Erase/Eject OS X Base System & Hard Drive Issue

Question

Level 1

8 points

Erase/Eject OS X Base System & Hard Drive Issue

I have a MacBook Pro OS X El Capitan that I'm going to recycle. I want to erase everything, so went to Restart +Command R for Disk Utility. However, the Disk Image/ OS X Base System won't eject. And when I go to erase the Internal Drive, it gives me the error "Erase process has failed. Press Done to Continue" (Details: Unmounting disk; Couldn't unmount disk; Operation failed...)

I've tried clearing the PRAM (using Command+Option+R+P before Restart). Is there anything else I need to do? Thanks!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Aug 4, 2016 9:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Aug 4, 2016 10:45 PM in response to Daniellem007

You will need to use the original software DVD that came with the computer when it was new. You cannot wipe the drive from the installed El Capitan system.

Snow Leopard Erase and Install

Be sure you back up your files.

Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.

Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.

Release the key when the Apple logo appears, and wait for it to finish loading.

After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click on OK, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.

After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.

When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.

If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.

Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.

Reply