Disk Utility Not so Utile

Question

So I verify my Hard Drive and it says the following after checking (exactly): Verifying volume “Macintosh HD” Invalid directory item count (It should be 43 instead of 42)
Checking Extended Attributes file. Checking volume bitmap. Checking volume information. Volume %@ needs to be repaired.",1) Macintosh HD Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit 1 HFS volume checked. Volume needs repair
The only glitch is the "Repair Disk" button is inoperative. So I trty to start from the original 10.3 OS that came with the iMac (3 discs) to use ITS Disk Utility and it won't start up from those disks. I either get a blinking folder when holding down "c", or I get a warning that says something like "this computer will not start up from this disk" likely because I have been upgrading Software (at Apple's request) since I started. I guess they forgot to upgrade Disk Utility. In any event, though this doesn't seem to affect the operation too much if at all, I still wonder why it won;t work properly (Disk Repair I mean)

Answer 1

Hi Lostdutchman, and a warm welcome to the forums!
So I trty to start from the original 10.3 OS that came with the iMac (3 discs) to use ITS Disk Utility and it won't start up from those disks
You're very lucky it didn't, you cannot use 10.3's Disk Utility from a 10.3 Install Disc to repair a 10.4 HD, it'll mess it up.
They did change DU in 10.3.9 to work on 10.4 Disks, but no 10.3 CDs came with 10.3.9.
Some things to try...
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, Validate again, if it's OK this time, click on Repair Permissions, reboot.
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Tough without the Tiger Disk problems, but try fsck...
To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup.
Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
(SPACE between fsck AND -fy important)
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:

The volume (nameofvolume) appears to be OK 
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
*** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *** 

Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), & use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, reboot once more.
Your best bet is DiskWarrior, you need the CD/DVD though.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/
But others that may work…
Drive Genius…
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/drive_genius.php
TechTool Pro…
http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=83