Invalid sibling link, I/O error

This has been a persistent problem w/ my eMac. It took about a year from purchase until the system would not boot. Disc Warrior gets it up, but the fix doesn't last. I've done 'Archive' or 'Erase and Install' dozens of times and now the error reappears after just a few system start ups.
I've searched the Discussions site and these options appeared, among others:
Remove and reset the processors. A worsening connection could account for the increasing frequency of the problem, I suppose.
Go to Single User mode and type: fsck_hfs -r /dev/disk0s2. This begins to get a little over my level. I'm warned that mistakes here could result in permanently unmounting the volume. But, I'm willing to try.
I'd appreciate any methods or references that you, the discussion good guys, may have to offer.
Thanks,
Shamus

roam...
I apologize for not getting back to you very quickly. Sometimes I can't get to the computer for a few days. Sometimes I just need to think about it.
I have both the original install disks for the eMac, OS 10.3.4 and a black, retail copy of Tiger. There are no mismatched machine disks. I've reset the NVRAM as per your suggestion. No settings seemed to have been effected.
You mentioned Norton. This has come up lately. Let me explain. I began my computing experience on an iMac (Summer 2000) running OS 9.0.4 and a large part of my current data, on the 'problem system', dates from that era. I transfered it all over to a new eMac a couple years ago and within 6 months the system began to corrupt. I purchased DiskWarrior to keep the patient alive. The same problems began to appear more frequently. So, I obtained a 300 GB Maxtor external HD for backup, just in case system recovery became impossible
Now, when I install a fresh copy of Tiger on the external HD, I choose the option, 'Transfer Data from Another Mac'. That is the eMac data. When this is complete, this message comes up:
The following application(s) may need to be re-installed:
- Norton Utilities
I didn't think this was very important. I have heard that Norton could create worse problems then it repaired on a Mac. However, I haven't been running Norton and don't even remember buying or using it. I must have though, when I was first learning to operate in the 'old days' of OS 9.
I've run a search on my entire setup and copies of Norton applications appear in OS 9/Applications/Utilities. Aliases, prefs, and extensions seem to be everywhere.
So, this is where it stands. There are two partitions on the eMac, one is named 'Olde iMac System', 32 GB in size. This is the problem system, it gets the prohibitory icon. Booting into single user mode goes a few lines down and then just repeats,' Still waiting for root device'. Another sector I call 'Pristine Partition' which contains just the operating system, a username and no other data. I will watch this one to see if, and how, it corrupts. As all others have.
The Maxtor external HD has three partitions, 100 GB each . The one I'm using now is the old system, plus recent work, which I boot into from the eMac. There have been no problems in doing so. The second is reserved as a Backup disk. I need to figure out how to do an efficient system backup and I think I should do so soon. Suggestions would be welcome.
A few days ago I installed a fresh copy of Tiger on the third partition and transfered the broken, prohibitory system from the eMac. It boots up just fine.
So, it looks like volumes resident on the eMac HD get I/O errors while external volumes do not. Does this make sense to you?
Let me know what you think. I do appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Shamus

Similar Messages

My external hard drive will not open and only shows up in Disk Utilities. When I try yo repair it, it give me and error of invalid sibling link. How do I fix my external hard drive?

My external hard drive will not open and only shows up in Disk Utilities. When I try yo repair it, it give me and error of invalid sibling link. How do I fix my external hard drive?

Invalid sibling link may not be fixable by Disk Utility. (Disk Utility is very conservative, and will not attempt repairs that might cause you to lose data.)
It is an indication of serious Directory damage.
that leaves
a) third-party Utilities that will take those risks, or
b) re-initializing the drive (which deletes all your data) and restoring from another backup source.
c) "Copying off whatever files you can salvage" has gone by, and you cannot copy anything off a drive that will not mount. You may be able to use "rescue" programs such as prosoft engineering Data Rescue to copy files to another drive, but that sounds a lot better than its reality. You may get many files, but not get ANY filenames.

