itkin@luke.UUCP (Steven List) (09/09/85)
We are having a problem with our systems relative to bad sectors and dynamic
sparing of sectors/tracks/cylinders.
We are using systems that are running SYSIII/S5R2 using Fujitsu Winchesters
(14" - 145, 285, 570MB formatted). Our vendor provides software to format
those disks. The formatting software requires that the operator type in a
lengthy list of cylinder/track/head/sector information without errors. This
is the first problem.
The second problem is that we have no way of (1) detecting bad sectors
except empirically or (2) sparing sectors/tracks dynamically without
shutting down the system and running the formatter program.
Does anyone out there have a good explanation for us? Is this problem
generic with either Winchesters or Fujitsu disks or supermicros (68k based
or otherwise)? Or is it a lack in our vendor's software? While the disks
tend to be pretty reliable, it is really unacceptable to have to dump .5GB,
reformat, and reload whenever a single bad sector is found.
If anyone has any software, pointers, explanations, and/or directions to
reference materials, they will be GREATLY appreciated. Respond by Email and
I will summarize to the net.
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* Steven List @ Benetics Corporation, Mt. View, CA
* Just part of the stock at "Uncle Bene's Farm"
* {cdp,greipa,idi,oliveb,sun,tolerant}!bene!luke!itkin
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