Missing Recovery Partition

I recently wanted to erase my hard drive (Macintosh HD) of my MacBook Pro (which was running Mavericks at the time) and reinstall the original OS X it came with (Lion) via Internet Recovery Mode (Command-Option-R on startup). So, my hard drive is erased (and my files are backed up) and I chose to install a new copy of Lion in the Recovery Mode menu, but every time I get an error "preparation the installation". I now can only use my Mac in Recovery Mode. I've used Disk Utility to verify and repair my disk, but Macintosh HD seems fine. I've even tried using a Lion boot USB to install, but I get more errors. I don't have a "Recovery HD" partition, so that might be the problem. How to I make one? What can I do to install a fresh copy of OS X lion on my MacBook?

You can only reinstall Lion on that computer if it cannot run Mountain Lion or Mavericks. However, if you are able to use Internet Recovery, then you can run Mavericks. Below is the entire process you should follow:
Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Similar Messages

Recreate missing recovery partition

After wiping my computer via partitioning from a USB installer, and reinstalling from the USB, I noticed when I tried to boot that there is no recovery partition. Just OS X and Windows (bootcamp). Is there a proprietary built in Apple way to recreate the recovery partiton?

CCC Carbon Copy Cloner has a utility called "Disk Center" that is included with CCC that will create a Recovery Partition for you. I understand that CCC is not free, but it does have a free 30 day trial.
I did use the musings.silvertooth.us utility to create a missing recovery partition successfully, but found (1) it hard to find the right version on that site and (2) I was somewhat uncomfortable running a low-level AppleScript install program style utility built by an unknown source on the internet. Call my paranoid, but in the future I would prefer to either use CCC to avoid losing my recovery partition like I did with Super Duper (which I've loved for years until this missing recovery partition issue) or use CCC to create missing recovery partitions.
The "Disk Center" in CCC Carbon Copy Cloner is not obvious and easy to find... it's easy to not know it's there. But once you find it in the CCC menu system, it is seemingly obvious that it is a turnkey way to create a Recovery HD Partition.
I just thought I would share, since I burned several hours of pain-staking research and experimentation on this.

How do I restore a missing recovery partition in Mountain Lion so I can activate Find My Mac?

I am missing my Recovery Partition on my MacBook Pro (Retina), so I cannot activate Find My Mac. How can I restore the missing recovery partition?

Gin Tonyx wrote:
Kessler, thx for your insight. That helped me.
[personal]
Csound: I read the terms. Section 3 of the submissions rules says "Post constructive […] questions. Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should […] be a technical support question […]."
I don't see where I went wrong. Maybe you could get off my back, please. Willya?
[/personal]
You should have kept reading until item 5
5. Test your answer. When possible, make sure your Submission works on your own computer before you post it.

2007 2.6GHz 17 Inch Macbook Pro (MacBookPro3,1) Missing Recovery Partition?

My MacBook Pro 2007 2.6GHz 17 Inch is missing a recovery partition. I was told it is supposed to be added automatically when you reinstall/update your mac os x. I recently did a fresh install of Mavericks. It was missing. I did another fresh install, still missing. Then I restored data and did a non-fresh install. Still Missing. I kinda want to be able to track the computer. It has the original hard drive, and all the other components are original as well, except for the battery, which exploded, apple replaced it under warranty a while ago, and the RAM. I upgraded the RAM today, but it didn't work before either. It is genuine OWC RAM. (The same kind apple uses) Do I need to manually create one? Should I downgrade the OS and then upgrade to Mavericks again? Is it a problem that apple is going to fix?
I did make the mistake of erasing the entire hard drive rather than just the main partition. However, according to apple, this should not have made a difference, as if it is missing it is supposed to be created with the installation.
15 Inch, 2.6GHz, 2007 MacBook Pro (MacBookPro3,1) Running OS X 10.9.1 (Mavericks)

There are two versions of recovery: the regular which will download the currently installed system and internet recovery which will allow you to wipe a drive and reinstall the originally installed system (as long as that was Lion or later). Both of them require that the recovery partition be installed - that is what allows you to boot from it (with key commands) and that you have an internet connection.
Note the link towards the bottom to Internet Recovery which will result in this page (about Recovery):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718

