HELP! I have a big problem...

**RMSSk8Boarder** · September 13th, 2002, 06:03 AM

Well, my friend wanted me to burn him a CD, so I did what i always do: import all the
songs to iTunes, add them to a Playlist, and burn the CD, well, when i went to burn the CD, it
said "No CD burning software found" so I restarted to make sure everything was fine.
when it was loading up, Disk First Aid came up and said that my HD had a problem that
the software couldn't fix. it said to restart with the extentions off. so I held down the shift
key when I restarted and when the screen first came up there wasn't the usual picture of
the happy Mac, it ws a floppy disk with a blinking question mark. it wouldn't start up. I put
in the Software Install CD and booted up from that. i tried installing the system software
again, but it said there was an error on the hard drive that the software can't fix. what can
i do?

**Cheryl** · September 13th, 2002, 04:16 PM

Assuming that you are in OS 9, boot up with the OS CD, then find the Disk First Aide in the Utilities folder. Run that. Let it repair the hard drive. You can also use Drive Set up. Do Not hit the initialize button. Just go to the functions menu and select test disk. This will scan your drive and let you know what the problem is. If all goes smooth, you should be able to do a clean install of the OS. Make sure you select that or you will have even more problems.

If you have Norton Utilities, you can boot from that CD and have the Disk Doctor fix any problem it finds also.

**RMSSk8Boarder** · September 13th, 2002, 06:02 PM

Well, I did boot up from the OS disc, but when I used Disk First Aid, it said that the problem couldn't be fixed. Then I tried Drive Setup, but it was taking too long

**Cheryl** · September 15th, 2002, 07:46 AM

You have a major problem. If you have Norton Utilities, use the Disk Doctor. Norton usually can fix problems that Disk First Aide can't. Version 6.x is the one you need for OS 9.

You do have an alternative. First, while booted with the OS CD, get all your important files. Save them on a zip or if you have an external dirve, transfer them. Make sure you have all your installers for your programs and applications. Back up, back up, backup. Now you will need to wipe your hard drive clean. Use Drive setup and initialize the drive. Now go to the menu and test disk. Then use Disk First Aide to go over the drive. If you still can't get the drive to be workable, then you will need to replace the drive. How old is the computer? That will make a difference in where you can get a replacement.

**RMSSk8Boarder** · September 15th, 2002, 09:08 AM

Well, I ran Disk First Aid and it said "Problem Found: Keys out of Order: 1199" It's only 2 years old. It's an iBook. i do have a SuperDrive that my uncle gave me, but he said that after he upgraded to OS9, it froze his iMac and he had to use the Restore disc. That's the only removable drive I have, well, that and a CD burner... But i'm only 14, I can't get a job so I can't go out and buy Norton Utilities or a new Hard Drive. My parents don't even know i have this problem.

**RMSSk8Boarder** · September 15th, 2002, 09:54 AM

How much will Norton Utilities cost me?

**RMSSk8Boarder** · September 15th, 2002, 10:37 AM

Neverming, I fixed it. I just backed up my essentials and then restored it, erasing everything first. Thanks for your help, Cheryl.

**Cheryl** · September 15th, 2002, 05:29 PM

Norton should be about $69 SRP (suggested retail price)

you should have it in case of emergencies and you should run the Disk Doctor about once every two months, depending on how much you use the iBook.

Now that superdrive should work on your Mac. You just have to download the updated driver for it.

So tell the Mom and Dad that you should have Norton, just in case and to do regular maintenence on your computers. And you should have an Anti Virus program too. Norton makes a good one.