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Erasing start up disk failed

Trying to erase start up disk. Says failed and even when I start over it goes right to failed?

MacBook Air, iOS 10.3, Really 10.13.6 but no option for

Posted on Aug 25, 2018 1:38 PM

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Posted on Aug 25, 2018 1:41 PM

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch


If possible back up your files.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  3. When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the Device list.
  4. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  5. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  6. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  7. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  8. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This will install the version of OS X you had installed.

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 25, 2018 1:41 PM in response to janfromtacoma

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch


If possible back up your files.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  3. When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the Device list.
  4. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  5. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  6. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  7. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  8. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This will install the version of OS X you had installed.

Aug 25, 2018 7:35 PM in response to janfromtacoma

Are you running OS 10.13.6 as your profile shows?


If you are booted into the Recovery Partition when you get this error, have you tried running Disk Utility First Aid to see if you get any errors?


What happens if you try Internet Recovery? Try booting into Internet Recovery (command - option/alt - R on a restart). It is a slow process. This will install the newest OS that the computer is compatible with. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Quit Disk Utility. Then install the OS.When the computer restarts, you can use Setup Assistant to restore your data from Time Machine.


OS X Recovery



OS X Recovery (2)

Erasing start up disk failed

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