Hp pavilion dv6 missing recovery partition

hi.... i coppied the recovery files and folders into an external hard drive, and removed recovery partition and then formated the computer... now I can't recover my computer to original (factory) since I don't have recovery manager...
Help pleeeeezzzzzeeee

Hi
The only thing you can do is call your local Hp Tech Support or follow the link below :
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07143
Hope this helps.
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Missing Recovery Partition and Unrecognized File Systems

So, a long time ago I accidentally deleted my recovery partition and have recently been trying to fix it so that I can upgrade my OS to Mavericks. After browsing around here I found the Recovery Partition Creator 3.7 and used it to create a new recovery partition. Using the diskutil list command everything seemed to be fine and it looked like the partition was successfully created so I tried reinstalling OS X Lion by holding command R at startup. Doing so brought up the internet recovery menu and I selected reinstall Lion which was still unsuccessful because "a recovery partition could not be created". So, I decided to check in disk utility to see what might be wrong and I used the disk utility debug command in order to access disk utility's debug menu and show all the hidden partitions. Now, looking at these partitions I see two hidden partitions: disk0s1 which is an EFI partition, and disk0s3 which is the Apple Boot Partition that was created by Recovery Partition Creator 3.7. After verifying the partitions, disk utility is telling me that both my EFI and apple boot partitions have unrecognized file systems, my Macintosh HD partition is fine. At this point I do not know what to do.
Below are photos of the diskutil list and of what disk utility is showing me for the two hidden partitions.
For reference I am running OSX Lion 10.7.5 (11G63) on a early 2011 13 inch Macbook Pro (Base Model).
Bootrom version: MBP81.0047.B27
SMC Version: 1.68f99
Thank you all in advance for your help, feel free to ask me any questions.

Just an update, I went ahead and installed Lion again over the existing TM restored installation using the Lion Update file and at least File Vault is working. Interestingly, I still do not have a Recover partition so obviously something new for Apple Support to learn.

Reinstall lion due to missing recovery partition?

Dear Apple Community,
Here is my situation: I have a 3-partioned drive inside my iMac. One has Lion installed, one has SL, and another is an empty partion. Unfortunatly, there is no recovery partition installed on my computer. While I am fully aware that you can boot from an internet connection and run Installation/Utility services remotely from Apple's servers, I'd like to install a local recovery partition for more convience and peace of mind, should anything go wrong in the future.
How can I reinstall Lion without losing my data? I currently keep up to date Time Machine backups on an external drive. Can I run the "Install Lion" app to easily recreate the Recovery Partition? Would I have to wait 6 hours while I Reinstall Lion, then do a Time Machine Recovery?
Just wondering if I could get some feedback on the best move here. I know there are a couple of options. Thanks for any help!

You can reinstall Lion right over the top of the current install and not lose any data on your computer.
But I'm not sure that will recreate the recovery partition. It should I'm but I'm not sure it it will.
Have you run Software Update? it has been my experience that if the recover HD is not present SU will see that and download the correct files to recreate it. Buit again this was on my MBP when I did a reinstall of 10.7.1.
If you choose to do the reinstall make sure you SAVE the downloaded files and create your own Lion Install USB Thumb drive for future use.
There are instructions all over the net to do this and I have been using a nice little program to create the USB drive. The program is called LionDiskMaker, it works very well for this.

Using ThinkVantage with T410 missing recovery partition.

I have just purchased a T410 with Windows 7 professional and a 320 GB hard disk from a local dealer. But I have noticed there is no recovery partition on the drive and it does not include any recovery media as well.
I want to make the backup of the my current system using ThinkVantage backup and recovery option. Can I still create a backup of my cruently intalled windows drive and programs.

