Disk Utility Failure on Exit (-9972) error?

Hello,
I get the following error when "Repair Disk" fails:
"The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)"
Does anyone know what this DU error means?
I went through several pages of technical articles and none mentioned this particular error message. I get this error by running DU from my Panther DVD and strangely enough, when the same thing is done using my Tiger DVD, I do not get the (-9972) part of the message. However, the bottom line was the same for both DVD's: the HD could not be repaired.
At the moment, I am experiencing no problems with my PB, however I could be enjoying the 'calm before the storm'. I just recently had a serious sys crash, so this could be a lingering symptom of those problems.
This may or may not be serious, but I would like to know what this means before I proceed with the installation of Tiger. I can Repair Permissions using either DVD, but the fact that I cannot successfully perform a 'Repair Disk' is troubling.
All comments or suggestions are most welcome.
Phillip
17 PowerBook, 1.33 Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.9) 2 GB Ram

I want to pass this on to you because you were very kind to help me out and I can add some good news to those who may have this same problem in the future.
My progress will serve as an update in regards the following Disk Utility error and Mr. Kawashima's very descriptive and informative post as provided above.
In his post of Oct 4, 2005, Mr. Kawashima stated that DISKWARRIOR could not repair problems such as
"Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)"
I received the identical error message using Disk Utility and could not make the repair using either TechTool Pro or DISKWARIOR. I had a two-year old version of DW but went to Alsoft's website and downloaded the latest update. I had emailed Alsoft about my problem a few days ago and was told to download the update and try to make the repair again.
Once the download was completed, I discovered that they provide a very simple way of creating a fresh DW CD which contains the latest updated code. Bottom line: I booted this updated DW CD and it repaired my HD. I no longer get the above stated error.

Similar Messages

Disk Utility - Failure on Exit

Message says "disk utility stopped verifying "macintosh hd" because the following error was encountered - the underlying task reported failure on exit.
Then this: Checking volume bitmap.
Volume Bit Map needs minor repair
Checking volume information.
Invalid volume free block count
(It should be 5855784 instead of 5855789)
Volume Header needs minor repair
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
The rub - it won't let me select "repair disk" - then I booted from a CD with the OS on it and still wouldn't let me "repair disk".
Do I have to bring it into an apple store to get fixed? I'm freaking out about losing my hard drive.
Any help greatly, greatly appreciated.

Hi,
Did Disk Warrior solve your issue. I am having the same problem as you, along with an error code (-9972) which does not seem to be listed in Apple's search system.
Thanks for any feed back
Ade.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)

After much debackle that I posted a few days ago I finally was able to run scans with disk utility. I got this:
Verifying volume ROVER
** /dev/disk3s2
** Phase 1 - Read FAT
Unable to read FAT (Input/output error)
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)
1 volume checked
     0 HFS volumes verified
     1 volume failed verification
Repairing disk for ROVER
** /dev/disk3s2
** Phase 1 - Read FAT
Unable to read FAT (Input/output error)
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)
Repair attempted on 1 volume
     0 HFS volumes repaired
     1 volume could not be repaired
Of course I have no idea what it means so I'm turning to here.
FYI: The disk is named ROVER and it was formated for PC (FAT). I was unable to upload all my music onto the disk and eventually unable to mount it to the desktop ir iTunes.

Hi Charles,
This indicates that your disk volume has issues that Disk Utility cannot fix, you have two options:
# Back up as much of your important data and files as you can, then try using a third-party disk utility to repair the drive. Be sure that you use one that works with your version of Mac OS X.
# Back up as much of your important data and files as you can, then perform an Erase and Install installation of Mac OS X on the affected volume.
Important: This option completely erases the destination volume. You should always back up important files on the target volume before performing an Erase and Install installation. You can then restore your backed up files afterwards.

The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)

my lacie has worked in the past
now it will not show up on my osx desktop
i can get to it in os9
and it shows up in the disk utility as grey
when i try to repair remissions it says
"The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)"
does anyone else know how i can get it back?

