Level 1

9 points

Can't change partition from 1.39 GB on MacBook

Replaced a HD in my daughter's Macbook and OS X only creates a Mac OS X Base System drive and locks me out of changing the partition to use the entire drive. I have tried various drives ranging from 750 - 160 GB and it does it every time. I thought I could just stick a new drive in and reinstall a Time Machine backup. But can't get a drive larger than 1.39 GB.

Disk0 shows a Apple Disk Image and Apple Partition Map. Thinking it should be GUID and Logical Partition but that's not an option when setting up the drive. Terminal shows 12 partitions on the drive (maybe that's normal). I prepared the drive via a newer Macbook using Yosemite. The Macbook with the problem 2012 era that started out either as Lion or Snow Leopard. Can't recall if I updated this Macbook to Yosemite. I have my Lion and Snow Leopard disks but never able to setup the drive via the disk since I'm never offered a drive to select via Mac OS install.

Have tried to fix this via Time Machine backup, Terminal and via Target Disk mode. Even asked my nephew whose an Apple Genius and he's not sure what the problem is or how to fix it. Can't find this type of problem online either. I'm thinking the problem may be due to trying to prepare the new drive via a Yosemite Macbook instead of a Lion based Macbook.

Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Posted on Nov 26, 2015 10:41 AM

26 replies

eaayoung Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 29, 2015 2:10 PM in response to BDAqua

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.

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 26, 2015 1:04 PM in response to eaayoung

Good idea to try, but the terminal info seems to indicate OK!???

a brody

Level 10

85,608 points

Nov 26, 2015 6:48 PM in response to eaayoung

The only 1 GB partition that will boot a modern Mac (last 4 years) is the restore partition.

Go to Apple menu -> About This Mac to tell us what Mac OS X version is?

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 26, 2015 7:10 PM in response to eaayoung

In Disk Utility, is there a big unformatted partition below the Base system, in the partition tab?

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 27, 2015 10:33 AM in response to eaayoung

I/m not understanding how the restore partition or anything else got on a new/clean drive, sorry if I missed it.

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 27, 2015 10:34 AM in response to eaayoung

And, will this MacBook even run Lion?

What is the Model Identifier?

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 27, 2015 5:46 PM in response to eaayoung

Do let us know please, but your Nephew's reply makes little sense on a new drive… lest maybe it was bought from Apple. 🙂

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 28, 2015 9:54 AM in response to eaayoung

That would be a good guess! 🙂

eaayoung Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 29, 2015 5:25 PM in response to BDAqua

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.

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Nov 30, 2015 10:30 AM in response to eaayoung

OK, great, anxious as you are to hear about it. 🙂

BDAqua

Level 10

251,575 points

Dec 29, 2015 3:25 PM in response to eaayoung

Wonderful, happy & safe New Years!, thanks for the report! 🙂

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Can't change partition from 1.39 GB on MacBook