Level 1

9 points

I have two recovery partitions and they prevent me from using Bootcamp

Dear all:

I upgraded to mac os sierra when it came out, however before that, I had been trying it out in the Beta Software Program, in a partition installed with El Capitan. After, I deleted that portion, but I wasn'taware there was an apple_boot recovery HD partition that remained.

However, now I am trying to install BootCamp on my Mac but I found that it has 2 recovery partitions. I´m guessing one for the Beta one and one for the final release. But, as I found out, in other to install BootCamp, I need to make my disk as a single partition.

The disk layout is as follow:

/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *2.0 TB disk0

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 2.0 TB disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk0s3

4: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk0s4

After searching for a possible solution, I read that I would need to either delete or merge one of them to the Main Partition. However, I cannot figure out which one (either disk0s3 o disk0s4) I need to get rid because when I restart and press the alt/option key, I´m presented with two identical recovery partitions labeled "Recovery-10.12".

So, my questions are:

Which partition to delete
How to delete it in a (preferably safe) way that would make my hard disk "a single partition" of everything but my main Macintosh HD partition in order to be able to use Bootcamp.

Thanks

iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Oct 21, 2016 10:14 AM

27 replies

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 21, 2016 6:04 PM in response to Ondolinde

Actually, it looks like this now.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 21, 2016 6:04 PM in response to Ondolinde

Excellent. You may also want to create a Time Machine backup as it is now, before you make any changes, to be extra safe. Once the backup is complete, can you re-install Sierra? It will not touch any of your non-OS files.

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 21, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Loner T

Yes, I will back it up. Then I will do the re-install. I have to download it first, though.

I will let you know after I do all that, ok? It will probably take me until tomorrow.

Thanks you again.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 21, 2016 6:27 PM in response to Ondolinde

Post back, when you are ready.

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2016 1:02 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, finally done and here is the output in Terminal:

/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *2.0 TB disk0

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 2.0 TB disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk0s3

So, it looks great! And no more errors while trying to use Bootcamp. Thanks so much for this, Loner T. I really appreciate it. I finally feel like everything is in order with my iMac.

I do have another question if you don't mind answering. It is about now actually Bootcamp and installing Windows 10. I can start another question, if that is the thing to do. I have a Mid 2011 Mac and I know that it is not compatible according to apple. However, I have seen many posts, here, of people getting it done and I actually saw your answer or comments on many of those. Could you help me avoid any issues like with the drivers, etc.?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 22, 2016 1:56 PM in response to Ondolinde

Install W7/W8.1 on your 2011 Mac and ensure full functionality. Once working, run an in-place upgrade to W10.

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:07 PM in response to Loner T

Ok, thanks much for everything.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:09 PM in response to Ondolinde

Please post back if you run into any issues.

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:10 PM in response to Loner T

You bet!

Ondolinde Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:19 PM in response to Ondolinde

Ok, I'm downloading 8.1.

Questions:

1) I have a license key for 10, will I be able to use it with 8.1?

2) Bootcamp says that I can only Install Windows 10 or later version. How do I go around this? Will it be a problem?

Here is the screen shot.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Ondolinde

There a conflict between Sierra and 2011 (and older) Macs. You may need to use El Capitan or Yosemite. I will raise a bug.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 22, 2016 10:00 PM in response to Ondolinde

Bug 28906705 has been created.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

I have two recovery partitions and they prevent me from using Bootcamp