LaCie Biggest Quadra

Setting Up the Biggest Quadra

User Manual

page 32

 

 

4.5. Formatting and Partitioning

Before the LaCie Biggest Quadra array can be fully utilized, it needs to be formatted. During this process, the array can also be customized with partitions.

Formatting a disk consists of the following: the op- erating system erases all of the bookkeeping informa- tion on the disk, tests the disk to make sure that all of the sectors are reliable, marks bad sectors (i.e., those that are scratched) and creates internal address tables that it

later uses to locate information. As you format the drive, you will have the opportunity to divide the hard drive into sections, called partitions. A partition is a section of the hard drive’s storage capacity that is created to con- tain files and data.

Once formatted, the actual available storage capacity varies, depending on operating environment, and is gen- erally about 10% less than the non-formatted capacity.

4.5.1. Windows Users

Important Info: Before beginning the format and partition process, ensure that there are no warning or error i messages being displayed on the LCD Display of the LaCie Biggest Quadra.

After having followed the steps to set the RAID level, create the array and connect the interface cable, the LaCie Biggest Quadra must now be formatted and partitioned before it can be used.

1.

Right click My Computer and click Manage.

 

2.

From the Computer Management window, select

Fig. 4.5.1.A

 

Disk Management (located below the Storage

 

group). See Fig. 4.5.1.A.

3.If the Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard window appears, click Cancel.

4.Windows will list the hard drives that are installed on the system. Locate the drive that is represented

by the

icon. Right click the icon and select

Initialize.

 

5.In the box to the right that says Unallocated, right click and select New Partition...

6.In the first page of the New Partition Wizard, click Next. See Fig. 4.5.1.B.

Fig. 4.5.1.B

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LaCie FIREWIRE 800/400 user manual Formatting and Partitioning, Initialize