Heed these words. I just spent the last 24 hours coaxing my computer to give me something–anything–other than the “prohibitory sign,” as the Apple website so euphemistically calls it. I yearned for the bomb (remember the bomb?), the flashing question mark, anything other than something that reminded me of cigarettes and Ghostbusters. Well, I did go to work and slept for a few hours, but you get the idea. Things got so bad I actually considered calling Apple support, and I thought I just might have to do something called an “Erase and Install.” Yikes! So, consider this a public service announcement. If your iTunes purchases are backed up but your financial data is not, it’s time to reconsider your priorities.
By the way, if you’re wondering, it was the usual Fab Ab method that got me out of my mess: restart, restart, with all possible permutations, curse, call spouse for long-distance internet connection and moral support, restart, threaten introduction of PC into household, restart, yea! Works with cars too. But now I’m going to reinstall my system software, just in case.
I think you should share the “cat” theory. BTW, what medium do you back up on?