Won't boot-can't repair permissions

I'm visiting a friend's home and she has a 15" MacBook Pro. I tried to boot it and noticed the rotating gear just kept rotating against a grey screen.
So I booted in target mode and connected it to my MacBook Pro and went to disk utility. It passed Repair Disk but I cannot get an active repair permissions button from either the HD or the sub-folder.
Any thoughts?

Boot from the install disk and try it from there.
-Bmer
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Won't boot after I repair permissions

2007 iMac 20". Installed Lion and it worked fine until yesterday. Acting a little wonky so I verified the disk and repaired permissions in Disk Utility and now it will not boot up past the grey apple logo screen with the spinning icon. I tried booting off of a Lion recovery disc and repaired the disk and repaired permissions again. All to no avail. Exact same problem. Finally I had to restore my system off of my latest Time Machine backup to get it functional again. Any clue what is causing my issue?

repair via SUS
edited:
connect to wall charger open sd card flap and push off button until phone vibrate..let it charge then perform software repair
Some will call me fatalist And some will call me freak
But hidden in my throwing fist The fortune that I seek-- Amon amarth

Computer won't boot, can't repair disk

Hi all,
Last night my husband was converting a video using isquint so that he could burn it to dvd later. It was late so he went to bed while it was still converting, not realizing that it was running on battery power rather than being plugged in. This morning of course, the computer had shut off, so I plugged it in and tried to reboot. Instead, i got a blank screen for a while, and eventually the dreaded folder with question mark.
I tried booting from the install cd, which didn't work for many MANY attempts, but finally did. I ran disk utility and saw that the volume was not mounted. I tried to mount it but it said it needed to be repaired. I have tried many times now to do so, but i keep getting an error message that says
"1 volume could not be repaired because of an error"
Could this problem be caused by the computer shutting down the way it did? Also, is there anything else I can do, or would you say this hard drive is pretty much a goner? My macbook is only 3 months old, so it's still under warranty; How do I go about getting a new drive?
thanks everyone.
Message was edited by: shannon palmer

small update: i was finally able to mount the disk (after erasing it... bye bye un-backed-up data), and now i'm reinstalling os x. Of course i was able to get this far earlier in the day and it got through disc 1 and then told me there was an error and i was back to the start, so i'm not getting my hopes up yet. Fingers firmly crossed.

Disk Utility Can't Repair Permissions - A different one

I'm posting this separately from the previous thread I saw somewhere, because my situation is a little different.
I did the software updates on my G4 15" Aluminum this morning: Battery thing, iTunes, QuickTime and Safari. Security Update? FUGGETTABOUT. Went through THAT nightmare weeks ago.
Anyways: I can't repair permissions any way at all: not in Disk Utility, not in ONYX, and Not from Disk Utility from the Boot CD.
MY error reads:
"Disk Utility Internal Error: Disk Utility has lost its connection with the Disk Management Tool and cannot continue. Please quit and relaunch Disk Utility"
When I do THAT, I get the ever-so-encouraging warning, essentially telling me that I've been given a bum steer in the previous alert: "Operations Still in Progress. Disk Utility still has some operations in progress. Quitting in the middle of some operations can leave a disk non-operational. Are you sure you want to quit?"
Other details: Ran Disk Verify and Disk Repair from the boot CD and it was claimed that the disk was repaired and ok. Zapped the PRAM. Other problems are that Keychain Access just freezes when I ask to see a password. Never gets to the point of even asking for my administrative password.
Originally, too, just as when I had problems with the Security Update, I couldn't join my Airport Network, but for no apparent reason, after a couple of reboots after zapping the PRAM, I managed to connect.
This is the second time in less than a month that a machine which has always operated flawlessly has gone south after downloading Software Updates from Apple in good faith. I hardly think I should be expected to purchase third-party disk utilities to fix this myself.
Owen
G4 15" Aluminum PowerBook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Thank you, JRSY Man SO much. Just for the sake of anyone seeing THIS forum, go to the one JRSY MAN linked in the second post of this thread. There are about a hundred posts from people with this problem, and a lot of hair-pulling, but someone has come up with a temporary solution, and it finally worked for me.
There is an incompatibility in the stupid iTunes update, that creates all kinds of havoc.
Thanks again.
Owen

Can't repair Permissions 10.3.8

Hi,
Just recently got the message: "Disk Utility lost connection with Disk Management tool...Quit and restart Utility..", while repairing permissions.
Tried that, no luck--so I can't repair permissions. Ran Disk Warrior and TechTool with no problems. Still, Disk Utility shuts down.
My finder, except for the time/day and stuff in the top right, now takes forever to launch. The disk tests fine, but is nearly (2.5G of 30 remaining) full.
Any ideas?
OS 10.3.8
PowerMac G4 Dual 450, upgraded w/ dual 1.2 Powerlogix
1.5G RAM
OSX, OS9 internal 30G boot drives
ATI Radeon 9000, dual monitors
Thanks, MR

Brian,
Sorry for not reading before posting. I'll follow your post at the top of the board.
Thanks,
MR

Can't repair permissions

Any ideas why I can't repair permissions? I've installed 10.5 on my 12" 1.33ghz Powerbook and since installing I haven't been able to repair permissions. I'm trying to use disk utility without having to reboot. It will start but it just spins for ever. It never does anything. Doesn't show progress and it never stops.

