Attributes file+
+Keys out of order+ (coloured red)
+Reparing volume+
+The volume Macintosh HD was repaired successfully.+
+Repair attempted on 2 volumes+
+1 HFS volume repaired+ (coloured green)
+1 volume could not be repaired+ (coloured red)
So not being sure whether it had been repaired or not, I verified it again. Exact same log as last time. Tried repairing it again. Exact same thing.
What the heck is going on? And how can I fix it?

Answer 1

Mr 9.2 Guy:
I'm pretty certain I have about 5GB of free space.
5GB is pretty meager, except on the smallest HDDs (40 GB or less). You need a minimum of 15% of contiguous (unfragmented) free space to avoid directory corruption. 20% is safer.
Do I simply use the OSX installer and do a Erase and Install? Or, still using the install disc, open Disk Utility, erase and then install?
I would recommend completely reformatting, erasing, then installing. That would get rid of the previous directory and give you a fresh install. I will post step by step directions at the end of this post.
All my problems in the last couple of days have happened after I have installed 10.4. Could there be a corrolation? Would I be better off downgrading back to 10.3?
No. Any directory corruption you have, as I noted in my earlier post, would be due either to a too full HDD or a failing HDD. In your case, with only 5 GB of free space in the drive, that seems the likely culprit. So, go directly to Tiger, if you have the Full Retail Version. If you have only an upgrade disk you will need to install 10.3 first, then upgrade to 10.4
Formatting, Partitioning Erasing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
• With computer shut down insert install disk in optical drive.
• Hit Power button and immediately after chime hold down the "C" key.
• Select language
• Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger and later) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
• Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
• Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Where available
• Click on Options button
• Select Apple Partition Map (PPC Macs) or GUID Partition Table (Intel Macs)
• Click OK
• Select number of partitions in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD.)
• Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
• Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
• Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
• Select Erase tab
• Select the _sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID_ (usually Macintosh HD).
• Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
• Click Erase button
• Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Please do post back with further questions/commnets.
cornelius