"startup disk cannot be partitioned or restored to a single partition"

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Level 1

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"startup disk cannot be partitioned or restored to a single partition"

I'm running Leopard on first gen Intel iMac. I've got an extra hd partition called "disk0s3", which is a boot camp partition (from OS X 10.4.2). I want to get rid of the partition. How?

I've tried:

-*Boot Camp*, doesn't work says "startup disk cannot be partitioned or restored to a single partition"
-*Disk Utility*, I don't know how to delete a partition with it!)
-*iPartition 3.0*, option "delete partition" is not available (I have the FULL version of iPartition)

So what's left to try? Target Mode?
I'm a mac newbie. Any ideas appreciated!

PS: I can't boot to a Leopard DVD with the usual "c"-press technique...I don't know what's up with that.

Posted on Nov 18, 2007 11:38 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Nov 18, 2007 12:59 PM in response to pompair

Backup to another drive with Disk Utility Restore.
Reformat the drive.
Restore.

If you can't boot, then either the internal drive really has a corrupt directory, or you have wireless and need a wired k/b for it. Try OPTION or ALT and see if the DVD shows.

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Answer 2

pompair Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 18, 2007 11:01 PM in response to The hatter

Could someone describe the process for formatting the drive (while I'm on the system)? I mean, if I format the drive while I'm on the system, the system will crash, wouldn't it? Do I need another computer and format via Target Mode or how is it done?

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Answer 3

Nov 19, 2007 2:56 AM in response to pompair

you need either the cd that came with your mac or a bootable external firewire drive. You are correct .. You cannopt restore the srive you have booted from. TBH I'm not even sure doing this is going to solve your problem I have the same issue and am still getting th unable to move your files error message. I'm close to giving up

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