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Mid 2012 model, A1278 / 2.5 GHz i5 or 2.9 GHz i7 processor.

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Disk Utility on Internet Recovery will not format GUID + Mac OS Extend

I swapped the hard drive on a mid 2012 13" macbook pro to an ADATA SU800 512 GB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Using Internet Recovery I am trying to reinstall the OS onto the system. Disk Utility refuses to format the drive into the Mac OS Extended format. It always fails with the error "Partition failed with the error: File system formatter failed."

It WILL succeed for MS-DOS (FAT). Both attempts were with GUID. I am out of ideas on how to fix this and it's pretty frustrating. Is the drive itself somehow incompatible with the Mac OS file system?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Apple will replace the cable on this particular model for free, no questions asked.

UPDATE

To my knowledge Apple has not announced this to the public and pretty well keeps its mouth shut about the program. That's why you pay ME the big bucks on this site! ;-)

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It's long out of warranty so I'll have to do it myself

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This has nothing to do with warranty. Apple is trying to prevent a class action law suit on this model. They will replace it for free! ASK If you decide that I am full of it, then at least look at this video on how to prevent it from happening again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amg5w0rl...

If you doubt my veracity click on my icon and check me out.

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Thanks. How do I get that done? Genius Bar?

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Actually I would call an Authorized Service provider and ask if they know of the program, as they have a financial incentive from Apple to help you.

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I called one and you are correct. Thanks a bunch for the tip, I never would have found out about this otherwise. Does this issue cause this particular problem and what was the problem to begin with? I found it odd that they don't use a simple interposer like most Windows laptops...

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From what you've stated here I'm suspecting the HD drive cable is glitchy which is why you're having a hard time here. You'll need to replace it. Here's the IFIXIT guide to do it: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Cable Replacement and here is the part you need: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable.

As to why you can format the drive with FAT and unable to setup GUID partition map & Mac OS Extended (Journaled) partition gets into some deep stuff here on the how these are setup and how the drive is stressed when doing it. Without getting too deep here FAT formats are very light weight unlike GUID. So the stress on the connection is whats setting things off.

You can prove this to your self by using a SATA to USB connection with a device like this: Startech 2.5" SATA to USB adapter. I'll even guess if you connect up your HD to it, it will work as well!

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable

$34.99

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The drive will format when connected via an external usb, and like mayer said below the cable is under an Apple REP program and an authorized service provider will repair it on Apple's dime, so I'll go ahead with that. Thanks!

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Would it be possible for you to put the drive into a external casing such as this one, put the old drive back in the Mac, then connect the new drive via USB, and format it that way? It might work, it might not.

(The product linked is just one I found on Newegg, I haven't used it so cannot speak to its quality etc)

Best of luck with your upgrade!

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The old drive fails to boot which is why I just put in a blank drive. Is there any reason the drive is incompatible with Mac OS Extended? Like it said it will successfully format for MS-DOS (FAT).

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On disk utility are you selecting the Volume or the Disk? You could also try partitioning the drive into 'free space', then attempting the format. This provides a blank slate for Disk Utility to work with.

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Disk. There are no volumes to begin with. I tried partitioning into free space and then partitioning to mac os extended but that fails with the same error.

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Hmm, I'm afraid that I'm out of suggestions then. It is possible that the drive might not be compatible with the Mac. Not 100% sure.

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How would a drive not be compatible with Mac? Apple drives me crazy sometimes. A drives a drives a drive theoretically right?

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Isaac Tian will be eternally grateful.
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