iMac (Early 2001): Software Installers Report the Disk Is Locked

Symptom

When installing software an alert box appears with a message that the software could not be installed because the disk is locked.


Solution

• If you started up the computer with a CD-ROM disc, try restarting the computer from the hard disk and then installing the software.
• The hard disk's directory structure may need to be repaired. Open Disk First Aid and verify or repair the disk before installing any software. To obtain the latest version of Disk First Aid, use the Software Update control panel or check Apple Software Updates (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).
• If Disk First Aid cannot repair the hard disk or the Disk is Locked error persists, you may try a third-party drive repair utility.

Note: Before attempting any disk repairs, you should back up your data. Apple does not recommend nor support the use of third party drive repair utilities. Check with the vendor of the repair utility before using it for any specific recommendations.

For related information on Disk First Aid and Mac OS volumes, refer to the following articles:
Article 7565: "Disk First Aid: Purpose"
Article 13628: "Disk First Aid: What to Do When it Finds an Error"
Article 19516: "Mac OS: Technical Overview of Disk Volume Structures"