Disk First Aid for Macintosh

Disk First Aid (called Disk Utility in OS X) is a program distributed from Apple. It's purpose is to check a hard drive for errors. It can be used both actively and passively on any Macintosh. It is found in the utilities folder of the hard drive and on the OS CD-Rom or first disk of the OS installer.

"Why would I want to use disk first aid?"

1. Frequent System Crashes.
2. Files disappearing.
3. Files changing sizes.
4. Problems copying files from one place to another.
5. Problems saving files.
6. As general proventive maintence once every 6 months.

How to scan the hard drive for errors. (Passive Mode)

1. Open the Hard Drive
2. Open the Utilities Folder
3. Open the Application Disk First Aid (icon is a picture of and ambulance)
4. The disk first aid application window will come up.
5. Select the hard disk and then click Verify
   • Verify will just scan the hard drive to see if their are any potential problems.
   • It will NOT fix any problems found.
6. To quit Disk First Aid go to the file menu and select quit.

How to fix a hard drive with errors. (Active Mode)

To actively scan a hard disk with the running system, the computer must be re-booted from another hard drive or disk with a valid system.

1. Open the start-up disk
2. Open the Utilities Folder (If started from the OS CD-Rom or off another hard drive)
3. Open the Application Disk First Aid (icon is a picture of and ambulance)
4. The disk first aid application window will come up.
5. Select the hard disk and then click Repair
6. Disk Copy will scan the hard drive for errors and repair them.
7. To quit Disk First Aid go to the file menu and select quit.