Volume structure errors

[Wealey]

I have problems from time to time with my Volume Structure. This is revealed by running TechTool Deluxe after encountering computer performance problems. Sometimes Techtool Deluxe can repair the problem, other times not, or at least only by making what it categorises as abnormal changes to the number of files or their sizes.

I have a backup utility called SuperDuper which provides me with a bootable backup of my entire hard drive. I'm worried that this is bound to include volume structure errors, though SuperDuper assure me that this is not possible.

I don't understand. If everything on my hard drive is being backed up, how can the volume structure errors not be included?

 

[Doctor X]

Maybe by the way the files are transferred--but I leave that to a Guru. For example: if you have a fragmented HD and then transfer to the Ex-Drive the Ex-HD is not as fragmented.

Disk Utility should fix validate and repair volume problems. I have not had TT fail to fix a volume unless I frelled it beyond hope--then I have had to do a re-install. Disk Warrior is also quite good at fixing things. So I am surprised that you find TT occasionally cannot repair the volume. Do you have it on its "Rescue Disk" partition? Micromat does not recommend running repairs off the software disk.

Do you do maintenance with Onyx or Cocktail?

--J.D.

 

[Wealey]

Thank you for your response.

I use Macaroni for maintenance which has noticeably reduced the incidence of computer performance problems. However, it didn't appear to have intercepted this recent Volume Structure problem which only TechTool Deluxe revealed.

It wasn't then a matter of TechTool being unable to repair, rather the number and size of file changes involved, most of them highlighted in red as abnormal. This would have reduced the number of files by a quarter or more and to a number much less than I remembered being par for the course in previous TechTool tests. It seemed too risky.

I therefore did a complete erase and tedious reinstall, application by application and update, with just backups of my user files.

I run TechTool by inserting the CD then restarting my compter whilst holding down the C key.

I've made a note of your recommended use of Disk Utility in future; I've noticed the same advice on other forums.

In the meantime, I look forward to anything more a guru can tell us about file transfer.

 

[Satcomer]

I therefore did a complete erase and tedious reinstall, application by application and update, with just backups of my user files.

This was your first mistake because you are thinking like a former Windows users.

You should have done an Archive and Install. This way you have keep you applications, pictures, email, etc. while reinstalling the system files.

Now you have no choice but hope you saved to an external your private settings, email, pictures. This is the only way you will get that stuff back.

 

[Doctor X]

I run TechTool by inserting the CD then restarting my compter whilst holding down the C key.

MisssssssSTAKE!!!!!

Do not do that. The TT Gurus--I will look for a quote--will tell you not to do that. That was what confused me--even with a FUBAR'd volume that I created--"what happens if I randomly do this with failing RAM while playing Celine Dion"--I would not get the "Red."

It is preferable to run the Volume Structures test from the eDrive itself (or from your boot volume to examine another volume), so that part of the eDrive volume can be used to create virtual memory swapfiles. The Volume Structures test can require a lot of memory if the disk directory has many occupied nodes. If you have a complex disk directory and little installed RAM, running the Volume Structures test from the CD is not the best approach.

Similarly, it is far preferable to run the disk optimizer from the eDrive or from another bootable volume with an installation of Mac OS X and TechTool Pro 4. If you try to optimize a large volume without the benefits of virtual memory, the program may run out of memory (not a desirable outcome).

If you have no other option, and must run a RAM-intensive process (such as rebuilding a disk directory) from the bootable CD, be sure to operate on only one volume at a time.

In general, all of the TechTool Pro 4 processes worked properly from the bootable CD in tests performed on hundreds of systems shortly before the CD was shipped. Once the bootable CD was sent to thousands of customers, reports of problems with running various process from the CD came in. The same process ran fine from a hard drive volume with a complete installation of Mac OS X or from an eDrive.

If a problem arises when an application is running from a locked volume, such as any bootable CD, no data can be written to the system log, the Console log, the Crash Reporter log for the application, or the panic log. Lack of such data makes investigating what went wrong with the application particularly difficult.

UNIX operating systems are not designed to be run from a locked volume, and it is remarkable that it can be done at all. The difficulties in running Mac OS X from a CD are a good incentive for making use of the eDrive feature.

Micromat: The Proper Way to Use TechTool Pro

I cannot remember if you have to be registered to read that forum. I can post the whole reply if you need.

In the meantime, I look forward to anything more a guru can tell us about file transfer.