I had the same problem. But I was stupid enough to hit the powerbutton when i thought my computer froze..
The consequence was that when my mac restarted, and my keyboard didnt work anymore, except for the num-lock option, so i could type numbers..
I dont know very much about computers, but i can tell you that repair permission doesnt work like it ought to. I had to do a leopard clean install after that and I haven't tried the repair permission after that.
Think we'll have to wait untill apple comes with an update..

Photos can not import the photo library "can not repair permissions" what I can do?

http://www.google.es/url?source=transpromo&rs=rssf&q=//translate.google.com/comm unity?source=all
Hello
When I try to import your iPhoto library to the Photos app gives me error.
The misconception is that "can not repair permissions from the photo library."
I have repaired permissions from iphoto and ko.
What I can do?
Thanks.

Drag the photos to the iPhoto icon on the dock. Then wait for the fix that will hopefully come in 10.8.3

How can I repair permissions?

How can I repair permissions on my iMac?

Open the Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder, click on the volume with Mac OS X installed, choose the First Aid tab, and press the Repair Disk Permissions button.
(108223)

Finder is freezing and Can't repair permissions

I've been exporting some FCP files and when I go to finder and choose APPLE-I to get info on the files, the finder freezes and spins. When I try to force quit, finder is not responding.
I tried using my install disk to run repair permissions, thinking that might help but am unable to select repair permissions (it's grey), I can repair disk.
Not sure if the issues are related, but would love to solve them.
Thanks.

You can't repair permissions on a data volume. It has to have a bootable OS X installation on it. As for the SBBOD, see http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/sbbod.html

Can't repair permissions on non-boot partitions

I have a new 27" iMac for which the Apple store transferred data, including disk partitions. My problem is that I am unable to edit a Final Cut Pro file because of "insufficient permissions", and the fix which worked in my G5 iMac--repairing permissions--is unavailable to me on partitions which are not my boot partition.
I've read other messages having to do with installation and permissions, but they seem to be a different issue. I'd appreciate help.
Thanks!
Marnie Montgomery

Having an image of a drive; having a bootable backup; not relying on one backup method... those for me are essential. Time Backup is secondary.
Having a small emergency only boot volume for running repairs and maintenance, essential and more important than anything.
Having a 2nd at least backup image: you can try out updates, new drivers or software first.
Why can't TimeMachine be cloned? or consider using two TimeMachine sets that you alternate. What if one goes out?
The first six months of TimeMachine was way too much "1.0" beta testing and flimsy for me, it made lots of mistakes. I won't even turn it on for automatic backups.
There are utilities to change the schedule now.
Spotlight is another, it too gets in the way while working and can hurt performance when editing and working. Seems to be an option missing "index while idle" or move the index to another location.
How good something is you don't want to find out not during easily sailing and good weather, but when a storm brews and rough sailing.
HFS+ doesn't even deal with or notice a disk sector is weak or gone bad or report it let alone attempt to map it out. Yes, the disk drive itself maybe should, but doesn't look like it happens. So add another $149 utility to the mix of Disk Warrior and SuperDuper, SoftRAID just for having a better driver (the days of people buying Silverlining or Hard Disk Toolkit being long gone).
Depends what you expect out of your hardware and system in the end.

Disk Utility can't repair permissions

For the first time I neglected to repair permissions before security upgrade and now I find I can no longer repair permissions. Everything goes as normal until about 75% done and then it just freezes. I have tried running it from the install CD but it does the same. I used the disk repair and got this error message;
ERROR: The underlying task reported failure on exit (~9972)
1 Volume could not be repaired.
Computer otherwise OK. AHT reported all OK.
Is this the start of an HD failure or some querky software malfunction? Help needed!
G4 867 MDD Mac OS X (10.3.9) Extra 120Gb HD, 1.75Gb SDRAM LG 4163B Superdrive

