RE: SCSI dead?

["James Clark, Jr." <jclarkj gate net>]

I am not sure of the present disk. But for future reference, IDE drives
larger than 560MB, I think, but maybe 540MB cannot be low level formated.
This will destroy the sync-tracks or whatever the drive uses to be
functional. I like SCSI drives because it is in the definition, a SCSI
command, to do a low level format. BUT YOU MUST USE SCSI TO DO IT.
Basically what happens when you use Ctl-A to do a low-level format the
controller sends a command to the firm-ware of the drive to init itself. Now
the firmware knows what to do with the size and configuration of the disk.
Thus not corrupting the drive.

If all you hear is a clacking noise, then your drive is probably dead.

James

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mick M [mailto:mrkingdaddysir yahoo com]
> Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 3:08 AM
> To: redhat-install-list redhat com
> Subject: SCSI dead?
>
>
> Hello;
>      I know that this is the "redhat-install-list", and my problem is
> somewhat related. I bought a scsi drive to install onto, and a
> controller. The drive is a DEC DSP3053 500Meg, and the controller is
> Adaptec 2842.
>       Both worked OK under DOS, fdisk and formatted. Being new to SCSI
> i forgot to terminate the drive, format went slowly and died.
>       Like a complete idiot I used Ontrack Disk Manager to low level
> format the drive. This is a "magic cure" for balky IDE drives.
>       I left for dinner, when I came back the drive was "clacking"
> loudly. Have I killed it?
>       Doing a ctl-A at boot up lets me use the SCSI formatter on the
> Adaptec card, (now I find it!), error 04. The thing sits and "clacks"
> even with no controller plugged into it.
>      Any help or advice would be nice, sorry if this is too far off
> topic.
>            Mick M.
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