Invalid Node - Revive External HD

[imightbewong]

My external HD - Buffalo Ministation 320GB HS-PS320U2 just gave up on me.

The drive doesn't show up on the desktop but it does show up in Disk Utility as:
298.1 GP SAMSUNG HM320JI MEDIA
Derek Backup (this is greyed out)

When I run First Aid in Disk Utility, it says:

Verifying volume “Derek Backup”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid node structure
The volume Derek Backup needs to be repaired.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair

Tried Disk Rescue II Trial Version - it does indicate that there are files and folders, but it won't revive files over 5MB, which most of the files on the HD are. Also, considering getting Disk Warrior, but only as a very last resort.

Glad if any of you could help.

 

[Zyniker]

Were you verifying or repairing the disk using Disk Utility?

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Could you repair it with Disk Utility?

Data Rescue 2 will recover files, but I'd try something like Disk Utility or Tech Tool Pro to repair the nodes. It's not a hardware problem.

 

[Sambo110]

Maybe boot up from your OS's disc and do disc utility that way.

 

[imightbewong]

I've tried to Verify and Repair under Disk Utility (First Aid), the return for both comes to:

Verifying volume “Derek Backup”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid node structure
The volume Derek Backup needs to be repaired.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair

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Is there a trial version of Disk Warrior out there people could try?

 

[sickmacdoc]

I've tried to Verify and Repair under Disk Utility (First Aid), the return for both comes to:

<clip>
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Is there a trial version of Disk Warrior out there people could try?

Did you try the method Sambo110 mentioned just above? Booting from your installer disk and using the Disk Utility in the menus of it is sometimes successful in repairing a boot disk (since running Disk Utility when booted into the drive you are attempting to repair can place limitations on what it can do while active).

I have never seen a trial version of Disk Warrior BTW- but I will say that it can normally handle Catalog file errors with little problem as that is specifically the main thing it is designed to do-- and it does it well!