Preparing the Computer

To prepare your computer for NetWare 6, do the following:

• Install computer and networking hardware
• Create and format a DOS partition
• Access the installation files

Installing Computer and Networking Hardware

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install and connect the network board and network cabling to your computer. Make sure that all storage devices are properly attached to storage adapters.

Creating and Formating a DOS Partition

NetWare requires a DOS partition to start the computer and load NetWare. The DOS partition contains the NetWare startup and server files.

HINT:  You should increase the size of your DOS partition to accommodate your specific configuration requirements. See System Requirements .

To create and format a DOS partition, complete the following steps.

1. Back up any desired data to another computer or offline storage media.

2. Insert the NetWare 6 Operating System CD and boot the computer.

3. Complete one of the following:

   • If the computer boots from the CD, follow the on-screen prompts to create and format a partition. Skip to Selecting the Language and Accepting the License Agreement .
   • If you will be installing from files located on another server, continue with the following steps.
   • If the computer does not boot from the CD, continue with the following steps.

4. Boot your computer with DOS 3.3 or later.

   You can make a bootable floppy diskette using the MKFLOPPY.BAT program located in the INSTALL directory of the NetWare 6 Operating System CD. You can boot from the NetWare 6 License/Cryptography diskette. DOS 7 and all required DOS utilities are included on the diskette and on the CD.

5. If the computer already has an operating system installed, such as Windows or NetWare, you should completely remove the partitions and the operating system.

   Use FDISK to remove partitions.

6. Use FDISK to create an active DOS partition by entering FDISK.

   Create a primary DOS partition and make it the active partition. See "System Requirements" on page 23 for minimum requirements.

   The computer will restart.

7. Format and transfer DOS system files to the partition by changing to drive A: and entering FORMAT C: /S.

Your computer should now have an active DOS partition that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements. Continue the installation by accessing the installation files.

Accessing the Installation Files

NetWare 6 can be installed from the server's local CD drive or from installation files located on the network. To access the NetWare 6 installation files, complete the following steps.

1. Install the DOS CD driver for your CD drive onto the DOS partition.

   DOS CD drivers are provided by the CD drive manufacturer.

   Make sure that the logical filename of your CD drive (specified in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files) is not CDROM or CDINST.

2. Make sure that the CONFIG.SYS file contains the FILES=100 and BUFFERS=30 commands.

3. (Conditional) If you are installing from files located on a network, install the Novell Client for DOS and Windows 3.1x or IP Server Connection Utility software located on the Novell Client CD.

After accessing the files for the installation program, you can begin the installation.