Invalid sibling link error

I have a 15" PB which gave an "invalid sibling link error" one month ago and I was not able to even repair it using DiskWarrior. I have Apple Care Protection plan, so I sent it for repairs and the repair guys replaced the motherboard as they suspected it was the reason. On return, I reformatted the HD and installed everything from stratch. Everything was working fine till last Saturday morning, when computer would not boot up. So I checked using Disk Utility from PB DVD, and the dreaded "invalid sibling error" came up again. Since I have a bootable backup of the HD, I formatted the HD and tried to load the system on the HD from the backup copy. But the writing of backup using CCC hung up and I had to quit it. After that I was not able to find the HD using Disk Utility from DVD.
I have sent it for repairs again, but can anyone help me understand the core problem here. Since last time they replaced the motherboard, I think they will replace the HD this time around. Is the logic board, motherboard or the HD that is the root cause of the problem?
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 100GB HDD, 1.5GB RAM

I had never heard of "invalid sibling link error" until you post, and when I ran a search on it the best explanation I could find is that it is a directory-related problem. See the following (assuming it is correct): http://www.computing.net/mac/wwwboard/forum/2584.html The suggestion there, though, is that DIsk Warrior should be able to fix the problem, and you've already told us that you tried using Disk Warrior on it and it did not work.
Very puzzling. Please post back what happens when you get your PB back from being repaired.
Good luck.
-- JDee

On MacBook air, "/sbin/fsck - fy" gives an error "Invalid sibling link"k

MacBook air will not start on powen-on. Tried Disk Utility, but it can't repair. Tried "/sbin/fsck -fy" It gives an error "Invalid sibling link (4, 35776)... and at the end given a Disk full error, and quits by saying that "the volume Macintosh HD could not be repaier"
Any suggestions on how to fix the issue?

MacBook air will not start on powen-on. Tried Disk Utility, but it can't repair. Tried "/sbin/fsck -fy" It gives an error "Invalid sibling link (4, 35776)... and at the end given a Disk full error, and quits by saying that "the volume Macintosh HD could not be repaier"
Any suggestions on how to fix the issue?

Errors when installing os x 10.4- Invalid sibling link-volume check failed

I am trying to upgrade my PowerPC G4 from OS x 10.2.8 to 10.4. I bought the Tiger Retail DVD. The install disc boots and runs, but near the end of installation, I get " Error Installing Software- Please try installing again" I opened the disk utility on the installer and tried first aid- which failed.
"Invalid Sibling Link"
"Volume check failed"
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
HFS volume checked
1 volume could not be repaired because of an error
I tried first aid repeatedly with no luck. I tried the fsck repair suggested in one of the discussion forums "fsck -fy"
again, "volume check failed"
I'm looking to buy DiskWarrior as suggested, but am curious about another option I've read about. I found a macosxhints website http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070204093925888
that suggests running the install disk, clicking on terminal and unmounting the drive that the OS system "lives on". If I do this, will I lose the data already on my computer? The hint does not talk about how to remount the drive.
I am NOT computer savvy. Would this be getting in over my head? It sounds simple enough, but I don't want to do any irreversible damage. Should I just buy disk warrior, or would the safest bet be to buy an external hard drive and back up everything, then perform an erase an install with Tiger?
Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!!

Hi confused- I just fixed my invalid sibling link error on my HD. Stop using your HD!
It will only get radically worse. I went to http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/ to see which version of Disk Warrior I needed which was 4.1. Then I went to a retail store & bought the CD $99. On the box, it must say 4.0 with 4.1 included + CD rev 42. You must use the CD as the download won't boot up your HD. In the box is a 1-pager of simple instructions. Put disk in CD drive, follow instructions, click rebuild HD, wait 15 minutes. My HD is perfect!!!now. It fixed permissions, rebuilt my directory, fixed my CS3 Adobe applications, fixed corrupted prefs, found & restored ALL files. I lost nothing! Plus made a PDF detailed report. Best $99 i ever spent. Good luck!

TS1367 I have MacOS 10.5.8. It is not booting. It stops at the blue screen. I used the disc utility - verify disc. I get the following message - Invalid sibling link. Volume check failed. Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed. Please give a solution a

I have MacOS 10.5.8. It is not booting. It stops at the blue screen. I used the disc utility - verify disc. I get the following message - Invalid sibling link. Volume check failed. Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed. Please give a solution anybody?

Many times I tried to simply update from 10.5.8 without any success. It starts and after few minutes ...
I used many different install disks (I bought ofiicial release from Mac seller), so I think this is not a problem with wrong version or bad install disk. A few days ago I've got back my computer from Apple technical support and technician told me he had this same problem with system installation

How can I fix an invalid sibling link error message without my original install disk?

