User Guide Desktop PC Equity 386SX/16 PLUS

Preparing the Drive

Before you can store data on a new hard disk (which has

already been physically formatted), you must do the

following to prepare it for use:

Run the SETUP program to define your hard disk as part

of the computer’s configuration. (See Chapter 2 for

instructions.)

Partition the drive, format it for MS-DOS, and install

MS-DOS. Step-by-step instructions for performing these

procedures are provided in your MS-DOS Installation

Guide. If you are using another operating system, follow

the instructions that came with it.

If you do not prepare the drive correctly, you will not be

able to store data on the disk. For example, if you have

partitioned the drive and formatted it for MS-DOS (or for

another operating system) but you do not copy the operating

system to the drive, you will not be able to load the operating

system from the hard disk when you turn on the computer.

If you are sure the hard disk has been installed properly and

you have prepared it for use as described above but you

cannot access the drive, review the instructions in your

MS-DOS Installation Guide. Make sure you performed each

step in the installation process correctly for your

configuration.

If you cannot identify the problem, consult your dealer.

Accessing Data on the Drive

If you have been using your hard disk drive successfully for

some time and notice a reduction in performance, the data

on the disk may have become fragmented. You may want to

back up all your data and then use a disk compaction utility

to reorganize the files on your disk. Contact your dealer for

information.

D-14

Troubleshooting