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Erasing Free Space Fails
#22658 07/24/12 01:23 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
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In preparation for Mt. Lion, I thought I would Erase Free Space. But I am unable to do so.

After launching Disk Utilities and initiating the requisite action, I am always advised that the erase could not be done because: “Some information was unavailable during an internal lookup.”

This happens on all internal and external volumes.

I thought that maybe some third-party app/plugin was at play, so I attempted same while in in Safe Boot. Again, no joy.

Now I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?


Harv
27" i7 iMac (10.13.6), iPhone Xs Max (12.1)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Erasing Free Space Fails
Pendragon #22662 07/24/12 03:17 PM
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Google turned up this Apple Discussions thread suggesting it is a permissions issue.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Erasing Free Space Fails
joemikeb #22666 07/24/12 04:19 PM
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Many thanks, JoeMike.

But alas, I remain confused. My "System" is already Read & Write". Must I also change the "Wheel" and "Everyone"?


Harv
27" i7 iMac (10.13.6), iPhone Xs Max (12.1)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Erasing Free Space Fails
Pendragon #22684 07/25/12 02:45 AM
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The few answers found on the Apple Discussions seemed to focus on permission issues, but I didn't see any reported successes in response to suggestions to fix permissions — which may or may not mean anything one way or the other. With that as a starting point, I would try running Permission Repair as a first pass attempt at a fix. However the fact this is occurring on more than one volume would tend to eliminate that as a problem source. Still it cannot hurt.

If that fails, in an attempt to narrow the solution space, I would resort to the standard troubleshooting step of booting from a clean test account and see if Erase Free Space works from there.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Erasing Free Space Fails
joemikeb #22687 07/25/12 10:53 AM
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I thought your idea of logging in to the guest account and then attempting to erase the free space was a capital idea. But alas, no joy.

After booting back to my main account, I then repaired permissions and, without quitting DU, immediately attempted to erase the free space. Bingo! Voilà! Success!

Always, my thanks.


Harv
27" i7 iMac (10.13.6), iPhone Xs Max (12.1)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire

Moderated by  alternaut, dkmarsh, joemikeb 

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