deg@hq.demos.su (Vladimir U. Degtyarev) (06/10/91)
In <1991May25.1488.6001@canrem.uucp> simon.chang@canrem.uucp (simon chang) writes: >also c.c to: L.Chung@ee.surrey.ac.uk >LC>z Message-ID: <1991May22.172536.10283@EE.Surrey.Ac.UK> > >z Subject: Low Level HD Formatting Software >LC> Which hard disk formatting program can do a low level format on > > IDE drives? > > Which one will hand SCSI and ESDI drives ? > Most IDEs were formatted by OEM from factory. You're better NOT to > low level format a IDE drive since IDE has only logical appearance > to your system i.e. the CMOS set up recongized by BIOS isn't the > physical capacity+format of the hard hard. However some IDEs can be > lower level format (reported by some technicans) without harm the hard > drive (no harms ONLY meant the users didn't awared of any problems > after low-level formatted). > Like IDE-interface HD, SCSI-interface HD is also use the logical-level > interface [1] with your system. So similar problem may occur during > low-level format. > ESDI-interface HD uses device-level interface, its controller can read > the drive's physical capacity parameters *directly off* the drive. So > I think it's ok (safe) to low-level format the ESDI by using any > low-level utilities designed for old ST506/416 interface HD. > [1]: or system-level interface. Since SCSI is not really a controller. Don't know if it's unsafe to low level format IDE HD - all IDE HDs we l-l formatted are in perfect conditions up to this moment. We use SStore hardprep program to do it. Sure, one should use Translation Mode (not Native) to SETUP the drive - the controller will do the rest. As for ESDI HDs - use (carefully !!) HD's BIOS to do the job - it's perfectly described in, say, WD1007 manual. (Hint- at debug prompt type g=c800:5 ). Watch the result. The controller's BIOS should be set ON by jumper). SCSI drives we installed had special diskette with l-l format program. Vladimir