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NOTE: Mac OS Sierra (10.12.x), High Sierra (10.13.x), Mojave (10.14.x), Catalina (10.15.x), and Big Sur (11.1) computers no longer need a CAC Enabler. Try to access the CAC enabled site you need to access now. Mac support provided by: Michael Danberry: If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact Michael J. Many issues on OS X can be solved by a simple reboot, so reboot your Mac machine.

Even though Mac OS X is considered as one of the stable operating systems, sometimes, even normally functioning Mac machine may show up a sudden warning message that says “Mac hard drive exit code 8” or “file system check exit code is 8”. Resolving this Mac hard drive exit code 8 error message might become a tough job, especially when user is not having an idea about what’s going on in the OS X machine.

So, in this blog post it is explained in detail, what are the causes for the appearance of file system check exit code 8/Mac hard drive exit code 8 and how to fix the error message in an easy way.

What Are the Causes Behind Mac Hard Drive Exit Code 8?

File system check exit code 8/Mac hard drive exit code 8 error message may arise due to a number of reasons. And, here are few listed:

• Improperly handling the Mac or installed applications on it
• Broken Mac file system, system files or directories
• Incorrectly configured system settings
• Virus attack, malware or spyware infection
• Downloading infected/suspicious files from the internet
• Presence of incompatible or outdated drivers/software
• Mac startup drive or directory is loaded with Junk file/programs

And, the list goes on….

Solutions to Resolve Mac Hard Drive Exit Code 8:

Follow these easy methods to fix Mac hard drive exit code 8.

1. Reboot Mac

Many issues on OS X can be solved by a simple reboot, so reboot your Mac machine once. If this doesn’t help you, then reboot the Mac in Safe Mode.

If the “Mac hard drive exit code 8” error is fixed in SafeMode, then check the startup and verify the login items; try clearing login items. To clear out startup login items,

Go to SystemPreferences, and click Users&Groups.

Select your account (on the left pane), and click the LoginItems.

Select the items to remove from the login list, and click the minus symbol.

Reboot the Mac.

If the exit code 8 error is solved after above troubleshooting, it clears that one of your login items is causing the error. So try loading each startup item and find the culprit.

2. Get Rid of Temp, Cache and Junk Files

It is a known fact that temp files, preferences, and cache are generated both by Mac system and installed applications on it. When these files are not cleared often or they get corrupted, it results in various issues like system hang, application crash, or errors.

So, try to clear the cache (user cache, system cache, and browser cache), temp as well as duplicate files from your Mac. To do this, there are several ways you can try like removing them manually or using third party tools available on the internet.

In the meantime, don’t forget to empty the Trash bin of your Mac. When all set, restart the system to see if the Mac hard drive exit code 8 error is fixed.

3. Uninstall Faulty Applications

If you are encountering Mac hard drive exit code 8 only when you are using certain apps programs, then it indicates the respective program is responsible for the error. To verify this, log in as another user (from another user account) and check, the same error emerges when using the same app.

When an application gets corrupted, become outdated, or is incompatible with your operating system or with other installed programs, “Mac hard drive exit code 8” error may pop up while using the respective app. So, either you need to repair, or update the app to fix this error. Else, completely uninstall it and reinstall the new version of it.

To upgrade your Mac system and apps installed on it to the latest version,

Go to Apple menu and select App Store.

Click on the Updates button located on the top pane.

Check available updates for your system and applications.

4. Run Disk Utility

Disk permission issues are often responsible for many error codes including Mac hard drive exit code 8. So, you can use Mac inbuilt Disk Utility to check and fix the startup disk errors and issues.

And, here is how to run Disk Utility on your Mac:

Launch DiskUtility from the Apple Applications and select the “Utilities” folder.

Select your startup disk, and click on the First Aid button.

Click the Repair Disk Permissions button to start the repair process.

5. Re-Install Mac OS X

In case, if the “Mac hard drive exit code 8” error is caused by corrupt/missing or damaged system files, do a reinstall of Mac OS X. To reinstall Mac OS X, follow the below procedure:

Ensure, your Mac is connected with the Internet, then restart the Mac.

After a reboot, it shows the gray screen. Now, hold down CMD + R keys.

In the OS X “Utilities” dialogue box, click the Reinstall macOS button.

Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the Mac OS X reinstallation process.

Data Recovery after Mac OS X Reinstall:

It is strictly suggested to take a backup of all your important files before u begin the macOS reinstall process. In case if you failed to backup or any error occurs while backing up your files, then huge data loss is guaranteed. In such cases, you can recover your data after reinstalling macOS using Yodot Mac Data Recovery software. The software recovers lost data after reinstalling macOS or after upgrading from lower Mac versions to the latest Mac version. Moreover the tool is compatible on all macOS X including High Sierra, Sierra, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, and earlier versions too. Download the free version of the software and get back your lost files before its too late.

