[Juliana]

Hi,
I am new to this board.
I got a MacBook pro 17" 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo 1GB 667 MHz Ram back in May and around maybe last month I started getting error messages from Onyx that my startup disk couldn't be verified because it was corrupted.I have tried almost every posible way to fix it. Even getting pointers and hints form this forum among others. I took it to a store where they told me they weren't able to find any problems but if it kept doing that then to just Re-install os X clean and back up all my files. I found out today,however, that I am able to re-install os X without getting rid of all the files and stuff. So I tried to do that and it won't let me. it verifies the contents on the DVD but then when it's about to install it gets stuck on VERIFYING startup disk, it stays like that for a while and then it finishes and says There were errors and to try it again. So I tried it twice and nothing. any advice, help, solutions? I would greatly appreciate it. I am not very smart with Macs....i am very new to this operating system.
Thanks again.
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[albloom]

Juliana, your best bet is DiskWarrior or TechTool Pro. I keep both
handy. One of the apps should clear up your HD's problems.

[ShermanHoman]

It certainly seems that your drive is damaged. You need to backup your User folder in case things get worse. Tech Tools and Disk Warrior might help, completely reformatting might be required. But it is also possible that the drive is fatally wounded.

[Juliana]

so does that mean my macbook pro is broken...? how does the disk get ruined?

[Damien]

The problem here is that the catalog / disk directory on your startup disk has become too damaged for Apple's Disk Utility to fix. Before you turn to third-party tools, however, you should try installing AppleJack and running the Unix tool fsck from the command line. AppleJack is a set of scripts that let's you run some Unix tools from the Unix command line, after booting into Single-User mode. While this isn't terribly complicated, if you've never ever touched the command line before, you might feel overwhelmed. Read the documentation and how-to and then decide.
If you're lucky, AppleJack (running the fsck command to check and repair your disk) can fix your HD's direcoty and you'll be back in business. If not you have two other options:
1) Purchase a 3rd party tool like Alsoft's DiskWarrior which can rebuild and optimized your damaged HD's disk directory. TechTool also can do this, but I much prefer Disk Warrior--it's a better tool for this job.
2) Or you can choose to completely wipe your HD and lose all the data on the HD. While you will LOSE YOUR DATA, by reformatting the HD you are putting a brand-new clean disk directory on the HD without any errors. This can be done from the Installer when you boot from the Mac OS X installer DVDs that came with your MBP. Remember, doing this WILL ERASE YOUR HD AND YOU WILL YOUR DATA!
Hope this helps.

[Juliana]

Ok thanks so much for this. Would you be able to provide me with instructions on how to do this? I've never done anything like this on a mac before. If not, It's ok. I already installed AppleJack 1.4.3 -- I have no idea how to run it. Does it only run in single-user mode?
Sorry for all the questions...
If my startup disk is damaged, would that be the reason why some applications like Calendar or Adium can't close on their own and when I click exit/close they stay stuck and it says Program not responding thus me having to use Force Quit?

[Juliana]

bump...sorry really need help...

[Tom_Diola]

bump bump . . . I guess I'll describe what it's like to boot in safe mode in the Macintosh (which is slightly different than in the PCee world). It will take quite a while to boot in this method but it's worth a try because like the article says it will try to fix the file system while booting. . . Check Safe Mode in OSX Safe mode boot
Turn your sound on: Read and then Re-Read these instructions (like my C instructor used to say)
Be sure the computer is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.2 through 10.3.9, you will see "Safe Boot" on the Mac OS X startup screen.
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you will see "Safe Boot" on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically.
To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup.

[Juliana]

I am sorry I am still lost...Disk Warrior is not installing its saying the following "DiskWarrior cannot currently be run from this disc because Mac OS X ignores ownership of new discs by default. Please restart from this DiskWarrior disc, or follow the instructions below.
which I did...and it still doesn't work
a friend let me borrow theirs and we don't know what to do. As for the other instructions I was given by previos posters I am lost at that if theres anyone that has some time to type up instructions I will really appreciate it...greatly. I don't want to lose all m pictures and files. I have no blank CDs or an external harddrive, yet. Thanks again....

[albloom]

Don't install DiskWarrior, boot from its CD or DVD.
With the DW disc in the optical drive, restart with the "C" key
pressed. Properly done, it'll take forever, Starting from a CD
or DVD is lengthy.
BTW, AppleJack (once you install it) only runs from "Single
User" mode. Startup with Command-S (I call it splat-S).
The first thing you'll see is applejack's offer to run. Type
in "applejack" and let it do its thing.