How to Partition a Mac

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Back up your current data on your Mac using either the Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner programs.

   Restart your computer. ,,,,, The Disk Utility will start.
   
   On the top of left side of Disk Utility you will see your Mac's disk. , On the right side there will appear five tabs: 'First Aid'
   
   'Erase'
   
   'Partition'
   
   'RAID'
   
   'Restore'.
   
   Select the 'Partition' tab. , It shows how many volumes your Mac's disk have.
   
   Normally, all Macs have just one volume and that is very big problem for the end user! Here's why: if your Mac crashes, it can happen that you will not be able to restore your private data (never forget Murphy's Law).
   
   It happens not so often compared with Windows, but when it happens you may lose your data forever: email settings, pictures, Garageband songs, iWork documents, iChat and calendar history, and so on.
   
   To avoid your data loss, it is recommended that you make two partitions on your Mac: one for OSX system, the other one for your private data.
   
   On that "Volume Scheme' select two partitions.
   
   Mac will divide the disk to two volumes, both of equal size.
   
   Move the slider up between the partitions.
   
   Leave 80 Gb of the disk capacity for the system and the rest for your files. , On 'Volume Information' name your system disk like Mac, or Quark. ,, Name your volume like "My safe box"
   
   "Data wardrobe"
   
   whatever you wish. ,, Are you sure you backed up your data? If 100% YES, then... click "Apply" button.
   
   The Disk Utility will ask something like "if you will proceed you will lose all your data"
   
   click OK.
   
   You will lose your data for sure. , When it ends, on the left side of the Disk Utility you will see now two empty new volumes: the upper one is for system, the lower one for your data. ,
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   Step 2: Remove all external USB drives: external HDDs and flash sticks.

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   Step 3: Insert Mac OSX installation disk into your Mac.

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   Step 4: While Welcome Mac Music plays

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   Step 5: press and hold "C" key on Mac keyboard to ensure your Mac will start from DVD drive.

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   Step 6: Wait till Mac OSX installation will load.

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   Step 7: Select your language and click "Next" button on the installation screen.

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   Step 8: Accept the license terms.

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   Step 9: Go to Utilities on the top menu and select Disk Utility.

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    Step 10: Select that disk by clicking on it with mouse pointer.

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    Step 11: On the 'Partition' tab you will see "Volume Scheme'.

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    Step 12: Click on that upper volume; that will be the OSX System volume.

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    Step 13: Select from Format drop-down menu "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".

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    Step 14: Click the lower volume on the 'Volume Scheme".

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    Step 15: Select from Format drop-down menu "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".

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    Step 16: Until this moment you still have your data on your Mac.

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    Step 17: Wait until formatting has ended.

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    Step 18: If everything is OK

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    Step 19: Select "Disk Utility" on the top menu and click "Quit Disk Utility".

Detailed Guide

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