[chughes]

Hello,
I am having many problems with my eMac and iPod. I posted about some of them last week. Problem in brief. Computer started slowing down several weeks ago. I ran DD and Tech Tools Deluxe many times to no avail. Ran NAV and found two JPEG files it said were damaged and couldn't scan. The next day, I found 2 JPEG files with the same numbers in my applications folder. Threw them out and computer immediatly speeded up. Decided the next day to hunt for other copies of them, and found them in iPhoto folder (one was 1.9M, the other was 900K-awful big for pictures). I threw them out. I posted and Chris B advised me the problem was probably a corrupted file(s) causing the slowdown. In the interim, my iPod stopped mounting. Fought with it for six hours, and finally got it to restore. That is where I left off with the posts. Since then, I opened my HD and found 12 JPEG aliases, once again, I didn't put them there. They wouldn't open and I threw them out. My pod still won't mount, but plays fine. I found out (@ Apple iPod BBS) how to access the pod's service menu and run a test of it's HD (it passed). Have DD'ed my computer and come up with about 6 major errors and a ton of minor errors. Many of these files DD said it was unable to repair (185 files in one instance, and several other smaller "can't fix" instances). Now for the questions:
1.) Could the problem with my iPod not mounting be coming from the computer side?
2.) I have been advised here to run DW on my machine but don't have it. Money is quite tight right now and I am not anxious to lay out $100 for another utility (even a great one). I have Apple care on my computer and an authorized service center 10 min from here. Would I be better to take the computer in for service (I hate this idea) or bite the bullet and buy DW (which I can't afford)?
3.) While running TT Deluxe, I noticed they recommend that if the problem persists to back up, reformat the drive, then reinstall everything. This seems like an awful lot of work. I have all major things (iPhoto library, iTunes library, QT movies from my camera) backed up. What else should I backup (Safari and IE bookmarks, prefs, ect) if I go this route, and how hard is it to backup (and reinstall) such stuff?
4.) What are the odds that if I spend the better part of a day doing this, and then reload my data, I won't wind up reloading the problem?
If you have gotten this far I commend you. You have the patience of a saint. I should add that at this point, my computer is not in a slowed down state (other than a few extra beachballs and lockups). The iPod thing is bothering me though, and I really have a feeling it is the computer. Also, part of the reason I don't want to take the computer in is I don't want to be one of those "service nusance" kind of people (except here). In thinking about it, I wonder when it is appropriate to take a computer in for service. I mean it is working, mostly. I'd just rather fix it myself. TIA for any input.
Chris "sometimes too long winded" Hughes

[Azzgunther]

Hey. Sorry to hear about your problems. The good news is that you can backup your hard drive very easily.
2.) Yes, service centers are good, but see if you can fix this first on your own.
3.) Carbon Copy Cloner 2.2 lets you completely clone your old hard drive to a new one. Then, you can strategically delete files on your original drive without worrying too much about causing yourself a fatal problem. This may be an option you could try.
Now to answer the question exactly: the first time I ever transferred my things to another drive it and reformatted it took a total of about 4 hours to get back to normal conditions. This includes the transfer time, the reformatting, the reinstalling of OSX, and the user creation. It also includes some time time update the programs via "software update". It's a bit lengthy, but having a zeroed hard drive is worth it.
Your user folder has most of what you'll want to back up. That's where all your files are, but it's also where your registration numbers are. They're in the "library-preferences" and you'll want to back that folder up probably (hope it's not the one causing the problems though /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif). If you want to keep address book contacts, mail.app addresses and old e-mails, ical stuff, etc they all have an "export" option to back things up. I don't know about Safari though.
4.) Hard to say. If you try some basic troubleshooting like unplugging all peripherals, taking out RAM sticks, resetting the pram, fsck-y, and they don't work; you might just have a hard drive problem. Or some other hardware. At least using this method AFTER basic troubleshooting you'll know it's not software.

[Grant_G]

You have Apple Care and an Apple Care service center 10 minutes away? Run, don't walk. Chances are they DO have DiskWarrior and will use it on your drive. If it doesn't work, at least you're in the right place to get this problem taken care of.
G
P.S. - But I think DW will work /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif