Is my computer dead?

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Level 1

8 points

Is my computer dead?

I'm getting the 🚫 symbol when computer starts up.

When rebooting from the startup disk and I go into Disk Utility the name of my hard drive isn't shown, just the default hard drive name. I run First Aid on it and it seems to fix it to the point of my custom name appears.

However, if I choose Reinstall OS and choose the hard drive I get an error (Unable to perform operation). If I run First Aid on the hard that now shows my custom name I get a fail message (First Aid process has failed. If possible back up the data on this volume.) after a good amount of time.

My device is noted in my tag but it is an iMac 21.5" that is roughly 10 years old.

The details on the First Aid errors:

Various input/output errors after 'Checking the container superblock task'
"Invalid o_xid"
"Invalid o_type"
"Verification/reading of the omap object failed"
"The volume could not be verified completely"
"File system verify or repair failed (-69845)"

So do I have any options at this point to fix (even temporarily for backup purposes) or is this a lost cause?unfortunate.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 29, 2025 09:05 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

88,804 points

Jun 29, 2025 09:29 AM in response to brainwavestv

Given the age, model and history, it is highly likely that the HDD has failed.

Some options are:

1) Replace it, setup and move to the new Mac using your Time Machine backup.

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

2) Take it to your local AASP and have the HDD replaced. Sadly it is to old for an Apple Store to fix.

Find Locations Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

3) Get an external SSD and install macOS on it. Then move to the external SSD using your Time Machine backup.

Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

157,296 points

Jun 29, 2025 09:55 AM in response to brainwavestv

Basically if this Mac's drive is not accessible, then there is little chance that you can back it up now. If that data is critical to you, you could go the expensive route of taking it to a professional recovery service ... but, even that, does not guarantee they will be successful.

However, one potential option may still be to boot up the Mac via an external "bootable startup" USB, and then, try using Disk Mode to access this Mac's HDD via another Mac.

Ref:

Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk - Apple Support
Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

88,804 points

Jun 29, 2025 10:25 AM in response to brainwavestv

brainwavestv wrote:

Yeah, I didn't use it often but also didn't back it up often either so was basically hoping to back it up before getting rid of it.

It is to late to backup and perhaps even to late to recover your data from the internal drive.

The options that Tesserax offers are worth a shot.

The first is similar to my option 3 and then see if you can access the internal drive from their.

The second requires a similar year model Mac with FireWire or a new Mac and an expensive USB-C to FireWire chain of adapters.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

133,499 points

Jun 29, 2025 09:24 AM in response to brainwavestv

If not dead, a 10 year old Mac is considered obsolete and not worth putting much time, effort or money into. Running perfectly it is out of date and can't run current versions of many apps.

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