If my HD has developed a bad sector then surely a clone will not work?
My best guess is that the cloning would fail when it tried to access the data that's referenced in the bad directory node. I've had similar problems when trying to copy files when there were directory problems. You may not have a bad sector per se, but certainly the directory record is damaged in such a way that Disk Utility can't reconstruct the record.
If I moved all my APPS folder to another HD and then did a Zero and format on this one could I then still use the APPS folder with a new install by repairing permissions?
You have to remember that apps store files in other locations - particularly in the /Library, /System/Library/ and /Users/username/Library directories. While you can copy the Applications directory to another drive, you're liable to miss supporting files the apps are going to look for. Since there's no real way to determine what the damaged directory is referencing, you'd be chancing something's going to get missed and leave you with apps that won't run. The only way I've ever been able to find what directory erorrs were pointing to was to copy files to another drive one chunk at a time until I found the offending directory and then narrow down the search by copying files individually. Given the nature of OS X to store files in directories that are otherwise hidden from the user, this can be a complicated and tedious process.
Since Disk Utility running from the install disk can't repair the damaged directoy record, I'd go to the Disk Warrior repair strategy next.
-Douggo

OS X Won't Boot, Can't Load Install DVD

For the last couple of days my mac has been really buggy, hanging, slow boot speed etc.
Until finally yesterday it simply failed to load into OS X.
So I tried the trusted unplug it for a few minutes, I zapped the PRAM, I tried safe mode, I did a hardware test on startup and that was fine. I've tried booting into the install DVD using 'C' and by using Options and selecting it on boot up menu. Sometimes it has limped into the OS where I removed everything in startup, repaired permissions and tried to verify the hard disk, where it said there was an error. I tried to get the install dvd to restart the computer and get into Time Machine but that just hangs, any ideas? I have a fairly recent backup, does Time Machine backup ALL my stuff? Music, Mail personal documents etc?
Cheers
A now bald Tristan

If Disk Utility has told you there are problems with the drive, you must repair them. You didn't mention trying that, you just said you tried to use Time Machine while booted from the install disk. Try booting from the install disk, running Disk Utility from there and clicking the Repair Disk button.
If the disk can't be repaired, you can try a more powerful utility, like [DiskWarrior|http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html] or [TechTool Pro|http://www.micromat.com>. If those don't work, you'll have to just erase the hard drive and reinstall the system from scratch (or restore from a backup).
Note that, even if you repair the problems, files have probably already become corrupt, thus causing the problems you've been experiencing. You may end up having to reinstall anyway, even if repairs are successful, and it would be wise to be cautious with backups, as corruption could have crept into them.

External drives won't mount after running repair permissions

None of my external drives will mount after running disk permissions. Drives work fine on my mbpro.
None of the external drives show up in disk utilities...
I've try shutting down and unplugging computer. even mini zip drives won't mount.
I'm running 10.4.11
PPC G5 2.3Ghz
Thanks for any help..

Repairing Permission only deals with installer receipts and system components. Not with mounting or accessing hard drives.
Have your run Apple DU First Aid? Disk Warrior? Only use latest version for your OS.
Are you trying to clone your system to external and then repairing permissions? trying to boot from them?
If cloning, make sure the "Ignore Ownership" flag is unchecked before cloning (but do repair permissions on external drives you intend to boot from, such as a Firewire drive).
What type of cases and interface are these?

IMac won't boot from HD, are permissions relevant?

My iMac G5 was working perfectly yesterday. Today it started with the chime and the Apple logo, but then got stuck with the fan running - tried this several times. I then booted from my Leopard DVD, and the System is reported as normal. Tried Disk Utility which says HD is OK. Checked permissions in case this was a factor - it started making a long list of wrong permissions. I stopped this and tried to go straight to 'Repair Permissions'. DU said it was doing it and it would take "less than 1 minute", and then changed its mind to several hours (currently it says 2 but this goes up now and then. I am not at all sure that permissions have anything to do with my booting problem, so I am seeking advice on this forum. I do have a Time Machine backup of the HD, but I don't really know how to proceed in finding out what's wrong or in correcting it. So far can't find anything in Apple support pages. Can anyone help?

DU often gives enormously long times for permissions repair, sometimes the time estimated goes down very quickly, but I have one machine that takes 45 minutes to repair. I would suggest trying again, and also resetting your SMU, which can resolve some computer issues such as not starting up, not displaying video, sleep issues, fan noise issues, and so on. If your computer still exhibits these types of issues even after you've restarted the computer, try resetting the SMU. To reset the SMU on one of these iMacs:
1. Turn off the computer by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu, or by holding the power button until the computer turns off.
2. Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Plug in the power cord while simultaneously pressing and holding the power button on the back of the computer.
5. Let go of the power button.
6. Press the power button once more to start up your iMac.
Please let us know which model you have, Rev A, Ambient Light or iSight.
Let us know how you make out,

Can't Repair Permissions and other issues

Just updated to 10.5.2 and started having some video problems. The laptop won't wake from sleep, or if it does, the screen may go blank again. Also, upon waking sometimes, the mouse seems sluggish almost as if there is a remote user. Tried repairing permissions and can't get it to repair permissions. Also, when I switch users or try to authorize installations, it tells me the user name or password of one of the administrator's is incorrect and I know it's not. Very strange things.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Did you backup your data before updating?

Won't boot-can't repair permissions

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