Re-post (D*mn archiving) Disk Utility, anything related won't work

Here's the original post:
"I have had this problem for a very long time, was just too lazy to post it until now. Since I got this G5 (about a year ago), it has be unable to launch Disk Utility - the entire system simply freezes. This was true for the original Panther install, still true when I re-installed from the re-install discs, and is still true now that I have upgraded to tiger (10.4.4 at this point), so I assume it must be hardware... when I start the G5 into target disk mode, and boot to it's drive with my laptop, the same instance of disk utility runs fine. I have sent the G5 in 3 times, and each time they said it was fixed when it wasn't. Now the warranty is expired, and I don't know what to do with this. Any suggestions? "
And the one reply:
"Disk Utility on the Panther install disks was most likly corrupted.
Take the time to clone your Panther install to a external hard drive.
Update all your drives driver software by visiting the drive makers sites.
Get the Tiger install disks, not the upgrade over Panther disks and first DU Erase w/zero option the original drive. Install Tiger and grab your data from the Panther clone over time.
When finished, erase Panther clone and clone Tiger boot to it as a backup/alternate boot method."
Anyway, I have now (after way too long) had occassion to re-boot my computer for good - I have two internals, I zero-ed one of them and installed Tiger from scratch, and have been using it now as if it were a new computer (always a good feeling!) but now I still have that problem, and more - Disk Utility freezes on boot, or rather, it just keeps spinning as if it were scanning the disks. Now, also; when I try to open a disk image, DiskImageMounter utility freezes on 'Attaching' or rather, again, just keeps going - not a literal visual freeze... Now I've been using toast, but that's rather annoying to have to launch, and I defiantly need Disk Utility regardless of DMGs.
Any ideas? This G5 has had problems with anything relating to files/drives for a while, this particular one never goes away no matter if I have a fresh install or what, so if it's a hardware problem, is there any way I can fix it myself?

What is your laptop, and what is it running? Tiger?
Might want to start here:
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/help/
It can help walk you (and us) through what steps..
#1 boot into Open Firmware and reset nvram
#2 boot to your Apple Hardware Test disk using OPTION key and run tests
#3 run Memtest when possible
#4 check cables (again)
#5 Tiger is now out on DVD with 10.4.6 - updated and easier to upgrade
#6 boot into Single User Mode and run fsck after ANY freeze or hard restart
#6 install and use Applejack
#7 Repair Permissions
#8 boot into Single User Mode
A corrupt directory will prevent even booting from a CD/DVD if too severe.
A corrupt journal file is impossible to then fix
Disk Warrior (3.03)can't even fix it then, or TechTool Pro (4.1.2)
- you may need to unplug your hard drive(s) if they are corrupt or damaged.
Not all SATA drives are compatible though a year ago most were.
Drives don't require an extension driver, but may require a controller with current firmware. most people would strip a system to basics when troubleshooting. Controllers can also require drivers, too (Sonnet, ACard, ATTO, etc).
MacGurus FAQ with sections on maintenance, troubleshooting, links to other FAQs, G5 References, SATA, etc.
Might want to shop for a FW800 drive & case from someone.
http://www.macsales.com for one.
Files from your laptop should probably NOT be migrated, and definitely not the system. Also, never use older versions of Disk utility from say Panther on a Tiger system. Apple has a number of excellent articles on Disk Utility, fsck and the above.
MacFixit has a good (long, 5 part) tutorial on corrupt prefs, and Ted Landau has an excellent book on troubleshooting as well. Books on Mac OS X
http://www.apple.com/macosx/resources
Also, things rarely "fix themselves" but rather the problem just gets buried, over-written. The best thing to do along with running fsck is to invoke Applejack and delete all those cache files and folders and swap files, which is where most of the file corruption is likely to occur, and that is just two of the 5 functions of Applejack, repairing permissions and repair disk (why when you probably ran fsck first) as well as look for corrupt plist (prefs).
Set aside a 10GB partition for Emergency OS X only, that you can use to repair and test your other drives and partitions. Maybe on FW drive.

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Hi,
I am totally frustrated.
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Yes I am certain. but precondition is that your GR was posted to the GR/IR account.
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Hi
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Disk Utility can't repair Macintosh HD. What should I do?

Here is a "quick" synopsis of what has happened thus far:
About one month ago, my computer started getting very sluggish (ie, it would take forever to startup, would always freeze after sleep, etc.) I lived with it for about two weeks, since it would always run quickly after waiting ~30 minutes after starting/waking up. Eventually, this grew old. I browsed the internet and did multiple suggested fixes (reset PRAM, run Disk Utility, ran in Safe Boot Mode, etc.). Nothing seemed to work. I opted to zero out the harddrive and reinstall Mountain Lion after making a backup. That was about two weeks ago.
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TL;DR: Disk Utility can't repair Macintosh HD. Should I get DiskWarrior or a new harddrive?
Thanks in advanced!

Most importantly, youve already backed up all the data. All else is cake.
A new HD would cost you only $20 more than disk warrior,....theres no reason to repair a worthless crippled HD, .....new HD 1TB is $70.
Once you back up all the data on a failing HD, further diagnosis has no meaning,....not anymore.
Grab a 1TB or 750GB Toshiba/Hitachi (both used by Apple inside their Macbook Pro nonRetina,...both are made by Hitachi) 5400RPM SATA HD.
Forget the repair,.......repair only serves to bring a HD to a point of BACKUP.....since youve already done that, its now just wall art or trashbin fodder.
These are the same HD used by Apple in their Macbooks
http://www.amazon.com/MQ01ABD-2-5-Internal-Hard-Drive/dp/B0077CV2RO/ref=sr_1_1?i e=UTF8&qid=1376281905&sr=8-1&keywords=toshiba+1tb+2.5%22
In the future ALWAYS remember to have 2 backups for everything. 2 backups is 1, and 1 is none.
That way when something crashes (and they all do).....its no worries.

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No help I'm afraid, but I've been having the same problem. Will post if I find anything.
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How do I access Disk Utility for 10.7.1?

How do I access Disk Utility for 10.7.1? I found it in the forums a few weeks ago, used it, then lost the directions. This is a last ditch attempt
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find a solution that works. I have back up files on two different hard drives 500 gig and 1 terrabyte with all my music, photo and writing files.
I am a writer and a musician so imagine the frustration. OS 10.6 is an option of course. My dedication to Apple and each new OS is deep so
I am hoping that somehow there will a fix, an upgrade, something that does not require me to go bac to the much more endangered species named OS.
hahhaa! Just stalled waiting for the ball to finish with it's random spinning.... SO, this is like a last desperate .... it just did two more stalls.
NO OTHER apps running, just little Firefox holding on for dear life, last desperate request for a fix.
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Press and hold Command-R keys and reboot. You'll then start up in the Lion Recovery HD. You'll find Disk Utility there.
Command-R to the rescue.
Just hold down Command-R during startup and Lion Recovery springs into action. It lets you choose from common utilities: You can run Disk Utility to check or repair your hard drive, erase your hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Lion, or restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup. You can even use Safari to get help from Apple Support online. And if Lion Recovery encounters problems, it will automatically connect to Apple over the Internet.

Re-post (D*mn archiving) Disk Utility, anything related won't work

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