NYR315

Q: Can't reinstall OS X - "This disk is locked"

After Disk Utility couldn't repair my hard drive, and I was told to erase and reformat, I attempted to reinstall Mountain Lion but I keep getting this message saying "This disk is locked".

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

macbook, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Mar 1, 2014 9:55 AM

Close

Q: Can't reinstall OS X - "This disk is locked"

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by dominic23,

    dominic23 dominic23 Mar 1, 2014 10:41 AM in response to NYR315
    Level 8 (41,611 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 1, 2014 10:41 AM in response to NYR315

    Shut the computer down and then Restart.

     

    Start up into Recovery HD and double click the Macintosh HD.

     

    If it asks for, authenticate it.

  • by NYR315,

    NYR315 NYR315 Mar 1, 2014 10:55 AM in response to dominic23
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 1, 2014 10:55 AM in response to dominic23

    Thanks, where do i do that though? When I restart it brings me to the OS X Utilities page.

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Mar 1, 2014 1:30 PM in response to NYR315
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Mar 1, 2014 1:30 PM in response to NYR315

    From: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5174378

     

    Here’s how the unlock procedure works for Disk Utility:

     

              1.          Boot your Mac and hold down ⌘-R (Command –R) to boot from the Recovery HD partition.

              2.          Open Disk Utility.

              3.          Select your locked hard drive.

              4.          Under the File menu, select Unlock “Drive Name”

              5.          When prompted for a password, enter the password of the authorized account on the drive.

              6.          Once you unlock the disk, hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click on the File menu.

              7.          Under the File menu, select Turn Off Encryption… with the Option key held down, it is no longer grayed-out.

              8.          When prompted for a password, enter the password of the authorized account on the drive.

              9.          Disk Utility should display a progress window labeled Starting conversion to JHFS+

              10.          Your drive should now be unlocked.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Mar 1, 2014 1:57 PM in response to NYR315
    Level 10 (207,958 points)
    Applications
    Mar 1, 2014 1:57 PM in response to NYR315

    The drive is failing, or has failed. If you don't already have a current backup, you need to back it up immediately. Do not try repair it or reinstall OS X.

  • by NYR315,

    NYR315 NYR315 Mar 1, 2014 2:02 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 1, 2014 2:02 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks for the help, I've already backed it up. But if I can't repair it or reinstall, what are my options?

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Mar 1, 2014 2:19 PM in response to NYR315
    Level 9 (71,074 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 1, 2014 2:19 PM in response to NYR315

    If you live near an Apple Store, make a Genius Bar appointment to have the computer tested. Supposedly there is no charge for testing.

     

    Genius Bar Reservation US

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Mar 1, 2014 2:21 PM in response to NYR315
    Level 10 (207,958 points)
    Applications
    Mar 1, 2014 2:21 PM in response to NYR315

    Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

    Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional — ask if you need guidance.

    If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

    Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

    Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

    *An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

  • by Joe Bailey,

    Joe Bailey Joe Bailey Mar 1, 2014 2:26 PM in response to NYR315
    Level 6 (12,217 points)
    Mar 1, 2014 2:26 PM in response to NYR315

    You have three options

     

    1. Replace the hard drive
    2. Install an external HD and us it as your boot drive
    3. Replace the computer

     

    If you are still under warranty of AppleCare Apple will replace the hard drive with a similar drive of the same capacity -- they will not upgrade your HD. If your warranty and AppleCare have expired you can find instructions for replacing the drive yourself at Other World Computing.

  • by efurtado,

    efurtado efurtado Jun 1, 2014 11:26 AM in response to NYR315
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 1, 2014 11:26 AM in response to NYR315

    Hi Linc Davis,

    You say there are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional.  Help!  The only way I can get into my computer is via command>r.  I assume I need to back up my computer before I do a reinstall.  How do I do that.  I tried disk utility repair and got 'Invalid node structure', 'Disk full error' and 'Error: disk Utility can't repair this disk.  Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed up files'.  I have a Seagate external hard drive.  I cannot get to my desktop at all.  Can't reinstall Lion because the HD is locked, although I think I need to back up first if possible.  I have tried double clicking the HD in the utilities window and nothing happens.  FYI, when starting the computer with no commands I get the apple, the progression bar and then it shuts down.  Thanks in advance!

  • by dhwolfpak,

    dhwolfpak dhwolfpak Aug 13, 2016 2:01 PM in response to efurtado
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 13, 2016 2:01 PM in response to efurtado

    That is what my iMac is doing!! 

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 14, 2016 8:01 AM in response to dhwolfpak
    Level 9 (71,074 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 14, 2016 8:01 AM in response to dhwolfpak

    You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

     

    Try using Disk Utility/Restore to copy the data to a new location. Please note that this will reformat the destination partition.

     

    Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart or hold down the option/alt key during a restart and select Recovery Volume). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair Disk and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Then re-install the OS.

     

    OS X Recovery

     

    OS X Recovery (2)