How can I fix an invalid sibling link error message without my original install disk?

Hi Jeff,
It's not even likely the Install Disc could fix that, but if you want to try...
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
You must repair the HD, your best bet is likely DiskWarrior.
BTW, you might enjoy these DiskWarrior review/recommendations...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9645801&#9645801
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10541019#10541019
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11918925&#11918925
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12684129#12684129
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12744794&#12744794
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12912879#12912879
Finally, you should run DiskWarrior if your Mac explicitly warns you of a problem with your disk in the form of an error message. Most of these errors are reported by the built-in Disk Utility whether your Mac OS X version is 10.3 Panther, 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard or 10.7 Lion. Here are some of the most common messages:
Disk Repair: The disk was not repairable by this computer. It is being made available to you with limited functionality. You must back up your data and reformat the disk as soon as possible.
The underlying task reported failure on exit.
Invalid node structure.
Keys out of order.
Invalid key length.
Invalid directory item count.
Invalid extent entry.
Invalid record count.
Invalid index key.
Invalid sibling link.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/details3.html

Error: Invalid sibling link...what to restore and what not to restore

I am two weeks from having done a reinstall and partial restore. My system has been locking up again frequently and my Disk Utility shows this error.
"Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid sibling link
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair"
When I did my previous restore, I only had a limited back up to my iMac account available. Just address info, stickies notes, iCal, preferences and Keychain data I think. Because a similar problem is recurring so quickly, my assumption is that I imported the corruption back in to my system.
First, is this a good assumption? Second, my system is still slighty operational now, so I was wondering what from my new back ups I should restore after a reinstall and what I should leave alone.
Thoughts?
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I am two weeks from having done a reinstall and
partial restore. My system has been locking up again
frequently and my Disk Utility shows this error.
I am thinking that you may have a harddware problem. I'd assume it is the harddrive. Is the machine still under applecare?
You may want to look into getting an external harddrive. With an external harddrive, you can clone your system and boot off the external harddrive. Cloning software: SuperDuper & carbon copy cloner
When I did my previous restore, I only had a limited
back up to my iMac account available. Just address
info, stickies notes, iCal, preferences and Keychain
data I think. Because a similar problem is recurring
so quickly, my assumption is that I imported the
corruption back in to my system.
Hard to say. If the backup files were corrupted, this would be a problem. Where you having a problem when you made a copy of the files?
First, is this a good assumption?
I haven't resorted that many Mac system, so I forget the terminology.
Did you do a clean install? That is wipe out the files on the harddrive before restoring? I'd have reformatted the harddrive using disk utility before installing.
Second, my system
is still slighty operational now, so I was wondering
what from my new back ups I should restore after a
reinstall and what I should leave alone.
Thoughts?
Boot in safe mode. Hold down the shift key when powering on the machine. This will run a disk repair program.
See this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393
Have you tried disk first aid?
You will need to boot from you installation disk. I have not done this, but here are some hints:
see this article
Or from mrtotes article :
Boot from the OS X Install disk and from the Menu Bar choose Disk Utility. Then run "Repair Disk" and "Repair Disk Permissions" on your hard disk.
Here the apple article on booting single user mode and using fsck. See the section on Use fsck:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Perhaps Disk Warrior will be of some help:
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/

Invalid Sibling Link & Catalogue Errors

Alright. First the MBP: It's got 10.4.7 installed on a 72gb partition with WinXP SP2 (running MacDrive) filling up the rest of the 100gb. I left the MBP on last night to download a couple files and nothing seemed worng with it. I shut it down and took it to work where I used Windows all day without a problem. I shut it down again and brought it home. Left it to boot into OSX and when I came back I was looking at a bunch of Unix command line speak. Lots of 'file not founds' and the three big scary ones: A couple about checksum errors (mach should be 1, found 0; mach.sys should be 147 found 47) and one invalid sibling link.
I booted from the install disc and ran Disk Utility's Verify and Repair. Both crapped out early citing the three scary errors and an internal error that prevented it from completing. I immediately tried backing up my OSX Partition to an external. That went swimmingly until the end when it simply said, "An error has occurred Error -3087" (don't quote me on these exact error messages, I'm now doing this from memory. read on and you'll see why)
I booted into single user mode and attempted to fsck the problem away (following the suggestion from http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214) but that too met the same fate as Disk Utility, failing on the Catalogue check.
Now, really frightening things are happening. I boot it up into Verbose mode to see what's happening and it simply repeats "SATA PROBLEM Completing a zero block transfer." ad inifinitum.
The weirdest thing about this whole thing is that Windows still boots and operates flawlessly. With MacDrive I can still look at all my OSX files too. Opened up a couple movies and mp3 which worked fine.
Helps me please!

