Windows 2000 / XP / Vista Formatting Instructions
1. Right-click My Computer and click Manage.
2. In the Computer Management window, under Storage, click Disk Management.
The Write Signature wizard pops up.
3. Use the wizard to write a signature to the new drive. If you want only one partition we suggest using a
primary partition and selecting the maximum size. In most cases you’ll want to use NTFS volumes, this is the
default for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Vista. Choose FAT32 if you want to use the drives with Windows
98 or ME.
4. Formatting will take a few minutes, after which your drive will be ready to use.
Windows 98 / 98SE Formatting Instructions
1. From your computer’s task bar, go to Start > Programs > MS-DOS Prompt.
2. At the prompt, type fdisk and press Enter. You’ll see a long message about disk support.
3. Enter Y (type Y and press Enter).
4. You are invited to make a choice. Enter 5 to change the current fixed disk drive. MS-DOS displays the con-
nected disk drives.
5. Enter the number of the disk that has no corresponding drive letter.
6. You are invited to make a choice (same list as in Step 3). Enter 1 to create a primary DOS partition. Your
computer verifies the drive’s integrity, after which you are asked to choose whether you want to use all the
space available.
7. Enter Y to opt for using the maximum available space. Your computer again verifies the drive’s integrity.
8. When the drive’s integrity has been verified, press ESC (Escape) three times to exit fdisk.
9. At the prompt, type exit.
10. Restart your computer.
Your new drive is now ready to use.
