mediakit reports not enough space on device for requested operation external hard drive

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mediakit reports not enough space on device for requested operation external hard drive

Hi , I have a WD Elements 1 TB hardisk . It was being used by my window system. Now i have taken a full backup and trying to format the drive to use in Mac Os high sierra. But it is not working , I tried erasing it using format Mac OS Extended but that didn't work threw error "mediakit reports not enough space on device for requested operation external hard drive" and then again tried format "MS-Dos fat" and again i saw same error. Please help, what could be done.

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS High Sierra (10.13), high sierra

Posted on Oct 20, 2017 5:22 AM

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Answer 1

rinkul123 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 20, 2017 9:27 AM in response to Lexiepex

Ok I followed the guide but here When you asked me to select the GUID Partition Table, That was default there , i couldn't change it to anything. It was GUID partition Map by default. Inserting screenshot below

Then i followed other and proceed at the end i found this error. Check screenshot 2.

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Answer 2

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Oct 20, 2017 9:03 AM in response to rinkul123

WD Elements 1TB: very good disk, high quality. USB 3 connector I suppose.

Disconnect the drive ("eject"), shutdown the mac.

Then start the mac and connect the WD again, USB.

Open DiskUtility in Applications/Utilities.

Does DU see the disk?

If yes: select the disk (the long name) choose the Partition tab: select GUID Partition Table, select a name for the disk, and then choose underneath that the Mac OS Extended (journaled) format, then select Apply.

If no: what happens? preferably make a screen shot (CMD+Shift+4 and select the part of the screen).

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Answer 3

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Oct 20, 2017 9:47 AM in response to rinkul123

I see. You do not want MSDOS fat I assume, Why do you use Mediakit? for what?

When you have connected again, can you access the WD with Finder? If yes, delete a lot of files, then empty the Trashbin on your mac before you disconnect the WD.

Then try to format the drive again (and give it a name).

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Answer 4

Nov 21, 2017 4:28 AM in response to rinkul123

I have the same exact problem with my WD Elements 1TB hard disk. I tried to re-format it as Mac hard disk, but it failed with the "mediakit..." dialog box.

As with you, I had to go and use a PC to re-format the hard disk in NTFS format.

I think it's WD doing hinky stuff with its disks.

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Answer 5

Nov 25, 2017 10:51 PM in response to rinkul123

I found a Youtube video that solved my WD Elements problem.

Basically, Disk Utility needs a 300MB-sized EFI partition to format the disk. WD Elements, on the other hand, only has a standard 128MB or so. So the video showed how to use a Windows computer to reformat and resize a partition for the EFI.

How To Fix The Mediakit Error Without Loosing Data [ Not enough space on device for operation] - YouTube

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Answer 6

rinkul123 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 20, 2017 9:49 AM in response to Lexiepex

This time i tried with Mac OS Extended (journaled) but still didn't work. I don't know what is mediakit , this is a new macbook pro 15 inch 2017 model. I am using High Sierra .

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Oct 20, 2017 9:53 AM in response to rinkul123

ok forget about it, try deleting something of the WD, it looks as too full for even a format/erase.

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Answer 8

rinkul123 Author

Level 1

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Oct 20, 2017 10:02 AM in response to Lexiepex

It is already empty. Nothing is there. I tried erasing it but same error i received.

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Oct 20, 2017 11:08 AM in response to rinkul123

DiskUtility thinks it is full. Is the WD old? what USB spec 3, 2? is that the same spec as your connection on the mac?

Can you format it on a PC? any format?

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Answer 10

rinkul123 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 20, 2017 10:31 AM in response to Lexiepex

New & USB 3 . yes i formated on Windows, It works fine after formatting. But when i make format on Mac. It get me same error.

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Answer 11

rinkul123 Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 20, 2017 11:07 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thanks for all your time and help. Finally i put it on my windows and formated it as ExFAT and now it works on windows and mac as well. Thanks for all the helps again, appreciated.

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Answer 12

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Oct 20, 2017 11:25 AM in response to rinkul123

Great, well done. Yes and after that - when you want to do that - you can format it in DU for Mac OS Extended (journaled). But you don't have to do that to use it effectively.

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