Shaun,
You have suffered a major disk error. This doesn't mean that your HD is "fried," only that the file system on that one volume (the one with OS X) is damaged. It happens.
Since you can boot into Windows and access that volume using Macdrive, I recommend you use that facilty to make a backup of your HOME folder on the OS X partition by copying it, preferably to an external drive.
Based on the fact that this is a new machine, you might have a bad block on the HD. This is common with new HDs, in my experience. If a format (erase) of the OS X volume and a reinstall doesn't work the first time, you might need to consider "zeroing" the entire drive. Yes, including the Windows volume. By choosing the drive (or "device," as it's called) in Disk Utility, then "zeroing" the drive, Disk Utility will "map out" any bad blocks that are on the drive, thereby helping to prevent further disk errors. Many of us like to do this with any computer, right out of the box. It avoids having to go through what you now must.
If you need instructions on doing any of this, just ask.
Scott

Time Machine Backup on External Drive Invalid sibling link

I've used time machine to backup macbook air for several months. From Feb 2011 without any problems until about 2 months ago. I started to get the message that backups could not be started.
I realized that the disk would not mount right away. And after about 10 minutes or more I would get the message that my disk could not be mounted. The error said my data could be backed up and I should do it right away.
Okay, so I try to copy my backup files using finder and get an error saying I don't have permissions to copy data.
My research indicates my hard drive is failing, which is unfortunate, since I bought it within the last year :-(
Okay, so now I am trying to get my months worth of backups off the drive and this is proving to be quite difficult...actually, impossible.
Here are my latest attempts at resolving my issue:
1. Ran Repair Disk - reusts:
          error: Could not repair disk and something about backing up my data and reformating the disk
2. Ran fsck_hfs -f command in terminal
     The system indicated it was executing the command and about 2 or 3 minutes, I think the command prompt appeared. No other message
3. Run repair disk again - My results:
     Checking catalog file.
     INvalid sibling link
     rebuilding catalog B-Tree
     The volume My Passport could not be repaired
     Volume repair complete
     Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required
     Error: Disk Utility can't repair this disk...disk, and restore your backed up files
4. Created a new partition on another external drive and did a restore in Disk Utility from the broken drive to the new partition on the other drive. Took a few hours. Unfortunately, I just created the same problem on that partition (invalid sibling link)
Any other ideas on how I can rescue my backup data from the My Passport drive? I can see it in finder but I can't copy it do my other drive!
Research on forums and other sites have mentioned cloning the drive using "dd" command. Is this the same as the disk utility restore?
Is there some way I can change the permissions of the disk/partitition/files to enable me to copy the data to the new external drive?
Here is what the system looks like: Mac HD is my mac mini; My book is the WD 1TB external drive usb connected; My Passport is the broken external drive with the time machine backups that I can't get access to.
unknown3c07544bc705:Volumes oshunj$ ls -ale
total 8
drwxrwxrwt@ 5 root    admin   170 Dec 4 09:40 .
0: group:everyone deny add_file,add_subdirectory,directory_inherit,only_inherit
drwxr-xr-x 29 root    wheel 1054 Dec 3 18:17 ..
lrwxr-xr-x   1 root    admin     1 Dec 3 18:10 Macintosh HD -> /
drwxr-xr-x@ 15 oshunj staff   578 Dec 3 20:46 My Book
drwxr-xr-x@ 14 oshunj staff   544 Oct 16 19:32 My Passport
unknown3c07544bc705:Volumes oshunj$ ls -Orbitlake /Volumes
total 4
     2 drwxr-xr-x@ 14 oshunj staff -       544 Oct 16 19:32 My Passport
335990 lrwxr-xr-x   1 root    admin -         1 Dec 3 18:10 Macintosh HD -> /
     2 drwxr-xr-x 29 root    wheel -      1054 Dec 3 18:17 ..
     2 drwxr-xr-x@ 15 oshunj staff -       578 Dec 3 20:46 My Book
10710 drwxrwxrwt@ 5 root    admin hidden 170 Dec 4 09:40 .
0: group:everyone deny add_file,add_subdirectory,directory_inherit,only_inherit