Hello nooneever,
You might find the following useful in dealing with your -9972 error (depending on the text which accompanies the error):
The following was contributed by Fumiaki Kawashima. Edited by Kappy.
The error message, "Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)" is a serious filesystem error in the Mac OS X Core Foundation. The problem can also lead to other critical errors such as "Keys Out of Order," "Invalid node structure" and/or "Invalid sibling link." The causes and scenarios vary. Troubleshooting a solution may depend upon computer configuration and whether the -9972 error is accompanied by other critical errors. This issue can also lead up to a kernel panic. If the error occurs when an external FireWire device is connected, disconnect it until you verify the device's compatibility.
Symptoms:
In most cases, you are unable to restart from Mac OS X.
* A volume is grayed out or not mounted with or without a kernel panic.
* A folder with a flashing question mark may appear.
* A bad partition map may be reported.
* A target disk mode solution may not work.
* Most likely, Disk Utility, TechTool and DiskWarrior cannot fix the issues.
* The high level disk format (Standard format) may unable to perform.
* You may unable to re-initialize the hard drive.
* A disk physically malfunctions in the worst case.
Example of an accompanied error message:
DiskWarrior normally fixes 1 to 6, but cannot fix errors 7 to 10 if the symptoms are very bad. There is no definite case.
01. Volume check failed
02. Invalid B-tree Header
03. Invalid map node
04. Invalid extents entry
05. Invalid clump size
06. Incorrect block count file
07. Invalid node structure
08. Overlapped extent allocation
09. Keys Out of Order
10. Invalid sibling link
Possible causes:
* Third-party FireWire device or enclosure, or other peripheral devices.
* Third-party mass storage drives or PCI card issues.
* Incompatible third-party kernel extensions.
* Mac OS X installer disc is improperly treated.
HTH
Jeff
Mini 1.25, 512 AP/BT; 12 Al PB 1.5, 512 AP/BT Mac OS X (10.3.8) Wireless KB/Mouse, AEBS, 80 GB OWC FW HD

Please help. Disk Utility Failure.

I just ran my disk utility function and received this error:
Disk Utility stopped verifying “Untitled 1” because the following error was encountered:
Filesystem verify or repair failed.
Does this mean that my hard drive is compromised? I've tried to run the first aid function several times and keep getting a failure message. Any and all help and input would be appreciated! Thanks!

If you get the Disk Utility message "Failure on exit", or the one's you received, it means there is an issue that Disk Utility can't fix. In many cases, either Disk Warrior or TechTools Pro can be used to fix it, with Disk Warrior being the more popular program. However, if Disk Warrior/TechTool Pro can't fix it, then you may be looking at a new hard drive (although you can erase the hard drive and try with a restore to keep using it). Curiously, a new drive may be less expensive than the repair software.
Smart Utility can give you a view of the SMART sensors to gain more information on the hardware health of your drive. Download with a trial license from http://www.volitans-software.com/smart_utility.php

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

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

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

Disk Utility Failure?

Hi all!
Before I start, let me first say that I did search for my problem here before posting, however the results I found were not exactly under the same circumstances as my own.
The long and short of it is this: I was running "Disk Utility" from my installation CD (I started up from the CD). While running "Disk Verify" and "Disk Repair," I received the following message just as the progress bar was complete:
"Disk could not be repaired because Disk Utility failed on exit."
According to the utility, it claimed my hard drive only needed "minor" repairs, and obviously my computer is still very usable (lol), but this still freaked me out a little bit.
Is there something I can (or should) be doing to rectify this? My computer isn't horridly slow or buggy, so perhaps I should go on about my business--unless there is a fairly straightforward way of getting everything back to normal.
Thanks ahead of time for your help!

