Making a partition for Storing Files?

friends
have intel based macbook pro 17inches, came preinstalled snow leopard, 500gb hdd, , want make partition storing files/data next partition can perform clean installation of lion.
please guide me new user of mac.

 

"i have intel based macbook pro 17inches, came preinstalled snow leopard, 500gb hdd, , want make partition storing files/data next partition can perform clean installation of lion.
please guide me new user of mac."

_can_ on internal drive.

-- suggest better way (it cost $75-100, money well-spent).

external drive of 1tb in size, partition (at least) 2 partitions, , "bootable clone" of current os (snow leopard) 1 of partitions. can serve semi-permanent "archive" of old os. , can use _other partition_ backup new lion os. "backed twice".

here's need:
1. 1 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=usb+sata+dock&x=0&y=0
(many items shown, work same, pick 1 that's cheap, don't need spend more $20-30)

2. then, "bare hard drive" (1tb size good) vendor wish (i seagate drives newegg.com).

3. then, download free "carboncopycloner" from:
http://www.bombich.com

have tools create bootable backups internal drive. once have this, have quick way boot mac if reason can't boot internal drive.

once have stuff above, this:
1. hook dock mac, put drive in it, turn on (note: it's not initialized yet, won't show on desktop)
2. open "disk utility". select new (not-yet-initialized) drive on left
3. on right, choose "partition". can set many wish. 1tb drive, might either 2 or 3 partitions (one partition archive old os, 1 serve backup of lion, , 3rd "scratch space")
4. drive partitioned , see new icons on desktop. make sure each partition has distinct name different internal drive.
5. launch carboncopycloner. see has 2 "panels" (left , right)
6. in left panel, select internal drive.
7. in right panel, select backup partition snow leopard
8. toward lower right, select popup says "maintain backup (no archiving)"
9. click ok , enter password. take little while complete, because ccc copying internal backup.
10. when done, test backup volume restarting , invoking startup manager.
10a. restart, then
10b. hear startup sound, hold down option key , keep holding down
10c. in few seconds, see icons of both internal drive , cloned backup appear on desktop
10d. use left/right arrow key move between icons (you can use mouse pointer). select backup , hit enter/return key
10e. computer boot backup volume (instead of internal drive). important -- because it's clone, when desktop, should same internal, , may hard tell difference. can verify volume startup drive choosing "about mac" under apple menu. (hint: give backups different desktop picture can tell them internal drive)
10f. when done, restart , again boot internal drive.

"fully backed up" , can install lion wish.

tip:
_might_ consider doing "fresh" lion install 1 of empty partitions on backup drive. when prompted, migrate accounts , data internal drive.

advantage have fully-functioning lion drive check out before put lion onto internal.
when want lion on internal, use disk utility erase internal drive (while booted docked drive) , "clone over" lion internal.

sorry length.
try suggestions above, i'll bet work fine you.

 

Forums Macs Notebooks MacBook Pro

• iPhone
• Mac OS & System Software
• iPad
• Apple Watch
• Notebooks
• iTunes
• Apple ID
• iCloud
• Desktop Computers
• Apple Music
• Professional Applications
• iPod
• iWork
• Apple TV
• iLife
• Wireless