Chapter 2

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

If you have the hard disk model Equity LT, follow the

instructions in this chapter to prepare it before using it for the first time.

WARNING

Do not perform any of these procedures if your hard disk has already been prepared for use or has data stored on it; otherwise, you will erase all the data on the hard disk. These instructions apply only to a new hard disk.

The hard disk inside the Equity LT has a capacity of 20 megabytes-about 20 million characters. This is equivalent to approximately 30 720KB diskettes. Using a hard disk reduces the number of diskettes you need and eliminates much of the disk-swapping you do when you use diskettes. You can do almost all of your work on the hard disk and copy your files to diskettes as needed (to make backups, for example).

Although the hard disk is very reliable, it is essential to back up all your hard disk files on diskettes in case you lose some data accidentally. Use the MS-DOS BACKUP program (described in your MS-DOS manual) to back up your hard disk files.

Even though the hard disk has a lot of storage space, it is best to keep only those files you use regularly on the hard disk. Store your other files on diskettes.

Before you can use the hard disk, you must do the following things to prepare it:

Use the FDISK program to partition the hard disk to run the MS-DOS operating system.

Use the SELECT program to format the MS-DOS partition and to copy the MS-DOS utility programs to the hard disk.

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

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