Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Here it is after starting dusk utility
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 162
Edit: disk utility
All options to erase and partition are greyed out

----------

Thanks for your input I guess I will be ordering the OWC DATA DOUBLER kit for the upper and lower bay as well and replacing the upper drive as well as the planned lower drive installation when it comes this week for my MacMini
You won't have to worry I won't be dabbling in BootCamp windows installs ever again
I'd just like to resurrect my existing drive...so if anyone else has any ideas let me know
Thanks

----------

I guess I'm gutting the mini to install a new drive in the upper bay then
 
Disk Utility, UBCD

An article on Cult of Mac today said boot camp would accept a WIN10 tech preview install into BootCamp

OK, I see it now – How to run Windows 10 on your Mac for free | Cult of Mac with both hard and soft approaches.

Still, (to other readers): I should be cautious about the hard approach. At least: Microsoft's installer not appearing as it should with some hardware, and so on.

Here is my screen after resetting NVRAM 8x in succession

Your installer for Yosemite appears in the absence of any other bootable system.

Side note: I can't find an authoritative reference, but I suspect that with modern hardware and firmware, there's no longer additional value in x7 resets (of PRAM). One reset should suffice.

Edit: disk utility
All options to erase and partition are greyed out …

Your earlier screenshot (click to enlarge):



– you had the 'Partition Layout' menu, the + button and the 'Options…' button. Click the latter; is the GUID option available, or greyed out?

(GUID is an Apple default in this context, but it's possible that the Microsoft software spoilt the partition table.)

If you simply click the + button, does anything happen?

… I'd just like to resurrect my existing drive...so if anyone else has any ideas let me know
Thanks

If the Mac Mini has an optical drive and if someone can burn to disc, for you, a copy of Ultimate Boot CD, you'll find a mass of very capable software on that CD. Most user-friendly will be Parted Magic.
 
Yes guid is an option available to click but nothing happens
Also clicking the plus button does nothing nor does changing the partition scheme

You are correct I must take complete blame for this issue and I appreciate everyone's input.

Bad uniformed choices lead to mistakes

If you have any other options for repair, I'd like to hear them
Otherwise I'm performing surgery on the mini later this week
Going to get some sleep now
 
Suspected hardware problem

Yes guid is an option available to click but nothing happens
Also clicking the plus button does nothing nor does changing the partition scheme

Those symptoms further support Altemose's suggestion that it may be a hardware problem.

Side note: it's also sort of thing that might benefit from a future enhancement to the Apple software (it sounds like those options should be greyed out in response to the state of the hardware).

… I must take complete blame for this issue

Not if the problem is with hardware :)

… and I appreciate everyone's input. … If you have any other options for repair …

Using Apple Diagnostics – Apple Support – don't expect it to perform any repair, but it may be the most convenient way to gain more information about the state of the hardware.

(I never used it. I'm more familiar with the more traditional Apple Hardware Test (AHT).)

Diagnostics, and get some sleep :) then try reseating the SATA cables within the Mac. Or try a different SATA connection, if there's one (I'm not familiar with the modern Mac Mini).

You could reset the SMC, but that's probably clutching at straws …
 
Although it doesn't help you out of your current situation, I have successfully installed Win10 Tech Preview on my 13" rMBP using the BootCamp wizard. Pointed it at my ISO and it created the USB installer and just worked.
 
That is exactly what I tried to do and theWININSTALLER asked me where to install I chose the one titled
Boot Camp
Now I have 500gb OEM Apple drive showing as having 0bytes using diskutil list
I've tried everything in terminal using diskutil [verb]
To no avail
If there is anyone out there with better understanding of the terminal who could help that'd be great
Otherwise I'm going to install Yosemite on my soon to arrive ssd on an external and insert it in the lower drive bay and leave the dead one in the upper bay
 
Those symptoms further support Altemose's suggestion that it may be a hardware problem.

Side note: it's also sort of thing that might benefit from a future enhancement to the Apple software (it sounds like those options should be greyed out in response to the state of the hardware).



Not if the problem is with hardware :)



Using Apple Diagnostics – Apple Support – don't expect it to perform any repair, but it may be the most convenient way to gain more information about the state of the hardware.

(I never used it. I'm more familiar with the more traditional Apple Hardware Test (AHT).)

Diagnostics, and get some sleep :) then try reseating the SATA cables within the Mac. Or try a different SATA connection, if there's one (I'm not familiar with the modern Mac Mini).

