annafell89 Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Hey guys, I have read the sticky topic and I've also searched on the web for this topic, but it seems that it's a special issue. I've a HDD which is divided into 3 partitions: 1st partition (MBR): NTFS - Windows XP installed 2nd partition: also NTFS - conains all my personal data, I don't want to lose 3rd partition: I was using Linux but I didn't really use it, so is now unpartitioned So I thought, I could easily install OS X on the 3rd partition if I would format it using the disk utility. But when I tried to, the whole HDD partitions were greyed out. I have no idea what to do now, although I tried to format it with professional tools like PartitionMagic and Acronis DiskDirector. Do you have any idea what to do, or do I definitly have to repartition the HDD using disk utility? I hope this isn't a repost and my explaination was comprehensible. I'd be happy if someone could help me. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoiX Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 hey annafell, welcome to InsanelyMac... There is a change that something could go wrong and lose all your data. i recommend using another hdd, a 40 gb one will work, because installing os on the same hd with windows is really a pain in the a** Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-794520 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kytzu Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 make first a fat32 partition then use hirens boot cd and there is a tool which allow you to change the partition id and set it to 0xAF. after that you will be able to format and mount the partition using the disk utility Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-794526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gujal Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Most Probably you had /dev/hda7 under Linux which means it was a Logical Drive under a Extended Partition. That scheme is not supported for OSX. The partition must be Primary (not Extended) for OSX to be installed Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-794806 Share on other sites More sharing options...
annafell89 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Hey Guys, first of all, thanks for your immediate replies! @kytzu: You mean, that I have to format the unpartioned space with FAT32 an then I can edit it? Would that be safe? I don't want to lose my data. @Gujal: That's what I already thought,but is there a possibility to make the extended partition smaller (so that there's only the second partition in it)? Then I could format the free space as a new primary partition, right? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-795054 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dude Matters Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 What are you installing? If you use the Kalyway 10.5.2 CD, you must do the following; Boot into XP. Use the built in diskmanager or use a partition manager like Partition Magic. Select the partition you want to use, format it as FAT or NTFS (doesn't matter what, as long as it is formatted) and give it a name (OSX for example) Write the partition table and exit XP. Boot from the Kalyway 10.5.2 CD Wait till OS X Installation has booted, choose a language and select the DiskTool from the menu. Select the (OSX) partition and reformat it using MAC OS Journalled filesystem. Quit the DiskTool and install OS X After reboot leave the CD in place and boot from the CD (press a key when asked) Choose a language and start Terminal (from the menu) type: diskutil list (enter) fdisk -e /dev/disk0 (enter) flag 1 (enter) write (enter) exit (enter) quit the installer (alt-q) or choose from menu. The system will reboot, remove the CD and your system will reboot into XP. Now you will need to make the Windows BOOT installer recognize OS X. This is done bij using a small file (search for it on internet or pm me) called CHAIN. This must be installed in the root of your XP partition. Adding an entry to your XP boot.ini for OSX (This can be done in windows) C:\chain0=MAC OS X That's it, now you can dual boot into OS X. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-795126 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gujal Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 @annafell89 Yes, you can move the space around using Partition Magic (Get Hiren BootCD) Under Partition Magic, Basically you need to get rid of the empty partition inside Extended Partition. Shrink the extended partition and move the extended partion to the end of the harddisk. You will now have free space between Primary XP Partition and extended partiotin. Create an Empty FAT32 Primary Partition here, which you would be then able to format as HFS+ during Leopard install. Whew..... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-796078 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kytzu Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 @kytzu: You mean, that I have to format the unpartioned space with FAT32 an then I can edit it? Would that be safe? I don't want to lose my data. It's never 100% safe to play with partitioning tools so you have to be careful. Using partition magic 8 is ok, I never had troubles with this tool, changing the ID of one partition is also not a big deal, I just don't remeber the name of the aplication able to do that but is on hirens disk. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-796180 Share on other sites More sharing options...
annafell89 Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 … I just don't remeber the name of the aplication able to do that but is on hirens disk. This is exactly my problem. I burned hirens disk, but I don't really know which tool can change my partition ID. @kytzu: Can you tell me, which tool to use, and have your tried it by yourself? So is this method passably secure? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112258-problem-with-partitions-before-osx-install/#findComment-796256 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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