rdkhalsa45

Q: Erase Free Space fail

I am using OS X Yosemite 10.10.3  Ever since the latest update OS X Yosemite Recovery Update Version 1.0 April 10, 2015 I am unable to complete Erase Free Space.  I get an error message of "Secure Erase Free Space failed with the error: Couldn’t create temporary file."  I've tried both a Fastest and a Most Secure erase with the same results.  Prior to that update, Erase Free Space worked flawlessly on my iMac.  Any suggestions?  Is this a problem with the OS X Yosemite Recovery Update Version 1.0?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 14, 2015 8:52 AM

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Q: Erase Free Space fail

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  • by DougPod,

    DougPod DougPod Jun 9, 2015 2:40 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Jun 9, 2015 2:40 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks Eric! I'll give the BugReporter a shot.

  • by guapagirl,

    guapagirl guapagirl Jun 12, 2015 5:45 AM in response to DougPod
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2015 5:45 AM in response to DougPod

    hmmm... weird... it's the error message I got and then I did seem to have more space afterwards.  Which is a bit confusing because in my impatience I didn't read the whole of the post.  It later says the function isn't available for SSDs anyway (I'm using an MBA), though it ~did~ seem to do something in terms of space, error message and all.

  • by Gorilaman44,

    Gorilaman44 Gorilaman44 Jun 14, 2015 9:16 PM in response to guapagirl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 14, 2015 9:16 PM in response to guapagirl

    That is strange because the erase free space function is not supposed to erase any data, it simply writes over your free space to ensure someone cannot read the data that has been previously deleted. Also as for the SSD issue I can assure you that it did work for SSD's before I switched my OS to Yosemite so I can only assume that the function does not work because of the OS, not because of an SSD issue.

  • by papadonkey,

    papadonkey papadonkey Jun 19, 2015 9:20 PM in response to rdkhalsa45
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 19, 2015 9:20 PM in response to rdkhalsa45

    This was happening to me also when trying to "erase free space" while logged into the operating system. You need to shut your computer down, then hold/press command + r while the computer is loading before it gets to the desktop. This will take you to the recovery console. From there you run the disk utility and choose erase free space and it will work without the error.

  • by can-do,

    can-do can-do Jul 12, 2015 5:23 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 12, 2015 5:23 PM in response to Eric Root

    I tried bug reporter for the same problem but it says BR is only for developers!!!

    I still have the same error message when using clear free space. There is plenty of room to make a temp. file.

  • by Dr RMau,

    Dr RMau Dr RMau Aug 26, 2015 8:19 AM in response to rdkhalsa45
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2015 8:19 AM in response to rdkhalsa45

    I have this question too.

  • by create@username,

    create@username create@username Sep 19, 2015 10:45 AM in response to rdkhalsa45
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 19, 2015 10:45 AM in response to rdkhalsa45

    Where are these files now? Did you put them in the Trash and Empty the Trash? Did you use Secure Erase at that time? Or, if you didn't is that why you are trying to use Disk Utility to securely erase free space? If this be the case, then try booting to your Recovery HD first:

     

    Boot Using Command+R keys:

     

      1. Restart the computer.

      2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the

          "COMMAND" and the "R" keys together.

      3. Release the keys when the Utilities Menu appears.

     

    Now, you can select Disk Utility from the list and click on the Continue button. Try the secure erase of free space, again.

  • by augurae,

    augurae augurae Oct 10, 2015 6:41 PM in response to rdkhalsa45
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 10, 2015 6:41 PM in response to rdkhalsa45

    This is driving me crazy. I have the exact same problem with an external hard drive. It's those kind of regression that seem to be made to screw you so you can buy one of their partners hard drives.

     

    I can't seem to erase free space, I get this message too:

    Secure Erase Free Space failed with the error:

    Couldn’t create temporary file.

     

    I can't believe there's still no fix to this screw-up, OSX is really becoming the same crap as Windows with all unresolved bugs, more and more problems, bugs, instabilities that are unfixable.

  • by nobleun,

    nobleun nobleun Oct 10, 2015 11:20 PM in response to augurae
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2015 11:20 PM in response to augurae

    There is a new disk utility in El Capitan. It is possible that Apple are not supporting the "old" and much loved version. It would be polite to let us know particularly as the new one has not been welcomed because of its many deficiencies!

  • by augurae,

    augurae augurae Oct 11, 2015 10:24 PM in response to rdkhalsa45
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 11, 2015 10:24 PM in response to rdkhalsa45

    Okay I managed to find an answer that worked for me. Unfortunately I had to transfert all my files to a newly purchased drive to do this, but you might be able to do it only for Erase Free Space.

     

    Go to Safe Mode (reboot, then hold cmd + R)
    Select Partition (as many as you want), choose a Mac compatible format, then go in Option (in the Partition tab) and select GUID Formatting.

     

    Apparently it comes down having a disk or partition that was created with Master Boot Volume for windows, which Disk Utility was unable to play with.

    It worked for me, for whatever compatibility reason. But it also means saving all your files and wiping the whole drive.

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