Questions about the Flashing Question Mark!!

U

unclebilly

Registered
The basics: Using MAC G5, OS 10.4....something, dont remember exactly.

Got the flashing question mark; just tried the "hardware test" disk and got this error code: 2STF/8/3: A (upper)

Then got to disk utility and tried disk repair: it said "on volume repaired" in green and then in red it stated "one volume not repaired." It noted that the error was listed as"mass storage."

Now, nothing else has worked as far as getting to the hard drive. I have tried all of the recommendations from this forum and others. I just tried to re-install OS X from the disk but it stopped and stated that I had another (later)version of OSX installed. When I clicked "options" to change the settings the computer froze up and wouldn't go any further.

What should my next step be?
I have read a lot of good things about Disk Warrior. Should I immediately try that? Or should I just take the computer to Mac or another expert?
 
Unclebilly--I don't know if it will work ; but shut down the computor completely. do a restart with power button and do a "PRAM"--- Hold down the comm. key-option key-P & R KEYS ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Hold til you have heard 3 seperate start up chimes: then release those keys and let it restart on its own. It might work in resetting everything. Good Luck!
Dickster-----------------Not a pro by any means!
 
Potential hard drive failure (upper module). (and looks like pretty big potential here)

If you have Disk Warrior, give it a try.

If you don't have, service would be the next step.
If you have another drive iwth OS in it, see if that boots.
 
Thanks. I'm giving Disk Warrior a shot tomorrow. Hoping for the best.

If DW doesn't work, what do you think the chances are of retrieving info?
 
unclebilly said:
If DW doesn't work, what do you think the chances are of retrieving info?
Click to expand...

Usually pretty damn good. BUT you need to "put" the data somewhere. Make sure you have another HD to "put" the data--you can make it a Disk Image if you want.

Then you can try repairing your disk with Disk Warrior. If DW cannot fix it . . . "dat broke!"

You may then need a new HD and will have to consider whether to get a new one or upgrade your computer. You may or may not be able to transfer all of your data back--and that includes your Higher System. Assuming you cannot--never tried it . . . I always had my Installation Disks and would simply load the System . . . updates . . . on the HD and then transfer data--then you may need a higher Retail Disk.

So . . . then you have to add up the costs and decide whether or not to upgrade your computer, fix the HD. there is a chance DW will fix everything, but do not rely it.

Finally, in the future--trust me--having a second HD that you "clone" your primary to is "a good thing." Makes dealing with problems so much easier.

Case in point: a few months ago, I frelled my volume. Seriously. I started pulling out the DW and TechTools then though . . . "hey! I clones the bloody thing last night."

Copied off the clone--while booted on the clone--everything fixed whilst I worked off the clone.

--J.D.
 
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While running disk repair today, it said that one volume was repaired and one not repaired. One of the error messages was volume "keys not in order." Does that mean anything to you?

Also I have a borrowed Macbook. Don't know which kind. Can I use that to get my main computer going?Obviously, I'm just trying to save my pictures etc so I'm willing to try anything that might work.

Thanks in advance!!!
Bill
 
Yes.

Look up Target Disk Mode on this site and it will explain how to do that. I would first save all your data.

--J.D.
 
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