Initializing a hard disk
Before you can use a new disk, the disk must be prepared so that the computer knows where to store information on the disk. This preparation is called initializing (or formatting) the disk.
When do you need to initialize a hard disk?
The hard disk inside your computer was initialized at the factory, so you shouldn’t need to initialize it. You need to initialize a hard disk only if
myou purchase a hard disk that has not been initialized at the factory
myour hard disk is damaged
If a hard disk needs to be initialized, the disk’s icon does not appear on the desktop when you start up the computer using another disk.
WARNING Initializing a disk erases any information that may be on it. Before you initialize a damaged disk, try to repair it as described in “Repairing a Damaged Disk” later in this chapter.
Starting up from a CD-ROM disc
To initialize, test, or repair a hard disk, or to install system software on a hard disk, you need start up your computer from another disk. If your computer has a
To start up the computer using the
1Turn your computer on.
2Press the Open/Close button on your
3Immediately press the C key on your keyboard.
Continue to hold down the key until you see the “Welcome to Macintosh” message.
