# Partitions Using Windows XP/2000 Operating System

Before creating any partitions, RAID sets must first be created/dissolved using the BIOS RAID Utility. Once completed, continue booting Windows.

Once Windows is running, open the Disk Management window located at:

Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Computer Management> Storage> Disk Management

Something similar to the following window should appear:

This window has three main sections:

SECTION 1: System listing of all formatted and available disks/RAID Sets.

SECTION 2: Report of physical connection of disks/RAID Sets.

SECTION 3: Report of partition status, disk letter, and volume name.

# Initial Window

In SECTION 2, every disk should report as:

Basic

Disk Size (the actual available disk space will be reported here)

Online

Instead of "Basic," a disk may also report as either "Unknown" or "Dynamic."

If the disk reports as "Unknown," right-click on the disk (SECTION 2) and click on Write Signature.

At this point, a window will appear with the disk in question (all "Unknown" disks may appear in this window). Make sure the box next to each disk is checked, then click OK.

The disk should now report as "Basic."

If a disk reports as "Dynamic," right-click on SECTION 2 of that disk, and click on "Return disk to Basic..." Within seconds the disk should report as Basic.

# Creating Partitions

In SECTION 2, the disk order corresponds directly to the order the Sets appear in the BIOS. Therefore, the first Unallocated Partition represents Set 1, and so on.

1. At this point, there should be three disks with Unallocated partitions. Right-click on the partition of the first disk and click on "Create Partition." The "Create Partition Wizard" should appear. The first window is an introductory window to the Wizard. Click Next.

2. The second window designates the partition as a primary partition. Click Next.

3. The third window designates the partition size. Since this is a Striped RAID set, utilizing 2 disk drives, the size of the partition should be approximately double the size of a single disk drive (assuming all disks are of identical size). Click Next. 4. The fourth window designates the drive letter of the partition.

4. The fifth window allows the user to label the volume name, and choose the type of formatting to take place upon the creation of the partition. Choose which ever drive letter is desired (the lowest possible value is automatically entered), name the volume whatever is desired (suggestions being something generic such as STRIPED SET or something specific to use such as FINANCIAL, CRITICAL, MISCELLANEOUS, etc.) then check the box next to "quick format." Click Next.

5. The sixth window is a summary window listing all of the selections made. Click Finish.

Depending on the size of the disk drive(s) included in the partition, the partition should change from "Unallocated" to "Healthy" with its name and drive letter reported as well in a matter of minutes or less. Do not attempt to create a partition for the next disk until the disk currently being formatted is complete and reports Healthy.

Also note that once the disk reports Healthy, it appears in the listing in SECTION 1 with all of its pertinent information as well.

1. Repeat this procedure for the partition of the second and third disk.

2. Close the Data Management window by clicking on the small boxed "X" in the top right corner of the window.

3. Click on the "My Computer" icon on the Desktop. The three new drives should now be visible and properly named. Data may now be stored to each of these disks if desired.