Unable to Repair Disk with Disk Utility?

[DennisR]

I have a G4 iMac 800 Superdrive, running OS 10.1.5 and today received my copy of Panther.

I decided to follow the preparation suggestions offered by MacFixit and check my startup drive for damage. I booted with the OS X install CD that came with the computer (10.1.4) and ran Disk Utility. The "Repair" button was dimmed so I hit "Verify" which came up with the following:
 
"Keys out of order"            "The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired".

The Repair button is still dimmed.    

Where to now?  Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I really want to get this new Panther on the prowl!    

[Thomas S. England]

Have you tried using disk utility from your Utilities folder? Try it after booting from your normal startup drive.

A long shot:  You haven't deleted any Receipts, have you?

[Bruce_F]

I recommend that you boot from the Panther install disk #1 and run Disk Utility from there. Run Disk Repair and then Repair Permissions.

If you encounter the same problem with the Panther install disk, you may need to try starting in single user mode (Cmd-S) and run fsck -y routine.

[DennisR]

Thanks for your replies folks....

Thomas first:

Yes, I have tried using disk utility after starting from my normal drive, but am unable to verify or repair. Both buttons are dimmed. The dialogue actually says that you can't verify or repair the startup drive. I also see no option to "repair disk permissions" from there.
I don't know what it means to "delete Receipts", so I can't be sure about that.

Bruce:

I tried your suggestion and booted from the new Panther disk #1 and successfully repaired the volume (why wouldn't it work with the 10.1.4 CD???).

I then booted up from my normal drive (as recommended in the MacFixit article) and ran Disk Utility from there but still unable to do anything (and no sign of a "repair disk permissions" option).  

[giantmike]

Repair Disk Permissions was only addded to the disk utility in Jaguar (10.2.x), therefore, you will not see it in 10.1.x's Disk Utility.

You shouldn't need to repair permissions before installing Panther, you should just be able to install. I installed it on 4 machines, none of which I repaired permissions, and they are all running fine.

[Gary S]

Dennis,

I knew I heard the term "Keys Out Of Order" before. Check this tread. It sounds like Directory damage. Do you have DiskWarrior? DiskWarrior

Keys Out Of Order

[DennisR]

giantmike.....thanks for your response.

Which install method would you recommend?

Gary S.....thanks for your input.

I checked that thread and agree that I appeared to have quite a serious problem, but the good news is that the Disk Utility on Panther install disk #1 seems to have fixed it!
No, I don't have DiskWarrior but I think perhaps I will make it my next software purchase.

[Gary S]

I'm glad to hear Panther seems to have solved your problem Dennis!

DiskWarrior can be a lifesaver for Directory damage.  

[DennisR]

Thanks Gary