Messages In This Digest (5 Messages)

1a.: Re: Hard luck hard disk story From: Jan Mannino

2a.: Re: i-Mac DVD Burner From: Tod Hopkins

3a.: Re: AppleCare Support Center From: Tod Hopkins

4a.: Re: HD Corrupt From: Tod Hopkins
4b.: Re: HD Corrupt From: Tod Hopkins

View All Topics | Create New Topic

Messages

1a.: Re: Hard luck hard disk story

Posted by: "Jan Mannino" mjm1@cox.net mjm8120

Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:42 pm (PDT)

We all probably have our "lost data" stories, but the worse one I saw was at the Genius Bar at the Apple Store.

A PhD student didn't back up her dissertation that she had to defend the next day. Her very old Mac died and she wanted help retrieving her dissertation. I often wondered how it turned out and about her capacity to be a PhD.

On Mar 11, 2012, at 10:35 PM, Randy B. Singer wrote:

>
> On Mar 11, 2012, at 8:17 PM, DaveC wrote:
>
> > The end of the story involved a business called Drivesavers in N.
> > California, and $3000 later he was lucky to have his data files
> > restored.
>
> He got taken by Drive Savers. At one time they were the definitive
> place to take your Mac's hard drive for recovery. But they got full
> of themselves and now do a half-hearted job for ridiculous prices.
>
> I now recommend:
>
> Drive Rescue, Inc.
> Mac Data Recovery & Forensics
> http://www.driverescue.net
> 443-310-7920
>
> Drive Rescue would have charged your friend half the price he paid
> Drive Savers, or less.
>
> ___________________________________________
> Randy B. Singer
> Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions)
>
> Macintosh OS X Routine Maintenance
> http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html
> ___________________________________________
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)

2a.: Re: i-Mac DVD Burner

Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop

Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:27 am (PDT)

Common problem and can have many causes including failing or dirty drive. I personally have had zero luck with "lens cleaners" improving anything. If you have one, great. If not, I'd start elsewhere.

First of all, if you search on "imac ejecting blank cds dvds" you'll find a lot of help like this:

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-21564_102-408737/imac-keeps-ejecting-disc/

This thread has suggestions for deleting some setup files that worked for the OP ("original poster").

Other causes/cures:

Stock. Some drive just won't accept certain stock. Try other brands.

Firmware updates. These should be happening automatically, but search Apple support for your specific machine and drive.

Software. As suggested in the thread above, it is possible for the OS to be set to eject blank stock without doing anything. One thing to try is to open your burner software BEFORE inserting the disc (Toast or iDVD). If the disc stays in and the software sees it, then there is a good chance the OS just needs something reset.

And try all the basics: repair permissions, reset PRAM, reset SMC, reboot in Safe Mode. Instructions for all can be found at Apple Support and searching this list.

After trying all these, I always suggest taking making an appointment at the nearest Apple Genius bar if you can, even if it is out of warranty. I've never had this not be helpful.

Cheers,
tod

On Mar 10, 2012, at 9:41 PM, nidnob wrote:

> The DVD Burner on my i-Mac ( 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ) will no longer
> accept blank DVDs ( -R or +R ) - it just ejects them after a spell of what
> sounds like seeking. It will however play prerecorded DVDs both commercial
> and self recorded. Any ideas what is wrong?
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)

3a.: Re: AppleCare Support Center

Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop

Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:29 am (PDT)

I agree with the trash-it line of reasoning if ANYTHING does not feel perfect, but Apple does sometimes send follow up satisfactions surveys. In your case, as there was nothing to follow up, trash it.

