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General discussion

I tried to optimize hard drive and now it's stuck at startup

by macandcheese Dec 4, 2005 10:12AM PST

I apologize for not being very tech savvy, and am eternally grateful for any help. I'm using a pc right now and I am developing a headache!

Anyways, I have an iMac G4 with 700mHZ processor (the first with the fancy tiltable screen) running on 10.2.3. Currently as I try to start it up, it stalls with the folder icon and blinking question mark!!!!

Now here's how I screwed up: I just bought a program called "Drive Genius" by Prosoft today, with the intention of cleaning and patching the hard drive. I tried to "defrag" it, but it was unable to do so. It showed some errors, but I cannot retry to tell you guys those details.

Now the real problem I think is when I did the "shred" option which I thought "securely erases" deleted files and clutter. On the box it says it "removes all traces of data from free space and deleted files on any device or OS X volume." Which upon further examination, may erase EVERYTHING. When it started the shredding process it displayed my 80 gigs and started counting down by the MBs.....

Does anyone know how I can get back to the desktop, or have any ideas of what I did? I've been sick to my stomach for a few hours. The program was $129, which I really don't need to be spending right now.

Thanks for hearing my confession. I'll be praying now.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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The flashing icon is not good
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 4, 2005 11:41AM PST

Programs that claim to securely shred deleted files, "and clutter" should be given a wide berth.
Securely deleting the trash can is not so bad, OS X does that for you anyway, but the "and clutter" is scary. In your particular case, it would seem as though the program decided that your system was the "clutter"
How to get back? First I would have a nice chat with the fine folk at Prosoft and ask them for suggestions AND your money back. Once you have exhausted that avenue, you could try the following.
Boot the iMac from the OS 10.2.3 disk and do an Archive and Install, if it lets you. That option will only be available if the installer can see a valid system folder. The flashing folder icon indicates that the system cannot find a valid system on the HD.
Try and get a refund from Prosoft and use the rebate to buy a program called Disk Warrior. Run it and it may very well solve your problem. What made you think that your hard drive needed "cleaning and patching"? Please don't say it was a PC using friend: Happy
Let us know how you get on

P

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it'll get right on it............
by macandcheese Dec 4, 2005 12:13PM PST

i just thought it was a good idea to clean the hard drive and defrag it.

one thing that got me thinking was that while i was online, the monitor would freeze, and a gray box with the different languages shows up telling me to shut it off or restart. Then i would have to hold the button in the back, forcing it to shutoff and slamming the hard drive.

i'll look for the cd (i moved and am an unorganized *******) and do what u suggested. the dude at the store suggested disk warrior but i got seduced by the "new" product. i never learn.

thanks!

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If you have recently
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 4, 2005 8:45PM PST

added extra RAM, you might want to remove it and boot with the original. The Multi-Language sign telling you to restart can be a result of bad RAM.


P

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mac still bwoken :(((((((((((
by macandcheese Dec 11, 2005 11:17AM PST

i found the OS X cd after an exhausting search and was unable to install X. it could not find the hard drive in order to install it, it only picked up the cd drive.
i tried to rebuild the drive with the cd that i originally used to erase part of it (it has many drive-related tasks) and it displayed some errors but said it was completed with the "rebuild" process.
so now i'm still stuck with the fact that i erased a small but important part of my hard drive and am unable to have the computer locate it to install anything.
i'm not good with fixing problems and tend to become apathethic. kinda like letting the clock on my car radio be off an hour for six months until it "springs ahead" and corrects itself. brilliant.
so i may let this dude give it a try, he's a freelance techie that works at an organic grocery store.....like those dudes with pony tails at barnes and noble. is there a law that requires a bookstore to hire at least 3 guys with pony tails?
i'll keep ya posted..............thanks!

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From your symptoms
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 11, 2005 8:59PM PST

I would suggest that you no longer actually have a working hard drive. The flashing icon indicates that the system cannot find a valid system folder on the HD,
The fact that the installer could not even find the HD is not a good sign and is usually indicative of a HD crash.
Just what was this disk that had all the "Drive-related" tasks on it?
Before anyone goes near this thing, and freelance techie's that work on PC's are dangerous people to let loose on a Mac, I suggest you invest in a copy of Disk Warrior and let it try to find the HD and rebuild the directories. This is before the Techie gets his hands on it.

Do not procrastinate, do it today. ALL your data is in danger of becoming extinct!

P

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