Macbook unable to format new hard drive

It may be factory-formatted for Windows.

You need to format it first with Disk Utility, GUID, HFS+, journalled, extended, then you can partition it.

This thread might help: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1201529?start=15&tstart=0

Hello.

When the disk doesn't start (like in you're case) it's probably because it came prepared to work on a Windows.

If that's the case, performing this will erase "Windows information" and allow you to install Mac OS X.

Here's what you should do:

1. Start upyou're MAC;

2. Insert the OS Installation DVD;

3. Press "C" key;

4. Once you access you're installation DVD, access the menu on the top of the screen;

5. Select "Disk Utility" (this option will open a new window and the HD should be recognizable).

6. Click on the new drive (normally the first name that appears on the left menu of that window);

7. Select the number of partitions you would like to create;

8. Select MAC OS X Extended Journaled;

9. In "Options", slect the option "GUID";

10. Start the format process!

11. Once the format ends, close "Disk Utility", and when the OS install window appears, clique "next", you're disk will be detected, and then jut follow the rest of the process of installation.

I hope this helps. I usually perform this task lot's of times.

🙂

I'm glad I helped. Let me know if you have any other question: I'm really used to this procedure, so hopefully everthing will be done in no time! Good luck!

I seem to be having the same issue! I tried the steps written above and I keep getting the "input/output erroe" meesage!

Help!

Ok. I've read your first question once again... I think I know whats the problem, but you have to confirm something so that I may help you.

Here goes: what kind of macintosh do you have?

If you have a Macbook (white or black) you CAN'T HAVE a hardrive that has more than 500 GB!!!! You can only choose a 250 GB hardrive or a 500 GB! More then that and you're MAc won't accept the new hardrive.

Let me know if you have a macbook. if not i'll give you more info!!

By the way: it doesn't matter how much memory you have (1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB)! It's a matter of hardrive capacity: macbook only accepts the ones I mencioned!

By the way: Macbooks also accept hard drives of 360 GB!!! I forgot to mention that!

Ok. Here goes:

It's not a year issue but rather an hardware issue. You see, Macbooks were (they where discontinnued about a month ago) able to support only a specific amount of disk space. Sadly, it means it only supports a minimum of 250 GB and a maximum of 500 GB.

If the Mac was has recent as my most recent Macbook (2010) I could tell you to try to clean the connector drive (it may have dirt in it). I have to assume it's a matter of "how old you're mac is"...

You could try to use a Hitachi hard drive... or a Toshiba hard drive. This are very, very common in Macbooks (I have a "old" macbook with a Toshiba, and my mosr recent has a Hitachi!).

If the hard drive you bought is recent, you could try to echange it on the store you bought it.

Macbooks from 2006 only accept a maximium of 250 GB!

Let me know if I can help more!

Good luck.

Hey seems like you really good at this HD replacement drama we newbies have lol.

I have a black mac late 2007. the HD is 160 and its full. I bought a 500gb WD and it wont detect it. I need to replace the HD asap because of school. i have only btwn 250-900MB at most. yes, MB.

please help.

Hello. If you can, please read what I posted to another fellow apple user! Maybe it can be usefull for you too.

Thanks.