How to Partition and Format Computers

When you add new computers to the Symantec LiveState Delivery system or add a new disk to existing managed computers, you must partition and format the disks before you can assign software. In Symantec LiveState Delivery, you can partition up to four partitions on up to four disks.

Make sure that the partitioning and formatting you set are compatible with the associated Pre-OS Agent package that you intend to install on the computers.

System formatting is always applied to drive C on the first partition of the first disk. Data formatting is applied to all succeeding partitions.

Note: If a computer is set for external Fdisk partitioning, do not use this procedure to partition it. Instead, format the computer with Fdisk as a separate operation.  

Warning: When you are simultaneously partitioning and formatting multiple computers, make sure that all the computers you select have the same number of disks and identical configurations. Otherwise, you may inadvertently reformat and/or delete partitions.

To partition and format a hard disk on computers

  1. In the Scope pane, click All Computers or a Computer Group.

  2. In the Result pane, select the computers or computer group you want to partition.

  3. Right-click one of the selected computers and click Configure Disks.

  4. If any of the computers you selected have multiple disks, then select the Disk # tab in the Configure Disks dialog box for the disk you want to partition and format.

  5. Right-click the Disk Summary button and select Partition Disk.

  6. In the Partition Properties of Disk #0 dialog box, select the number of partitions that you want from the Number drop-down list.

  7. Click Change.

  8. In the Partition Values dialog box, select the desired Size Specification,  partition size, and FAT16 or FAT32 setting.

Note:  NTFS computers are converted to FAT during the partitioning process. You can convert back to NTFS after the partitioning process is complete.

  1. Click OK to confirm the settings. The Partition Properties of Disk #0 dialog box displays the proposed partition and formatting information for the disk.

  1. Click OK. Symantec LiveState Delivery reports the information for each computer in the selected tab in the Configure Disks: Multiple Computers dialog box

  1. Click OK for partitioning Consistent Mode computers or click OK(Coop) for partitioning Cooperative Mode computers.

When the computer(s) are partitioned and formatted you are ready to install software.

See also...

Repartitioning Computer Disks