Disks won't unmount

Hello,
I have an old imac, that is running OS 10.6.5;
As of today I cannot get it to unmount any disks:
USB drives
CD's
External hard drives (Both USB and Firewire)
I have tried to repair permissions and repair the disk (Disk Utilities) both cases give a clean bill of health.
The only thing that I have done recently was to perform the most recent update yesterday. Could this be connected?

I'm not sure what's going on to be honest. I Googled the error message however unfortunately while I got hits on it I didn't come up with any replies. If you're covered by AppleCare I'd recommend contact them, you will probably need escalation until you get to someone knowledgeable about Unix. If you don't have AppleCare well you will either have pay for the incident or get support on the forum.
I didn't know. I'm assuming that when you do the SMC reset you are unplugging EVERYTHING, holding down the power button for 5-15 seconds and then powering on with only the keyboard and mouse plugged in. Next plug in one drive at a time and test it. Also if you are using a hub of any type eliminate that from the equation until you can find what is causing the error.
If the problem occurs create another user account and leave it absolutely pristine, don't add any applications, don't change any setting nothing!!! Then try that account, if it works then you know it's not a hardware issue and it's a software issue localized to the user account with the problem.

Similar Messages

Disk Won't Unmount in Disk Utility

I have a WD Passport external hard drive. When I plug it into my macbook pro via USB it does not show up so I went to disk utility to erase and re-format the hard drive as this has fixed the same issue in the past. However, when I try to erase the external hard drive in disk utility I get an error message stating that the disk cannot be unmounted. Please advise on steps I can take to fix this issue such that I can erase + re-format the hard drive so it will show up in my finder again. Thanks for the help.

You could try using diskutil. This is a command line utility to manage your mounted disks:
http://osxdaily.com/2013/05/13/mount-unmount-drives-from-the-command-line-in-mac -os-x/
be sure to close all other applications before trying to unmount as if they're accessing the disk it will be considered busy.
there is also a force option you can use as a last ditch attempt.

External hard drive won't unmount for disk utility.

Im not sure if this is the right topic area but I have a white macbook and my external hard drive won't unmount. I want to erase it via disk utility but it keeps telling me other programs are using it.

Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

10.6.7 netboot image won't unmount internal hdd in disk utility

I recently upgraded my snow leopard server from 10.6.6 to 10.6.7 in order to use the latest SIU to create some diagnostic images for the new MBP Early 2011. I can create the images just fine and can netboot the early 2011 MBP to the images, but when i try and use disk utility to repair the internal hard drive it says that it can't unmount the drive. Disk utility can unmount all external drives and repair them but not the internal drives.
My source machine is the early 2011 MBP and I placed the 10.6.7 OS on the internal hard drive. Once I made all the adjustments to my source machine, I put the source machine in target disk mode and connected it to my mac mini server via firewire 800. I used the default options for creating a netboot image in SUI. The image is created every time I try this but I can't get disk utility to unmount the internal hard drive for diagnostics. Any ideas?
Thanks,

Not sure if you've tried it on more than one client...
I've seen this occur when the HD on the client was corrupted. I had to boot from an install CD/DVD and use DU to erase the HD. Once I did that, the netinstall ran just fine.

Lacie won't unmount

Greetings Gurus,
I took part of my system home to do some work over the holidays and am now having trouble unmounting my Lacie BigDiskExtremeTriple. This drive has always been connected to my Dual G5 desktop (profile listed below), but I'd hoped to get some work done on the MBPro 17.
Here's what info I have so far:
I believe the problem started from having several external FW drives looped through a Belkin FW hub (sorry, no specs on it right now other than 3 FW 6pin ports on each side of the hub) - computer froze and I had to reboot.
I believe this caused some possible directory damage to the Lacie since I had been unable to 'unmount' the drive properly.
Support and Google searches have offered several things to try, but none have resolved the issue yet. Most suggest a 'directory issue with the drive' that Disk Warrior may fix. I have DW3.0, but also read that it's not going to work if the drive won't unmount in Disk Utility (which it wont')
Here is what I've tried so far.
any usage of Finder/Spotlight locks up the system.
Drive seems to work, though I've delayed pushing it with apps (mostly FCStudio), until I can resolve the issue.
Force Quit Finder - have been able to then unmount the drive once or twice, but usually not.
Restart Mac - can usually then unmount the drive, but not always
Check Activity monitor - this shows a Process ID/Name 'mds' at Root level running 99% (any ideas there?)
Run Terminal commmand 'sudo lsof | grep "The-Volume-Name"
- This gives me 4 items (one at Finder and 3 at mds) - Here is what it listed...
Finder 98 kevandholdsworth 19r VDIR 14,11 68 10944 /Volumes/MEDIA/.Trashes/501
mds 186 root 22u VREG 14,11 1069056 4392 /Volumes/MEDIA/.Spotlight-V100/store.db
mds 186 root 23u VREG 14,11 1069056 4393 /Volumes/MEDIA/.Spotlight-V100/.store.db
mds 186 root 24u VREG 14,11 0 4395 /Volumes/MEDIA/.Spotlight-V100/.journalHistoryLog
Is it possible to just locate these files and delete them? or will DW need to do it's own thing?
I'm ready to try Disk Warrior, but would appreciate any feedback regarding the issue before I attempt it.
(sadly, I broke the cardinal rule of not double posting [initially in the 'Finder, Dock & Dashboard Forum], but feel much more confident of getting strong advice here...my apolgies to any I've upset by doing so)
Thanks,
Kevan
PS - just checked my profile and it does not yet list the MBP...It's a 17" w/2GB Ram, same OS and Software as on the G5

