Cannot format hard drive on macbook pro.

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Cannot format hard drive on macbook pro.

Hi, I am trying to run bootcamp and install Windows but am having no luck. When I try to partition the drive through bootcamp it tells me that it cannot be partitioned because some files cannot be moved. The message also says to format the drive after backing it up and partition after that. I have backed up my drive and am trying to erase the disk but the erase disk option is grayed out when I click on my disk to be formatted.

Also, I tried to partition the hard drive without using bootcamp, and it will not allow me to format the partition to FAT, or anything other than OSX Extended Journaled.

What am I doing wrong? Also, if I try to verify the disk for repairing it, Disk Utility freezes and I have to force quit it. My only thought in reading this is that maybe I should partition through Disk Utility if it will work, format to OSX Extended, and then format the partition to NTFS after. Is this the best way to do this.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 7, 2009 10:29 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 7, 2009 10:59 AM in response to plorelle

Hi plorelle;

Since your question deals with Boot Camp, I would suggest that repost over in the Boot Camp Forum instead of here in Leopard.

Allan

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Answer 2

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Mar 7, 2009 11:13 AM in response to plorelle

plorelle wrote:
Hi, I am trying to run bootcamp and install Windows but am having no luck. When I try to partition the drive through bootcamp it tells me that it cannot be partitioned because some files cannot be moved.

this happens because your drive is too fragmented and bootcamp assistant can't find a contiguous piece of free space to make the bootcamp partition.

The message also says to format the drive after backing it up and partition after that. I have backed up my drive and am trying to erase the disk but the erase disk option is grayed out when I click on my disk to be formatted.

What am I doing wrong?

you can't erase a drive while you are booted from it. how did you back up the drive? you need to make a bootable clone and test that it works. boot from the clone and repartition (not erase) your main hard drive using the partition disk utility. then clone the clone back. boot from the internal and try using bootacmp assistant again. keep in mind that you need to leave plenty of free space on the OS X partition after you create the bootcamp partition. at least 15% of the OS X partition should be free to avoid disk fragmentation issues.

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Answer 3

plorelle Author

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Mar 7, 2009 12:03 PM in response to V.K.

I backed up my drive using time machine on an external hard drive. I read on these forums that it would be possible for me to use that backup after formatting. Is that true?

Also, how do I create said "clone"?

Thank you for the help.

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Answer 4

Mar 7, 2009 12:19 PM in response to plorelle

Hi plorelle;

To create a clone you need an application such as CCC or SuperDuper. You will also need a drive or a partition for this clone.

The TM backup can be used to restore after a format. It will require you to boot from the install media for your Mac. Once booted you can tell the system to restore the disk from the TM backup.

I think the clone is much simpler to do.

Allan

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Answer 5

plorelle Author

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Mar 7, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Thank you very much for the help.

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