Thanks all to the bunch of suggestions received about my disk problem (copied below). If nothing else, I've learnt some more about disk problems.
After hours of time wasting, I managed to grab a copy of DiskWarrior 4 and run that. Unfortunately there didn't seem to be a way of saving the final report that DiskWarrior produced, and it was too long to write down, but the long and the short of it was that DiskWarrior couldn't replace the directory because of too much damage. Something to that effect. If I assume DiskWarrior knows what it's talking about, and that the hard disk is on its last legs, another suggestion I received was to reformat and reinstall. I'm happy to try that, except before doing so there is a single file which I really want to back up from this machine. Scrapping the rest I can live with, but what I want to salvage if at all possible is the Entourage data, ie. the file which Entourage names Database within the Main Identity folder. But...when I try and make a copy of the Database file, I can't. I get error messages like "The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in 'Database' could not be read or written. (Error code -36)." If I try to create an Archive of the file, I get "An error occurred while archiving a file". Other files copy and archive without a problem. Except of course the file I want. I'm guessing this might be because Entourage was an open application when the disk damage has occurred, or the Entourage file just happens to be sitting on the part of the disk which is damaged (wild uneducated guesses on my part). I'd be grateful for any tips on ways I could try and rescue the Entourage Database file ahead of trying a total wipe and reformat of the hard disk. And if no way, I'll just have to escalate my plans for a Time Capsule! In terms of fixing up a 17" G4 PowerBook, as it's getting a little long in the tooth I'm reluctant to fork out for a replacement hard disk. The AC power adaptor has just about had it as well. I think I'd probably just prefer to put that money towards a replacement iBook or something, and perhaps sell the PowerBook for what it's worth as is (the hard disk is seemingly worthless, but the whole top half, ie. the screen half, was replaced under warranty probably only 12-18 months ago!). Dunno. More thinking to do on that note. Regards, Steven On 6/5/08 1:14 PM, "Steven" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > A G4 PowerBook which I have, running 10.4.11, has been playing up lately - > very slow to the point of being unusable. > > I've repaired disk permissions, and there seemed to be a lot of permissions > repaired. But it didn't seem to make much difference overall. So I've ran Disk > Utility, starting up from the install disk, and the result is... > > Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972) > > > Messages in the Disk Utility window, prior to that final error message, which > may have some relevance include.. > > Invalid node structure > Rebuilding Catalog B-tree > > > Any ideas as to what else I can do to get the PowerBook functional short of > taking it to an Apple repair centre or throwing it on the scrap heap? I' > reluctant to throw it on the scrap heap as it had a brand new hard disk only > two years ago, and a total screen replacement about a year ago. If I do have > to take it to an Apple Repair Centre, what are the options in Perth? > > Many thanks, Steven -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
