How to Partition a Mac
Dual core Macs can take advantage of running different operating systems such as OS X and Windows XP at start up without needing to connect an external drive. Creating a partition on your hard drive provides a separate drive that is not affected by data or system problems on the other drive. Many users opt to create a partitioned drive to serve as a backup or restore drive, containing a working operating system, utilities and program installation files that are protected and readily available in case the primary hard drive needs to be re-initialized. Since partitioning a hard drive erases the contents within that section, Mac provides this function on a Disk Utility program that is part of the system installation disk.
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Instructions
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1
Insert your installation CD into your CD-ROM/DVD drive. Shut down your computer and wait 20 seconds. Press and hold down your "C" key and power on your computer to boot from your CD drive.
Stop holding down the "C" key when you see the startup progress icon which looks like a spinning circle. -
2
Launch the Disk Utility program located on your CD (in the installation CD).
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3
Select your hard drive from the list and click the "Partition" option. Move the tab below the directory or change the number in the "Size" field to adjust the size of the partition. Click the boxes next to the desired options such as designating the partition a startup disk.
Click the "Partition" button.
Exit the Disk Utility program by selecting "Quit Disk Utility" under "Disk Utility" in the top menu bar. -
4
Restart your computer normally and eject your Mac OS installation CD from your CD-ROM/DVD drive.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider installing an operating system such as OS X on your partition to create a bootable drive.
Partitioning your hard drive will erase its contents. Make sure your hard drive is backed up or imaged to an external drive before starting the partition process.
