Q: Can't format former Boot Camp partition

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Josh99Ralla

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Q: Can't format former Boot Camp partition

So I stupidly erased my Boot Camp partition using Disk Utility rather than in the Boot Camp Assistant. And now I the partition is stuck as free space and i can't change it. When i select the free space in Disk Util, I can change it to Mac OS Extended and ExFAT as usual, but when I press apply, the progress bar appears for a brief second and disappears. Then it acts as if I never pressed apply; when I close the window, it says that I have unsaved changes. The free space does not appear as a drive in the left sidebar.

I have tried reinstalling OS X, I've tried returning to a time machine backup, I've verified and repaired the disk, but nothing has worked.

I'm left with 67GB of space unusable on my macbook now.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Oct 11, 2014 9:36 AM

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Loner T

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A:

If you are restoring a full TM backup, it will erase and restore the entire disk. Please try and post if you get any errors when you attempt a restore. If you want to test whether it works or not...

You can erase the disk using...

diskutil eraseDisk

Usage: diskutil eraseDisk format name [APM[Format]|MBR[Format]|GPT[Format]]

MountPoint|DiskIdentifier|DeviceNode

Completely erase an existing whole disk. All volumes on this disk will be

destroyed. Ownership of the affected disk is required.

Format is the specific file system name you want to erase it as (HFS+, etc.).

Name is the (new) volume name (subject to file system naming restrictions),

or can be specified as %noformat% to skip initialization (newfs).

You cannot erase the boot disk.

Example: diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ UntitledUFS disk3

You can format the disk using...

diskutil reformat

Usage: diskutil reformat MountPoint|DiskIdentifier|DeviceNode

Completely erase an existing volume with the same name and format as the

original. Ownership of the affected disk is required.

You cannot erase the boot volume, nor can you reformat any device which

does not have a valid file system (instead use diskutil eraseVolume).

Posted on Oct 12, 2014 9:57 AM

Q: Can't format former Boot Camp partition

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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 11:54 AM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 11:54 AM in response to Loner T

Work for two of them:

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs deleteVolume 97357AE4-B74B-4CD7-9738-86D3F8D16D79
The Core Storage Logical Volume UUID is 97357AE4-B74B-4CD7-9738-86D3F8D16D79
Started CoreStorage operation on disk3 Untitled
Unmounting disk3
Removing Logical Volume from Logical Volume Group
Finished CoreStorage operation on disk3 Untitled

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs deleteVolume 23F9F7E6-44F1-4319-ABC2-073D43948E38
The Core Storage Logical Volume UUID is 23F9F7E6-44F1-4319-ABC2-073D43948E38
Started CoreStorage operation on disk2 Untitled
Unmounting disk2
Removing Logical Volume from Logical Volume Group
Finished CoreStorage operation on disk2 Untitled

It does not work for:

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs deleteVolume 82C44DC3-EC88-4ACE-B344-738362EEAE7E
82C44DC3-EC88-4ACE-B344-738362EEAE7E does not appear to be a valid Core Storage Logical Volume UUID or disk

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs deleteVolume DA966991-9CE6-4108-B738-CCE9F5B330CC
DA966991-9CE6-4108-B738-CCE9F5B330CC does not appear to be a valid Core Storage Logical Volume UUID or disk

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs deleteVolume D28B755F-B6F4-49D7-8B26-9B1782F1E2E4
D28B755F-B6F4-49D7-8B26-9B1782F1E2E4 does not appear to be a valid Core Storage Logical Volume UUID or disk

Now, the new diskutil cs list:

CoreStorage logical volume groups (3 found)
|
+-- Logical Volume Group 82C44DC3-EC88-4ACE-B344-738362EEAE7E
|   =========================================================
|   Name:         Untitled
|   Status:       Online
|   Size:         1978162249728 B (2.0 TB)
|   Free Space:   1977809924096 B (2.0 TB)
|   |
|   +-< Physical Volume 965CC19F-1664-4CA6-9535-13F6E8360A5C
|       ----------------------------------------------------
|       Index:    0
|       Disk:     disk1s2
|       Status:   Online
|       Size:     1978162249728 B (2.0 TB)
|
+-- Logical Volume Group D28B755F-B6F4-49D7-8B26-9B1782F1E2E4
|   =========================================================
|   Name:         BOOTCAMP
|   Status:       Online
|   Size:         219865403392 B (219.9 GB)
|   Free Space:   219513077760 B (219.5 GB)
|   |
|   +-< Physical Volume 14D8374C-CA87-46A7-8E19-C4EDC9B6701D
|       ----------------------------------------------------
|       Index:    0
|       Disk:     disk1s4
|       Status:   Online
|       Size:     219865403392 B (219.9 GB)
|
+-- Logical Volume Group DA966991-9CE6-4108-B738-CCE9F5B330CC
    =========================================================
    Name:         Untitled
    Status:       Online
    Size:         800920764416 B (800.9 GB)
    Free Space:   800568438784 B (800.6 GB)
    |
    +-< Physical Volume 64797298-74F4-4330-9EB8-5C856FA3CBC9
        ----------------------------------------------------
        Index:    0
        Disk:     disk1s6
        Status:   Online
        Size:     800920764416 B (800.9 GB)

