09-07-2010, 08:30 AM

Hi Guys,

Despite owning various ipod's and iphone's I am very limited in my knowledge of Apple Hardware

I was/am the luck recipient of an 4 year old imac running 13.3.3

In the past month or so it has started to run slowly, watching DVD's etc, in the past 2 days it has pretty much ground to a halt

I booted from the install disk and tried to repair the disk using the disk utility

I received the following results: Invalid Sibling Link, Invalid Node Structure and Invalid Record Count - The Volume Macintosh HD couldnt be repaired - Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed

It would also appear that my time machine has not been backing up to my external HD for the past few months

Can anyone tell me if I now have an expensive photo frame or what I need to do to repair it

Apologies for the length of this post and thanks for any help you maybe able to offer

Cheers

(very much) In Need of Help

09-07-2010, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

I was/am the luck recipient of an 4 year old imac running 13.3.3

I have absolutely no idea what this means...what are you even referring to???

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

In the past month or so it has started to run slowly, watching DVD's etc, in the past 2 days it has pretty much ground to a halt

Regarding the other problems...sounds like a dead or dying hard drive.

HTH,

- Nick

09-07-2010, 09:50 AM

Apologies let me clarify

I was given an Imac running OS X 10.3.3 (13.3.3 was a mis-type)

It would seem it is not only my Mac that is malfunctioning!!

I presume that a trip to Apple is the next step

Cheers,

INoH

09-07-2010, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

I was given an Imac running OS X 10.3.3 (13.3.3 was a mis-type)

Ok...that makes more sense.

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

It would seem it is not only my Mac that is malfunctioning!!

I'm not sure what you mean by this? The only two factors involved in this equation are the computer and user...so maybe you're referring to the "user" as the other part that's malfunctioning!

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

I presume that a trip to Apple is the next step.

Maybe...maybe not. You didn't tell us the specs of this computer (just that it's 4 years old). So depending on it's value...and what Apple will charge to diagnose it & possibly repair it...a trip to the Apple Store may or may not be worth it.

Like I said...to me it sounds like your computers hard drive is dead or dying.

- Nick

p.s. By the way...if this computer is running OS 10.3.3...it's probably older than 4 years.

09-07-2010, 10:23 AM

10.3.3 is OSX Panther. That is way more than 4 years old. Also 10.3 Panther does not have Time Machine. Are you sure it's 10.3.3?

Also can you give us a few specs? Can you still boot to the OS? If so, click on the Apple and then on About This Mac. Give us all the info there.

I agree with Nick, sounds like the hard drive is dying.

09-07-2010, 10:44 AM

Gents thanks for your responses, I have all the original purchase information at home and will update the thread with everything I should have put in the original post

I am pretty sure that it was bought in 2006 as it had a 3 year extended warranty that ran out last year but will double check

I cant really afford a replacement at the moment so I guess i have to decide between getting it repaired or getting rid and waiting until I can afford a replacement

Cheers,

INoH

09-07-2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

I cant really afford a replacement at the moment so I guess i have to decide between getting it repaired or getting rid and waiting until I can afford a replacement

Here in the United States it would cost less than $50 dollars to purchase a new hard drive (and install it yourself). I'm not sure how much a replacement hard drive would be in your area of the world...but I would imagine not too much more. If you're able to do the replacement yourself...it would probably be less expensive than what Apple may charge you to examine/diagnose your computer (unless they do it for free).

Good luck,

- Nick

09-08-2010, 04:42 AM

Gents,

Not sure if it makes any difference to the diagnosis of the problems but the Mac was bought 12.06.2006 and the description on the receipt is iMac 20, 2.16, SD, 1GB, 250G

Thanks again for your responses, I think I am going to bite the bullet and get it repaired, dont have the confidence in my own ability to replace the HD

Cheers,

INoH

09-08-2010, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

Thanks again for your responses, I think I am going to bite the bullet and get it repaired, dont have the confidence in my own ability to replace the HD

Have a look at the guide at iFixit and see if your capable to do it. As Nick has said, a replacement HD will set you back $50 and  could charge you 10x that price.
The guide i linked you too is for a 20" 2006 iMac so you should be fine...

Could be worth it in the end ...
Hope it helps some

Cheers

09-08-2010, 07:46 AM

thanks for all your help guys, i have a friend who has replaced his HD on a couple of occasions and is happy to do mine as well

Lets hope for a happy ending

thanks again for your help and I promise if i need help again to give all the information in the opening post

Cheers

INoH

09-08-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by In Need of Help

thanks for all your help guys, i have a friend who has replaced his HD on a couple of occasions and is happy to do mine as well

Good deal that you know someone who can do the hard drive swap for you. Like "TattooedMac" mentioned...if you have Apple do it...it could cost you a lot more $$$.

Good luck,

- Nick

09-09-2010, 04:05 AM

Hello In need of help!

Not everyone is born being a mechanic or tech. Nothing wrong with just wanting to drive!

I've found Forums can often put you on the right track sometimes (not always) give you a quick fix.

You learned your iPod, you learned your iPhone. You can learn your iMac.

I was drawn to your thread because I also have previouly owned Macs. (I like to see dinosaurs survive.)
Possible you have no choice in this matter...

I found your 20" iMac through Apple support. Indeed 2006. That was a big year for Macs as the itel chip was introduced. If your model was from end of year (12.06, as in December 6th., You might have gotten an early production bug, but I assume you had no real problems until a short time ago. If it was say, June 12th. you may have a pre intel model and added something non supported? (intel base?) In which case you would of course just dump the import.

From just doing a web search:

Invalid Sibling Link shows suggested resets online or could be do to a Norton download.

Invalid Node Structure appears to be hard drive issues. Have you tried to migrate files between computers lately? Sometimes HD's just fail after 4 years. (before or after.)

Invalid Record Count is basically inabillity to access your data/files. Disc warrior has been sited more than once as a quick fix but not in every case. I'm so hoping you are backed up!

As you say, you can just take it in. If you have any patience left you can lok into some of these issues.

Whatever it takes you to get back on the road again.

Hope you're back soon!