You could reset the SMC, but that's probably clutching at straws …

AHT showed no problems
 
Please run the following command in Terminal:

Code:
system_profiler SPSerialATADataType

----

Hint: in the reply window here, look for 'switch to advanced editor' or words to those effect. Then you can paste the output from Terminal, select that text and click the # button to format the selection as code. Once you get the hang of it, it'll be more convenient than attaching screenshots. Also better for search purposes for future readers :)
 

Attachments

  • screenshot 2015-01-03 at 20.06.55.png
    screenshot 2015-01-03 at 20.06.55.png
    68.9 KB · Views: 127
Please run the following command in Terminal:

Code:
system_profiler SPSerialATADataType

----

Hint: in the reply window here, look for 'switch to advanced editor' or words to those effect. Then you can paste the output from Terminal, select that text and click the # button to format the selection as code. Once you get the hang of it, it'll be more convenient than attaching screenshots. Also better for search purposes for future readers :)

OK Im booted in yosemite from an external and I haven't signed in with MacRumors yet I'm using my MBP to post these shots

Anyway here is the output of the last command
 

Attachments

  • Unknown.png
    Unknown.png
    55.6 KB · Views: 150
Unknown

Thanks. Again there's a symptom of possible drive failure – the 'Unknown'. If you're lucky it'll be a bad connection but there's the possibility of the drive having suddenly failed.

For reference only, here's output from the MacBookPro5,2 that I'm using at the moment.

Code:
gpes3e-gjp4:~ gjp22$ system_profiler SPSerialATADataType
SATA/SATA Express:

    NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

      Vendor: NVidia
      Product: MCP79 AHCI
      Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Negotiated Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Physical Interconnect: SATA
      Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

        ST750LX003-1AC154:

          Capacity: 750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)
          Model: ST750LX003-1AC154                       
          Revision: SM12    
          Serial Number:             W2006N8C
          Native Command Queuing: Yes
          Queue Depth: 32
          Removable Media: No
          Detachable Drive: No
          BSD Name: disk0
          Rotational Rate: 7200
          Medium Type: Rotational
          Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
          S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
          Volumes:
            EFI:
              Capacity: 209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s1
              Content: EFI
            disk0s2:
              Capacity: 615.98 GB (615,982,063,616 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s2
              Content: Apple_CoreStorage
            Boot OS X:
              Capacity: 134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s3
              Content: Apple_Boot
              Volume UUID: 67280920-1D8C-3471-BBB3-D5A3FDD44813
            disk0s4:
              Capacity: 133.18 GB (133,180,334,080 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s4
              Content: Apple_CoreStorage
            Recovery HD:
              Capacity: 650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s5
              Content: Apple_Boot
              Volume UUID: 994475C3-6F77-3F2C-BE10-806393A87345

    NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

      Vendor: NVidia
      Product: MCP79 AHCI
      Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Negotiated Link Speed: 1.5 Gigabit
      Physical Interconnect: SATA
      Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

        HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N:

          Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N                   
          Revision: SA18    
          Serial Number: KZ991SE2440         
          Native Command Queuing: No
          Detachable Drive: No
          Power Off: Yes
          Async Notification: No

gpes3e-gjp4:~ gjp22$
 
I think you're right, but it was fully operational b4 my attempt to install win10
I think I ruined the efi, boot, and the free space idk what it was but I'm going to install a new ssd that I will format and install Yosemite on an external and then install it in the mini Lower bay is free and I'll leave the dead drive in the upper
Hopefully I'll be able to boot into that and choose startup disk
I won't get the drive and the OWC kit until Tuesday
Thanks again for your help I appreciate everyone's input

----------

This sounds just like a hard drive failure.

Fyi I ran Apple Hardware Test the long version this morning and it came back with no errors
This was done in Internet recovery mode

----------

Thanks. Again there's a symptom of possible drive failure – the 'Unknown'. If you're lucky it'll be a bad connection but there's the possibility of the drive having suddenly failed.

For reference only, here's output from the MacBookPro5,2 that I'm using at the moment.

