stolk@swi.psy.uva.nl (Stolk Bram) (02/19/91)
Hi,
I want to install my harddisk in my 386.
So the first thing to do is tell setup about my harddisk.
Setup lets me choose 1 of 49 possible configurations.
Under each configuration is listed:
Cilinders, Heads, Write Precompensation, Landingzone, Sectors, MB.
When I used my harddisk with my old XT-controller, I simply told
Setup that I did not have a harddisk -> On board ROM was used ->
It worked fine. (but slow)
Now I have purchased a 16 bit 1:1 AT- HD controller.
This one has no ROM -> I must tell setup the specs.
But none of the configurations is accepted by my POST-procedure.
It says: Invalid harddisk configuration.
I know for a fact that my harddisk is MFM, 615 cil, 17 sectors, 4 heads.
That leaves just the Write Precomp and the Landing zone for me to find
out. I tried -1,0,615 for Write Precomp. And I tried 0,615 for LZ.
None of these were accepted as a valid config.
Norton sysinfo toldme that the controller status was OK. It was just
the drive that was not accepted by POST.
My question is: What's write precompensation, and if this item is
chosen incorrectly, will it mess up the operation of the harddisk?
And can an invalid LZ mess it up?
PS:A low-level format on XT-controllers is easy: g=c800:0005,
but How is this done on an AT? Ansdshould it be done before SETUP
validates my disk?
I hope someone can me help me,
Greetings,
Bram Stolk