Cannot erase hard drive after using Boot Camp to install Windows 7.

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Level 1

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Cannot erase hard drive after using Boot Camp to install Windows 7.

I used boot camp to install Windows 7, which worked successfully on a early 2009 Mac Mini. Everything went smoothly, however I found I did not have enough space dedicated to the Windows partition, after-all 20 GB became only 8 GB of free space after updates and everything said and done.

So I wanted to partition some of my leftover Mac OS space so I can use the newly partitioned space for games and media to be used by Windows 7. To do so, I restarted my Mac Mini, and used option key > Disk Utility and made a new partition with FAT format. Afterwards, I exited the utility and restarted the Mac Mini.

And, this is where I ran into a brick wall. Upon boot up, I hit a black screen that said I needed to insert disk and press any key. It was obviously trying to boot up windows but something was messed up. I tried to restart > option key and boot up Mac OS. Couldn't even be found. So I had to use Disk Utility to reinstall Mac OS, and it worked, but Windows 7 could never be found again.

At this point everything is a mess I just want to erase it all and start over again, but I can't. When I try to there is a mounted disk that cannot be unmounted and I cannot make new partitions or erase partitions or erase hard drive.

This has been a frustrating experience and I need help. There are no time machine backups.

Mac mini, null

Posted on Mar 16, 2016 11:12 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 17, 2016 12:13 AM in response to shpraine

To enlarge a partition, you must delete the partition that comes after it on the disk and then move the partition’s end point into the freed space. You can’t enlarge the last partition on a disk.

All data on the deleted partition will be erased. Be sure to back up your disk’s data before you begin.

Open Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder in Launchpad.

Select the disk that contains the partition you want to enlarge, and then click Partition.

In the Volume Scheme list, select the partition beneath the partition you want to enlarge, and then click Delete (-).

The partition is immediately erased, leaving the space it formerly occupied available.

Resize the partition.

You can drag the divider at the bottom of the partition in the Volume Scheme list, or you can select the partition and then enter a value in the Size field.

If the enlarged partition doesn’t use all the space from the deleted partition, you can create new partitions in the unused space.

To create a new partition, click Add (+), select the new partition, and choose its name, format, and size.

Click Apply.

Disk Utility enlarges the partition and creates any new partitions.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Mar 17, 2016 8:46 AM in response to shpraine

Try booting into the Recovery Partition (command - R on a restart) and then open Disk Utility. Use Disk Utility/Restore to copy the backup to a new location. Please note that this will reformat the destination partition. That should give you some chance to access your data later.

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. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Then re-install the OS.

OS X Recovery

OS X Recovery (2

Attempt to access your data to recover it. Once you have the Mac OS working, use Boot Camp to add the Windows partition.

You should consider having at least 2 backups on 2 separate drives as hard drives do fail. Time Machine will back up to multiple drives, alternating between them. Another often recommended backup is one that is stored away from your home in case of fire or theft. Since that one isn't backed up daily, I'd recommend a clone. There are also cloud based backup systems you can use for off site storage.

Clone - Carbon Copy Cloner (Often recommended as it has more features than some others)

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Time Machine Versus Clones and Archives

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