How To Build A Computer

Step 17:
Hard Drive Partitioning
& Formatting

Before any new hard drive can be used it must go through the process of hard drive partitioning and formatting. Used hard drives may not need partitioning but you will probably want to reformat.

Partitioning the Hard Drive

On the hard drive of a computer system, C: Drive is the sole primary section, or "active" partition. This is also the primary DOS partition (if you have DOS). All other partitions are secondary sections, "extended" partitions because they become extensions of the main C:Drive. Each extended partition has its own DOS Drive (again, only if you use DOS) and is assigned a letter for reference, such as D: Drive, E: Drive, F: Drive and so on.

Every hard drive must have at least one partition on it, and may have up to four. Partitioning a hard drive involves two things:

1. The creation of a boot sector to boot the machine.

2. The division of the hard drive into manageable drive volumes. Partitioning is actually done using either the FDISK command for DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me, or the DISKPART command for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The partitioning command and other disk partitioning tools can be found on your System Boot on the O/S Installation CD, or on the floppy System Boot Disk.

Windows partitioning can be based on one of three file systems:

1. FAT 16 - This is a file system for smaller computers. While it will work with all versions of Windows, it is usually better to avoid FAT 16.

2. FAT 32 - This file system supports Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. It will work in Windows Server 2003 (but not all features). Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 will work much better in NTFS. Note that some older games run better in Fat 32.

3. NTFS - This is a superior file system with a number of important advantages over FAT 32. It improves performance and allows for better security and administrative features in the O/S. NTFS supports Windows NT (with limited features), Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista.

   • Windows XP was built to run in NTFS. Note that because of a common installation stability glitch, to ease installation you can install Windows XP using the FAT 32 file system. Once installation is verified, you can easily convert the file system to NTFS. It is a one-way conversion. Once in NTFS you cannot revert back to FAT 32.

There are two situations when FAT 16 or FAT 32 may be more desirable over NTFS. First, some games dislike NTFS. If you have some favorite games, check and see if they will play on NTFS. Secondly, if you plan to access files in Windows Server 2003 while using Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, then you will need to format the partition with a FAT 16 or FAT 32 file system. However, if this can be avoided, all the better. If possible, it is far better to use NTFS, as it supports the enhanced features of Windows Server 2003.

Use the following procedure:

1. Type the command you are using (fdisk or diskpart (see above) at command prompt. If this doesn't work, it's because of one of two problems:

   • Your hard drive isn't attached correctly, or

   • The command you are using isn't on your System Boot.

2. You will be asked if you wish to enable "Large Disk Support." If your O/S is Windows 98 or newer, type the answer "Y" for yes.

3. Four menu options will now appear:

   • If the hard drive is new, continue with step 4, after reading and understanding Before Going Further, which follows.

   • If the hard drive is used or already divided, select option 4 and see the current partition setup. Decide if you want it changed.

4. Choose Option 1 - Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive.

5. In the next window, choose Option 1.

6. You can select to make the entire hard drive as one partition. If you wish, you can specify (in megabytes or percentage) any amount of the hard drive you wish as a divided section. As an example: you could have your operating system in its own partition with 2 Gig or so to the primary DOS partition.

7. Activate the partition. Return to the main FDISK menu in the floppy and select Option 2 - Set Active Partition. Follow the on-screen instructions.

8. You will probably want to create an extended partition unless you are only going to use C. If so, select Option 1, again, then Option 2 - Create Extended DOS partition, in the next window.

9. If this is the only extended partition, you might want to plug in the remaining amount.

10. With the extended partition created, you will be given the option to Create Logical Drives within the partition. Follow the on-screen instructions to assign drive letters.

11. You can check your work by selecting Option 4 - Display Partition Information.

12. If all is correct, click to Exit FDISK.

13. While keeping the System Boot Disk in Drive A:, upon prompting, reboot the machine. Because you haven't yet formatted the hard disk drive, you may get an error message for "Invalid Media Type". Disregard this message.While keeping the System Boot Disk in Drive A:, upon prompting, reboot the machine. Because you haven't yet formatted the hard disk drive, you may get an error message for "Invalid Media Type". Disregard this message.

Now you will format the new C: Drive.

Formatting the Hard Drive

1. Start here:

   • If you will be installing the operating system (O/S) from a CD-ROM immediately after formatting, then at "A > prompt," type "format C:"

   • If you will not be installing the operating system after formatting, then at "A > prompt," type "format C: /s". The "/s" will tell the computer to make the disk bootable by copying some elementary system files to C: Drive.

2. After you have completed either a) or b), a warning will appear informing you that this action will result in data being erased on the drive. However, as the drive is newly partitioned and not formatted, there is no data to worry about. Click "Y" for "yes." This will format the drive.

3. If you made other partitions, format those by typing in the correct drive letter at A > prompt, such as "format D:" or "format E:", and so on. Do not use the suffix "/s" except with C: Drive since only the "active partition" can be bootable.

4. When formatted correctly, you can test it. At command prompt, type "DIR". This is a command to create a directory. You should get a message, "File Not Found." Only a drive properly set up will give this message. This confirms it was formatted correctly.

5. Leaving the O/S Installation Disk with System Boot in the CD-ROM drive, (or the floppy System Boot Disk in Drive A:), reboot the machine.

   The message "No boot device found" and "No ROM Basic" indicate you forgot to make the partition active. Run FDISK again and fix it.

   The message "No Operating System" indicates you forgot to make the disk bootable. Make sure you typed "/s" at the format command.

With all the above completed, your hard disk drive is now partitioned and formatted.

Tutorial Table of Contents • Step 18: Operating System Installation