It's not backed up yet...I'll do that before running DiskWarrior
I'm not convinced what the issue is. I now am unable to unmount any external HDs (all FW) from my G5.
Jim, Disk Utility is not giving me the option to 'disable journaling'.
Spotlight prefs won't let me add(+) either volume to 'privacy'...that's my understanding on how to remove it from being indexed. However, when I tried 'dragging' one of the volumes into the 'privacy' area, it went 'Poof'...now showing up on desktop, but no longer in finder...is this what you are referring to?
Kenneth, I'm the only user/admin...not seeing an issue there. Maybe I'm missing something from your suggestion. I simply boot up as I always do.
UPDATE...
FYI, here is the original prompt I get when trying to unmount any external hard drives: "The disk "DISK NAME" is in use and could not be ejected. Try quitting applications and try again"
There are no visible applications open...I notice now after dragging a volume to spotlight privacy that one of the text lines from the Terminal sudo command no longer shows up.
I have been able to unmount all drives after starting up from a backup drive (Panther). However, restarting from Tiger does not allow this. I'm also a bit concerned about doing restarts without properly unmounting any of these drives.
Here are a couple of links I've been trying to apply, but it's looking like a backup and DiskWarrior are next steps. A show deadline is preventing me from doing so at this time.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/forums/msgs.cfm?msg=80013&forum=4
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1572.html
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3651281&#3651281
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/stopspotlightindex.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301562
Thanks again for all suggestions. I need to crunch out this show and will keep up with this thread until I can resolve the whole issue...will have to award points in a few days.
K

I think I goofed when running disk utility, and unmounted at the end and restarted. Now I can't get the disk to mount. What am I missing?

I think I goofed when running disk utility, and unmounted at the end and restarted. Now I can't get the disk to mount. What am I missing?

Which disk won't mount? What version of OS X? Your post is impossible to answer with no useful information.

RAID won't unmount...can't repair

Problem: after fixed failed RAID (lost in poweroutage), RAID'd drive won't mount. If I drop to single user mode and fsck the boot volume (no errors listed), after reboot it's the RAID volume is back. I loose it after a restart without fsck (boot volume loads but RAID is "unrecognizeable").
When it mounts everything functions as it should (users get home folders and have read/wrote access, etc.). However if I try to repair it in disk utility (per Apple phone support), i get an error message saying that the disk can't unmount so therefore can't check it.
Any suggestions (besides clean install) that you have to keep the RAID volume intact? I refuse to believe that it's toast as i am able to have it function. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to a wipe if I could get a good backup of it, but I can't even do that since it won't unmount.
Can't wait to hear what you come up with!
Thanks in advance.

Really, how toasted can it be when it all works flawlessly
until reboot? THis really bothers me....
Don't get me started about the Apple Hardware RAID card. I hope you have the write caches turned off for all LUNs because they don't always fully flush on graceful power down (the drives are disconnected from the bus before caches are flushed) - I've had a RADAR bug report turned in for almost 2 years on that, it was very hard to track down and create a reproducible test case. LSI Logic fixed the bug in their microcode after Apple split its version from the LSI Logic code tree to modify for use in the Xserve; don't expect this bug to ever be fixed because the product is EOL, only known workaround is to turn off the write caches.
That said, the disks are big. You think it's working flawlessly, but it may not be. Mystery garbage blocks from space, especially on a RAID, can be hard to track down. For example, on a RAID 1, the read data might not always come from the same disk of the mirror.
If you really think that the mirror is good, I'd suggest cloning it off while booted from another disk (perhaps split the mirror, clone - not image - to one of the split disks, then recreate the mirror from the good copy).
Yea, your DiskWarrior issue is because the disk can't be unmounted.
Russ
Xserve G5 2.0 GHz 2 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) Apple Hardware RAID, ATTO UL4D, Exabyte VXA-2 1x10 1u

