Tips for Partitioning a Hard Drive & Tips for Installing an Operating System

Tips for Partitioning a Hard Drive

Please Note: The instructions below are for a computer running Windows XP or Vista that a computer lab manager would like to add a partition to without reinstalling the current operating system.

1.      Go to Start à Control Panel à Administrative Tools (for Windows Vista, Administrative Tools is found inside System and Maintenance).

2.      Double click on Computer Management, and then from the left side of the window select Disk Management.

3.      The window that appears will show the different disks in the computer.  Right click in the space to the right of the label for the hard disk, and click New Simple Volume. The New Simple Volume wizard will open.  Follow the prompts to format the new volume with an NTFS file system.

Please Note: if a disk is already partitioned, right clicking on a partition volume and will give you options to change its size or delete the partition,

Tips for Installing an Operating System

1.      Make sure that the computer is set to boot first from the CD/DVD drive.  To do this, enter the BIOS Setup program when starting up the computer.  This will require pressing a key during startup.  The key (often one of the function keys or the delete key) is specified at the bottom of the first screen during boot up.  When the BIOS Setup program opens, scroll down (using the down arrow) to the “First Boot Device” line, and then use the onscreen instructions to select CDROM and save the change.

2.      Shut down the computer, put the operating system CD or DVD into the drive, and then start the computer again.

3.      The installation will automatically start, and you will be guided through the process by on screen tips and questions.  Make sure you read each screen!

4.      You will be asked for your preferences in regards to installation language, time and currency formats and keyboard layouts.  Please note that the more common keyboard layout in your country might be United States English, even for those using the British English language.

5.      When prompted, enter the product key (for Microsoft Windows operating systems).  This is an important step for affirming the legality of your copy, and will allow your computer full access to online updates.  Make sure, however, that you know how many computers your product license is good for, and then do not load the operating system onto too many computers.

6.      When prompted, choose the location (which partition) for installing the operating system.  You may also be given the option of creating new partitions at this step.  If so, the partition created for the operating system should be at least 20 GB, preferably 30 GB.  Make sure that you format the partition using the NTFS file system.

7.      Follow any more on screen prompts and then wait patiently for the installation to finish.

8.      Don’t forget to change your boot order back to the original setting!