How long does it take to erase 1TB drive?

[briloop]

Because of an issue, I decided to format (erase/delete) the HD (1TB Fusion drive) on my 2017 iMac, and re-install Mac OS. Following the instructions from Apple support, and going thru Disk Utility, I started the deleting of the volume called "Macintosh HD" about 8 hours ago (approx.

6:30 am MDT, Oct. 23, 2018). As of this writing, the computer still shows "Deleting Volume" is still in progress.

How long does it take to erase 1TB drive? Should I abort this attempt and start over, or give it more time?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Not that long. You did not describe the problem, maybe it is the drive?

Cancel and if able to boot into Recovery > Disk Utility > Repair Disk and see what is reported.

 

[Eric5h5]

It should take a few seconds. Normal formatting doesn't really erase the drive, it just resets the file system. If you used the security options to actually write random data to the drive, then it would take much longer.

--Eric

 

[briloop]

I chatted with Apple Support and got the help I needed. According to AS, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to erase a 1TB drive. So, I aborted the process that had been going on for several hours, and started over again. I was successful!

 

[evan_degio]

I chatted with Apple Support and got the help I needed. According to AS, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to erase a 1TB drive. So, I aborted the process that had been going on for several hours, and started over again. I was successful!

Hello, I have the same problem, and how do you abort it? there is no abort option on my mac, thanks!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Just quit Disk Utility.

 

[evan_degio]

Just quit Disk Utility.

after I quit the disk utility, now my mac can't read my SSD. what do I have to do?

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

after I quit the disk utility, now my mac can't read my SSD. what do I have to do?

Replace your SSD. SSD drives do die.
It's just less frequent than HDD.

 

[evan_degio]

Replace your SSD. SSD drives do die.
It's just less frequent than HDD.

actually, it is done! I keep trying to erase my ssd and if the disk utility doesn't erase your SSD, force quit your disk utility and repeat the same process until it can be erased. just done a few minutes ago. Thanks for your advice!