Partitioning a hard drive - newbie Q

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edinla43edinla43
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
I've been reading my Switching from PC to Mac book and noticed some warnings that say that partitioning the hard drive erases anything that's on it. Do I need to partition my hard drive when I first get it and if so, how, or do I just use it and not worry about it. What's the need for partitioning anyway.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    discocowdiscocow Posts: 603member
    I see no reason why you should have to partition.





    Enjoy your new mac!
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  • Reply 2 of 4
    overhopeoverhope Posts: 1,123member
    If you've never come across partitioning while using Windows, you're not going to need it on a Mac.



    Basically it splits your hard drive into logically separate areas which are then treated as physically separate drives. There are various reasons for doing it (such as keeping a "clean" drive for video, or installing multiple operating systems), but it's really not essential.
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  • Reply 3 of 4
    mount_my_floppymount_my_floppy Posts: 913member
    No, most users never need to partition their drives. For the second part of your question "Whats needed for partitioning".



    A CD with an operating system, your Mac OS X CD will work or the late Mac OS 9 CD. Say you use your OS X CD. You would boot from it, select drive setup from the apple menu and proceed to partition it with that piece of software. And yes it will erase everyone on your hard drive so if you ever come across the need to partition for what ever reason, please be sure to back everything up first.



    Hope that helps.
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  • Reply 4 of 4
    edinla43edinla43 Posts: 43member
    Thanks for all the info. I think partitioning isn't something I'll need.
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