Hi Miriam!
Well, I used Disk Utility to VERIFY my disk, and here's what I got:
Verifying volume “Dexter”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51706 /usr/share/man/man1/history.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51707 /usr/share/man/man1/hup.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51708 /usr/share/man/man1/if.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51709 /usr/share/man/man1/jobid.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51714 /usr/share/man/man1/limit.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51716 /usr/share/man/man1/log.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51718 /usr/share/man/man1/logout.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51719 /usr/share/man/man1/ls-F.1)
51719 /usr/share/man/man1/ls-F.1
ion (file %@)",1)
51721 /usr/share/man/man1/notify.1
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51722 /usr/share/man/man1/onintr.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51723 /usr/share/man/man1/popd.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51726 /usr/share/man/man1/pushd.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51728 /usr/share/man/man1/readonly.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51729 /usr/share/man/man1/rehash.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file Overlapped extent allocation (file 1730 /usr/share/man/man1/repeat.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51731 /usr/share/man/man1/sched.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51733 /usr/share/man/man1/set.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51734 /usr/share/man/man1/setenv.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51735 /usr/share/man/man1/settc.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51736 /usr/share/man/man1/setty.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file Overlapped extent allocation (file /setvar.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51738 /usr/share/man/man1/shift.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51740 /usr/share/man/man1/source.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51741 /usr/share/man/man1/stop.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51743 /usr/share/man/man1/suspend.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51744 /usr/share/man/man1/switch.1)
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51746 /usr/share/man/man1/telltc.1)
51746 /usr/share/man/man1/telltc.1
pped extent allocation (file %@)",1)
51747 /usr/share/man/man1/then.1
Overlapped extent allocation (file 51749 /usr/share/man/man1/trap.1)
Checking volume bitmap.
Volume Bit Map needs minor repair
Checking volume information.
Volume Header needs minor repair
.",1)
Dexter
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
Hmmm so I'm getting the same error when I verify from my disk! So--you're saying my next step is TechToolPro or Disk Warrior? I just wish they weren't so pricey... I guess something like cocktail, etc isn't going to help something like this... lol
Message was edited by: Doug Dellis

HT203176 i have a slow macbook, i ran live disk utilities and said I need to repair disk from a cd. did that, I got volume repaired from the external disk. when I reboot from hdd, then run disk utility, I get the same error message i did b4 repair

i have a slow macbook, i ran live disk utilities (from hard drive), turned out I needed to repair disk from a installation disk. Did that, I got the volume (Hard drive) repaired from the installation disk disk. To this point, great!
When I reboot from hdd, then run disk utility, I get the same error message i did b4 repair. I went thru two rounds of this.....
Can anyone help? thanks

Sorry guys, I don't see how to reply to you so I use reply to "me" basically.
So the error I get is "volume header needs minor repair" and then you need to perform repair from the installation disk message.
I did repair not verify from the disk twice. Every time ending in the "the volume had ha been successfully repaired". Then I reboot from the internal disk. Run disk utilities from it, do verify and get the same error message I got before repair. I hope this can shed some light fr you guys. Sorry I didn't include details in the original
MEssage.

Disk Utility - "Unable to create 'Desktop' - error 49168" - What's this?

I try to create a compressed disk image of my Desktop using Disk Utility and get the following error:
Unable to create "Desktop" - error 49168
Does anyone know what that means?

Googling for the term
"error 49168"
including the quotation marks points to several web sites, including http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/index.php/t-45310.html
which you may find helpful.

Install errors and Disk Utility failure

Hello!
My current install of Mac OS X must have been a newer install of Panther. The retail install I bought is v10.3.5. I think the install was originally 10.3.7.
I've tried to run Disk Utility from the install Disc 1 and get a message: "*The underlying task reported failure on exit.*"
And I tried to also perform an Archive and install of Mac OS X Panther 10.3.5 and get a message: "*You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume without changing your install settings. A newer version of Mac OS X is installed*."
So, I'm asking what my options are as to keep my current user Home folder that I mainly use and delete the Administrator Account to get a fresh install that I can maintain properly without problems like I just quoted.
This is for my DA 533 MHz.
Thank you!
-Mike

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.

