HD not an option to erase and install on

I have been working through a problem with my 1.5 year old Powerbook over the past few weeks. I was first told I had to archive and install but when I tried that an error message told me that the disk was too damaged. I got my hands on a copy of the disk warrior boot disk and was able to retrieve all the files I wanted to save, but the program was unable to rebuild the disk.
Now I am prepared to erase and install, but when it comes time to select a volume to install to, nothing shows up. (this is the third step of the install process, before I actually choose erase and install vs. archive/install). does erasing through disk utility make it possible to install OSX again without taking up all my space? are there any other options to look into before taking my computer to a store or something and getting the hard drive replaced?

Can you start/boot the computer from your hard drive boot volume?
If so, after the startup process is complete, go to Application > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Launch Disk Utility and select the hard drive at the very top of the drives and volumes window.
Under the First Aid tab, what does the S.M.A.R.T. status indicate at the bottom of the window?
If anything other than Verified, your hard drive is failing or has failed and needs to be replaced.
If the S.M.A.R.T. status for the hard drive is shown as Verified, quit Disk Utility and boot the compute from your Tiger install disc.
Select your language and at the Installer screen/prompt, navigate to Disk Utility via the Installer menu bar.
If you are unable to boot the computer from your hard drive boot volume, select the hard drive at the very top of the drives and volumes window and under the First Aid tab, check the S.M.A.R.T. status. If shown as Verified, you need to erase the hard drive using Disk Utility. Be sure HFS+ (or extended) is selected as the format with Journaling enabled.
When completed, quit Disk Utility and the focus will return to the Installer.
Try performing an Erase & Install again.

Similar Messages

TM Not backing up since Erase and Install

I recently did an erase and install and since then TM just says "Preparing" but has not backed anything up. What should I do?

Welcome to the Apple forums:
Until you solve your problem I recommend downloading SuperDuper and cloning your system on a regular basis. If you buy the options, you can have it make regularly scheduled backups. I believe it can share the TM drive, but if yours is nearly full, I suggest getting another external drive for SuperDuper.
Why did you reinstall Leopard? I was under the impression that all you need to do is boot from the Leopard DVD and in the Utility menu restore the previous system. This might be the problem - I don't really know. I also suspect that the interim Tiger install is part of your problem.
If you use SuperDuper and create a bootable clone and test it, then and only then I would suggest erasing your internal HD completely - actually deleting and recreating the partition, and then booting into Leopard DVD and using it to restore your TM system.
Don't do anything without a second backup.
Here's the link for SuperDuper
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/
I find it the perfect supplement to TM.

Must erase and install as only option?

I've tried to install Leopard from DVD and received the message that the only install option is "Erase and Install". My mac info is
Machine Name: PowerBook G4 15"
Machine Model: PowerBook5,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.9.1f1
I don't understand why I can't install. Any ideas? Hints of alternative approaches?
Thanks in advance.

octafish wrote:
I hate to be nitpicky, but I'm fairly certain erase and install is always available as an option. Erase and Install may become the only option after a "bad install" but it's always available under options as far as I know.
You are absolutely correct. After the language screen there is an Option button on the lower left.
If you select it you will see the default is "upgrade" and the A&I and E&I are there, as well. It's a matter of attention to details. Leave nothing to chance.
If the install offers only erase and install, don't believe it. Find out why and fix it. It's only a problem to be solved.
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

Problems with Erase and Install 10.6.4

We were able to upgrade to 10.6.4 and run Time Machine. Then the errors started, like losing access to iPhoto Library and then Mail accounts and Apple was able to help. We have four accounts, Mom and the kids. And suddenly after 90 days the computer starting running really slow, and then stopped. On re-boot nothing starts. So went back to Install disk and Disk Utility only to find the only option is Erase and Install...totally un-bootable. Since we had a recent Time Machine back-up agreed and erased the HD. Then re-started with Install Disk...it gets halfway into it and then gives Error box and says unable to load some support files, and says to re-start. Well I am in the midst of 4 th attempt with no success, always the same error. Any ideas or am I off to the Apple Store AGAIN?!

