Unable to change to GUID partition scheme so Snow Leopard can be installed

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Unable to change to GUID partition scheme so Snow Leopard can be installed

Upgrading from OS 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard 10.6.3 on Macbook 4.1 with Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM. Instructions state "Macintosh HD" can't be used because it does not use the GUID partition Table Scheme. Use Disk Utility to change the partition scheme. Select the disk, use the Partition Tab, select the Volume Scheme, and then select Options.

Problem: The Options button is grayed out. The Partition Map Scheme is Apple Partition Map.

Note: Macbook purchased in 2008, but the hard drive was replaced in April 2011. Hard drive Information:

Name :	TOSHIBA MK1655GSXF Media
Type :	Disk

Partition Map Scheme :	Apple Partition Map
Disk Identifier :	disk0
Media Name :	TOSHIBA MK1655GSXF Media
Media Type :	Generic
Connection Bus :	Serial ATA 2

How do I change the partition scheme to GUID?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Upgrading to Snow Leopard 10.6.3

Posted on Dec 28, 2012 8:53 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

750,695 points

Dec 28, 2012 8:55 PM in response to markinchoc

Back up your data, restart from the Mac OS X 10.6 install DVD(press C or Option at startup) and repartition the drive.

(73463)

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,545 points

Dec 28, 2012 8:56 PM in response to markinchoc

This requires that you repartition the entire drive as follows:

Drive Preparation

1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.

2. After ** loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in **'s status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the ** main window.

3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

4. At this point you can quit ** and return to the installer and install Snow Leopard.

If you have data you wish to save then you need to backup before doing the above.

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