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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

JMPC

Level 1

59 points

Feb 7, 2012 5:01 AM in response to jr2232

Hello jr2232,

First it would help me a lot if you could tell me the following: which version of OS X did you erase and which version of the OS X are you currently trying to install on you're hard drive. There a few differences between the 10.6 version and the 10.7 version installation. I'm going to assume you're trying to install version 10.7, ok?

Well, first of all something wrong happened during the erasing process. You need to format you're hard drive once again. Make sure you choose the option "Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)".

After the erasing you may choose the number of partitions you would like to create.

With the Mac, the way it is, just try to install the OS X and partitioning after the installation. It works that way too!

The thing is, you should run the Disk Utility to check if you hard drive is ok! This sort off "error" is not common and sometimes may be associated to a disk failure. You shoukld check just in case.

Let me know more if you need my help.

jr2232

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2012 3:37 PM in response to JMPC

How can you tell if it is an 10.6 or 10.7?

My hardrive was shot, so after going to the genius bar, the employee told me it is an easy fix to just put in a new hard drive myself. I was told the same the the micro center where I purchased the hard drive.

As far as erasing anything, what would I be erasing? I figured I lost everything, so i was putting in a new hard drive, and using the 2 start up disks to get some form of a computer back.

Did I miss a step or two? Was I supposed to do something before I went through the procedures that you had recommended?

Thanks.

Macbook unable to format new hard drive