***Update to ask question***
I would love to setup my new mini like my MBA. Is there anything wrong with restoring my entire drive, I think it starts at /User/ level, to my mini????
You know you never know when you will need the backups. This makes me angry especially since I can see the files but can't repair the disk.
OTOH, I attempted something I just now read about, option-click on time machine icon. Funny thing, I selected other disk and my passport (original broken drive) popped up with time machine backups on it.
I, quite timidly, selected the disk, opened the time machine and traversed my broken drive with backups from feb.
hmmm. I then, selected some random pdf file to restore and behold, It was restored to my mac mini right before my eyes.
I'm confused. But I think I will go with your suggestion and just put the drive away in a closet somewhere and hope to never really need it. It is quite interesting though that I am unable to repair this disk but I can restore files from it....Odd, I tell you, odd....
Thanks

Start-Up: Folder with gray question mark / Disk Utility: Invalid Sibling Link

Yesterday, I was working on my computer and it froze up. My only option was to reboot by holding down the power key. When the computer restarted, the screen was all grey with a folder in the middle of the screen with a question mark.
I tried the following:
1) Boot up computer while holding down the "Option" key. - Didn't work.
2) Boot up the computer while holding down the "Shift" key. - Didn't work.
Since the first two options didn't work I inserted the original system install disk and booted up while holding down the "C" key. I selected "English" as the language and then opened "Disk Utilities." I pressed "Repair disk" within First Aid. The message I am getting is as follows:
"First Aid failed. Disk Utility stopped repairing "Macintosh HD" because the following error was encountered: Filesystem verify or repair failed."
The details screen shows the following:
"Verify and repair volume "Macintosh HD"
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid sibling link.
Rebuilding Catalog B-tree.
The volume could not be repaired.
Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed."
I ran the "Repair disk" function about 6 times but it was not successful.
I was then going to try to do an "Archive and Install" from the original system disk but when I go to do that no destination options appear at the "Select Destination: Where do you want to install Mac OS X?"
I have not backed up my data very recently (and a lot of what I have stored on this computer is work - I am a freelance designer) so I would like to do something that at least allows me to transfer my data off of my hard drive before reformatting or anything like that. Of course, if there is a less intrusive fix that can leave my hard drive in tact, that would be ideal.
Any advice? Tips? Solutions? I have a MacBook Pro, 15" that I purchased 3 years ago (my 3 year Apple Care plan just expired about a month ago).

You are in a tough situation. The disk appears unusable according to Disk Utility. As was suggested you may (only may) be able to salvage it with Disk Warrior (not sure about Data Rescue). DW can sometimes recover a drive that DU can't. But nothing else can be suggested.
If you can get that disk recovered then back it up ASAP, wipe the disk, reinitialize it, and verify it. But I'm the paranoid type, and with the kind of errors you show for that disk, I am not sure I would ever trust it again. At most I would relegate it to a scratch disk.
Note, if it is a drive that you bought, most drives have a 3 to 5 year warrantee period, so you could get it replaced by the manufacturer if it is within that warrantee period.

Invalid sibling link?

Hi,
Today my macbook pro started powering down after hanging during the boot process. going to verbose mode, i noticed an "invalid sibling link" error during the drive check, just before the cpu halted. the hardware diagnostics say nothing's wrong with the hardware.
I tried booting into single user mode, and running fsck_hfs -r, but that gets to the same point and throws an error, and i still cant boot. i cant get an appointment with the apple store until monday, and i have school work to do. what can i do to address this problem?
oh, and i've tried booting to the install disk but for some reason that doesnt work. the drive spins up and then it goes to the gray apple screen, which hangs and then powers down.
suggestions?

+Invalid Sibling Link+ can usually be fixed by the following utility......
If Disk Utility can't fix it, you'll need a more robust utility for the repair. I would recommend DiskWarrior. It is the best at directory repairs. It rebuilds then actually replaces your old directory. I feel every Mac owner should have a copy. Make sure you get the disk so you can boot up on it to run repairs. You can also install it on another drive and run it from there to repair this one. DW works faster that way.
I use DW once a month to try and catch errors in my system from getting too far out of hand. It has repaired every little and big issue I have ever had with my three Macs.
If you have a good backup, hopefully a clone of your system before you had issues, an Erase and Install will also rid you of this issue. But, beware! You will lose everything on the drive with this procedure. Let us know if you need help with that!
Good Luck! DALE
p.s. Here's a rewiew of DiskWarrior 4.

