User profile for user: drakewit5
drakewit5 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

How to delete encrypted HD off Macbook Pro?

My macbook pro is encrypted. I have recently had some software issues so I tried to factory restore using all of the various keyboard commands when powering the computer on (i.e. Option +power, Option + Command + P + R, holding c, holding d, and so on). However, upon doing so, the only hard drive that will appear is the Macintosh HD. There is no Recovery HD showing up.


When I try to start the computer normally, I log into my account, the computer loads to the grey screen with the apple logo, and then a circle prohibitory logo with a slash through it appears.


From what I have found online, this could mean that there could be missing system files.


When I go to disk utility, there is no way of unmounting the encrypted hard drive. To make any kind of change, I must unlock it. I have also tried to restore from external HD with my macbook backed up on it, however, this will not work either.


I have all of my files backed up on my external hard drive so I do not care if I lose everything on my computer. I just need a way to delete the encrypted hard drive, not to unlock or retrieve it.


How can I do this....please help?!?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 15, 2013 11:54 AM

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8 replies
User profile for user: Bonenfant
Bonenfant
User level: Level 1
125 points

Jul 16, 2013 1:38 PM in response to drakewit5

So you almost got what ds store was saying put instead of putting your hard drive (HD) back into your own computer, you would put it into something called a "sled." These are also called external drive mounts and they serve many purposes. Here is what he was suggesting you do.


1. Remove your HD that is encrypted from the computer it is currently in.

2. Place that HD into a sled that has a SATA (just a specific kind of HD adapter) adapter and USB.

3. Plug that sled into a separate computer via USB

4. Open Disk Utility on the second computer and format the drive that is connected in the sled.

5. Make sure to reformat it with an Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.


If you do not have one of these handy sleds, here is what you can also try to do.


1. I am going to make the assumption that because you do not have the install CD, you have a computer that did not come with one; thus you are running at least Lion. You MUST be plugged in to an active ethernet port for this to work.

2. Completely shut your computer down.

3. Press the on botton and before you hear the Apple chime, press and hold "Option + R"

4. When you see the Apple logo, you can release the buttons.

5. A basic install window will load. Click continue.

6. Select Disk Utility and from there, your hard drives should not be grayed out.

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User profile for user: drakewit5
drakewit5 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 15, 2013 4:57 PM in response to drakewit5

The laptop model number is A1278. The 13. 3 inch LED backlit widescreen. Comes with iLife CD. 250 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 2GB OF 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM.


I have tried using the install disc for my older macbook (the white one) as this is all I have I bought the Macbook pro off eBay and it did not come with the OS X CD. It did not work with this CD. It will just pull up the CD next to the Macintosh HD logo and then start to load and then it won't stop loading. Will the older CD work on the slightly newer Macbook Pro??


What I find weird is that when I boot pressing option, only the Macintosh HD logo appears...no recovery hd. Also, my hard drive has my name on it and that doesn't show, only Macintosh HD. So, the only way to even access disk utility is to put my external hd in.


But....I don't think the CD is needed. Or am I wrong? It says that OS X is preinstalled. Also, when I try to boot pressing the Option key with my external hard drive that has my macbook backed up on it, it will let me get into the OS X Utiilites window. From there I can choose restore from time machine backup, reinstall OS X, or Disk Utility. When


When I go to Disk utility there is Macintosh HD at the top left panel (then below that is Macintosh HD and it is greyed out so you can't click on it When I click one that is clickable, it takes me to a screen that has a First aid tab and a partition tab,...everything is greyed out on these screens except for verify disk and repair disk. When I've run verify disk it says the partition map appears to be okay. When I run repair disk, it says the same thing.


