You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: chalkypinch
chalkypinch Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

External Hard Drives Won't Erase After Using With Time Machine

Hi,


I have 2 external hard drives that I was using for Time Machine. I have now replaced them and want to erase them for use as normal drives. I have de-selected them for use with Time Machine but Disk Utility won't erase them. It can't run First Aid on them either. It looks like they have become read only.


Here's the error message if that helps:


Erasing “Seagate Plus Drive 1” (disk11s1) and creating “Seagate Plus Drive 1”


Framework unable to communicate with the Disk Management daemon. : (-69812)


Operation failed…



Any ideas on how I can rescue these drives?


Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Apr 12, 2023 3:17 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,705 points

Posted on Apr 12, 2023 4:50 AM

Predicate on the User having Removed the Problematic Drives from Time Machine Backup as per the Apple Support document in link below >>


Change Time Machine settings on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


The to Reformat the Entire Drive as per the Apple Support document in the below link should provide the correct Method to re-purpose the drive


Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


The Key Element in the link is to use Disk Utilities >> View >> " Show ALL Devices "


The choose the Upper Most Drive by Manufacturers Name and not the Volumes below






View in context

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,705 points

Apr 12, 2023 4:50 AM in response to chalkypinch

Predicate on the User having Removed the Problematic Drives from Time Machine Backup as per the Apple Support document in link below >>


Change Time Machine settings on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


The to Reformat the Entire Drive as per the Apple Support document in the below link should provide the correct Method to re-purpose the drive


Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


The Key Element in the link is to use Disk Utilities >> View >> " Show ALL Devices "


The choose the Upper Most Drive by Manufacturers Name and not the Volumes below






Reply

External Hard Drives Won't Erase After Using With Time Machine

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up