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I am trying to backup my iMac hard drive to an external hard drive. I have about 1.04 TB used on my iMac and my external backup drive has a capacity of 4TB. But I have been getting messages that the external hard drive has only 50 GB available and so the backup wasn't complete. When I try to erase the backup drive I get a message that the erase process has failed. Any help would be appreciated.
[Re-Titled By Moderator]
iMac (2017 – 2020)
If Disk Utility cannot erase the backup drive, then perhaps the drive isn't working properly. Did you try to use Disk Utility in Recovery mode?
Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
That would obviate the effect of any non-Apple disk utility / "drive manager" software that may be a factor.
Substitute a different drive communication cable if you haven't already.
If Disk Utility cannot erase the backup drive, then perhaps the drive isn't working properly. Did you try to use Disk Utility in Recovery mode?
Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
That would obviate the effect of any non-Apple disk utility / "drive manager" software that may be a factor.
Substitute a different drive communication cable if you haven't already.
In addition, what backup method are you using. For example:
It helps a LOT if you are specific that way we don't have to assume and make goofs.
I didn't. I am not always comfortable using recovery mode. As well, I was getting a delayed notification to put in a password. I had someone at a computer store set this up for me and I don't remember getting a password. At this point I'm just going to order another one. Thanks so much for the advice.
I used Time Machine. But received a very delayed notification to input a password when I tried to go ahead and erase it. don't have the password anywhere. I got this done at an apple reseller and overall they did a lousy job as the drive never worked very well. Going to just buy another one. Thanks so much for the reply.
If somebody configured that hard disk drive with a password it would certainly explain your difficulties.
Recovery mode is probably the only way to erase the drive if it has been somehow password-protected. Even it might not work depending on the method in which that drive was protected.
Never thought to use a different drive cable. But I keep running up against the password thingy which is annoying and makes me assume I won't be able to access it.
How to backup iMac to an external hard drive