It was supposed to come with Win 7 Pro, I suggest contacting the place you got it from:- http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/quickPath.do?quickPathEntry=2522PY4
Maliha (I don't work for lenovo)
ThinkPads:- T400[Win 7], T60[Win 7], IBM 240[Win XP]
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Apple:- Macbook Air [Snow Leopard]
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Helix missing Recovery Partition

So I wanted to update to Windows 8.1, but I couldnt find the recovery partion. I was talking to Lenovo Support and was informed that none of the Helix's ship with a recovery partion. Anybody care to confirm? Sounds like an insane decision for a high end business machine to have no recovery parttition

I think you were misinformed or misunderstood. There is a recovery partition. You can verify under Computer->Right Click->Manage->Storage\Disk Management
You can start the recovery by pressing Enter (if I remember correctly) on boot.
But... what has the recovery to do with Windows 8.1? It will be an update - like a service pack. Available tomorrow publicly. You don't need to reinstall Windows.

T410 - missing recovery partition

Hi everyone
I've recently bought new T410 type 2537-A11 with WIN7 PRO sticker beneath a battery. Surprisingly, when I first launch OS, it appeared WIn7, but Home Edition. Moreover, I can't find recovery partition on hard drive!! I have no recovery discs. Probably, the seller did a "switch" OS and deleted recovery partition. Of course, the seller made no response after I described the problem. What can I do with it? Do I have to live without recovery partition or call Lenovo Poland for help (can they manage recovery discs or sth else)? Thank you for any help
T420s type 4171-7FU
Solved!
Go to Solution.

According to your product number you should have the bluetooth. If you press Fn + F5 and with the wireless switch in the on position, does your bluetooth option comes up?
Regarding the recovery discs, i would imagine any T410 recovery media would be compatible with each other. You can purchase it from Lenovo directly.
Product: ThinkPad T410 2537-A11 [change]
Operating system: All [change]
Original description: i5-520M(2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, 160GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel 5700MHD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Camera, 4c Li-Ion, Win7 Pro 32
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

Missing Recovery partition after restoring full TM backup

Hello everyone,
I have a question for you Time Machine gurus. I have looked at pondini.org but could not find the answer. It is very possible I have overlooked it.
Here is the scenario:
Macbook Pro with Lion 10.7.2. I connected 1TB USB drive. Formatted it.
Rebooted while holding Option+R. Had two options: Main Drive and Recovery HD. Took Main Drive.
Ran full TM machine backup to the external.
Rebooted while holding Option+R. Had three options: Main Drive, Recovery HD and TM Backup. Took TM Backup. It worked fine, everything looked good.
The next step may not make sense to you, but I have been having some performance issues with the MBP, so I decided to format the main drive and recover it from the TM backup so that the data would be contiguous. I have read countless articles in favor or against doing this. I just thought it made sense, based on many articles I read here.
I then, while running from the TM backup, formatted my main drive.
Next I did a full recovery of the main drive from the TM backup. Everything worked just fine and I am running ok at this time. Not sure it helped performance yet, but here is the question:
Once I reboot the system holding Option+R after the recovery, I only have two options: Main Drive and TM backup. Recovery HD is gone. So it seems that was either not backed up to TM to begin with or not recovered to the Main Drive during the full recovery. Any ideas? The goal was to have it still there in the Main Drive, although with a full TM backup I would not really need it unless I am away from my external, which could happen.
Thanks for ideas or suggestions.
M

Mr. Goob-Mart wrote:
Rebooted while holding Option+R. Had two options: Main Drive and Recovery HD. Took Main Drive.
You don't need to hold the R key. Option invokes the Startup Manager, which shows all bootable volumes.
Or, you can hold Cmd+R to start from the Recovery HD on your Mac.
Once I reboot the system holding Option+R after the recovery, I only have two options: Main Drive and TM backup. Recovery HD is gone.
That's correct. A full restore erases the entire OSX volume, including the Recovery HD. (Just why it takes the Recovery HD isn't clear, but it does).
The only way to get a new one is to download a fresh copy of Lion, via the Recovery HD on the TM drive.
Once it's there, you can copy it to another drive if you want. See: OS X Lion: About Lion Recovery Disk Assistant (but you can't copy the one on your Time Machine drive).