Cheers,
tod
On Mar 11, 2012, at 10:01 AM, bobbystar wrote:

> I received an email supposedly from the AppleCare Support Center.
>
> It had a request for me to fill out a survey regarding my last call to the center. It contained my call number and the name of the rep (Victoria) who handled my call.
>
> I am thinking this is spam because I have not called Apple in over a year and I had a male tech person assist me.
>
> Any opinions on this are welcome.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bobby
>
>

Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)

4a.: Re: HD Corrupt

Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop

Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:33 am (PDT)

Sorry, I should have explained. Booting into Safe Mode automatically runs a disk repair prior to loading the OS. I only suggesting running Disk Utility after booting in Safe Mode to check to check that the automatic run had done it's job.

Cheers,
tod

On Mar 11, 2012, at 12:26 PM, Tamara wrote:

> Hey Tod, thanks...it works!!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 10, 2012, at 7:27 PM, Tod Hopkins <hoplist@hillmanncarr.com> wrote:
>
> > Some things to try before you do a complete backup and reformat...
> >
> > First, reboot your system in "Safe Mode". You do this by holding down the shift key after you hear the boot chime until you see the mac icon. When you reach the Login screen (which may take several minutes) it should say "Safe Boot" a the top of the login box. If it doesn't, try again. You probably did not hold the Shift key early enough or long enough.
> >
> > If you have reached Safe Mode, then complete the login and run Disk Utility. Run "Verify" on your hard drive (not Repair). Is it fixed? If so reboot and you're good to go. Actually, first look down at the bottom and check the "SMART" status. Make sure this does not indicate any problems. If SMART status indicates anything other than good, let us know. You probably need to replace the drive.
> >
> > If Verify still reports a bad disk, reboot from your Install disk. When you reach the Install screens, go to the menu bar and find Disk Utility. Run Disk Utility from the menu and try to "Repair" again. Make sure you are clicking "Repair" on the lower right, not "Repair Permissions" on the left. If the Repair fails, it should tell you in the report. The text will be red. If it reports success the text will be green. If it is successful but running Verify again says there is a problem, you have a bigger problem.
> >
> > If Disk Utility can not repair the disk booted from the Install disk, you need Disk Warrior, which cost $100. It is a great utility and can save a drive that Disk Utility cannot, but if $100 is too steep, the alternative is to follow Paul advice to backup, reformat, and restore.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > tod
> >
> > On Mar 10, 2012, at 4:56 PM, paul smith wrote:
> >
> >> You can't erase the drive that you are booted up from.
> >> Do you have an external hard drive? I'm guessing you do, since that would be where you were trying to create the Time Machine back-up. What you need to do now is create a bootable copy of Snow Leopard on the external hard drive, boot up from the external drive, and then erase the hard drive in your MacBook.
> >> There are a couple of different ways to approach this task. If I were in your situation, I would get a cloning application (Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper are the most popular ones), which would duplicate everything on your current hard drive. You could then recopy the cloned drive back to the MacBook's erased (and hopefully repaired) hard drive.
> >> --
> >> PSmith
> >> MacBook Pro, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, OS 10.7.3 iPhone 4S 64 GB, iOS 5.1
> >>
> >> On Mar 10, 2012, at 4:23 PM, Tamara De Leon wrote:
> >>
> >> I have a Macbook, Mac OS X version 10.6.8 with Snow Leopard. I'm trying to
> >> do a back-up with Time Machine (fisrt time using Time Machine), and the
> >> back-up couldn't be completed. I wanted to use Onyx so I can declutter the
> >> computer
> >> I verify the disk with Disk Utility and got the following message:
> >>
> >> "The volume HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired"
> >>
> >> I hit the Repair Disc buttom, it run fine, but then when I verify the disk
> >> again I got the same message again. I did a manual back-up in case I had to
> >> erase it, the thing is it won't let me erase it.
> >>
> >> I have no idea what should I do, I'm really starting to worry....HELP!
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Tod Hopkins
> > Hillmann & Carr Inc.
> > todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Group FAQ:
> > <http://www.macsupportcentral.com/policies/>
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (10)
4b.: Re: HD Corrupt

Posted by: "Tod Hopkins" hoplist@hillmanncarr.com todhop

Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:38 am (PDT)

Don't forget to check the status messages at the bottom of Disk Utility. With the drive selected (not the partition but the hard drive), look at the bottom of the screen for the "SMART" status. It should report "Verified." If it says anything else, your drive may be failing. SMART status is not the final word in drive health. It does not catch everything. But if it catches anything, there is significant danger of near term failure.