And the new diskutil list:

/dev/disk0
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *121.3 GB   disk0
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk0s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Untitled                120.5 GB   disk0s2
   3:                 Apple_Boot Recovery HD             650.0 MB   disk0s3
/dev/disk1
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *3.0 TB     disk1
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk1s1
   2:          Apple_CoreStorage                         2.0 TB     disk1s2
   3:                 Apple_Boot Boot OS X               134.2 MB   disk1s3
   4:          Apple_CoreStorage                         219.9 GB   disk1s4
   5:                 Apple_Boot Boot OS X               134.2 MB   disk1s5
   6:          Apple_CoreStorage                         800.9 GB   disk1s6
   7:                 Apple_Boot Recovery HD             650.0 MB   disk1s7
/dev/disk4
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *4.0 GB     disk4
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk4s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Sans titre              3.7 GB     disk4s2
/dev/disk5
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *16.0 GB    disk5
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk5s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Yosemite Install Dis... 15.7 GB    disk5s2
/dev/disk6
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *5.2 MB     disk6
/dev/disk7
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk7
/dev/disk8
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk8
/dev/disk9
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk9
/dev/disk10
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk10
/dev/disk11
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk11
/dev/disk12
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk12
/dev/disk13
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *2.1 MB     disk13
/dev/disk14
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk14
/dev/disk15
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk15
/dev/disk16
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk16
/dev/disk17
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk17
/dev/disk18
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk18
/dev/disk19
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:        CD_partition_scheme                        *68.8 MB    disk19
   1:              CD_ROM_Mode_1 U3 System               59.9 MB    disk19s0
-bash-3.2#
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 12:01 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 12:01 PM in response to Baron MARTo

1. You have used only deleteVolume throughout, but I have two cs delete (not cs deleteVolume).
2. Good to see /dev/disk0 become a regular disk.
3. This is bad cut-paste from me. Here is the corrected one.

diskutil cs delete 82C44DC3-EC88-4ACE-B344-738362EEAE7E
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 12:25 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 12:25 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, i erase these disks:

82C44DC3-EC88-4ACE-B344-738362EEAE7E
DA966991-9CE6-4108-B738-CCE9F5B330CC
D28B755F-B6F4-49D7-8B26-9B1782F1E2E4

And now, i have this on the utility disk:

I suppose i select "Repair"?
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Baron MARTo

Do not use Disk Utility UI. Otherwise you will create the same problem again. Please post the output of diskutil list.

I assuem there is no diskutil cs list output.
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 12:32 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 12:32 PM in response to Loner T

Nothing on distill cs list.

-bash-3.2# diskutil cs list
No CoreStorage logical volume groups found

On distill list, i have this:
-bash-3.2# diskutil list
/dev/disk0
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *121.3 GB   disk0
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk0s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Untitled                120.5 GB   disk0s2
   3:                 Apple_Boot Recovery HD             650.0 MB   disk0s3
/dev/disk1
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *3.0 TB     disk1
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk1s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Untitled                2.0 TB     disk1s2
   3:                  Apple_HFS Untitled                219.9 GB   disk1s4
   4:                  Apple_HFS Untitled                800.9 GB   disk1s6
/dev/disk2
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *4.0 GB     disk2
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk2s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Sans titre              3.7 GB     disk2s2
/dev/disk5
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *16.0 GB    disk5
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk5s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Yosemite Install Dis... 15.7 GB    disk5s2
/dev/disk6
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *5.2 MB     disk6
/dev/disk7
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk7
/dev/disk8
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk8
/dev/disk9
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk9
/dev/disk10
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk10
/dev/disk11
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk11
/dev/disk12
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk12
/dev/disk13
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *2.1 MB     disk13
/dev/disk14
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk14
/dev/disk15
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk15
/dev/disk16
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk16
/dev/disk17
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk17
/dev/disk18
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk18
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 12:35 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 12:35 PM in response to Baron MARTo

1. Erase disk0 - diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ SSD disk0
2. Erase disk1 - diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ HDD disk1
3. They should remain disk0 and disk1 but diskutil list is needed after step 1 and 2, to recreate the Fusion drive.
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Loner T

All Done.