Thanks, although it was perfectly fine b4 I tried to install Win10 with BootCamp
Yes I think you're right thanks again
Although it was fully operational b4 my attempt at installing Win10
Code:
gpes3e-gjp4:~ gjp22$ system_profiler SPSerialATADataType
SATA/SATA Express:

    NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

      Vendor: NVidia
      Product: MCP79 AHCI
      Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Negotiated Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Physical Interconnect: SATA
      Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

        ST750LX003-1AC154:

          Capacity: 750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)
          Model: ST750LX003-1AC154                       
          Revision: SM12    
          Serial Number:             W2006N8C
          Native Command Queuing: Yes
          Queue Depth: 32
          Removable Media: No
          Detachable Drive: No
          BSD Name: disk0
          Rotational Rate: 7200
          Medium Type: Rotational
          Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
          S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
          Volumes:
            EFI:
              Capacity: 209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s1
              Content: EFI
            disk0s2:
              Capacity: 615.98 GB (615,982,063,616 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s2
              Content: Apple_CoreStorage
            Boot OS X:
              Capacity: 134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s3
              Content: Apple_Boot
              Volume UUID: 67280920-1D8C-3471-BBB3-D5A3FDD44813
            disk0s4:
              Capacity: 133.18 GB (133,180,334,080 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s4
              Content: Apple_CoreStorage
            Recovery HD:
              Capacity: 650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)
              BSD Name: disk0s5
              Content: Apple_Boot
              Volume UUID: 994475C3-6F77-3F2C-BE10-806393A87345

    NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

      Vendor: NVidia
      Product: MCP79 AHCI
      Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
      Negotiated Link Speed: 1.5 Gigabit
      Physical Interconnect: SATA
      Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

        HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N:

          Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N                   
          Revision: SA18    
          Serial Number: KZ991SE2440         
          Native Command Queuing: No
          Detachable Drive: No
          Power Off: Yes
          Async Notification: No

gpes3e-gjp4:~ gjp22$





Thanks

----------

If I had the correct tools I'd operate on the mini now and pull a hard drive out of one of the many external drives I have and install it but I don't have the logic board puller tool or a spudger
 
Sudden failure

… it was fully operational b4 my attempt to install win10
I think I ruined the efi, boot, and the free space idk what it was …

Some drives fail suddenly. I had hat happen with a MacBook Pro with a drive that's categorised as 'bad' at the following page:

Recommended hard drives | Retrodata RAID Recovery

… I ran Apple Hardware Test the long version this morning and it came back with no errors
This was done in Internet recovery mode

A guess: AHT does not treat the unknown device as faulty because it's simply unknown. (If you don't know what something is, you can't know how to test it.)
 
Some drives fail suddenly. I had hat happen with a MacBook Pro with a drive that's categorised as 'bad' at the following page:

Recommended hard drives | Retrodata RAID Recovery



A guess: AHT does not treat the unknown device as faulty because it's simply unknown. (If you don't know what something is, you can't know how to test it.)

Good information graham thanks
It's true :) if one doesn't what something is then how can it either be "good" or "bad"

I think it is a Hitachi 500gb, it said "Apple 500gb"

I'm installing a Crucial MX100 SSD 512gb ssd in the mini
I am using a Crucial M500 SSD 480gb in my 2010 MBP 2.4 8gb 13"
This machine is getting a bit old even with the 2year old ssd in it, it has been a good machine though
 
Clarification and additional information

… I think it is a Hitachi 500gb, it said "Apple 500gb"

I'm installing a Crucial MX100 SSD 512gb ssd in the mini
I am using a Crucial M500 SSD 480gb in my 2010 MBP 2.4 8gb 13"
This machine is getting a bit old even with the 2year old ssd …

Please clarify … does your "getting a bit old" thought apply to the Mac Mini, or to the 2010 MacBook Pro?

More importantly, is the (presumably) failed drive in the Mac Mini:
  • hard disk; or
  • solid state?
Related:

… Although SSDs don't have mechanical parts there does seem to be some evidence that they can just lose everything all at once in the right circumstances. …

Over to that topic for more about sudden 'catastrophic' failures and solid state. I'll something there in due course.
 
Please clarify … does your "getting a bit old" thought apply to the Mac Mini, or to the 2010 MacBook Pro?

More importantly, is the (presumably) failed drive in the Mac Mini:
  • hard disk; or
  • solid state?
Related:



Over to that topic for more about sudden 'catastrophic' failures and solid state. I'll something there in due course.

The bad HDD in the 2012 mini is an Apple 500GB 5400rpm standard
The Drive in the 2010 MBP 13 is a 480GB SSD it is only a 2.4 core 2 duo with an intel 320M integrated graphics processor, the 320M doesn't have enough power to run most things on steam very well, it will run minecraft but the processor runs at about 60-70%, low frame rates like 20-30 fps
I think it is time for a new MBP but my son who is graduating from high school this year will need a new MBP for college next fall.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.