Before you can use a new disk with the Apple IIGS, you must prepare it to receive information in a format that the computer will understand. This process of preparing a disk is called Initializing. Initializing a disk is somewhat like constructing a parking lot with numbered parking spaces. When the computer stores information on the disk, it uses these "parking spaces" to organize the information for easy retrieval.

Initializing a disk erases everything on the disk. Before you follow the steps in this procedure, be sure you're using a blank disk or a disk that

doesn't contain information you want to keep.

Follow these steps to initialize a disk:

1. Make sure the disk to be initialized is not write-protected.
If the disk is write-protected, slide the tab to cover the square opening in the corner of the disk. This removes the write-protection. (If necessary, refer back to Figure 2-6 for an illustration of write-protecting a disk.)

2. Insert the disk to be initialized into an empty 3.5-inch drive.
You can use a blank disk (one that's never been used), or you can recycle a disk that has been used but doesn't contain needed information. What you see on the screen when you insert the disk depends on whether the disk has been used before.
If you have only one 3.5-inch disk drive, eject the system disk by selecting the System.Disk icon and choosing Eject from the Disk menu. (The System.Disk icon remains on the desktop in dimmed form.) Then insert the new disk.
The messages shown in step 3 are called dialog boxes. A dialog box is a box that appears on the screen and requests a response from you. In most cases you provide your response by clicking one of the rounded rectangles in the box (called buttons).

3. If necessary, specify that you want to initialize the disk.
What you do next depends on whether the disk has been used before, There are three possibilities:

Session 4: Experimenting with the Finder

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