Format/Partition a Hard Drive
Introduction
Physically installing your hard drive is only the
first part of the process of installing a hard drive. Once you've made the proper
physical connections, you have to tell your computer to recognize the hard
drive, partition it (divide it into pieces), and finally format it so that it
can be used. On the other hand, you can keep it as one large drive and skip the
partitioning step. If your computer comes with special software, use it and
skip these next steps.
Step1: Run
CMOS to Recognize Drive
Press whatever key you need to for entering CMOS
information. Often, CMOS will recognize your new hard drive and you won't have
to do anything more to the BIOS. If it doesn't, you have to choose the hard drive
in CMOS, and then enter information about the hard drive's cylinder, heads, and
sectors. Check the hard drive's manual or manufacturer's Web site for this
information. Save and exit the CMOS menu in order to put the settings into effect.
Step2: Boot from a Floppy
When you exit CMOS, the computer should restart
if you're replacing your hard drive. Put in the boot floppy that you've
prepared before it restarts. If you are using Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or DOS,
you see a prompt that looks like this: A:\>. If
you're using Windows 98, you get a startup menu, asking you if you want to
start the computer with or without CD-ROM support. Choose CD-ROM support. In
Windows 98, a RAM drive will be created. Write down the letter of the RAM
drive; you'll need it later on.
Step3: Partition Your Hard Drive
You can have a single partition, or can divide your
disk into separate drives. To partition your hard drive, type FDISK at the DOS
prompt and follow the instructions. If you're replacing your old hard drive
with a new one, be sure to choose "Create DOS Partition" and then
"Create Primary DOS Partition." If you're adding a second hard drive
instead of replacing your old one, you see the option "Change Current
Fixed Disk Drive." Choose that, and then choose to create a Logical DOS
partition to make your new drive D: (or E:, if you
already have a D: drive). If you're partitioning your C: drive into several
partitions, you must set the primary partition to "active."
Step4: Format Your Hard Drive
If you're replacing an old hard drive with a new
one, you will need to restart your computer, so leave in your boot floppy.
After it reboots, type Format C: /S at the DOS prompt to format your new hard
drive, and put the DOS operating system onto it. With Windows 98, the operating
system files are copied to your new hard drive from the RAM drive that Windows
98 previously created. Assuming that the RAM drive was letter D, type the following
to format your hard drive and put basic operating system files onto it:
D:\Format C: /S. If you're not replacing your old hard drive from the DOS
prompt, type Format D: (or whatever letter your second drive will be). If
you've created separate partitions instead of just one, format each of them in
turn.
Step5: Re-Install Operating System
If you're replacing an old hard drive with a new
one, you have to reinstall your operating system. To do that, get your Windows
disks and reinstall Windows onto your new hard drive. If you're not replacing
your old hard drive, and are only adding a second one, you won't need to put
the operating system onto it.
Step6: Copy Backed-Up Data and Files
After you've confirmed that the hard drive is
working properly, copy all the data and files that you've previously backed up to
your new hard drive.