There are two set of instruction. One for Windows OS and another for OS X. Please use the right set of instruction for your System.
>>>>>> 1) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Windows 7/8/10 OS <<<<<<
NOTE: If you have important data on this drive, DO NOT go any further, please backup your data before you continue. These steps will erase ALL your data on the drive.
For Windows 7, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “R” (Winkey+R). This will launch the Run the utility. Type “diskmgmt.msc” inside the text box and press Enter. This will open the Windows Disk Management utility. This is where you can format, create, and delete hard drive partitions.
For Windows 8/8.1/10, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “X” (Winkey+X). This will launch a popup window and select disk management.
Usually, the Initialize Disk Wizard will appear automatically when you open Disk Management. If you have more than one blank drive that needs to be initialized it will list them. Make sure that there is a check in the box of the drive that needs to be initialized, select check MBR if your hard drive is smaller than 2TB, if it is greater than 2TB, please check GPT and then left-click on the Ok button. If the wizard does show up, go to step 5. If the wizard does not show up, please see the note and additional images directly below.
Critical: If your hard drive is greater than 2TB in capacity, you need to use check GPT(GUID Partition Table), if it is smaller, select MBR.
Note: If you do not see the Initialize Disk wizard, manually start the initialization. The drive that needs to be initialized should have a little circle with a red arrow pointing down like in the image below.
When you find it. Right-click on the red arrow and choose Initialize Disk.
There are two mode of initializing a new drive using MBR or GPT. If your hard drive is greater than 2TB, you need to use check GPT, if it is smaller, select MBR.
The drive is now initialized. The disk should have a black bar and say that it is Unallocated. You should now be able to create a partition and format the hard drive.
Now right click the unallocated space and click create a New Simple Volume shown below:
Follow the on screen wizard by clicking Next
Specify your volume size, if you are not sure use the default, and now click Next
Assign a drive letter to the drive, if you are not sure use the default and click Next
Format the partition and name the volume, if you are not sure use the default
Now click Finish and it will start formatting the drive to get it ready for use.
Once the formatting is done, your system will report the presense of a new drive with an assigned drive letter. You can begin using the storage.
>>>>>> 2) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Apple OS X <<<<<<
There are two set of instruction. One for Windows OS and another for OS X. Please use the right set of instruction for your System.
>>>>>> 1) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Windows 7/8/10 OS <<<<<<
NOTE: If you have important data on this drive, DO NOT go any further, please backup your data before you continue. These steps will erase ALL your data on the drive.
For Windows 7, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “R” (Winkey+R). This will launch the Run the utility. Type “diskmgmt.msc” inside the text box and press Enter. This will open the Windows Disk Management utility. This is where you can format, create, and delete hard drive partitions.
For Windows 8/8.1/10, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “X” (Winkey+X). This will launch a popup window and select disk management.
Usually, the Initialize Disk Wizard will appear automatically when you open Disk Management. If you have more than one blank drive that needs to be initialized it will list them. Make sure that there is a check in the box of the drive that needs to be initialized, select check MBR if your hard drive is smaller than 2TB, if it is greater than 2TB, please check GPT and then left-click on the Ok button. If the wizard does show up, go to step 5. If the wizard does not show up, please see the note and additional images directly below.
Critical: If your hard drive is greater than 2TB in capacity, you need to use check GPT(GUID Partition Table), if it is smaller, select MBR.
Note: If you do not see the Initialize Disk wizard, manually start the initialization. The drive that needs to be initialized should have a little circle with a red arrow pointing down like in the image below.
When you find it. Right-click on the red arrow and choose Initialize Disk.
There are two mode of initializing a new drive using MBR or GPT. If your hard drive is greater than 2TB, you need to use check GPT, if it is smaller, select MBR.
The drive is now initialized. The disk should have a black bar and say that it is Unallocated. You should now be able to create a partition and format the hard drive.
Now right click the unallocated space and click create a New Simple Volume shown below:
Follow the on screen wizard by clicking Next
Specify your volume size, if you are not sure use the default, and now click Next
Assign a drive letter to the drive, if you are not sure use the default and click Next
Format the partition and name the volume, if you are not sure use the default
Now click Finish and it will start formatting the drive to get it ready for use.
Once the formatting is done, your system will report the presense of a new drive with an assigned drive letter. You can begin using the storage.
>>>>>> 2) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Apple OS X <<<<<<