I keep working at this. I tried to install 10.4 that came with the iMac and it too stops and says it can't finish the install. Ran 10.6.4 Install and same error. So I ran the same install and made sure that it erased and 'Journaled' the HD, ran disk repair and it said all was well. Ran Install and again stopped at 24 minutes till complete with "Unable to Install all support files", ran Disk repair on re-boot, said a node was not erased, so when I ran repair disk, it listed a different node as not erased but said it was repaired. This time I ran custom Install and de-selected all the languages we don't use and deselected 'X11' (needed to run Windows but we don't do that). And now am trying again. DiskWarrior says the Hard Drive is ok, but as there is no system installed it is unable to re-build a non-existent directory. I have also signed in to our wireless network in the obviously mistaken hope that it could 'find' the files needed but I gather I am asking too much. So much for the much touted Snow Leopard OS...I can hardly wait for 'Lion' next

Erase and Install.. Is it now ready for new owner?

1 )   Hello, i think i saw the answer to my question in a previous post but as it is the first time i have installed a system i would like to make sure i understand properly. I am preparing a computer for sale or giveaway. At the end of the installation it carries on to the Welcome /Registration process, i presume it is at that point i stop, which i did, what baffled me was that there was no way to exit the page and no way to shut the computer down. I turned it off at the power button, is it ok now to pull the plug? And when it is turned back on will it start at the Welcome page and the new owner go on from there?
2 ) Before doing the Erase and Install i had a play around with removing my account. I deleted all private data and browsing history and anything i could find to delete, disabled auto login then i set up a fictitious account and used the admin rights given to that account to remove my proper account. That was all good except when the computer started again it still displayed my name on the panel that comes up saying e.g Joe Bloggs computer.   Is there a way to remove my name from that panel ?   The reason i ask is that a computer can be given away with the OS still in it ready to use with previous details removed but the new owner wouldn't want to see a previous owners name come up.( It didn't appear on the accounts page)
The name must have been put in during the configuration process, how or at what point do i avoid it or perhaps choose just to enter something general such as " my computer" ?    Thanks .

Gidday or i should say good evening.. i didn't leave a computer behind(?)... Before i did the Erase and Install i had as i described it a "play around". I think it was at that point my name still appeared on the start up pane. Then i put the disc in and yes the first time it was just an Upgrade ( i didn't realise) 10.3 to 10.4. I had a look and found the option to Erase and Install which has been done, it will have erased my name but that wasn't the first question... there was no way to exit the Welcome process so do i just pull the plug (its currently just been turned off at the machine itself) leaving it at that point of Welcome/ Registration, and is it now ready to go to a new owner?
As to the other query i am just curious to know if is there a way to remove the name from that pane? I presume i filled in the name somewhere during the Welcome process.
Yes i am aware that recovery can be done and that Erasing etc is the safest way but there was nothing to be of concern on the computer. I wasn't even doing internet banking back on the 10.3.       I have 3 eMacs and will be keeping the other two.

Software Update simply not updating after erase and install.

Help. I have an intel imac that was recently reinstalled of the OSX after I decided to custom install. Previously, it was running on 10.5.5. I did the erase and install with the option of of selecting the MAC OS Extended (Journaled). As for the custom installation, all I did was to select only the HP printer driver, while the rest I have unchecked.
Currently, the version is 10.5.2 and I have tried to run the software updating. There is a MacOSUpdate combo 10.5.5. I have downloaded it and during installation, halfway of updating the OS, the bar just seem to hang for a long time. Now is this normal? I have waited for an hour or so and there seem no respond or any sign of the OS is being updated.
What did I do wrong? I am posting from Malaysia. Could it be an asia server problem?

did you attempt the update using  - Software Update or did you download the 10.5.5 Combo Updater?
http://support.apple.com/downloads/
or
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_5_ComboUpdate
By the way, that site is not working for me this morning so there may be server issues, I don't know if there are problems with the Apple servers or if my local ISP is having problems, again.
I have internet issues because I live in the country so internet service is not good. I always download the full updater before I try to install it.
Another good habit - After your install, Run Disk Utility Repair Permissions and Disk Utility Verify Disk. I run those two before and after each install or Update. Some gurus here say is it not necessary to do that, but I always do it - before and after - and I have never had an installation failure or update failure.
Hope that helps.

