format an old external hard disk

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Level 1

24 points

format an old external hard disk

One of my old Macs (from 2010-2011 something) runs High Sierra 10.13.6.

It has an external hard disk used for Time Machine backups. This seems to have broken down. "Copying failed." The disk appears on the desktop and can be opened in Finder but that's as far as I get.

Used Disk utility to verify and repair the disk. Repair failed.

The buttons on top in the Disk utility window (erase, partition etcetera) are all greyed. out.

The files on it cannot be moved to the trash.

How do I re-format this?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 2, 2021 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

May 2, 2021 11:24 AM in response to Eldberg

You are right, DiskUtility is what you use to reformat. Since you can not do so, it sounds as if the external disk has finally died. Eventually all do. Is it as old as the "old Mac"? If so, the could be why.

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Answer 2

Eldberg Author

Level 1

24 points

May 2, 2021 12:46 PM in response to Ronasara

Thank you. Yes, the external disk is as old as the Mac. I will now make an insane move and attach the disk to a Windows machine, format it accordingly and then move it back to the Mac which will hopefully recognize it as not a Mac disk, possible to format. Next step after that is to replace it.

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Answer 3

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

May 2, 2021 1:44 PM in response to Eldberg

Good thinking. That's how I like to try things to isolate and determine. Incidentally, these days the external disks are reasonably priced, compact and easy to install with provided USB cables. Most no longer require external power. Those which are SSDs are incredibly fast.

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Answer 4

Eldberg Author

Level 1

24 points

May 3, 2021 12:00 AM in response to Ronasara

Thanks for the comments. This disk is only used for Time machine backups, so it doesn't need to be very fast.

However my idea to connect it to a Windows machine and format it there, doesn't seem to work. It comes up as a CD containing the Western Digital built-in software which I can't get rid of. Not very knowledgeable about Windows… So I'm stuck anyway.

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format an old external hard disk

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