Chances are good that your drive is not failing, but it's good to be cautious.

Cheers,
tod

On Mar 11, 2012, at 12:26 PM, Tamara wrote:

> Hey Tod, thanks...it works!!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 10, 2012, at 7:27 PM, Tod Hopkins <hoplist@hillmanncarr.com> wrote:
>
> > Some things to try before you do a complete backup and reformat...
> >
> > First, reboot your system in "Safe Mode". You do this by holding down the shift key after you hear the boot chime until you see the mac icon. When you reach the Login screen (which may take several minutes) it should say "Safe Boot" a the top of the login box. If it doesn't, try again. You probably did not hold the Shift key early enough or long enough.
> >
> > If you have reached Safe Mode, then complete the login and run Disk Utility. Run "Verify" on your hard drive (not Repair). Is it fixed? If so reboot and you're good to go. Actually, first look down at the bottom and check the "SMART" status. Make sure this does not indicate any problems. If SMART status indicates anything other than good, let us know. You probably need to replace the drive.
> >
> > If Verify still reports a bad disk, reboot from your Install disk. When you reach the Install screens, go to the menu bar and find Disk Utility. Run Disk Utility from the menu and try to "Repair" again. Make sure you are clicking "Repair" on the lower right, not "Repair Permissions" on the left. If the Repair fails, it should tell you in the report. The text will be red. If it reports success the text will be green. If it is successful but running Verify again says there is a problem, you have a bigger problem.
> >
> > If Disk Utility can not repair the disk booted from the Install disk, you need Disk Warrior, which cost $100. It is a great utility and can save a drive that Disk Utility cannot, but if $100 is too steep, the alternative is to follow Paul advice to backup, reformat, and restore.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > tod
> >
> > On Mar 10, 2012, at 4:56 PM, paul smith wrote:
> >
> >> You can't erase the drive that you are booted up from.
> >> Do you have an external hard drive? I'm guessing you do, since that would be where you were trying to create the Time Machine back-up. What you need to do now is create a bootable copy of Snow Leopard on the external hard drive, boot up from the external drive, and then erase the hard drive in your MacBook.
> >> There are a couple of different ways to approach this task. If I were in your situation, I would get a cloning application (Carbon Copy Cloner and SuperDuper are the most popular ones), which would duplicate everything on your current hard drive. You could then recopy the cloned drive back to the MacBook's erased (and hopefully repaired) hard drive.
> >> --
> >> PSmith
> >> MacBook Pro, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, OS 10.7.3 iPhone 4S 64 GB, iOS 5.1
> >>
> >> On Mar 10, 2012, at 4:23 PM, Tamara De Leon wrote:
> >>
> >> I have a Macbook, Mac OS X version 10.6.8 with Snow Leopard. I'm trying to
> >> do a back-up with Time Machine (fisrt time using Time Machine), and the
> >> back-up couldn't be completed. I wanted to use Onyx so I can declutter the
> >> computer
> >> I verify the disk with Disk Utility and got the following message:
> >>
> >> "The volume HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired"
> >>
> >> I hit the Repair Disc buttom, it run fine, but then when I verify the disk
> >> again I got the same message again. I did a manual back-up in case I had to
> >> erase it, the thing is it won't let me erase it.
> >>
> >> I have no idea what should I do, I'm really starting to worry....HELP!
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Tod Hopkins
> > Hillmann & Carr Inc.
> > todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Group FAQ:
> > <http://www.macsupportcentral.com/policies/>
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

Tod Hopkins
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
todhopkins@hillmanncarr.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (10)