-bash-3.2# diskutil list
/dev/disk0
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *121.3 GB   disk0
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk0s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS SSD                     121.0 GB   disk0s2
/dev/disk1
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *3.0 TB     disk1
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk1s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS HDD                     3.0 TB     disk1s2
/dev/disk5
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *16.0 GB    disk5
   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk5s1
   2:                  Apple_HFS Yosemite Install Dis... 15.7 GB    disk5s2
/dev/disk6
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *5.2 MB     disk6
/dev/disk7
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk7
/dev/disk8
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk8
/dev/disk9
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk9
/dev/disk10
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk10
/dev/disk11
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk11
/dev/disk12
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk12
/dev/disk13
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *2.1 MB     disk13
/dev/disk14
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk14
/dev/disk15
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk15
/dev/disk16
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *524.3 KB   disk16
/dev/disk17
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *1.0 MB     disk17
/dev/disk18
   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
   0:                            untitled               *6.3 MB     disk18
-bash-3.2#
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Baron MARTo

Looks nice and clean.

1. Create a new CS LVG and then create a volume for Macintosh HD.

2. diskutil cs create OSX-MacintoshLVG disk0s2 disk1s2

This will output a long-string (a UUID), which will be used in the next command. The order of disk0s2 and disk1s2 is critical, otherwise you will have performance problems.

3. diskutil cs createVolume Step2UUID JHFS+ "Macintosh HD" 100%

Replace the string "Step2UUID" with what you get from step 2. This will allocate 100% of your Fusion drive to Macintosh HD. If you want it to be smaller, please specify a size like "800g" or "1000g". Verify using the output of diskutil cs list.

4. Warning: Do Not use Yosemite Disk Utility till Apple release an update for DU.

5. Install/Restore OSX on Macintosh HD. I have kept the names of the LVG and LV distinct so DU will show what you are looking at correctly.
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 12:52 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 12:52 PM in response to Loner T

"1. Create a new CS LVG" ? A what?
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 12:55 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 12:55 PM in response to Baron MARTo

Baron MARTo wrote:

"1. Create a new CS LVG" ? A what?

Create a CS (CoreStorage) LVG (Logical Volume Group).
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Loner T

So, i only have to tape:

diskutil cs create OSX-MacintoshLVG disk0s2 disk1s2
and
diskutil cs createVolume Step2UUID JHFS+ "Macintosh HD" 100%

After that, I have to try again, using bootcamp, to have a Windows session. Now, because of all of "this", i don't now if it was THE good solution.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 1:10 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 1:10 PM in response to Baron MARTo

1. Remember to replace Step2UUID with the long string from the first command.
2. Re-install Yosemite on Macintosh HD.
3. Run Bootcamp Assistant and install Windows.
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 1:12 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 1:12 PM in response to Loner T

Ok for the Step2UUID with the long string from the first command, i whas in doubt with the Step one, the new CS LVG, if i have to type something.

So, let's go for the step2, "diskutil cs create OSX-MacintoshLVG disk0s2 disk1s2"
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by Baron MARTo,

Baron MARTo Nov 7, 2014 1:27 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 7, 2014 1:27 PM in response to Loner T

Can i cry now?

A one big thank you, i was above the explosion when i contact you last day, and 24H later i have all of my problems resolved, with calm.
Very cool attitude man, and thanks too to be patient with my english.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 7, 2014 1:32 PM in response to Baron MARTo
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Nov 7, 2014 1:32 PM in response to Baron MARTo

Baron MARTo wrote:

Can i cry now?

A one big thank you, i was above the explosion when i contact you last day, and 24H later i have all of my problems resolved, with calm.

Very cool attitude man, and thanks too to be patient with my english.

If you run into problems in the future, you know how to fix them. . BTW, my French is horrible. My friends make fun of my accent.

Do you want to post the output of diskutil cs list and diskutil list for verification?
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Q: Can't format former Boot Camp partition

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