Chic898

Q: My mac won't boot, stuck on loading bar and I can't reinstall OS as it says disk is locked!

HI there,

 

my iMac running mountain lion  refusing to boot, it sticks on the apple logo and progress bar and spinning wheel. My files are backed up and safe so that's not an issue  I've attempted disk utility to reinstall the OS but when I get through the only drive is the recovery HD and it's locked! What do I do?!

iMac, iOS 8

Posted on Apr 13, 2016 9:39 AM

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Q: My mac won't boot, stuck on loading bar and I can't reinstall OS as it says disk is locked!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Apr 13, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Chic898
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Chic898

    Install Lion Through Mavericks from Scratch

     

      Be sure you backup your files.

     

    1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the Apple logo appears. Wait for the Utility Menu to appear.
    2. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
    3. After Disk Utility loads select the volume (this is the indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the side list. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window.
    4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button
    5. When the process has completed quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
    6. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

     

    This will install the version of OS X you had installed.

     

    The Recovery HD should be locked but still bootable. If it is not bootable then the problem is with the drive, but you have not provided sufficient information such as what the exact iMac model you have and what you have tried to do and how you did it. You need to provide the exact wording of any error dialogs you have received. You can try the following if the disk is locked due to permissions being set incorrectly;

     

    Fix Permissions of a Locked Drive

    Enter the following commands at the prompt. Press RETURN after each.

     

    chflags 0 /Volumes/*

    chmod a+rx /Volumes/*

    You will need to boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above since you cannot start OS X.

     

    Boot to the Recovery HD::

     

      1. Restart the computer.

      2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the

          "Command" and "R" keys together.

      3. Release the keys when the Utilities Menu appears.

      4. From the Utilities menu in the menubar select Terminal.

      5. Enter the above lines in Terminal.

  • by Chic898,

    Chic898 Chic898 Apr 13, 2016 10:03 AM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 10:03 AM in response to theratter

    Hi there! I attempted the first option but when I clicked "erase" an error came up saying "volume erase failed, couldn't open disk". I will attempt the second option now!

  • by Chic898,

    Chic898 Chic898 Apr 13, 2016 10:13 AM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 10:13 AM in response to theratter

    HI again, I went onto the terminal, entered the code exactly as stated but nothing happened? I exited the terminal and  everything in the utilities is still the same

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Apr 13, 2016 1:08 PM in response to Chic898
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 1:08 PM in response to Chic898

    In the first effort I assume your drive appeared in Disk Utility's list? In the second were you able to boot from the Recovery HD? If you were, then do this:

     

    Install El Capitan from Scratch

     

    Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:

     

    1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
    2. When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the side list.
    3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
    4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
    5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
    6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
    7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
  • by Chic898,

    Chic898 Chic898 Apr 13, 2016 1:24 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 1:24 PM in response to theratter

    Hey! I tried the above but it's the same problem as I originally mentioned, when I try to erase the disk it says "Volume erase failed with error; couldn't open disk"

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Apr 13, 2016 1:53 PM in response to Chic898
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 1:53 PM in response to Chic898

    Please read what I posted previously.

     

    1. Did the drive appear in the Disk Utility list?
    2. Were you able to boot from the Recovery HD?
    3. Did you try installing OS X from scratch?

     

    If you are not going to read what I post and repeat what you've posted, then I am not going to be able to help.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Apr 13, 2016 3:37 PM in response to Chic898
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Apr 13, 2016 3:37 PM in response to Chic898

    DO NOT change the permissions of anything. DO NOT try to reinstall OS X.

    The startup 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 Chic898,

    Chic898 Chic898 Apr 13, 2016 6:29 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 6:29 PM in response to theratter

    sorry for the bad replies I've just been having an awful time trying to sort this Out.

     

    ANswers to to your questions;

     

    1. The drive DID appear but when I attempted to do anything with it, it would grey out (Unmount I suppose?)

     

    2. Not quite sure what booting from the recovery HD means. When I have the option to start up with my drive or recovery HD and I chose the recovery disk it just brings me to the disk utilities sort of menu.

     

    3. I did try and reinstall OS X from scratch but my drive can't be found for it to download to. Various error messages like "cant open the disk" or "disk is Unmounted"

     

    hopefully i ly I explained it well there! Thank you for helping

  • by theratter,Apple recommended

    theratter theratter Apr 13, 2016 6:37 PM in response to Chic898
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 6:37 PM in response to Chic898

    Your drive has failed or is failing, most likely. Or there is some other hardware failure. At this point you want to make an appointment at the Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar and take it in for service. You can also look for an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

     

    If it is just the hard drive, then you can try booting the computer from an external drive to be sure the computer is working.

  • by Chic898,

    Chic898 Chic898 Apr 13, 2016 9:23 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 9:23 PM in response to theratter

    Thanks for your help! Just thought I'd mention that to recover my files I booted up the Mac from a cd that I had downloaded Linux mint onto. It booted Linux mint fine and I was able to access my files from the corrupted/unbootable drive and Transfer them to an external drive. I'm just trying to avoid going into a shop because we don't have apple stores here, just a few authorised resellers, and the nearest one is far away + not many people here really drive because it's a city so id have to get a taxi and it's just more money hahaha!

     

    but since the Mac was able to boot Linux I'm sure I just need the corrupted disk replaced right?

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Apr 14, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Chic898
    Level 4 (3,917 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 14, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Chic898

    Yes, that is correct. Keep in mind that once you open the iMac and replace the drive you may experience the runaway fan issue because the new drive does not have the temperature sensor needed. I know that OWC does carry a kit which can be used. I don't know other dealers that carry it, so you may have to shop around on Amazon or eBay for one. Or you can use a third-party utility that controls the fan separately. I've found that Macs Fan Control is a good choice having used it on an older iMac I have. It is freeware.

     

    I don't know how old your iMac is but once you open the case and install non-Apple components Apple will no longer provide any support. If you have an active warranty it will be void.

  • by amir53,

    amir53 amir53 Jul 14, 2016 3:14 AM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 14, 2016 3:14 AM in response to theratter

    i use this rule  when my friend mac has such problem , and it was helpful  , thanx

  • by mb2427,

    mb2427 mb2427 Oct 4, 2016 2:45 PM in response to Chic898
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 4, 2016 2:45 PM in response to Chic898