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MimiB

Q: Erasing HD step not working

Dear community!
Recycling a Mac: what a great idea! Erasing the HD first and following the super easy steps? Sure! And that's where my problems started. And now I think I've wrecked it completely:
I started Disk Utility. I see my partioned HD. Erased Partition 1 successfully. Erased Partition 2 successfully. Try to erase whole HD: "Couldn't unmount disk". It also renamed itself 500.11 GB Toshiba...

I've tried:     1. Deleting the individual partitions, but can't. "Couldn't unmount disk".

                    2. Installing OS X, but can't. Only the Recovery Disk comes up, and there's only 60 MB free space there.

                    3. Restarting and turning it on normally, but can't. No entry sign appears.


Please, please, help me. I just want to wipe this thing properly and reinstall OS X and recycle it.

Posted on May 30, 2015 5:11 PM

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Q: Erasing HD step not working

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Mike Sombrio,Solvedanswer

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 30, 2015 6:32 PM in response to MimiB
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 30, 2015 6:32 PM in response to MimiB

    In order to erase the entire disk you'll need either the original install discs or a retail Snow Leopard disc. It sounds like you're trying to erase the hard drive from the utilities panel on the recovery partition correct? The recovery partition is on the hard drive you're trying to erase and it cannot erase itself.

  • by MimiB,

    MimiB MimiB May 30, 2015 6:52 PM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 30, 2015 6:52 PM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Hi Mike,
    Thanks for your answer. I actually still have all my original install discs and everything else I bought with the computer.
    What I'm trying to do is follow the instructions on how to erase and reinstall OS X.
    I restart my computer and hold down Command + R. Then I select Disk Utility, and am trying to erase 500.11 GB Toshiba MK5065GSXF Media. And that's what's not working. But apparently I've done something, because when I try to restart normally now, I get the no entry sign.
    I just need to wipe this thing clean properly. Any work-arounds appreciated!

    IMG_0902.JPGIMG_0901.JPG

  • by MimiB,

    MimiB MimiB May 30, 2015 7:07 PM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 30, 2015 7:07 PM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Mike, I just solved my problem! You mentioning I need to startup CDs made me think of booting my Mac from the Startup CD, by pressing "C" while restarting, with the CD in it. I was successfully able to erase everything and am now reinstalling Mac OS X.
    Thank you!!!

  • by Mike Sombrio,Helpful

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio May 31, 2015 4:39 AM in response to MimiB
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 31, 2015 4:39 AM in response to MimiB

    You're very welcome! Congratulations on two things, figuring out how to restart using your original discs and having your original discs! You wouldn't believe how many people on here need to do the same thing and either threw away or lost their original discs.