Only available installation option may be Erase and Install

Trying to Upgrade Tiger.
The only option I get is "erase and install"
I've been trying to do this suggestion from Apple:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1471?viewlocale=en_US
Problem is I don't get the option to repair the destination drive when using the Leopard install Disk Utility. Only verify.
Note--I've done a repair on my Tiger Startup hard drive and then reboot, but it still doesn't work.
Any help.....?

Hmm dont know man? Just checked his post at work.
It was bought at the Apple Store like two days ago with the hologram type box. Have no idea if that helped.
Are certain disks bad or something?

Installing on G4 - no erase and install option

Hi all - really hoping someone can help me with this one.
I'm trying to install Leopard on my iBook G4. My current OS is 10.3.9. I've put in the Leopard CD and rebooted pressing C - I get past the screen where I can choose my language preference, but then I get an error message telling me Leopard can't install from 10.3.9 - it needs 10.4. I've been advised it will work if I do an erase and install, which I'm fine with - it's all backed up. BUT I cannot get to the screen where that becomes an option. The error message seems to be the end of the line - there are no further buttons to press to move on from that.
Has anyone else encountered this or have any bright ideas as to what I need to do next? From reading some of the posts here, other people seem to have installed Leopard onto slightly older macs so I am really hoping it's not impossible.
BTW I have 1.25GB of RAM and a 1.2Ghz processor, so that should all be fine.
Any help much appreciated! Thanks.

Hi clarrie123;
From the sounds of that error it sound like you are attempting to use an upgrade DVD rather then the generic install DVD for Leopard.
The upgrade DVD were issued with Mac that had Tiger installed after Leopard was released and are only usable on those Macs.
It sounds like you are going to have to purchase the generic DVDs to install Leopard on your Mac.
Allan

MBP Early 2008 erase and install (bundled) additional iLife apps option

ok, can't figure this out. I have a MBP that I am going to reinstall everything using the factory 2 dvd set. I want to erase and install and install the original factory apps (meaning iLife). There is the option, when you boot up, to "install mac os X and additional apps." When you go through the process, you have to modify the install to erase and install, since there is a newer version of mac os x already on it. Then you proceed, when you goto customize (because I want to make sure the ilife extra stuff is checkmarked, it says there is a newer version already and thus won't checkmark those iLife apps as part of the install. Since I have chosen the erase and install option, shouldn't it know that and let those options be installed?
Message was edited by: powerbook1701
Message was edited by: powerbook1701

First, you must erase the drive. Do this:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
Steps 4-6 are optional but should be used on a drive that has never been formatted before, if the format type is not Mac OS Extended, if the partition scheme has been changed, or if a different operating system (not OS X) has been installed on the drive.

I formatted and re-installed itunes. now it flashing massage that my ´ipod is synced with another iTunes library. An ipod can be synced with only one library at a time.´ now it is giving 2 options, 1- erase and sync, 2- transfer purchases. what to do?

i formatted and re-installed itunes. now it flashing massage that my ´ipod is synced with another iTunes library. An ipod can be synced with only one library at a time.´ now it is giving 2 options, 1- erase and sync, 2- transfer purchases. what to do?

Follow these instructions:
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities

No Erase and Install Option given

So I am trying to do a complete Erase and Install from the Leopard DVD, but it doesn't give me this option when I boot up. It simply start reinstalling and keeps all my old accounts....What could be the problem?

Soon after you choose your language, the Menu bar shows up at the top of the monitor. Go to the Utility menu, select Disk Utility and format the drive you are trying to install to.
With no system to upgrade, the installer will default to a full installation.
Have you really backed up your Music, Pictures, Emails, and Documents?
Just Checking

Mail will not recognize mailboxes backed up before erase and install.

Since my computer was starting to slow down, I figured it was a good time for the old erase and install. Rather than backup the whole "Mail" folder in the library as I should have done, I only backed up the "Mailboxes" and the "POP-address@..." folders. I also backed up the plist folder to go in /preferences/mail.
Now mail won't recognize my old mailboxes. The preferences list clearly worked, and my mailbox folders even appear on the left in mail, but none of my messages are there. When I try to use the "import mailboxes" command in mail, it says that "No valid mail for mac os x were found." The messages are clearly in these folders because if I double click on an individual message, I can see it.
Please help me to get back to my former world. I miss IMAP.

