MacBook Pro not booting, disk locked and can't install OS X

ok. here go ...

1. i working , xcel kept closing.
2. so, did hard restart. nothing. no response.
3. then did again while holding down command + r.
4. when taken disk utility, tried reinstall os only, indicated both disks locked. (2 partitioned drives)
5. i read online turning on journaling option greyed out.
6. other things read sounded complicated , out of depth.
7. i not want erase disk if possible. (fyi, niece's laptop before died. partitioned not know with.)

would appreciate insights may have. called repair place after calling apple, closed. had leave message. after speaking apple care rep gently scolded me having lion on machine , not 1 of recent updates. tried wasn't sure older, early-2011 machine running lion 10.7.5. got stumped both disks being locked. gave me number repair place.

not have time machine enabled. have terrabyte drive copied folders , photos 2-3 months ago @ least. so, i'm trying resolve without erasing drive if possible.

 

if can boot recovery partition, , have external hdd laying around. can plug mac, boot recovery partiton, , install os onto external drive.

once done that, should have working os (boot external hdd) manage situation. if lucky enough, may copy files internal drive, make proper backup, , decide want next.

p.s. don’t think has related mac pro. may have better luck if post in macbook pro or osx forum.

 

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