Macbook not starting up - Invalid Sibling Link

Hi,
I have a Macbook Pro 13 inch (Early 2011). It refuses to start up anymore. I have done the following tests/checks
1. Try booting into safe mode. It gets stuck there as well.
2. Boot into single-user mode and run fsck. It get a "Could not repair Macinotish HD" (or something similar, I ran this a long time ago and am recalling what it said)
3. Booted using the OS X Install Disk, and ran Disk Utility. Tried repairing and got
Invalid sibling link
Rebuilding catalog B-tree
The volume Macintosh HD could be repaired
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
Error: Disk Utility can't repair this disk...disk, and restor your backed-up files.
4. I also ran fsck_hfs -r as some sites suggested, but this didn't work either.
I believe this is not a hard disk fault, since I can boot into my Windows partition without issue.
Is there any way to fix this problem WITHOUT having to reinstall the OS?
In cases reinstallation is the only option, how do I go about backing my data? Should I create a New Image (using Disk Utility) and back up everything on an external HD? Won't this also image the corrupted part?
Here's my problem with reinstalling the OS. I have a software that I have absolutely have to use in 3 days. However, I do not have access to the installation disks for that software. Thus, I would really not like formatting my HD. If I back up my data using the New image feature above, can I retrieve that software?
BTW, I also have access to another Windows laptop, if that will help at all.
This is a time urgent matter and I would be grateful if I get a reply asap. I really need my laptop to work. Thanks a lot!

Invalid Sibling Link > Invalid Sibling Link: Apple Support Communities
You may need Disk Warrior ...

Disk Utility- Invalid Sibling Link

Can anyone tell me what this is about
Verifying volume “G5 HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid sibling link
The volume G5 HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
I had a similiar problem and posted this
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=3486224#3486224
I have erased and installed the complete system (10.4) again and only been using Safari and ichat for a few days. I have updated all software etc.
I was about to migrate all my files back from an External HD FW and decided to Verify the disk quickly and this message came up.
Do i have to buy another hard drive?
If so what do you recommend? (about 250gb)
G5 2.3DP Mac OS X (10.4) G3 Pisimo 400, Maxtor 250gb External FW HD, ipod etc

If you have erased (but not zero'd the drive) and re-installed 10.4 after the first problem, and then it has happened again, you could try an erase with zeros (select 'Security Options' in Erase) and a complete new install of 10.4 and combo update to 10.4.8
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1048comboupdateppc.html
'Zeroing' is supposed to map out the bad blocks on the drive so that they are not used.
When you have re-installed, you could run Disk Utility(the one on the 10.4.8 drive) and Verify Disk on the boot drive a couple of times. If there is any sniff of an error, see below.
But you may feel happier to replace the drive, as they are not that expensive. I have a Seagate 300GB as the second, 'data' drive, which was a good size/price combination at the time of purchase, but you may want a smaller, faster one as your boot drive. You will find many recommendations if you browse/search the forum.
Note that it is not impossible that other problems are causing the directory corruption - but getting the drive running right would be my priority. Good Luck.

HD crash/meltdown on my PB G4 - INVALID sibling link?

noticed my HD has become extremely slow when trying to load an appl. like mail. After force shut down,impossible to pass grey display with spinning wheel and Apple logo, so I booted from an external FW800 HD (10.4.6).Disk utility / verify disk
stops with: Invalid sibling link - the volume HD needs to be repaired - Error:The underlying task reported failure on exit - volume needs repair.
When running repair disk I get the message: failed and error: couldn't unmount disk.
Is there a hardware problem with my HD here? It takes over 30
minutes to open/display any folder in Finder.
How can I repair it?
External HD just work normal.

Data Rescue will recover data in whatever form it is. Unfortunately if the directory is damaged it isn't in very usuable form.
If Disk Warrior is saying "Disk Malfunction" I'd actually use Data Rescue versus Disk Warrior. Data Rescue is less destructive on disks than Disk Warrior.
And yes I'd replace the hard drive once you have recovered as much as possible.
In the future always backup your data as my FAQ explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

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