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iovinomf Author

Level 1

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Attempts to partition main HDD fail

I am running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on a mid-2010 MBP. I am trying to create a partition of 50 GB to hold Yosemite OS X. However, when running Disk Utility an error comes up after verifying the disk 'Partition failed with the error: The partition cannot be resized. Try reducing the amount of change in the size of the partition.'

Trying any smaller size partition yields the same results. My HDD has the capacity of 500 GB and I am currently using around 420 GB in file storage so I know there is enough space to make this partition. Under the 'First Aid' tab I have both verified and repaired disk permissions, as well as verified the disk itself. This confirmed that I did not need to repair the disk.

Screenshots:

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 2, 2015 4:35 AM

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5 replies

Level 10

684,063 points

Mar 2, 2015 7:00 AM in response to iovinomf

Try selecting Macintosh HD and partitioning that.

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iovinomf Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2015 7:05 AM in response to Eric Root

When I select Macintosh HD there is no partitioning tab available?

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Level 10

684,063 points

Mar 2, 2015 7:17 AM in response to iovinomf

Try this. The screen shot didn't look right.

Creating a partition isn't hard. Restart with command - R held down and open Disk Utility.

Step 1 - select the top level hard drive.

Step 2 - select the Partition tab.

Step 3 - grab the //// to slide the partition up to make room for a new partition.

Step 4 - select the vacant space and hit the + sign.

Step 5- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and add a name.

Step 5a, click and select GUID.

Then Apply.

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iovinomf Author

Level 1

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Mar 2, 2015 2:46 PM in response to Eric Root

Unfortunately Recovery Mode only became available in Lion and later. The Options button (Step 5a) stay greyed out for me.

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Level 10

684,063 points

Mar 3, 2015 7:47 AM in response to iovinomf

Boot off the DVD that came with your computer or a Snow Leopard DVD and you can do the same thing.

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Attempts to partition main HDD fail

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