NOTE:

Between mid October 2019 and mid February 2020 everyone in the Army was migrated to use their PIV Authentication certificate for Email access. You no longer use the Email certificate for Enterprise Email or any CAC enabled websites

Mac users who choose to upgrade (or already have upgraded) to Mac OS Catalina (10.15.x) or Big Sur (11.xx.x) will need to uninstall all 3rd Party CAC enablers per https://militarycac.com/macuninstall.htm AND reenable the native smart card ability (very bottom of macuninstall link above)

If you purchased your Mac with OS Catalina (10.15.x) or Big Sur (11.xx.x) already installed, you can skip the uninstall part above and follow the instructions below.

6 'high level' steps needed, follow down the page to make this a painless systematic process

Step 1: Is your CAC reader Mac friendly?

Visit the USB Readers page to verify the CAC reader you have is Mac friendly.

Visit the USB-C Readers page to verify the CAC reader you have is Mac friendly.

'Some, not all' CAC readers may need to have a driver installed to make it work.

NOTE: Readers such as: SCR-331 & SCR-3500A may need a firmware update (NO OTHER Readers need firmware updates).

Information about these specific readers are in Step 2

Step 2: Can your Mac 'see' the reader?

Plug the CAC reader into an open USB port before proceeding, give it a few moments to install

Step 2a: Click the Apple Icon in the upper left corner of the desktop, select 'About This Mac'

Step 2b: Click 'System Report...' (button)

Step 2c: Verify the CAC reader shows in Hardware, USB, under USB Device Tree. Different readers will show differently, most readers have no problem in this step. See Step 2c1 for specific reader issues.

Step 2c1: Verify firmware version on your SCR-331, SCR-3310 v2.0, GSR-202, 202V, 203, or SCR-3500a reader. If you have a reader other than these 6, Proceed directly to step 3

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Step 2c1a-SCR-331 reader

If your reader does not look like this, go to the next step.

In the 'Hardware' drop down, click 'USB.' On the right side of the screen under 'USB Device Tree' the window will display all hardware plugged into the USB ports on your Mac. Look for “SCRx31 USB Smart Card Reader.” If the Smart Card reader is present, look at 'Version' in the lower right corner of this box: If you have a number below 5.25, you need to update your firmware to 5.25. If you are already at 5.25, your reader is installed on your system, and no further hardware changes are required. You can now Quit System Profiler and continue to Step 3.

Step 2c1b-SCR-3310 v2.0 reader

If your reader does not look like this, go to the next step.

In the 'Hardware' drop down, click 'USB.' On the right side of the screen under 'USB Device Tree' the window will display all hardware plugged into the USB ports on your Mac. Look for “SCR3310 v2.0 USB Smart Card Reader.” If the Smart Card reader is present, look at 'Version' in the lower right corner of this box: If you have a number below 6.02, it will not read the 'G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0' CAC on Mac OS 11.xx.x or 10.15.7. I contacted HID (the company that makes these readers) on 14 DEC 2020 to find a way to update the firmware to 6.02. They said there is not firmware update for the reader. If your reader is older, you may need a new one. Please look at: https://militarycac.com/usbreaders.htm to find a compatible one. If you are already at version 6.02, your reader should work fine on your Mac and no further hardware changes are required. You can now Quit System Profiler and continue to Step 3.

Step 2c1c-SCR-3500A reader

If you have the SCR3500A P/N:905430-1 CAC reader,you may need to install this driver, as the one that installs automatically will not work on most Macs. Hold the control key [on your keyboard] when clicking the .pkg file [with your mouse], select [the word] Open

Step 3: Verify which version of MacOS you have?

(You need to know this information for step 6)

Step 3a: Click the Apple Icon in the upper left corner of your desktop and select 'About This Mac'

Step 3b: Look below Mac OS X for: Example: Version 10.X.X, or 11.X

Step 4: Figure out which CAC (ID Card) you have

(You need to know this information for step 6)

Look at the top back of your ID card for these card types. If you have any version other than the seven shown below, you need to visit an ID card office and have it replaced. All CACs [other than these six] were supposed to be replaced prior to 1 October 2012.

Find out how to flip card over video

Step 5: Install the DoD certificates (for Safari and Chrome Users)

Go to Keychain Access

Click: Go (top of screen), Utilities, double click Keychain Access.app

(You can also type: keychain access using Spotlight (this is my preferred method))

Select login (under Keychains),and All Items (under Category).