Satcomer is a bona fide Guru, so pay attention to him. I am unaware of "Macaroni"--but the freeware Onyx is fantastic.

However, if you have SuperDuper! with a bootable clone you are "t3h cool"--after you create your eDisk and set up everything you can just clone from your Ex-HD to your Int-HD--even an erase and copy. I have done that when I have FAILED as above--takes about a half an hour and it is "good as new."

The only problem that you could have is if, somehow, the volumes are frelled on the Ex-HD. BUT if you have not had a problem, you should not have a problem. Be that as it may, you can simply copy over to your Int-HD as above--after setting up your eDrive and check it out OR even do as Satcomer suggests: Archive and Install afterwards!

Since you have TT that is a useful forum. The tech has an interesting take on whether or not to defragment a HD with the current OS X, for example.

--J.D.

 

[Wealey]

Thank you both very much.

I've downloaded the "Archive and Install" document, Satcomer, and will have to learn how to make life easier from now on. Actually, I had backed up my Safari and Mail folders, etc, as well as my documents, so there was no problem here.

I've also downloaded the Techtool Pro article, Doctor, but I'm wondering about its recommendations. I understand TTP is an all-singing and dancing version of my TechTool Deluxe (on a par with Norton Utilities) and useable only on OS X version 10.4 or above (I have 10.3.9). Do these recommendations apply equally to TTD? I have been using my TTD as advised on the CD label.

I bought Macaroni (an Atomic Bird product) on popular recommendation from a web-site I can't remember. It works autonomously and, as I said, did make a noticeable improvement. However, I see now from a trawl of the internet that Disk Warrior and Onyx seem to be the most preferred.

Finally, I'm still not clear about whether Volume Structure gets copied into bootable clones, with Volume Structure problems (or any other problems for that matter) thereby being perpetuated.

Hope you're still watching this space!


PS; What is:

1. Frelling, as in "frelled drive",

2. An eDrive; seemingly something other than an Int or Ex HD.

 

[Doctor X]

I understand TTP is an all-singing and dancing version of my TechTool Deluxe (on a par with Norton Utilities) and useable only on OS X version 10.4 or above (I have 10.3.9). Do these recommendations apply equally to TTD? I have been using my TTD as advised on the CD label.

To my understanding, yes. I do not have the "Deluxe," so I do not know if it makes what is an eDrive which is a small partition on your hard drive that you can boot on. For the reasons described, that is why it is the preferred method of running the program. If it does not, you could consider loading it on an external drive and using that to repair your internal drive.

However, I see now from a trawl of the internet that Disk Warrior and Onyx seem to be the most preferred.

Onyx is preferred since it is free. It does some nice things as well. I got, a long time ago, Cocktail, which I prefer since it is easier to control--which scripts to run, what to modify, et cetera. They also have fast service and all upgrades are free. Be that as it may, Onyx is a great program. If I got it before Cocktail, I probably would not have bought Cocktail.

Disk Warrior is another thing entirely. On face value, it does not seem impressive. It repairs and optimizes your volume. It might repair some files--and use to keep telling you that some language in Stuffit is wrong, and you must, therefore, sacrifice a virgin to Asherah--and it can repair permissions.

So what?

The thing that a Guru recommended to me years back, was that it could do one thing Norton could not--which is quite the joke now!--it can take a picture of your drive to allow you to salvage files.

So, when your drive is failing, it may be your one chance to save those pictures of Alyson Hannigan you downloaded. Back in the days of OS 9, it saved my butt a few times when Norton could not--and Disk Utility just failed. TT may do that as well, I have just never had to try it. However, if your drive is dying, conceivably your partitions on it are going as well--unless you are flaking magnetic material on only your main partition.

Finally, I'm still not clear about whether Volume Structure gets copied into bootable clones, with Volume Structure problems (or any other problems for that matter) thereby being perpetuated.

I do not believe they are, but I am not a Guru or programmer who can write to you with authority on the subject. As far as I understand it, as you clone you optimize the volume to some extent as you are sending files over. I could be completely wrong, however. I just notice that the volumes are "different" after a copy.

PS; What is:

1. Frelling, as in "frelled drive",

2. An eDrive; seemingly something other than an Int or Ex HD.

Looking at the Micromat site, your version does not create it. The advantage to an eDrive is it avoids the problems described, and you always have it to fix things. I actually put DW on my eDrive partition since it does its job faster than booting on a DVD or CD. However, when the drive fails . . . you may not be able to boot on the eDrive.

--J.D.