Need Help:Accitentally formatted hard drive to FAT32

B

bok13

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I was installing windows XP to my macbook pro and accidentally formated the hard drive to a FAT32, now when I go to start-up the computer all I get is the grey screen.
I have tried holding the "C" key when booting with OS/X disc but nothing happens.
what can I do?
 
Did you accidentally format the Mac OS X partition on the drive?

If so, then it's gone. You'll need to reload Mac OS X.

If not, then reboot while holding the option key down (keeping it held down as the system boots). You'll be presented with a menu of icons of bootable volumes -- select the OS X volume and you should be good-to-go.
 
Ok, so do the next part that I quoted: reload Mac OS X.

Pop in the Mac OS X Install/Restore CD/DVD, reboot the computer while holding (and keeping held down) the 'c' key until the computer boots from the CD/DVD, and reinstall Mac OS X on that partition.
 
I've been trying that for a couple of days with no luck, holding down the option key has progress the best so far with only a arrow which freezes after a minute
 
Both what? 10.4.9 -- is it the system-specific "Restore" CD/DVD, or a retail version? Same for 10.5.6 -- system-specific (gray-colored), or retail version?

What kind of Mac computer? iMac? G4? G5? MacBook? MacBook Pro? Mac Pro? Mac mini?
 
I tried Zapping PRAM earlier today, could the hard drive be damaged by chance as I was formatting?
I personally am leaning towards that, I praying its not the motherboard.
 
Even if the hard drive were gone (i.e.: physically removed from the computer), it would still be able to boot from the CD/DVD.

At this point, without having physical access to the computer, my only recommendation would be to take it to an Apple Authorized Repair Center and have them take a look.
 
I guess you've answered my worst fears, thank you for spending the time going over the procedures

regards,
bob
 
Bob calm down and boot to your Mac. Then mount the external hard drive. Then launch /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility then follow these steps to make that drive to except different versions of PPC or Intel OS X installs.

1. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.
2. In Disk Utility highlight the main part of the drive in the left hand column.
3. In the right hand column, near the top, you will see the tab "Partition", click it.
4. Use the same window pull down and select 1 Partition.
5. (IMPORTANT) Select near the bottom (of the same window) the word 'option'.
6. Select the option to make the 1 partition either accept PC or Intel OS X.
7. Format.

See you must tell the drive to expect OS X not just read and write to it.
 
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