Help. Do I Need a New Hard Drive?

My Apple iMac refuses to start up properly.

I tried various ways to check for faults on the drives (ran first aid checks all ok)

I reinstalled Big Sur OS (3 times) but the progress bar still sticks at 2/3rds on loading.

I was told it probably needed a new HD but I just want to check every other avenue before I lose my data.


Has Anyone any ideas what I can try next please?


Thanks


Kathi

iMac Pro

Posted on Jan 10, 2022 11:17 AM

Reply
12 replies

Jan 10, 2022 11:25 AM in response to krankieB

Let's try an erase and reinstall.


Shut down your Mac, then startup into Internet Recovery Mode (Option-Command-R) by immediately pressing and holding those keys at startup. Then, Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support. When erasing your Mac, select "View" > "Show All Devices" in Disk Utility and erase the main drive. Its name will end in "Media". Make sure this information matches:

Name: Macintosh HD

Format: APFS

Scheme: GUID


After erasing your startup disk, reinstall macOS: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support.


Jack

Jan 10, 2022 12:44 PM in response to Jack-19

Hi Jack


I eventually erased the Macintosh HD and the Volume Group. It said it erased and creating 'Mackintosh HD"


However there are also Disk Images under the list that look full.

Apple Disc Image Media (macOS Base System = 1.79GB

Then Container disk3 (APFS Container) 1.79 GB (Almost full)

Then macOS Base System 1.79 shared by 2 volumes (APFS System Volume . APFS) macOS 11.6.2 (20G314)


Do I need to delete or alter these at all?


Kathi





Jan 10, 2022 12:59 PM in response to krankieB

You're very welcome!


If it sticks again could I try just returning the computer to factory setting?

That's what erasing and reinstalling is.

I am not sure how I will know if the HD needs replacing or not?

If it still doesn't work, that's the issue. By the way, what year is your Mac, and does your Mac use an HD, SSD, or Fusion Drive for storage?


Jack

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Help. Do I Need a New Hard Drive?

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