CompuServe Thread

Disk not valid

2 messages in this thread
#77613From: Betty Clay/SYSOPDec 6, 1989 10:25 PM
Steven, When a disk is not validated, the computer usually will not read or write on the disk until the validation is complete. When you try to access an unvalidated disk, it usually just spins and spins. All this time, the operating system is working the disk over, patching up the bitmap (marking the sectors that are free, and those in use) so the file system can use only the free sectors when you write to the disk. It sometimes takes a very long time if you have lots of things on the disk. If your drive is not doing this automatically, I don't think you can do anything about it. When I get a disk error, I usually try to work it out with DiskSalv. Almost always works! Betty
#77678From: Steven AlfordDec 7, 1989 6:26 PM
Well, I think I found something. I am currently using a non-autobooting hard disk and the workbench disk in df0: had some sort of error. The FORMAT command had an error each time I tried to reformat the Hard disk. I also noticed that the FORMAT command allowed the ENTER to be echoed after the "Insert Disk . . ." message. Obviously, something went wrong on this boot disk. I guess I've learned that I should occationally switch to a new copy of my boot disk (assuming this error was due to natural wear on the old one). I can't see any other way of avoiding it. I'm still waiting for my autobooting upgrade (I'm using a Pacific Peripherals Overdrive). Thanks for the suggestions.