Dreamweaver CS6: Installation disk won't allow a change in the location of the installation folder

First, I hope the moderators will cut me some slack for making a duplicate posting. The comments below were posted in the "Creative Suites" community. I just noticed that there is a "Dreamweaver" community. I feel the issues I've raised below are more relevant to the latter.
I recently purchased a Dreamweaver CS6 installation disk and have a valid registration code. The Adobe website has recognized this code as valid.
I started-out by having the installation disk install into a folder on a high capacity (0.5 tb) external drive. This was done while my Gateway PC was still working properly. I did a duplicate installation onto this hard drive (into a separate folder) to accommodate any work I wanted to do on a Dell laptop I also own. For a few days things seemed to work ok on both computers. Then the cursor on my Gateway stopped moving. Several changes of mice failed to resolve the problem. I've written-off my Gateway as "dead." However the Dreamweaver CS6 installation MAY (I can't remember) be on a "local" folder on my Gateway and I am concerned I will have trouble installing Dreamweaver on the replacement I've purchased. I understand one is limited to 2 installations. If needed, can I purchase a license for a third installation? And what might that cost?
After turning-off my Gateway I then went to my Dell laptop to try to work with Dreamweaver there. I felt it was best to install on a "local" folder so I deleted all the Dreamweaver software from the folders on my external drive. Unfortunately the installation disk is still "pointed" to the folders on my external drive. To make matters worse I am now getting an error message which indicates I need to install into a folder on the "local" drive of my Dell laptop. But the installation disk won't allow me to change the path. On the installation disk the "path" to my external drive is faded-out and it will not allow me to delete and type-in a new path.
I've spent what, to me, are big bucks on this Dreamweaver disk. It's the only website building software that seemed to get consistently good reviews. However, for me, Dreamweaver is becoming a nightmare! I'm very much of a novice at website building. I don't know how, in the world, I will be able to a) Create something, and then b) Get Dreamweaver to put it onto what is now a blank webpage. I recently got "Dreamweaver CS6 The Missing Manual" and "Dreamweaver CS6 For Dummies." So far I haven't been able to find anything, in either of these two books, which addresses the issues I've raised here.
Somebody--please help!!
Don't know if my screen name will show up. So my name is JACK, near Old Faithfull.

Have you tried calling Adobe Customer service? They can deactivate one of your installations so that you can install and run on a new system. And perhaps they can help with your other problem, or send you to a tech support rep who can.
With regard to your use of DW, I'd strongly suggest that you take advantage of this downtime by learning as much HTML and CSS as you can absorb. Multiple sittings would be helpful. The more you know about those two, the easier DW will be for you when you eventually get it going.
Here are some tutorial sites that may be helpful -
http://www.w3schools.com
http://www.html.net

Macbook pro blue screen with spinning disk, won't start up. desperate!!!

macbook pro blue screen with spinning disk, won't start up. desperate!!! i'm a student and have a paper due tomorrow.
my macbook was really sluggish so i ran a hardware test. it said NO PROBLEMS. i did restart. my current login and password were REJECTED.
then the macbook went into blue screen and it just sits there and flashes to gray and back to blue and the white lines that make up the circle icon just spin and spin. i am DESPERATE to get this running so i can print my paper. please email me directly to my cell phone because i can't access computer. using someone else's computer to request help. DIRECT EMAIL PLEASE thank you.
<Email Edited by Host>

Hi ...
my current login and password were REJECTED
Try resetting your admin password > Mac OS X: Changing or resetting an account password

I got a new hard drive and my recovery disk won't work

I need help with my laptop satellite C650D model no. PSC0YC-02V026
I had to change my hdd and my recovery disk won't work.
When i run the disk i get an error saying that some files can't be read from file or disk.
if i click on the ignore button, i get the same message with a different file.
BOOT64.WIM
BCD
BOOT.SDI
ETFSBOOT
and at the end i get another error message:
Restore Wizard: initrecarea.exe - Application Error
The instruction 0x7656FF26 level refers to the address
0x01D70000 memory. The required data was not placed
memory because of an I / O 0xC000009C standard error.
Error 09-0000-0000
I even try with an windows 7 iso but when it start, i'm being asked for the cd/dvd driver, i download the driver but that didn't work either.