Applications not responding leads to Disk Utility failure

Hi everyone.
I have a mac mini running 10.4.8 and recently it started hanging up on applications (particularly firefox). I'd get "application not responding" messages and even when I wasn't doing anything at all to my machine, it would stop responding.
I tried to boot up off the install CD and run disk utility but got "The underlying task reported failure on exit"
Unable to repair
Unable to verify
Additionally, I cannot mount my volume. Nor can I get any options to reinstall/reformat as from the Installer my hard drive does not show up as an available volume to install on.
Also, when I try to startup, if I pick something other than the CD, it just flashes the grey apple screen for about 5-10 minutes and then shuts off.
It did, however, pass hardware test.
The error I get in First Aid before repair stops is "Invalid Node Structure"
But...I'm not sure where to go from here.
I haven't installed anything new and it was totally fine previously.

You have serious damage to the disk and will need to either buy Disk Warrior and see if it can repair the damage, or zero the drive and reinstall. If you have a recent clone the reinstall would be relatively painless. If you don't have your drive backed up to an external drive you now know why you should have done this. If you are lucky Disk Warrior will be able to repair the damage. I suggest that you immediately buy a firewire drive and install Tiger on it and then boot from the external and see if it is possible to recover your files that haven't been backed up from the internal drive. Do this even if Disk Warrior succeeds. Drives fail. The older the drive, the more likely it is to fail. Rule of thumb: don't fully trust any drive that is 5 years old or older. And always have backups. Always.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Disk utility - failure reported - cannot repair

Decided to give my powerbook a thorough check over - mostly by running OnyX.
It raised an issue - which is better described when running 'Disk Utility' - I have attached the output below.
I have tried booting from disk and repairing but this did not work (it did fix one other issue - but this one remains)
What can I do, and what risks does this raise?
Thanks.
Verifying volume “Powerbook HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Incorrect number of Extended Attributes
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
repaired.",1)
Powerbook HD
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
Perhaps I should have posted this in a generic h/w section - but I couldn't find one!

Start with http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214 and http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672

Disk Utility Restore Process Input/Output Error

<Image Edited by Host>
My niece's MBP specs above. If I posted a picture of this poor machine, there'd be a lynch mob of passionate Apple fans arrive at my door wanting a public hanging...It's been dropped no less than a dozen times. (The ethernet port is stretched out of shape so badly that a standard plug will no longer fit the port!!!).
Among other physical injuries, the screen won't present an image (just flickers white lines on black background, hinge has partially detatched, suspect the ribbon that transmits the display signal has been compromised). A visit to the Apple store tells us (by plugging into a cinema display via TB) that the hard drive is still in tact and data is salvageable. Keyboard and trackpad both work fine (surprisingly).
Long story short, she's acquired a new MBA, been read the riot act about looking after it, and I have the unenviable task of salvaging her data, approx 275Gig.
My objective is to obtain:
1. A full copy of the data (existing file structures) - Complete
2. A bootable disk image of the MBP - Incomplete and troublesome
I have at my disposal:
Mid 2011 27' iMac (Intel i7) on Mav
MBPr13 (third host if needed) on Mav
A home ethernet network with enterprise grade switching
A Lacie 5BigPro 10TB NAS
A couple of 1 & 2 TB Toshiba external drives, and
Enough network adapters, USB cables and thunderbolt cables to suffice. Admin priviliges all round. All disk permissions repaired.
Current connection config is the MBP thunderbolted to the iMac. I can use TDM (if I need to interface with the MBP using the iMac display) or can boot in Target Disk Mode if I want to see the MBP disk image on the iMac.
Regarding Objective2: A bootable disk image of the MBP, I first tried to use the Restore function in Disk Utility, but that only works when booting the host in Recovery mode, whcih doesn't support TDM, so I'm flying blind...
Next try, I booted the MBP in Target Disk Mode, which allowed me to use the Restore process from the iMac's Disk Utility, select the MBP HD, and target an external drive (one of the Toshiba's) plugged in to the iMac via USB.
I've now tried this Restore 3 times, each time getting the following I/O error (at about 45 munites in to a projected 4 hour process):
Any thoughts on root cause?
And (given my screen/display limitations) am I missing a far simpler option?
Cheers, Sla