Recovery Partition Missing and Bluetooth Issues After Update

After upgrading to 10.9.3 my recovery partition is gone and my bluetooth will pair with a new device, connect, and then disconnect. After that I am not able to reconnect the new bluetooth device. I can see it, but can't connect to it. I have tried multiple bluetooth devices, and they all do the same thing. I am really baffled about the missing recovery partition. Any ideas?

I still don't know what happened to my test Aperture Library after the update to 3.4...Not only were my previews lost, but so were the original images! Needless to say, I haven't bothered to update the main library on the Mac Pro because I don't want to deal with this level of uncertainty (even with backups in place).

HT4718 New iMac (March 2013) has no recovery partition ?

Hallo,
i contacted Apple support because of a problem with an external USB 3.0 hdd after sleep mode. In some cases the external hdd will not be recognized
after sleep mode by Mac OS 10.8.5. For checking something the Apple engineer said i should reboot by holding the Alt key.
After reboot the engineer was astonished that my new iMac has no recovery partition. The iMac starts a recovery by internet connection but if i understood him correctly a brand new iMac must contain a recovery partition.
What can be the reason that a newly bought iMac does not have a recovery partition ? I contacted my dealer (German online store) but I did not get an answer until now. My newly bought MacBook Air has a recovery partition.
Please excuse my bad English.
Greetings Jan

This article explains the missing recovery partition problem for new fusion drive Mac computer:
http://www.tuaw.com/2013/02/13/finding-steves-recovery-partition-solving-an-appl e-mystery/

Recovery partition missing after Time Machine restore of Lion

I recently purchased a new hard drive for my macbook pro and restored my system to the new disc via a Time Machine backup of the old disc. Everything worked fine and my mac is running faster than ever thanks to the new drive
I just recently realized, however, that by using this method of restoration, the Lion recovery partition that was created during my first install is gone. This is probably due to it being a hidden partition that disc utility on my install disc was unable to recreate.
I verified that the partition is missing by downloading the new recovery tool that Apple released a few days ago. It failed to work because the partiton could not be found.
My question is if anyone else has realized this issue and if there is a solution. Is it possible to recreate the partition without going through an archive-and-reinstall routine? In my opinion this is a bit of a blunder by Apple as it renders Time Machine usless.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

Read the instructions for using the Recovery HD installation tool. You must make a small partition on the new hard drive of about 1 GB or so on which to install the Recovery HD.
To resize the drive do the following:
1. Open Disk Utility and select the drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list.
2. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. You should see the graphical sizing window showing the existing partitions. A portion may appear as a blue rectangle representing the used space on a partition.
3. In the lower right corner of the sizing rectangle for each partition is a resizing gadget. Select it with the mouse and move the bottom of the rectangle upwards until you have reduced the existing partition enough to create the desired new volume's size. The space below the resized partition will appear gray. Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed. (Note: You can only make a partition smaller in order to create new free space.)
4. Click on the [+] button below the sizing window to add a new partition in the gray space you freed up. Give the new volume a name, if you wish, then click on the Apply button. Wait until the process has completed.
You should now have a new volume on the drive.
It would be wise to have a backup of your current system as resizing is not necessarily free of risk for data loss. Your drive must have sufficient contiguous free space for this process to work.

Recovery partition is missing boot file!

My operating system was missing and my hard drive was formatted I tried using the windows installation disc but it didn't help. Then I installed Windows 8 its seems a little too confusing but I miss my Windows 7 features. Is there any way to boot from the recovery drive without the boot file, Windows 8 can't open the recovery manager though.
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Sometimes you can mark the Recovery patition as Active and the laptop will boot into it and reinstall.
1.Open Disk Management>>Instructions
2.Right-click on the "HP Recovery" partition and select "Mark as Active Partition."
3.When the warning prompt appears, select "Yes" - Reboot and it will automatically boot into the Recovery Manager.
If this fails, phone HP to order Recovery Disks for your machine.Choose your country here> Contact HP
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Missing Recovery Partition

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