Can't change partition from 1.39 GB on MacBook

Yes it will. It's a 2012 Model 9,2 with i7 CPU and 8 gigs of ram. It shipped with Lion.

The problem seems to be associated the the HD connection to the motherboard. I can get the Mac to run from an ext. HD with Lion installed. But any HDs installed in the Mac is not recognized for some reason. Plus, when trying to install the OS, the installer never finds the internal drive. The only drive that shows up is the Mac OS X Base System. When I run the diagnostic (both short and extended) everything checks out OK. The HD that won't work in the Mac are fine outside when installed in an external drive housing.

Depending on where Mac OS X Base System is stored will tell me whether this problem is repairable. If stored on the drive, then I should be able to fix this Mac. If stored on flash memory on the MB or in Apple's servers when connected via Recovery Internet, then probably not. That seems to indicate a problem with the HD's control chip or board.

I did find where someone reported the same problem as mine but they had flash drive. Doing PR reset fixed it. Unfortunately, didn't work in my case.

Yes and it works fine. My Nephew who works at Apple as a Genius said the Mac OS X Base is actually stored on the drive. If that is true, then I can't understand why the Macintosh drive doesn't show up in Disk Utility. All I see is the Base drive. On other Macs I've looked at, both the Base and the Macintosh drives show up.

Hopefully Apple can figure it out. I've run out of options. Have spent days trying to figure it out. Thanks for your suggestions. I'll let you know what I find out. Have an appmnt with a Genius tomorrow at 7:30 pm. Hopefully that can fix it. Not looking to buy a new one.

I think he's wrong since I only see it when in I'm in Internet Recovery, Plus, I think I read somewhere the Mac OS X Base loads from a netboot volume. Not sure what that means but sounds like it is loaded after when connected to Apple via Internet Recovery. That will be my first question to the Genius. I guess I could always use the Mac with the ext. drive attached. PIA to use but at least it runs when attached.

Just found this. I'm almost willing to bet the cable to the HD is bad. Common problem for my 2012 MBP from what I read.

http:/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Hard+Dri ve+Cable+Replacement/10379

Genius said it was the cable. $50 repair. Also having them replace the battery and repair the hinges. Should have it back next week. Will update once I get it back.

Finally got the laptop back. Long story short, the first time they shipped it off, it was sent back since I had installed the wrong HD in the laptop when I tried to make the repairs myself. They sent it back and I reinstalled the correct HD and sent it back. I requested they replace the HD cable, display hinges (which is the entire display) plus the battery. Cost was around $270.00. What I got back was a new looking mid-2012 laptop. They replaced the motherboard, HD, 8 gigs of ram, display, exterior case and etc. All for the same price. Not sure why they replaced so much when those parts weren't defective. I guess they replaced ours with a refurbished Macbook Pro. Very pleased. Hopefully it will last my daughter for a couple of years.