Can't Format External Hard Drive

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fozzy40


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I have WD HD that I briefly used to back up my Mac. I'm trying to format it again and use it like a regular external HD. However, when I go to the "erase" tab on Disk Utility the options are grayed out.

Help please!
 
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leadfoot


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When you backed up do you have files important for the OS to run. If you have your MACOSX disk handy then use that to format from. How are you connecting WD HD to the computer USB or Firewire or Ethernet.
 
harryb2448

harryb2448


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Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
And make sure the external is connected, powered up and selected in Disk Utility.
 
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fozzy40


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leadfoot said:
When you backed up do you have files important for the OS to run. If you have your MACOSX disk handy then use that to format from. How are you connecting WD HD to the computer USB or Firewire or Ethernet.
Click to expand...

Connected by USB
 
harryb2448

harryb2448


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Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
If it is not appearing via USB in Disk utility, what Mac do you have? External drives do appear in DU.
 

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