cannot erase free space

[frontrange]

Late 2013 iMac with 10.10.3. Unable to erase free space with any of the number of pass choices. Will act like it's going to and then tells me after as much as 2 hours that it is unable to create a temporary file.

I have done a 3-pass erase recently with no problems, so I have no idea why now. I recently added an external back up drive, but it doesn't make any difference whether it is connected or disconnected, same fail message.

I did a search and found a similar problem, but that poster received no replies. I will appreciate any and all help I can get. Thanks!

 

[frontrange]

Anybody?

Get error message: "Could not create temporary file" after all attempts to erase free space.

Thanks for any and all help, hints, suggestions, etc.

 

[bookwormsy]

Anybody?

Get error message: "Could not create temporary file" after all attempts to erase free space.

Thanks for any and all help, hints, suggestions, etc.

You may have a bad hard drive cable. I've had a few fail on me with similar symptoms.

 

[frontrange]

You may have a bad hard drive cable. I've had a few fail on me with similar symptoms.

Thanks. I really appreciate the tip. I am not the most sophisticated concerning iMac repairs, how does one go about replacing the hard drive cable? Is that something a relative newcomer can do or does a pro repairperson have to get involved?

 

[bookwormsy]

Thanks. I really appreciate the tip. I am not the most sophisticated concerning iMac repairs, how does one go about replacing the hard drive cable? Is that something a relative newcomer can do or does a pro repairperson have to get involved?

If you don't have much experience, i'd have someone else do it. IIRC, it's not very difficult, but you will need to remove the display with a suction cup and stuff. Check out ifixit.com.

 

[DeltaMac]

Late 2013 iMac with 10.10.3. Unable to erase free space with any of the number of pass choices. Will act like it's going to and then tells me after as much as 2 hours that it is unable to create a temporary file.

I have done a 3-pass erase recently with no problems, so I have no idea why now.
...

Do you have FileVault enabled?
If yes, does it help if you turn off FileVault?