Disk Utility Error

[andre-w]

Hello,

My Mac mini is showing its first sign of trouble since I acquired it in October 2005. Here it is:

I opened the Disk Utility, clicked on "Verify Disk Permissions" and "Repair Disk Permissions", and few permissions were fixed.

However, when I clicked on "Verify Disk", after about a minute I was given the message: First Aid failed
Disk Utility stopped verifying “Macintosh HD” because the following error was encountered:
The underlying task reported failure on exit
( OK )

I was also presented the log:

--

Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
%)
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
Volume Header needs minor repair
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit


1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair

--

The "Repair Disk" option is not activated afterwards.

What does it mean? Is it a major matter for concern? How should I proceed?

Thanks in advance,

Andre W.

 

[barhar]

01. If you perform 'Repair Disk Permissions', there is no need to perform 'Verify Disk Permissions'; since former verifies and repairs the 'Disk Permissions'.

02. The 'Verify Disk' button is enabled, and the 'Repair Disk' button is disabled - since your Mac is booted from its (the disc's) internal boot drive. To enable the 'Repair Disk' button you must boot from the Mac's Apple provided installer disc, and run its copy of 'Disk Utility'. Perform 'Repair Disk' at least twice (from the booted disc).

If running 'Disk Utility', from the Apple provided Installer disc, fails to resolve the disk error(s) - then consider 'Disk Warrior' and / or 'TechTool Pro'.

 

[DeltaMac]

... My Mac mini is showing its first sign of trouble since I acquired it in October 2003. ...

Just a small detail - The Mac mini was first sold in Jan 2005 - how did you get one almost 1 1/2 years before that? What did those old ones look like?

Adding to barhar's comments:
After booting to the installer disk, you will find the Disk Utility in one of the menus (either the Installer menu, or the Utilities menu)

 

[andre-w]

Barhar, thanks for the information. I will try it later today, but still... is it a common task and should I worry about backups?

DeltaMac... oops, please excuse my "miscalculation". I have just edited my post to inform the right date, 2005.

 

[simbalala]

It happens.

"Volume Header needs minor repair"

Once you restart from another disk Disk Utility will probably clean that up with no problem. Disk Utility can't repair the disk/system it's running on.

 

[andre-w]

Thanks for reply, Simbalala!

The way you put it, sounds like a common case... even so I guess it would be wise backup my files during the holiday weekend before I go on and repair the disk.