Satellite C650D-02V (PSC0YC-02V026)
When i run the disk i get an error saying that some files can't be read from file or disk..
You can obtain new recovery discs for that Canadian model from Toshiba by calling 800-663-0378.
-Jerry

Wacom Install Disk Won't Run

I just got a new Intuos4 medium tablet for my iMac 3.4 GHz i7 running 10.6.8. I cannot get the driver install disk to run.
Every time I click on the "install" icon, the dock install icon bounces for about15 seconds, the install splash screen half displays and then I get a screen that says "Install quit unexpectedly." A copy of the first part of the Problem Details report is attached. I have the whole report if that would help. I don't know what an EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGBUS) or a KERN PROTECTION FAILURE MEANS.
I'm pretty sure it is not the disk (although it could be the disk install software). I have successfully started the install disk on 4 other Macs (all 64-bit, like this one) running a Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion. It does choke, however, on my Tiger equipped G5--I just get a white unfilled splash screen, with, of course, no error report.
It's also not the drive, because the same failure occurs on my iMac from an external drive. It also occurs if I install all of the (visible) files directly onto the hard drive.
I've also tried a few programs that use installer scripts (not the "drag to the applications folder" type) -- Photoshop CS5 and Final Cut Studio -- and they start the install process just fine.
Any clues what's going on? I know I can probably download what purports to be the latest driver from the wacom site, but I'd rather try to resolve this. I've had numerous similar problems lately, and I'd like not to create more.
Any clues? If it would be more helpful for me to just upload the entire 13 page crash report, let me know.

Before you posted, I did go to the website and downloaded their latest driver (probably newer than the one the disk says is on it). I usually do follow that practice. Like you I've found that web downloads are practically always more up to date than the ones that come packaged with hardware like this. No faults here; it's just most reputable companies are constantly updating, improving functionality, aligning with sytem updates and getting rid of bugs.
I'm holding my breath, but the install seemed to have worked, with no apparent problems so far. I have some Photoshop tasks to tackle over the weekend, so I may know more then.
I am still deeply concerned about some system issues I haven't resolved, and I really don't have an answer to why this disk won't run the install software on this machine only. I'm hoping I don't have a deeper problem.
Kurt188, thanks for the suggestion about booting into 32-bit mode. I do have a 2011 Core i7 27 inch iMac. I tried 32-bit, but I got the same result.

PE 10 disks won't install on my PC

I just bought Photoshop Elements 10 but the disks won't install. I have a recent model HP laptop with 64 bit Windows 7 operating ystem. When you insert the disks ( disk 1 or 2) in the DVD recorder/player you can hear the disks being read for a while then the disk just stops and a message comes up asking what do I want to do with the blank disk. What do I need to do to get tfhe program to install??

Have the disks replaced by the seller. It's possible the disk is defective. By the way, you only need disk 1 to install PSE on Windows.
To immediately install PSE10, download the trial version from Adobe and use your purchased serial number to activate it.
Ken

Pismo G3 Tiger Install Disk won't boot

Hey, I just got a G3 Pismo off eBay and I am having trouble reinstalling Tiger onto it. It's a 500 Mhz G3 and it's been upgraded to 1 gig of Ram and a 100 gig hard drive. It's currently running 10.4.11, so I know it can handle it. Whenever I try installing it just hangs on a white screen after start up. I've tried from both the internal DVD drive and an external DVD drive. One thing I have noticed is that the install disk won't show up as an option in the Startup Disk panel when it's in the external drive, even though it will mount normally.
I've tried booting as the startup disk from it's current install and from Os 9.2.2 but no luck. I've reset the PRAM/NVRAM and reset the PMU and still nothing.
Any ideas?

Are you using a retail Tiger install DVD (black with silver X)? A gray, model specific installer for a different model Mac won't work.
I suspect your external DVD drive is connected via USB, which can't be used for a boot drive. You need an external Firewire drive if you want to boot from a DVD/CD.
What's wrong with the 10.4.11 OS currently installed? We might can recommend some fixes if there are problems.
 Cheers, Tom

HT203164 My newly installed burner works fine from i-tunes, except the burned disk won't work in my car CD player. The old burner's disks work just fine in the car. Please help.

My newly installed burner works fine from i-tunes, except the burned disk won't work in my car CD player. The old burner's work just fine in the car. Please help.

Using my new G5 I have the same problem, which I did not know using my old G4 with an external LaCie burner. The CD-Changer in my car is not able to read audio-cds, also my cd-player in my home hifi-system. The only way to play these audio-cds is (strange...) to put them directly in the main tuner of my car (usually used for the navigation cd), not using the Changer.
Maybe the problem really depends on the quality of the CD-Rs. I have used CD-Rs from Sony (it´s a brand, I think?) and will try Verbatim.
Regards, Horst

Photoshop 5.5 install disk won't load

A virus ate my desktop and I've had to reload Photoshop. Photoshop 5.5 install disk won't load. Any ideas?

You can download the trial version of the software thru the page linked below and then use your current serial number to activate it.
Be sure to follow the steps outlined in the Note: Very Important Instructions section on the download pages at this site or else the download will not work properly.
CS5.5: http://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cs5-5-direct-download-links.html

Disks won't unmount

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for