HDD Failing?

[justausername]

I've got a late 2009 Core i5 iMac that I got on release. I'm not sure if somethings up with the HDD, but for the past couple of months iTunes has to pause music to rebuffer it so to say when playing it from the local disc. It's becoming a common occurence now and is becoming quite annoying.

 

[Hellhammer]

Run Disk Utility

 

[rkaufmann87]

I've got a late 2009 Core i5 iMac that I got on release. I'm not sure if somethings up with the HDD, but for the past couple of months iTunes has to pause music to rebuffer it so to say when playing it from the local disc. It's becoming a common occurence now and is becoming quite annoying.

While running Disk Utility won't hurt it won't really tell you anything without looking.

First make sure you have a current backup, if you are using Time Machine you are in pretty good shape. If you haven't been get a back up NOW!!!!!

In Disk Utility look for the S.M.A.R.T. status of your internal HD, it should say Verified. It it says anything else it's in trouble.

Next run Apple Hardware Test, here are the instructions:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1883

If any of the reports from AHT or DU indicate you have a problem you can run Repair Disk in DU however you need to boot the machine from the Install Disc that came with your computer and run DU from there.

Last the tools that come with your machine (AHT & DU) are not the most robust however in most cases they're fine. This isn't to worry you but to let you know if you have a HD problem you will need to take it in and have the machine professionally assessed.

Regards,

Roger