#Low Level Format Needed
16 messages in this thread
I have been searching long and hard for a low level formatting
utility. I am using an A3000 and the drive in need or help is a
Siemens SCSI drive. Unfortunately, after a crash, I tried to
re-write the RDB after changing partition information from the way it
was working. The crash had reset my battery backed scsi prefs and
set the host adapter to 1 but it wasn't until I messed with the drive
that I found out about the battmem settings.
Anyway, the problem seems to be that there are bad sectors in the area
of the drive where the RDB needs to go. HDToolBox for some reason
doesn't seem able to get past and map out the bad sector it first
encounters so it just retries all night long!
Given the robustness of utilities like RDPrep, I find it hard to
believe we don't have a low level format and diagnostic util that can
handle bad block mapping and go on. There has to be something out
there!
Does anyone know of such utility?
//
\X/ -BiL-
True low level format of a SCSI drive (at least any one made within
the last few years) is almost unheard of. They are low-level
formatted at the factory. Typically, issuing a low-level format
command results in an immediate reply without any real action of
formatting. What you DO need is a good way to map out the bad
blocks. My ZEUS hard drive setup tools include such a utility, but
maybe HDToolBox doesn't. Also you can try IVS TrumpCardPro software
which lets you do that, too. If you set up the drive properly on a
Zeus or IVS TrumpCardPro the drive will be usable on most controllers
which use RDB. Those products (Zeus and TCPro) properly use the RDB
and that makes the drives pretty 'universal' after setup or
modification with those products. Good luck.
Bill,
have you tried to do a Bad Block Remap first? I haven't low-level
formatted except in the most extreme of circumstances.
I have tried entering the bad blocks that I have listed from the mfg's sheet,
but there must be new ones that need tested to find them.
Is this what your are referring to by a "Bad Block Remap" ?
// \X/ -BiL-
Bil,
it is one of the options in GVP's FaaastPrep. It does seem to be
missing in HDPrep. I don't know if it is available in RDPrep, same as
with others. If it's available, it should be marked as something like the
name I said, either as a button or in a menu.
No, RDPrep has no formatting capability. Does that FaaastPrep let you change
the device from gvpscsi.device to plain old scsi.device?
Another question for the masses: QBTools has no low level format… Does
AmiBack Tools have either a low level or dos level format ability?
// \X/ -BiL-
FaaastPrep has low level formatting, as long as you're not using Quantum
drives…which won't accept low level formatting.
There's no mention of devices in FaaastPrep. Once you've low level
formatted it don't matter cause there's nothing on the disk anyway. If
you're not using GVP controller, then you'd have to be sure your driver is
where it's supposed to be before beginning regular formating (in devices
drawer or expansion drawer.
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Gary,
now you have raised my curiousity. I wonder what my Quantum does for
20 minutes after I give it the low level format command.
Brian,
A sin of omission…see my answer to Trent.
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Gary,
Curious.. So what was GVP FaaastPrep doing when I gave the low level
format command to my two Quantum drives? Don't get me wrong, I'm just
curious as to what was happening, or if it really did anything..
Trent
"If in doubt, empty the magazine"
Trent,
same here, especially as it was reeling off cylinder numbers during the
process.
Trent,
Sorry on the Quantum info…I was quoting from the Fastprep manual and I
left out the key word SOME quantums…namely S and LPS series (which I
have) don't accept a low level format command.
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
OK, FaaastPrep has low level formatting, and bad sector mapping and testing as
well, I assume?
By devices, I meant can FaaastPrep be used with an A3000 sporting the default
scsi.device instead of any GVP specific ones, like gvpscsi.device. Some
proprietary prep software will not see devices on the scsi bus unless they are
using their own device. Follow?
Lastly, if FaaastPrep can indeed be used on devices with scsi.device, where can
I get a copy of it?
-Bil-
Bil,
so far as I know, it only works with GVP controllers.
Bil,
I think FaaastPrep only works with GVP Scsi controllers that use
gvpscsi.device.. You may want to post this question to the GVP Tech
(72662,51) in the AmiaVendor forum to see what GVP says.
Trent
"If in doubt, empty the magazine"