Mac OS 9: How to initialize or format a disk
Learn how to initialize a disk.
Before you can use a new disk, you need to initialize (or format) it.
The hard disk inside your computer was initialized at the factory, so you will need to initialize it only if your hard disk is damaged and can't be repaired with Disk First Aid (or another disk repair program), or if you want to partition it.
Warning: Initializing a disk or hard drive erases all information on the disk or hard drive. Before initializing your disk, recover or back up all the information you can and copy it onto another disk.
Initializing a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk
To initialize a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk, use Drive Setup (inside the Utilities folder on your hard disk).
Tip: When you initialize a disk, the Format pop-up menu gives you choices that include Mac OS Standard (HFS) and Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus). Mac OS Standard format is compatible with all versions of the Mac OS; Mac OS Extended is compatible only with Mac OS 8.1 or later. If you format a hard disk with Mac OS Extended format, you can't use that disk with computers that use an earlier version of the Mac OS.
If your hard disk is not an Apple hard disk:
Use the disk utility software provided by the disk's manufacturer instead of Drive Setup.
Initializing a Zip or Jaz disk
To initialize a Zip or Jaz disk, use the Iomega Tools application (which is inside a folder within the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk) and choose the utility appropriate for the type of drive you're using, such as USB or SCSI.
If the Iomega Tools application won't open, make sure you have a Zip or Jaz drive connected to your computer. If a drive is not connected to the computer, the Tools program may display an error message stating that the wrong driver version is installed.
Initializing a DVD-RAM disc
To initialize a DVD-RAM disc, follow these steps:
To initialize your startup disk
Start up your computer from the system software CD. Open Drive Setup, select the startup disk, and click Initialize.
If initialization fails
Open the Functions menu and choose Initialization Options. Click the "Low level format"; and "Zero all data"; checkboxes to select them. Then try initializing the disk again.
If initialization fails a second time, test your hard disk for physical damage.
This document contains information from Help Center, the help system included with your computer.
Before you can use a new disk, you need to initialize (or format) it.
The hard disk inside your computer was initialized at the factory, so you will need to initialize it only if your hard disk is damaged and can't be repaired with Disk First Aid (or another disk repair program), or if you want to partition it.
Warning: Initializing a disk or hard drive erases all information on the disk or hard drive. Before initializing your disk, recover or back up all the information you can and copy it onto another disk.
Initializing a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk
To initialize a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk, use Drive Setup (inside the Utilities folder on your hard disk).
Tip: When you initialize a disk, the Format pop-up menu gives you choices that include Mac OS Standard (HFS) and Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus). Mac OS Standard format is compatible with all versions of the Mac OS; Mac OS Extended is compatible only with Mac OS 8.1 or later. If you format a hard disk with Mac OS Extended format, you can't use that disk with computers that use an earlier version of the Mac OS.
If your hard disk is not an Apple hard disk:
Use the disk utility software provided by the disk's manufacturer instead of Drive Setup.
Initializing a Zip or Jaz disk
To initialize a Zip or Jaz disk, use the Iomega Tools application (which is inside a folder within the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk) and choose the utility appropriate for the type of drive you're using, such as USB or SCSI.
If the Iomega Tools application won't open, make sure you have a Zip or Jaz drive connected to your computer. If a drive is not connected to the computer, the Tools program may display an error message stating that the wrong driver version is installed.
Initializing a DVD-RAM disc
To initialize a DVD-RAM disc, follow these steps:
- Insert the disc into the DVD-RAM drive.
- Open the Special menu and choose Erase Disk.
- Select a format for the disc in the Format pop-up menu.
To initialize your startup disk
Start up your computer from the system software CD. Open Drive Setup, select the startup disk, and click Initialize.
If initialization fails
Open the Functions menu and choose Initialization Options. Click the "Low level format"; and "Zero all data"; checkboxes to select them. Then try initializing the disk again.
If initialization fails a second time, test your hard disk for physical damage.
This document contains information from Help Center, the help system included with your computer.
Keywords:
khelp kmos9