Errors when trying to format internal HDD

Question

Level 1

10 points

Errors when trying to format internal HDD

Hi

I have been trying to erase and reinstall SL onto my MBP (booting from install disc) but keep getting the following error when using the disc utility to do erase:

Disk erase failed

POSIX Reports: The operation couldn't be completed. Input/output error

The internal HDD was originally partitioned into two parts, but this no longer appears in place and I can’t remember the original sizes of the partitions to be able to restore them. I think this maybe part of the issue.

I have tried to install directly to non erased disc, but at step 2, where you would normally select destination disc, there are no discs displayed so can’t proceed any further.

The internal HDD is showing in the left hand area of the disc utility, but the first aid area is all grayed out

I have run a full Hardware test and no problems were noted

Can someone help me to get the HDD to a position where I can erase it? Are there any quick keys?

If I can get this done, I believe I should be able to install a clean version of SL on the HDD

Thanks in advance

MBP15 2.53Ghz 4GB, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 2, 2011 9:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Sep 2, 2011 10:04 PM in response to kozous

You can take a look at the partition of the drive by clicking on the partition tab in disk utility. If the drive is partitioned just delete the partition then start to format it again.

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Answer 2

kozous Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 2, 2011 10:29 PM in response to Eric Ross

Hi Eric

I have done this seting the drive to "1 Partition" but as it is cycling through the error:

Partition failed

POSIX Reports: The operation couldn't be completed. Input/output error

Any other ideas ?

Thanks

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Answer 3

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Sep 2, 2011 10:39 PM in response to kozous

That sounds like a problem with your hard drive, Check the S.M.A.R.T of the drive. Also I would run Apple Hardware Test on you system. You may need to replace the hard drive.

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Answer 4

kozous Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 3, 2011 4:07 AM in response to Eric Ross

Have checked the S.M.A.R.T and it's status is verified (Partition Map Scheme is unformated/Connection Bus: SATA). Have also done the AHT with no issues found. I am fairly confident there is no need to replace the HDD just need to have it to be recognized or mount properly

I can still see the hdd in the left side of the disk utility but can seem to get it to mount so I can erase it and reinstall due to the lost partitioning. Is there any way to retrive the original partition settings? like from a partition history or something ?

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Answer 5

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Sep 3, 2011 10:11 AM in response to kozous

You are getting a input/output error, which means that the system can't communicate well with the hard drive. If you have a different program like Diskwarrior or TechTool Pro you can try one of the those program on your drive.

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Answer 6

kozous Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 3, 2011 3:03 PM in response to Eric Ross

Apart from the instlation disks, I have no access to any of the tyes of programs you have suggested. Would networking with another mac (older OS 10.4) then erasing the disc work?

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Answer 7

FixItAll

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2011 12:08 PM in response to kozous

Maybe it will help someone with this error : POSIX Reports: The operation couldn't be completed. Input/output error

The whole story is that I had to clean and fix my friends macbook white. After the cleaning reassembly I had to reinstall OSX Snow leo because his USB did not recognized Ipad nor Iphone. So after that reinstall all worked fine. After one week or so he called me that MB is dead and stuck on white screen. I tried about everything to reset NVRAM SMC format HDD in windows on other PC which worked fine so that meant the HDD is working. Then I tried to take apart MB just the keyboard and fan again. Have put all togheter again and viola SUCCESS. I was able to partition and format that drive.

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Answer 8

FixItAll

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2011 12:10 PM in response to Eric Ross

Maybe it will help someone with this error : POSIX Reports: The operation couldn't be completed. Input/output error

The whole story is that I had to clean and fix my friends macbook white. After the cleaning reassembly I had to reinstall OSX Snow leo because his USB did not recognized Ipad nor Iphone. So after that reinstall all worked fine. After one week or so he called me that MB is dead and stuck on white screen. I tried about everything to reset NVRAM SMC format HDD in windows on other PC which worked fine so that meant the HDD is working. Then I tried to take apart MB just the keyboard and fan again. Have put all togheter again and viola SUCCESS. I was able to partition and format that drive.

Reply