"Creating the partition map" stuck/problem

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Level 1

9 points

"Creating the partition map" stuck/problem

Hi,

I own a Macbook Pro Mid 2010 13'

My old ssd died and i bought a complete new one ( never used or anything).

I've putted it in the macbook and i've opened disk utility while holding cmd + r because i can't access the operative system because there is a folder with question mark showing.

Now when i try to "erase" that new ssd so i can format it in "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" my macbook just stands still and says "Creating the partition map" and it's stuck like that for about 30minutes or more and after that it says "Erase process has failed. Click done to Continue."

Also in details it says this:

Unmounting Disk

Creating the partition map

Unable to write to the last block of the device.

Operation Failed.

Even if i chose another format or scheme( GUID Partition map, Master Boot Record, Apple Partition Map) it's still the same problem.

I even tried unmouting with Terminal but it doesn't help.

I would really appreciate some help.

Also Partition button is greyed out.

And bellow the ssd name it says Uninitialized.

MacBook

Posted on Sep 11, 2020 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

61,202 points

Sep 11, 2020 8:55 PM in response to HobbsSRB

I didn't even know Gigabyte even made an SSD. Not all SSDs are compatible with all computers especially an older computer like this one. This laptop uses a SATA II controller. Most SSDs have a SATA III controller and while they are supposed to be backwards compatible, but in reality many of them have trouble auto-negotiating the SATA link speed. You may have better luck using a Crucial MX500 SSD or an OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD. The OWC 3G SSD is the safest option since it uses a SATA II controller to eliminate the auto-negotiating issues.

The hard drive SATA cable is also another possibility especially when using an SSD.

When erasing the SSD make sure to select the physical drive and erase it as GUID partition and MacOS Extended (Journaled) using Disk Utility. Don't try installing macOS onto the SSD using a partition created by Windows. You always want to use the tools for the OS you are installing.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

61,202 points

Sep 12, 2020 11:44 AM in response to HobbsSRB

HobbsSRB wrote:

I know that i need to erase it as GUID and MacOS Extended Journaled (It can only erase with Master Boot Record and MacOS Extended (not journaled, just mac os extended), but it just won't work anyhow i really guess that the data cable could be the thing that is making this problem.

You need to erase the whole physical SSD. If the SSD is not properly erased (aka partitioned & formatted), then macOS won't install or boot the SSD. How you do this depends on which version of macOS you are installing so use these instructions to properly partition & format (aka "erase") the SSD.

For macOS 10.13:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496

For macOS 10.6 to 10.11:

https://www.owcdigital.com/assets/support/support-formatting-and-migration/Mac_Formatting_6-10.pdf

Also 1 more thing, when i tried installing a other distro (Linux Manjaro, Kubuntu) on the macbook installation part get's stuck always, so i guess that means the data cable is making that problem.

Is the SSD partition with a GPT or GUID partition? I believe Kubuntu should just work on a Mac, but I have no idea how well Manjaro works on a Mac. I know a co-worker has installed Linux Mint on older Macs without any issues.

A defective cable is definitely a possibility. Make sure to reseat the hard drive SATA cable to the Logic Board just in case it has gotten loose. If you have a USB to SATA Adapter, drive dock, or an enclosure, then remove the SSD and connect it externally to see if you can install macOS or Linux Mint on it and boot the SSD externally. This is an easy way to bypass the internal cable and it also avoids compatibility issues as well. If the SSD works fine externally, then either the SATA cable is defective or the SSD isn't compatible.

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Answer 3

HobbsSRB Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 11, 2020 11:39 PM in response to HWTech

Hi, Thanks for replying.

I've consulted with the store owner and he showed me that he is using that same exact ssd (he opened the backplate of it so i can see it) model for his mb pro mid 2010 13' that's why i've bought it.

I know that i need to erase it as GUID and MacOS Extended Journaled (It can only erase with Master Boot Record and MacOS Extended (not journaled, just mac os extended), but it just won't work anyhow i really guess that the data cable could be the thing that is making this problem.

Also 1 more thing, when i tried installing a other distro (Linux Manjaro, Kubuntu) on the macbook installation part get's stuck always, so i guess that means the data cable is making that problem.

Reply