What is fdisk?
FDISK is a utility, included in all versions of MS-DOS and Windows, for formatting a hard disk drive to hold data and to logically partition the disk, specifying and naming major portions of it for different uses. A typical personal computer today arrives with a single partition that is addressed by the operating system as the logical C drive.
Primary partitions are the only one that are bootable. They're always the C: drive when active. Extended partitions are needed when you want more than one partition. You can only have ONE Extended partition. Logical Drives come into the Extended partition. They are handy since you know that you can only have one Primary and one Extended so you can get more than only two partitions. They would be your D:, E:, etc. drives.
How to use fdisk?
To use fdisk, you first need to reboot your system with the Windows installation Disk.
1. At the A: prompt start "FDISK."
2. If asked to use Large Disc support, select Yes.
3. The first screen is as follows:
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Create Dos Partition or Logical Drive
Set Active Partition
Delete Partitions or Logical DOS Drives
Display Partition Information
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Change current fixed drive if you have two or more Hard Drivess.
4. Next we need to remove the existing partitions. See step 3.
5. Next screen looks like this:
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Delete Primary DOS
Delete Extended DOS
Delete Logical Drives
Delete Non-DOS
Delete always in the following order
Logical (All) > Extended > Primary (Last)
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6. After deleting the existing partitions, go back to first screen.
7. Now we need to setup our new partitions. See step 1.
This screen looks like this:
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Create Primary DOS
Create Extended DOS
Create Logical DOS Drives
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You first create Primary partition, then Extended partition, and then Logical partition. The following are the steps in detail:
1) First create the Primary. If asked to use all space say No and enter the amount you wish for the C: drive. It should be set automatically to be the (only) Active partition. If not it may ask you or you have to select "2. Set active partition" from the main menu.
2) Next create the Extended Partition. Use all space left. It probably advances automatically to the next step, creating the Logical DOS Drives.
3) Enter the amount you wish for the D: partition and than the rest for the third partition.
8. That's all for FDISK and exit it.
9. Next you need to reboot with the disc still inserted and Format all partitions. Don't forget formatting!
10. Now you can use Windows installation CD to install the Operating System.