David Gimeno Gost wrote:
I also backed up the plist folder to go in /preferences/mail.
This doesn’t make sense. com.apple.mail.plist, if that’s what you mean, is a file, not a folder, and it should be in ~/Library/Preferences/, not in “/preferences/mail”.
When I try to use the "import mailboxes" command in mail, it
says that "No valid mail for mac os x were found."
Pay attention to the instructions that Mail displays when choosing Mail for Mac OS X as the data format. In the next step, Mail wants you to select the folder that contains the mailboxes to be imported (i.e. the folder where the .mbox folders to be imported reside), not the .mbox folders themselves nor the Messages folders within them. If you select the wrong folder, Mail says “No valid Mail for Mac OS X files were found” because it cannot find any .mbox folders within the folder you’re selecting.
Yes, sorry, the file is in library/preferences.
Your suggestion about paying attention to the folder that the mailboxes are IN worked like a charm. The only problem is that now I accidentally deleted my trash mailbox and can't figure out how to create a new one.
Thank you so much for your help, and I apologize for my ineptitude.

No "erase and install" option only "customize"

I want to perform an "erase and install" but it won't give me the option to.
It only says "Customize"
Where did it go?

i think u may be right. which may also be why it doesn't allow me to log in. (just freezes whenever i put the RIGHT name/password in, if it's the wrong one it only allows me to try again)
Although, the iBook currently had 10.3.9.
there's also no "erase and install" option on my iMac that I'm trying to re-install. MAYBE cuz Tiger's already installed on there?? I'm using the disc that it came with.

Lost applications due to "Erase and Install" option in Leopard Installation

I bought a new Macbook this morning at my local Apple Store, and they gave me a Macbook running Tiger as well as a Leopard Installation Disk. I wanted my Macbook to be just like new, so I called Apple Support and they told me to do an "Erase and Install." After I followed their directions and was finally running Leopard, I noticed that I lost programs: Garageband, iPhoto, and iMovie to name a few.
How can I get these applications back?
And it is absolutely ridiculous if I have to buy iLife '08 because I had these programs already on my computer with Mac OSX Tiger before Apple told me to "Erase and Install."
p.s. I received 2 other disks that seem to be of no help...2 Tiger Installation disks.

Ok if you purchased a new macbook reload the original os x tiger restore cd's you have to hold the c key at startup to boot from it format and reinstall mac os x tiger then once os x tiger is installed update to the latest version of tiger first then connect a external hard drive and use carbon copy cloner to backup your hard drive the reason for this is when you upgrade from tiger to leopard the os has a high tendency to remove the idvd and garageband content so none of your ilife apps will function after the upgrade this is why you need the external with it the first time you install mac os x leopard it will ask do you want to transfer your settings from another partition on this mac select this option and select the external and everything will be fine

Can't erase and install SNow Leopard on old MacBook Pro

I am trying to erase and install Snow Leopard on a MacBook Pro3,1. I boot up with the installation disc, get to pick a language but then a window pops up that says "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer" and gives me the options to Restore from Backup or Restart.
I had upgraded to a 500GB hard drive on this machine which I used for months, but it is currently running off the hard drive of a new MacBook Pro that got fried. The installation disk I am using is the one I got with that unfortunate machine. Could this be the problem?
Any other suggestions?
Other info: Mac OS X 10.6.1 (108504)
Other History: The machine I am trying to erase and install on recently had its logic board replaced under warranty because of the NVIDIA graphics card issue. I have not found the service centre in South Africa to be very trustworthy, in fact the first time they claimed to have replaced the logic board, the computer (which had been intermittently failing to boot up) immediately started displaying the same problems. Another mac shop said to me that the "new" logic board looked so dusty that it seemed extremely unlikely that it had been replaced a week prior. Anyway, it has ostensibly been replaced again, along with a faulty superdrive.
When it went back to the service centre, they put in the hard drive of another, new, MacBook Pro of mine that got fried in an unrelated incident
Please help! I want to give this machine to an employee but
a) want to make sure it's stable and functioning properly, and
b) want to give it a clean slate with my personal data and settings erased.

You need a retail Snow Leopard installation disk. Available for $29 USD. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MACOS_XSNGL
Once you install it onto the old machine, you can use the setup assistant to migrate your stuff and apps from the other machine.

HD not an option to erase and install on

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