Underneath Mac HD, there is a disk 2 and when going to this there is a first aid, erase, partition , or restore tab. below disk 2 it says OS X 10.8.2 Base system (on this there is a first aid, restore, and erase tab)


Beneath the disk 2 is WD Elements 1023 Media (which is my external hd I believe


Sooooo.....back to disk utilites.....when I go to reinstall OS X, it takes me to OS X MOUNTAIN LION install window with lion face on it. From there I can choose my time machine backup or the Macintosh HD. When I choose Macintosh HD, it says Unlock.......story of my life...


Any help would be greatly appreciated

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User profile for user: ds store
ds store
User level: Level 7
30,855 points

Jul 15, 2013 5:50 PM in response to drakewit5

You have to physically remove the drive from the machine and return it supposedly to break the Filevault.


You might want to take the drive to another machine and format the drive using a SATA to USB adapter also for good measure.


You can only use the OS X install disks that come with the machine, or the 10.6 white retail disks if your machine is capable of using them.


Machines that came with 10.7 or later you can use command option r on a fast Internet connecton for Internet Recovery.


https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents#/?p er_page=50

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User profile for user: drakewit5
drakewit5 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 15, 2013 7:04 PM in response to Bonenfant

The laptop model number is A1278. The 13. 3 inch LED backlit widescreen. Comes with iLife CD. 250 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 2GB OF 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM.


I have tried using the install disc for my older macbook (the white one) as this is all I have I bought the Macbook pro off eBay and it did not come with the OS X CD. It did not work with this CD. It will just pull up the CD next to the Macintosh HD logo and then start to load and then it won't stop loading. Will the older CD work on the slightly newer Macbook Pro??


What I find weird is that when I boot pressing option, only the Macintosh HD logo appears...no recovery hd. Also, my hard drive has my name on it and that doesn't show, only Macintosh HD. So, the only way to even access disk utility is to put my external hd in.


But....I don't think the CD is needed. Or am I wrong? It says that OS X is preinstalled. Also, when I try to boot pressing the Option key with my external hard drive that has my macbook backed up on it, it will let me get into the OS X Utiilites window. From there I can choose restore from time machine backup, reinstall OS X, or Disk Utility. When


When I go to Disk utility there is Macintosh HD at the top left panel (then below that is Macintosh HD and it is greyed out so you can't click on it When I click one that is clickable, it takes me to a screen that has a First aid tab and a partition tab,...everything is greyed out on these screens except for verify disk and repair disk. When I've run verify disk it says the partition map appears to be okay. When I run repair disk, it says the same thing.


Underneath Mac HD, there is a disk 2 and when going to this there is a first aid, erase, partition , or restore tab. below disk 2 it says OS X 10.8.2 Base system (on this there is a first aid, restore, and erase tab)


Beneath the disk 2 is WD Elements 1023 Media (which is my external hd I believe


Sooooo.....back to disk utilites.....when I go to reinstall OS X, it takes me to OS X MOUNTAIN LION install window with lion face on it. From there I can choose my time machine backup or the Macintosh HD. When I choose Macintosh HD, it says Unlock.......story of my life...


Any help would be greatly appreciated

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User profile for user: drakewit5
drakewit5 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 15, 2013 7:06 PM in response to ds store

I have physically removed the hard drive from the computer and put it back. Not sure what that would do but it did not work.


Quite honestly also, you are speaking another language when you start talking about the SATA. Can you explain this what you said:


"You might want to take the drive to another machine and format the drive using a SATA to USB adapter also for good measure."


Also, I shouldn't need to CD though should I? Since it it pre installed? Or do I need it to override and reinstall?

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User profile for user: ds store
ds store
User level: Level 7
30,855 points

Jul 16, 2013 8:18 PM in response to drakewit5

Usually this is less expensive as it's not a permanent option, you just need to format a internal drive out of the machine.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YJBL78



A sled or enclosure is case that opens up and you place a internal drive into it and close it up like a would be external drive for more longterm use.


http://www.newegg.com/External-Enclosures/SubCategory/ID-92



Since all drives are internal drives, only the case changes upon use.

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How to delete encrypted HD off Macbook Pro?

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