[Sauvblanc]

OK, so I decided to do some disk maintenance since I was getting some odd behaviour on my computer (like keyboard delays and "stuttering" in certain programs). The computer is a G4 PowerBook 1 GHz with 512MB RAM, running 10.4.8. Problem started cropping up about a month or so ago. Nothing unusual on the computer, no haxies or anything.

Put in the Tiger install DVD and ran First Aid to repair the disk. It couldn't complete the task because of an Invalid Key Length error.
Booting into Terminal and running fsck gave the same thing.
Tried to do an Archive and Install, but it couldn't complete the installation due to an error.

SMART status is OK.

In looking this up both here and using Google I'm starting to gather that this is an indication of imminent hard drive failure and that my HD is basically on its way to becoming toasted?

Can anyone help me with this? I've got everything backed up so can zero out the HD and do a fresh install if needed but if there's another way to fix the problem without doing that, please let me know.

Thanks!

[FFL]

Originally Posted by Sauvblanc In looking this up both here and using Google I'm starting to gather that this is an indication of imminent hard drive failure and that my HD is basically on its way to becoming toasted?

Possibly.... but not definitely.

Can anyone help me with this? I've got everything backed up so can zero out the HD and do a fresh install if needed but if there's another way to fix the problem without doing that, please let me know.

It's either that (recommended if you already have backup), or Disk Warrior.

[PKIDelirium]

What the heck is Invalid Key Length?

[Sauvblanc]

Originally Posted by PKIDelirium What the heck is Invalid Key Length?

I have no idea but apparently whatever it was, wasn't good.

Made sure that everything was pulled off the disk, did a clean install of Tiger, ran all the updates and permissions repairs then put everything back on.

Ughhhh, man. That took forever. Now I just need to put everything back to the way it was, bookmarks and etc. But when I did all the checks (eg fsck) there were no errors or anything so that seems to have solved the problem. No stutters, no keyboard delays, etc. So fingers crossed things are OK now.

I'm so glad that I have 2 external HD's-at work and home-not just for backups but easy access when I need them.

I feel like I've just done heart surgery. time for a beer.