Help - Repairing partitions

[Matthew.M]

I tried to install Windows XP today, big mistake...

I backup up everything first using Time Machine (so glad I did this bit).

Next I ran Boot Camp Assistant, it came to the partitioning stage. I have a 250Gb hard drive in my MacBook and told it to give a 20Gb partition to windows.

Creating Partitions... It crunched away at that for a few minutes. Then it happened. Kernal Panic The screen went dim and a grey box came up telling me to hold down the power button.

After rebooting by some miracle everything is still working. Except the second partition isn't there, and my main partition has 20Gb space less than it should, I'm guessing the space it should have given to windows.

But it won't re-partition. And when I try to run a repair in Disk ulitilty it says this:

Verifying volume “Macintosh HD”

Performing live verification.
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.
Invalid volume free block count
(It should be 33696460 instead of 28272552)
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.

Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed.

Is there any other way i can try to repair it? Really really don't want the hassle of having to reformat...

I suppose this is what I deserve when I try and install windows on a Mac! I only wanted a few games

 

[Matthew.M]

Panic over. Just booted from the install DVD and it allowed me to repair the partition there. So people, let this be a warning to you! If you intend to install windows:

1. - Backup backup backup
2. - Is it REALLY worth it?



EDIT - FFS it has just done the exact same thing again. Kernal Panic when resizing partitions

 

[Matthew.M]

I've heard of this issue, sounds like you've found a way to repeat it.

I'd submit a bug report to Apple to let them know.

Sent about 4


I can't seem to create 2 partitions whatever I try - without resorting to deleting them and starting from scratch. Which I don't fancy tonight because it will take hours and hours to restore my backup and reinstall.

I've tried doing it in Disk Utility booting from the Leopard CD. I pick 2 partitions, I've tried various different sizes, and it will crunch away for ages. Then spit out an error saying insufficient space and the partition will need to be repaired.

I don't understand why - less than 50% of the total hard drive is used and I'm only trying to create free space. Doesn't work with another Mac OS X partition either.

I've given up now. At least I still have a working hard drive with all the free space it should have once again!

 

[Matthew.M]

How about creating 2 Mac-formatted partitions in Disk Utility first.

*This will be immediate*

Then, run the bootcamp assistant and choose the 2nd partition. Obviously, tell it to occupy 100% of the partition and you should be good to go.

It won't even create a second Mac OS X partition

I've no idea what's wrong. It looks like an erase is going to be the only thing that will sort it out.

 

[Matthew.M]

I was getting a similar problem - it's likely because the drive is fragmented and disk util can't sort the mess out itself. I ended up installing Tiger on an external drive and using iDefrag to sort the drive out - full defrag took 14 hours. You can't run a full defrag off the boot drive as it needs to unmount the partition. Erase and restore is the other option.

Thanx that does seem like a likely cause.

It would be nice if Disk Util and Boot Camp gave a reason such as that though, instead of kernal panicing or just saying failed!

I've put this idea on hold now. I only wanted to try windows on it really, not worth doing now. Next time I format I think I will give it a go then.

Thank you for the help/advice anyway!

 

[Matthew.M]

Couldn't you just boot from the Install DVD (hold down D on boot), and erase the disc with a full zero fill?

Yes but then I would need to reinstall Leopard, or restore my Time Machine Backup.

Which is more hassle than it's worth when I only wanted Windows for a fiddle and to play a few old games I've got I was under the impression it would be quick and easy to install with keeping my Leopard partition intact!