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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
m you purchase a hard disk that has not been initialized at the factory
m your 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.
Starting up from a CD-ROM disc
To i n i tialize, test, or repair a hard disk, or to install system software on a hard
disk, you need to start up your computer from another disk. If your computer
has a CD-ROM drive, you can start up your computer using the CD-ROM
disc containing system software that came with the computer.
To star t up the computer using the CD-ROM disc, follow these steps:
1 Turn your computer on.
2Press the Open/Close button on your CD-ROM drive, and quickly insert the CD-ROM disc
containing system software into the drive.
3Immediately press the C key on your keyboard.
Continue to hold down the key until you see the “Welcome to Macintosh”
message.
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.
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Chapter 5