External HD shows up as 'read only'

Charles Bronson · 11-14-2005, 01:28 PM

10.3.7 imac G5

I recently had my mac crash after inserting a USB pen into the keyboard USB port.
I restarted and it took ten minutes.

Apple help told me to do a PRAM and NVRAM reboot, and trash cookies and cache.
I also repaired permissions on the drive.

I still have the 10 minute start up, but now my external WD hard drive is showing up as 'read only'.
Any one know what has happened and how to fix it?

trevor · 11-14-2005, 03:19 PM

You need to fix the 10 minute startup problem before tackling any issue with your external drive.

First, disconnect your external hard drive, and your USB pen, and any other peripherals other than an Apple keyboard and mouse.

Now, boot to DiskWarrior (if you have it) and run that on your hard drive.

If you don't, then boot to your OS X Install CD/DVD. Select Disk Utility from one of the pulldown menus. Select your boot drive on the left, go to the First Aid tab, and then click "Repair Disk". Repeat until no problems are found.

Let us know if that fixes the 10 minute start up problem. Then we can start on the next issue.

Trevor

Charles Bronson · 11-14-2005, 03:36 PM

Sorry, I've never done this before - do you mean start up from the CD?
How would I do that?

And to clarify, do you mean the actual apple install disc or the hardware disc?

thanks

trevor · 11-14-2005, 03:47 PM

Put the CD/DVD into the computer. Then, you can either
1. Reboot and hold down the 'C' key as you startup, or
2. Go to System Preferences > Startup Disk > set the bootable CD as the startup disk

I mean the Apple Install CD or DVD. The Hardware Test CD does not contain Disk Utility, as far as I know, but the Install CD/DVD does, accessible from one of the pulldown menus.

Trevor

Charles Bronson · 11-14-2005, 06:12 PM

Ok, I've done that check.

It comes up 'The volume Macintosh HD appears to be ok.'
Then underneath that in green 'Repair attempted on 1 volume. HFS volume repaired'.

I've tried it three times with the same result.

When I restart it is the same very slow start up

trevor · 11-14-2005, 06:43 PM

OK, next startup the computer while holding down command-V. You should see a black screen with white scrolling text where there is usually a gray screen with the spinning wheel icon. On what entry or entries does the text hang and eventually timeout?

Trevor

Charles Bronson · 11-30-2005, 01:15 PM

Hello Trevor,

Sorry about the delay in replying.

It says:
kern.sysv.shmall:-1->1024

Then it times out with: 'timed out waiting for child'

trevor · 11-30-2005, 02:21 PM

Have you been playing with the sysctl command?

Have you installed a new build of postgreSQL?

Trevor

Charles Bronson · 12-01-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	Have you been playing with the sysctl command? Have you installed a new build of postgreSQL? Trevor

I have no idea what that means.
All I have done is what the apple people told me to do (previously mentioned) and rebuilt the drive with diskwarrior

11-14-2005, 01:28 PM	#1
Charles Bronson Triple-A Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90	External HD shows up as 'read only' 10.3.7 imac G5 I recently had my mac crash after inserting a USB pen into the keyboard USB port. I restarted and it took ten minutes. Apple help told me to do a PRAM and NVRAM reboot, and trash cookies and cache. I also repaired permissions on the drive. I still have the 10 minute start up, but now my external WD hard drive is showing up as 'read only'. Any one know what has happened and how to fix it?

11-14-2005, 03:19 PM	#2
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,560	You need to fix the 10 minute startup problem before tackling any issue with your external drive. First, disconnect your external hard drive, and your USB pen, and any other peripherals other than an Apple keyboard and mouse. Now, boot to DiskWarrior (if you have it) and run that on your hard drive. If you don't, then boot to your OS X Install CD/DVD. Select Disk Utility from one of the pulldown menus. Select your boot drive on the left, go to the First Aid tab, and then click "Repair Disk". Repeat until no problems are found. Let us know if that fixes the 10 minute start up problem. Then we can start on the next issue. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

11-14-2005, 03:47 PM	#4
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,560	Put the CD/DVD into the computer. Then, you can either 1. Reboot and hold down the 'C' key as you startup, or 2. Go to System Preferences > Startup Disk > set the bootable CD as the startup disk I mean the Apple Install CD or DVD. The Hardware Test CD does not contain Disk Utility, as far as I know, but the Install CD/DVD does, accessible from one of the pulldown menus. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

11-14-2005, 06:43 PM	#6
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,560	OK, next startup the computer while holding down command-V. You should see a black screen with white scrolling text where there is usually a gray screen with the spinning wheel icon. On what entry or entries does the text hang and eventually timeout? Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

11-30-2005, 02:21 PM	#8
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,560	Have you been playing with the sysctl command? Have you installed a new build of postgreSQL? Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

11-14-2005, 03:36 PM	#3
Charles Bronson Triple-A Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90	Sorry, I've never done this before - do you mean start up from the CD? How would I do that? And to clarify, do you mean the actual apple install disc or the hardware disc? thanks

11-14-2005, 06:12 PM	#5
Charles Bronson Triple-A Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90	Ok, I've done that check. It comes up 'The volume Macintosh HD appears to be ok.' Then underneath that in green 'Repair attempted on 1 volume. HFS volume repaired'. I've tried it three times with the same result. When I restart it is the same very slow start up

11-30-2005, 01:15 PM	#7
Charles Bronson Triple-A Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90	Hello Trevor, Sorry about the delay in replying. It says: kern.sysv.shmall:-1->1024 Then it times out with: 'timed out waiting for child'

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: