If you are using MS-DOS and another operating system, use MS-DOS to partition and format the space on the hard disk you want to be used by MS-DOS. Then use the other operating system to prepare the rest of the disk space. For example, if you have a 90MB hard disk and want to use 30MB for MS-DOS and 60MB for XENIX®, use MS-DOS to prepare the first 30MB (as described in this chapter) and then use XENIX to prepare the other 60MB.

If you are using MS-DOS and MS OS/2, prepare the entire hard disk according to the instructions in this chapter and then follow the instructions in the MS OS/2 Setup Guide to install MS OS/2 on the hard disk.

To perform the procedures in this chapter, you’ll enter MS-DOS commands and use the working copies of your MS-DOS diskettes and Reference diskette. If this is the first time you have used an operating system, you may want to first read Chapter 5 for basic information about MS-DOS or see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for complete information on the operating system.

Checking the Hard Disk

Your Epson dealer may have already partitioned your hard disk and formatted it so it automatically loads MS-DOS when you turn it on. If this is the case, you do not need to run FDISK or SELECT

If you are not sure whether your hard disk has already been prepared for use, do the following:

1.Turn on or reset your computer without a diskette in drive A. If MS-DOS loads automatically from the hard disk, it is both partitioned and formatted, and it contains the MS-DOS system files. You do not have to perform the procedures described in this chapter. If it does not start, the disk may have been partitioned but not yet formatted for MS-DOS, or it may be partitioned and formatted but missing the MS-DOS system files; go on to step 2.

3-2 Preparing a Hard Disk for Use