Khuzama5

Q: Reinstalling Mac OS X

Hello,

I own a Macbook pro, it is stuck on the grey screen with the apple logo and won't start up, so I tried to reinstall it.

I clicked command + R and chose to reinstall it, and then then I was asked to select the disk where I want to install Mac OS X.

I tried clicking on both disks but it won't click, it says that the disk is locked.

I have two questions:

1. What's the difference between the Recovery HD and the MACOSX disc? What's important to me is that I want to keep the files I don't want them to be erased,so which one should I select?

2. How do I unlock them? I've tried selecting using the erase button but it wouldn't work

 

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MacBook Pro, null

Posted on Aug 29, 2015 10:18 AM

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Q: Reinstalling Mac OS X

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  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 29, 2015 11:08 AM in response to Khuzama5
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Aug 29, 2015 11:08 AM in response to Khuzama5

    The startup volume is locked because the hard drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.

    Back up all data on the drive immediately if you don't already have a current backup. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.

    Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

    If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

    Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

    Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

    *An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

  • by Khuzama5,

    Khuzama5 Khuzama5 Aug 29, 2015 11:14 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2015 11:14 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you so much for your help.

    So now I need to backup my files and go to the apple store to fix it , I can't fix it by myself right?

    Can you tell me how to backup my files? I've never done it before so I have no idea on how to backup

    thanks

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Aug 29, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Khuzama5
    Level 9 (54,035 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 29, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Khuzama5

    Go to ifixit.com and view the video on how to replace the disk drive in your Mac.

     

    If you feel that you are capable of doing that, you can do it yourself.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 29, 2015 11:29 AM in response to Khuzama5
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Aug 29, 2015 11:29 AM in response to Khuzama5

    I don't know whether you can fix it yourself. If the hard drive or the internal cable is bad, then depending on the model you may be able to replace it yourself, but if some other hardware fault is present, you can't. As for backing up, see below.

    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive or other storage device to hold the data.

    1. Start up from the Recovery partition, from Internet Recovery, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.

    If you use FileVault 2, then you must first unlock the startup volume. Select its icon ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. Enter your login password when prompted.

    2. If Method 1 fails because of disk errors, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.

    3. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB (except on a MacBook Retina with a USB-C port), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

    4. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.