Download the 5 files via links below (you may need to <ctrl> click, select Download Linked File As... on each link) Save to your downloads folder

Please know... IF You have any DoD certificates already located in your keychain access, you will need to delete them prior to running the AllCerts.p7b file below.

https://militarycac.com/maccerts/AllCerts.p7b,

https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert2.cer,

https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert3.cer,

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https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert4.cer, and

Double click each of the files to install certificates into the login section of keychain

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Select the Kind column, verify the arrow is pointing up, scroll down to certificate, look for all of the following certificates:

DOD EMAIL CA-33 through DOD EMAIL CA-34,

DOD EMAIL CA-39 through DOD EMAIL CA-44,

DOD EMAIL CA-49 through DOD EMAIL CA-52,

DOD EMAIL CA-59,

DOD ID CA-33 through DOD ID CA-34,

DOD ID CA-39 through DOD ID CA-44,

DOD ID CA-49 through DOD ID CA-52,

DOD ID CA-59

DOD ID SW CA-35 through DOD ID SW CA-38,

DOD ID SW CA-45 through DOD ID SW CA-48,

DoD Root CA 2 through DoD Root CA 5,

DOD SW CA-53 through DOD SW CA-58, and

DOD SW CA-60 through DOD SW CA-61

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NOTE: If you are missing any of the above certificates, you have 2 choices,

1. Delete all of them, and re-run the 5 files above, or

2. Download the allcerts.zip file and install each of the certificates you are missing individually.

Errors:

Error 100001 Solution

Error 100013 Solution

You may notice some of the certificates will have a red circle with a white X . This means your computer does not trust those certificates

You need to manually trust the DoD Root CA 2, 3, 4, & 5 certificates

Double click each of the DoD Root CA certificates, select the triangle next to Trust, in the When using this certificate: select Always Trust, repeat until all 4 do not have the red circle with a white X.

You may be prompted to enter computer password when you close the window

Once you select Always Trust, your icon will have a light blue circle with a white + on it.

The 'bad certs' that have caused problems for Windows users may show up in the keychain access section on some Macs. These need to be deleted / moved to trash.

The DoD Root CA 2 & 3 you are removing has a light blue frame, leave the yellow frame version. The icons may or may not have a red circle with the white x

If you have tried accessing CAC enabled sites prior to following these instructions, please go through this page before proceeding

Clearing the keychain (opens a new page)

Please come back to this page to continue installation instructions.

Step 5a: DoD certificate installation instructions for Firefox users

NOTE: Firefox will not work on Catalina (10.15.x), or last 4 versions of Mac OS if using the native Apple smartcard ability

Download AllCerts.zip, [remember where you save it].

double click the allcerts.zip file (it'll automatically extract into a new folder)

Option 1 to install the certificates (semi automated):

From inside the AllCerts extracted folder, select all of the certificates

<control> click (or Right click) the selected certificates, select Open With, Other...

In the Enable (selection box), change to All Applications

Select Firefox, then Open

You will see several dozen browser tabs open up, let it open as many as it wants..

You will eventually start seeing either of the 2 messages shown next

If the certificate is not already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating 'You have been asked to trust a new Certificate Authority (CA).'

Check all three boxes to allow the certificate to: identify websites, identify email users, and identify software developers

or

'Alert This certificate is already installed as a certificate authority.' Click OK

Once you've added all of the certificates...
• Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)
• Preferences
• Advanced (tab)
• Press Network under the Advanced Tab
• In the Cached Web Content section, click Clear Now (button).
• Quit Firefox and restart it

Option 2 to install the certificates (very tedious manual):

Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)

Preferences

Advanced (tab on left side of screen)

Certificates (tab)

View Certificates (button)

Authorities (tab)

Import (button)

Browse to the DoD certificates (AllCerts) extracted folder you downloaded and extracted above.

Note: You have to do this step for every single certificate

Note2: If the certificate is already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating: 'Alert This certificate is already installed as a certificate authority (CA).' Click OK

Note3: If the certificate is not already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating 'You have been asked to trust a new Certificate Authority (CA).'

Check all three boxes to allow the certificate to: identify websites, identify email users, and identify software developers

Once you've added all of the certificates...
• Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)
• Preferences
• Advanced (tab)
• Press Network under the Advanced Tab
• In the Cached Web Content section, click Clear Now (button).
• Quit Firefox and restart it

Step 6: Decide which CAC enabler you can / want to use

Only for Mac El Capitan (10.11.x or older)

After installing the CAC enabler, restart the computer and go to a CAC enabled website

NOTE: Mac OS Sierra (10.12.x), High Sierra (10.13.x), Mojave (10.14.x), Catalina (10.15.x), and Big Sur (11.1) computers no longer need a CAC Enabler.

Try to access the CAC enabled site you need to access now

Mac support provided by: Michael Danberry