input output error in Disk Utility

Question

Level 1

8 points

input output error in Disk Utility

A buddy gave me a used external hard drive, and I've been having problems trying to erase/initialize/format/partition the darn thing. The hard drive is recognized in Disk Utility, and the HD's information is displayed (see bottom of post for HD info). Any time I try to erase or partition, I get a failure message that says "input/output error."

I've searched the internet and found several unanswered posts about this, but I figured 'what the ****, why not ask'. I assumed erasing the HD would likely not work, but had high hopes that the partition would.

Disk Description:Media
Connection Bus: USB
Connection Type: External
Total Capacity: 2 TB
Write Status: Read/Write
SMART Status: Not Supported
Partition Map Scheme: Unformatted

Repair/Verify options are unavailable—buttons grayed out. Erase and Partition options appear to work fine until I press Apply/Erase

DU version 11.1
HD is a OWC Mercury w/ 4 inputs for USB, power adapter, Firewire A and Firewire B. I only have the firewire A connected, and everything still appears to work fine—since DU displays all the info. Connecting another firewire wouldn't hurt, but buying another seems necessary, eh?

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 25, 2009 4:52 PM

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Answer 1

Rudiger314 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 27, 2009 2:52 PM in response to Rudiger314

good question, but I don't know the answer for sure. Possibly from a Mac OS from 5 or 6 years ago.
That's why I assumed some things wouldn't work w/ DU, but I thought I'd be able to change a partition to Mac OS Extended

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Answer 2

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Feb 27, 2009 4:24 PM in response to Rudiger314

Rudiger314 wrote:
Partition Map Scheme: Unformatted

Repair/Verify options are unavailable—buttons grayed out. Erase and Partition options appear to work fine until I press Apply/Erase

1. When Disk Utility starts, select the drive in the sidebar (the line with the size and make/ID).

2. Select the Partition tab, then set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.)

3. Click Options, then choose either GUID (for Intel Macs), or +Apple Partition Map+ (for PPC Macs)

4. For each partition, click on it (it will then be outlined in blue), then supply a name (this is the name that will appear on your desktop and/or Finder sidebar) and size (either by typing in the box or dragging the dividers), and be sure the format type is +Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)+ Don't use any of the other options unless you're sure you need to.

5. When you've got everything the way you want it, click Apply and wait until the process has completed.

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Answer 3

Apr 25, 2009 12:14 PM in response to Rudiger314

The solution offered doesn't work for me. If I'm trying to partition in Leopard I get Partition failed error: resource busy. In Tiger: input/output error. Any help or alternative would be appreciated.

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Answer 4

Jul 10, 2009 12:04 PM in response to ehelbush

I have found a solution after struggling with an old LaCie BD 320GB that was working fine until I tried to erase and repartition in Leopard. Then a series of "input output errors" stopped me in my tracks.

Solution: go to a Windows machine (I used an old Dell, but Boot Camp or virtualisation might work??) and download the free trial of MacDrive8 (MediaFour - google it)

It recognised the drive and easily erased to HFS+ and then I repartitioned to the volumes I needed (using USB). I then hooked back into FireWire on the Mac and there was no problem - it was all there.

I sincerely hope this helps someone. I picked up this fix from another support thread I googled.

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Answer 5

Feb 25, 2009 11:38 PM in response to Rudiger314

What format is the disk currently in?

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Answer 6

ehelbush

Level 1

8 points

Jun 28, 2009 11:29 AM in response to Rudiger314

I am having the exact same issue. I would really appreciate it if someone could bring resolution.

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