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DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Macbook unable to format new hard drive

Hello, I recently installed a new Western Digital 750 GB 2.5" SATA hard drive to my macbook. The last hard drive went completely dead so we have to install mac osx all over again. Unfortunately, when i try to partion the disk it does not allow me to.

Here are the steps i took:

1. Held down C while starting up.

2. went to disk utility

3. tried to partion the hard drive (error message input/output error)

4. tried to erase (same error)

Also, it sees the new hard drive and for some reason it says it is 5.5 TB but the hard drive is only 750 GB.

If anyone is able to help it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Posted on Sep 12, 2011 1:06 PM

77 replies

DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:02 PM in response to DBizBender

I have

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,4

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

Could I switch my hdd to the macbook?

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:04 PM in response to DBizBender

Yes!!! 750 GB hard drive can be perfectly used on a Macbook Pro! I was on the phone with a friend who told me that 750 GB hdd can be used on a MBPro but not on a Macbook!!

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:06 PM in response to VictorNYC

True. I am. 5 month after I bought my Macbook the hdd had to be echanged because of falty behaviour. 🙂

Anyway, since you're mac is from late 2007, it won't accept a 500 hdd. It can only go to 360 GB!!

Hope this helps.

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:07 PM in response to DBizBender

I believe you can! Can you tell me how much memory you have, please?

DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:12 PM in response to JMPC

MacBook 13 inch was purchased 5/19/2006 when it just came out. I purchased full memory-2gb. Is there a site where you can look for which hdd can go in which machine?

Sep 12, 2011 4:14 PM in response to JMPC

ok thanks. i will purchase a 360GB HD. i prefer WD harddrives. what brand do you recommend?

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:19 PM in response to DBizBender

Okey.

Though apple site is very good with this kind of info, sometimes I search with google or simple echange ideias with friends.

Here's a few websites that may help you:

1. This one's really good:

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP23

2. Hard drive compatibility in 2006:

http://forums.macnn.com/69/mac-notebooks/392737/hard-drive-compatibility-in-2006 -macbook/

3. How to echange an HDD?:

http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088

Let me know what you though!

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:23 PM in response to VictorNYC

Well, Western Digital, Seagate, Samsung and Hitachi (the one I use) are renown worldwide for their support, performance and speed.

I'm glad I could help you. Good luck!

DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:32 PM in response to JMPC

Since we are have 3 discussions, I just want to be sure about this. I can use the 750 in my macbook pro. The 2006 macbook can only accept 250,360, or 500. I took the machine to the apple store to make sure it was the hard drive. They were going to put 160 in the machine.

Sep 12, 2011 4:36 PM in response to DBizBender

I apologize but im getting confused also.

You say that the 2006 Mac can take a 750GB but my 2007 can only take a 360GB HD? this doesnt make any sense

DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:36 PM in response to DBizBender

I last post. Can I put the 250.06 gb hitachi HT554......from my macbook pro into my 2006 macbook?

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:40 PM in response to DBizBender

I'm so sorry if I confused you. Let me sum everything in this reply:

1. You're Macbook can only have a minimum of 160 Gb and a maximum of 250 GB, because it's a Macbook from 2006! (minimum of 250 GB, maximum 500 GB to the most recent model - 2010 - ).

2. The 750 GB hdd you have can be used on a Macbook Pro!

3. In the Apple Store, they were going to put a 160 GB, because it's the minimum you can get! Sometimes they do that because a unstable hdd can create many problems in the MAC memory or fan (remember that the Mac you have has been discontinued...)

Hope this helped.

Let me know if I can help you again.

Good Luck!

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:41 PM in response to DBizBender

Yes! It will work!

JMPC

Level 1

79 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:43 PM in response to DBizBender

DBizBender:

Yes you can put that hard drive on you're Macbook! That's the same model/brand I currently have on my! It will work!

DBizBender Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:45 PM in response to JMPC

What order would you do the transfer? The 750 to the macbook pro or 250 into the macbook. I would think that I want to make sure the 750 is working in the pro first. Do I use time machine to do all the work of reloading my hdd?

Macbook unable to format new hard drive