If that were the case you would not get in/out errors. These errors occur because the drive is no longer able to transfer data which is a hardware failure.
If you want to post an image to the forum then you need to open the message editor and click on the Camera icon you will find in the editor's toolbar. Then select the image you wish to post and click on the Insert button.
You can try running the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reveals anything.
Using Apple Hardware Test
Intel-based Macs- Using Apple Hardware Test

Disk Utility failure to erase/initialize

I have a 1 TB WD MyBook Studio Edition. I sent this drive to a firm that does video conversions (from film to digital). Drive returned with expected (good) results, but now I can't write anything onto the drive - says I can only read. So I copied all files on the drive to another disk, then used Disk Utility to initialize. First Aid tab action buttons are all greyed out. Erase tab shows default format as MS DOS. I changed to Apple Extended (Journaled) and pressed OK. Process starts, but fails after a few seconds with error "Write Failure". Now disk won't mount when I attach it - only Disk Utility "sees" drive, but fails each time I try to Initialize/Erase.
What's up, and how do I correct?
Thanks

If you haven't fixed this yet, you may be able to use Disk Utility to completely erase and reformat the disk.
Click the top line of the drive, then the Partition tab. Click +1 partition+ (or however many you want) under *Volume Scheme*, then Options at the bottom. Select GUID for an Intel Mac, +Apple Partition Map+ for a PPC Mac. Setup the partition(s) you want to use on the Mac as +OSX Extended (Journaled),+ then click Apply.

Hard Drive and Disk Utility Failure on Macbook Pro

Ok, so I've had this Macbook Pro since Sept. 2006 and I upgraded the operation system to Leopard about a year and a half ago. I've had no problems until now.
A few days ago I did a software update for the OS, and didn't seem to have any issues. The next day when I booted up the computer, it was very slow in starting up. When it did start up, it only displayed the Macintosh HD and not my files, but a few minutes later everything else loaded.
When I ran disk utility it just said that the hard drive needed to be repaired. The error was talking about a file on the server that was supposed to be numbered 1002 and instead was labeled 501 (?)
Now my issues is, I can't find the Leopard disc, (i moved and I think I lost it?) and all I have is the original Tiger OS disc. I tried to reinstall the HD after backing up the files I needed onto my external. The Tiger OS disc will not work, it says there isn't enough space to be installed onto the computer. Also now whenever I turn on the computer the screen is grey with the apple logo, goes through the blue screen launch and just pops up the window that says "Mac OS can't be installed on your HD"
So right now I am frustrated. If anyone has any advice, please let me have it. Am I completely out of luck or could Apple help me? I no longer have applecare btw, it expired this past October.

!http://i46.tinypic.com/2nvn6f.gif!
"I upgraded the operation system to Leopard about a year and a half ago."
Your system info confirms you have Snow Leopard (10.6.2) installed.
Leopard (10.5) & Snow Leopard (10.6) are 2 separate OS systems.
You need your Snow Leopard DVD to repair the damage if that is the OS that is currently installed on your MBP.
"When I ran disk utility it just said that the hard drive needed to be repaired."
If SL is the DVD you cannot locate then you will need borrow a retail SL DVD & run the +"repair disc"+ setting or purchase one of the following to repair:
DiskWarrior
Highly recommended for *directory damage* repairs.
TechTool Pro
Multi-functional utility.
Drive Genius Multi-functional utility.
You will need to make your own decision on which to purchase. Read up on them on their websites because each does something a little different.
You must use the versions that are compatible w/your OS system & keep the utilities updated to avoid damaging/harming/trashing your system.
!http://i50.tinypic.com/izvwo1.gif!

Disk Utility Failure on Exit (-9972) error?

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