Disk Utility Error won't allow me to repair HDD

[cmccarten]

I've noticed some weird slowdowns and a lot more disk loud activity recently, so I was checking permissions and verifying the disk this morning when I ran into some trouble.

Permissions were verified w/o any problem, but when I try to verify the disk, it says:
"The Volume ____ needs to be repaired"
FOLLOWED by
"Error: the underlying task reported failure on exit" (which also comes as a popup warning)

Because of this error, for whatever reason, I cannot choose to "repair" (the button is greyed out), and "verify" is the only button highlighted. Is there a way around this?
Any advice?
Thanks.

 

[iMeowbot]

The repair button will not work if you are trying to repair the same volume you booted from. You can boot from your install disc and run the repair from there.

 

[mad jew]

Or use fsck from Single User Mode if your OSX discs are in a box under your a pile of about six old servers, a few CRTs and a grumpy old green-eyed hardware bandit.