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User profile for user: frankpc
frankpc Author
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Macbook Replace HD. get Partition . input/output error.

Hello,


I believe the Hitachi 80 GB, 5400 rpm, hard drive failed in my Macbook. I bought a new Hitachi 320 GB HD, 5400 rpm. Using the Tiger Disk, it shows up in the Disk Utility as a 2.3 TB Hitachi HD. SMART status is Verified. Partition scheme shows Unformatted. ATA 2, Read/Write, Total Capacity: 2.3 TB. When I attempt to erase or partition, it fails stating Input/output error.


I've read similar posts on this forum, but have not found a solution. It would seem that either the Disk Utility cannot work with this HD or .... I don't know.


After I tried installing the HD a few times, I removed it and put it into a Windows XP PC. I successfully formatted the HD and installed Windows and it worked fine. So the HD seems to be OK. Size was correct at 320 GB.


Any advice to get this working? I did order Snow Leopard. My hope is that the Disk Utility on Snow Leopard will work better than the Utility on Tiger.


Thanks

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.9), 1 GB core 2 duo

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 1:23 PM

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
238,991 points

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 1:37 PM

Hi Frank,


The problem is the new Advanced Format used on newer drives of 4096 Byte Sectors instead of the old 512 Byte Sectors...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Format


So, if the OS isn't aware, the drive appears to be 8 times as big.


I've read that Tiger/10.4 is capable, but I highly suspect that it's only 10.4.11 that is really, & of course Tiger Install Discs are not 10.4.11, I think the latest was 10.4.6


So, somehow you need to boot from a 10.4.11 Install to do this, or go to a higher version of OSX.

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
238,991 points

Mar 24, 2012 1:37 PM in response to frankpc

Hi Frank,


The problem is the new Advanced Format used on newer drives of 4096 Byte Sectors instead of the old 512 Byte Sectors...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Format


So, if the OS isn't aware, the drive appears to be 8 times as big.


I've read that Tiger/10.4 is capable, but I highly suspect that it's only 10.4.11 that is really, & of course Tiger Install Discs are not 10.4.11, I think the latest was 10.4.6


So, somehow you need to boot from a 10.4.11 Install to do this, or go to a higher version of OSX.

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User profile for user: frankpc
frankpc Author
User level: Level 1
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Mar 24, 2012 8:35 PM in response to BDAqua

Thank you so much BDA!!


Finally it makes sense. I believe I read that the version of Tiger that came with it is 10.4.9. I already have a copy of Snow Leopard on order. Ordered that one yesterday. So, what we're thinking now is that the HD I purchased is probably fine as is the MacBook. But I just need to wait until I mount Snow Leopard then there should be a happy day.


And I think you are inferring that until the MacBook can read the HD as a 320 GB HD, it won't be able to deal with it.


Also, thank you for the wiki link. I quickly read through it, but does that article clarify that the original 80 GB HD would be deciphered correctly whereas something larger than some certain size wouldn't be. For example, would a 160 GB HD be read correctly? While I didn't find any new 80 GB HD's, I did find 160 GB drives. Of course, if Snow Leopard fixes the problem anyway, it doesn't really matter. It is certainly worth the $29 to fix this.


Thanks again so much BDAqua. I couldn't find anyone I spoke with here F-F that could explain it.


Frank

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
238,991 points

Mar 24, 2012 8:55 PM in response to frankpc

Great news Frank, thanks! 🙂


And I think you are inferring that until the MacBook can read the HD as a 320 GB HD, it won't be able to deal with it.

Yep, perfect perception! 🙂


I quickly read through it, but does that article clarify that the original 80 GB HD would be deciphered correctly whereas something larger than some certain size wouldn't be. For example, would a 160 GB HD be read correctly?

Not so much the size, but the age of the drive, & likely a 160 GB would use the old 512 Byte Sectors since they don't make them that small anymore, and would work perfect in your current circumstances. 🙂


Of course, if Snow Leopard fixes the problem anyway, it doesn't really matter.

I'm confident it will, but of course 10.6 requires 4 times the resources of 10.4.x! 😉


Do keep us posted please.

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Macbook Replace HD. get Partition . input/output error.

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