I wanted to install Windows 7 on my iMAC, but when I want to partition the harddisk it says that it is not possible because it can not be moved a few datas. I should format the hard disk.
I did not found any help with formatting the main hard disk.
So with the hard disk utilities I checked then the hard disk and it showed up a few errors. When I wanted to repair the hard disk with the Snow Leopard DVD, the iMAC got stuck without or with pushing down the tab C.
Could you please tell me how I can format the hard disk? It seems to be the only way.
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André
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Boot Camp can not partition the harddisk
Comments: 6 Responses to “Boot Camp can not partition the harddisk”
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It isn't easy. First, back up your data. Twice. Once with Time Machine, once as a clone on another drive. Just to be safe.
Then boot from the DVD and run Disk Utility. There is an option there to reformat. That cleans everything off. Serious stuff.
Then use the Snow Leopard DVD to install Snow Leopard.
Then you can try to restore from your Time Machine backup using the Migration Assistant. Hopefully this gets you back to where you were, with your files and Applications. But it wouldn't hurt to cross your fingers.
Then use Boot Camp right away to install Windows.
I would add that it helps to have a lot of free drive space. 50%, I'd say. Otherwise, you could do all of this an then end up right where you started with Boot Camp telling you you can't install.
(BTW, this is so much easier if you install Windows when you first get your Mac. You can just do it, none of this frustration).
Hi Gary
Thank you a lot for the detailed explanation. It seems to be serious.
Today I got a mail with an offer for the DiskTools Pro. Could it be a idea to repair the drive disk with this tool before reformat everything?
Or would it help if I were getting more free space on the drive disk and then try again to use boot camp?
Thank again for your help.
André
You can repair with Disk Utilities. No need to buy another application.
Getting more free space will help, but you must still do the defrag or rebuild. Probably no escaping that.
I'll bet you can find a local Mac shop that will do this all for you. Trade some money for time and effort.
Hi Gary
One last question. You wrote to boot from the DVD and run Disk Utility to reformat the drive disk. You mean to run the Snow Leopard DVD? The problem is that this does not work on my iMAC. When I boot it with the DVD I'll get a blank screen, it never gets to the Disk Utility. Can I reformat it in an other way?
I have just downloaded CCC to make a Clone and I will try it first on my old MacBookPro to see how it works.
Again thank you a lot.
André
That's a problem. It should boot from the Snow Leopard DVD. Try the original DVD that came with your Mac too. But it sounds like you might have some other issue then.
Hi
I want to windows install windows 7 on my 2009 iMac. I have a windows installation DVD. I tried to set up bootcamp but I keep getting this same error can not partition my drive because files could not be moved" I found this solution http://blog.omega-prime.co.uk/?p=112
Does anyone know if this will work?
Please help, Thank you