Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

stonejo

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2011
2
0
I have a WD HD that was previously my time machine backup. When I decided to use it for something else, I went to reformat it and it said:

POSIX reports: The operation could not be completed. Cannot allocate memory.

I have tried every file type in disk utility.
I have tried on a PC to go through DiskPart in the command prompt. and disk manager.

Nothing has worked. Any possible ways around this would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
In Windows open up a Admin command prompt, launch diskpart, select your drive, then type "clean"
(cmd, run as admin, diskpart, list disk, select disk X, clean, exit)

That will wipe all info on the drive. After thats done, plug it into OS X and see if Disk Utility works.


EDIT: Be careful which drive you select. Because the clean command will wipe EVERYTHING off whichever drive you choose.
 
Last edited:
I have tried that and it told me that the drive was not formatable and that the information may be lost.

I also tried downloading the western digital software to zero the drive. also not working.

m/b another suggestion? I feel it may be done with.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.