Desperately Need Help formatting my Mac HDD from another comp.

Discussion in 'MacBook' started by SquareKite, Jun 29, 2012.

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  1. SquareKite, Jun 29, 2012

    SquareKite macrumors newbie

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    Jun 29, 2012
    #1
    So long story short, I had to format my Macbook HDD, and I couldn't use the install disk. So I pulled it out of my macbook, put it in my linux computer, formatted it to FAT, and put it back in. I tried various ettings, but nothing worked; when I tried to reinstall OSX from the install disk, I would get some form of a flashing older with a ? mark on it, a cross in a circle, or it just being white forever, this would change depedning on when I tried different formats and methods of booting(holding c and option).

    So what is a software for Linux I could use to format the HDD to MAC OS Extended Journal so I can install OSX back onto that thing? Or some other method that could allow me to achieve a reinstall?
     
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  2. berone, Jun 30, 2012

    berone macrumors member

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    #2
    Just to be clear- you tried to install from a separate device like dvd or external drive? Did it start the install? If not, did you hold down option and select the drive when you started booting? Just want to isolate where in the process it's breaking down.
     
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  3. SteveU30, Jun 30, 2012

    SteveU30 macrumors newbie

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    #3
    Why can't you use the install disc? How else do you intend to install OSX?
     
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  4. \-V-/, Jun 30, 2012

    \-V-/ Suspended

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    #4
    Why couldn't you use the install disc? Normally you boot the install disc and use Disk Utility to format the drive to the appropriate format, then proceed with the installation. Is this Snow Leopard we're talking about here?
     
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  5. macdatadrive, Jul 1, 2012

    macdatadrive macrumors regular

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    #5
    It could be an actual problem with the disk drive. If you have another mac, you could try putting that into Target Disk mode and seeing if it works.
     
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