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Reset MacBook to single partition for a clean install

Hello, I have a 2017 Macbook 12, that I appear to have done a stellar job of deleting and messing up drive partitions to the point that attempts to re-install OSX are failing.


I have previously installed Windows via Bootcamp and evidently did not remove that properly in the past by re-partioning to a single drive within Bootcamp.


Now I only have access to the Recovery menu, where Disk Utility won't let me merge everything, so I believe I need to clean this mess up in Terminal.


Here are the disks in Disk Utility



So this is the full 500GB drive


I cannot adjust partitions in Disk Utility




While these next two were the partitions as sized when windows was installed.


When I try to install OSX to either of these... it won't complete.





This is what my disk list looks like terminal (apologies for the landscape image)




Would very much appreciate assistance on working through the relevant steps to clean up.






MacBook, macOS 11.2

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 1:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 11:18 AM

So after I thought I'd tried every possible combo and getting the above error, it seems erasing the two AppleAPFSMedia drives at the parent level did the trick.


Which then allow for the new install to complete without error.

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4 replies

Apr 12, 2021 2:17 AM in response to markgarro

To make a single partition without macOS multiple sections, and start anew;

the Mac would need to restart; and commands to Erase everything. From the

main Apple SSD/HDD hardware, on out, is needed. Then (again) use disk utility

and check the format, should be APFS; and begin a Reinstall of the macOS.


This would be completely new. All those 'multiple partitions' would be gone.

The macOS would write 'Macintosh HD' to storage drive; install only to one.

Erase & reinstall Apple SSD's main storage container; likely requires a

'full reformat' to clear the deck; use Disk Utility on macOS Recovery.

(There will be two partitions, with Big Sur; one cannot be overwritten by user.)


• Erase and reinstall macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/erase-and-reinstall-macos-mh27903/mac


• How to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support

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


There are other details while at 1:15AM my brain is tired.


Reset MacBook to single partition for a clean install

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