[iyonix-support] Re: Please help -- formatting a new HD

  • From: "David J. Ruck" <druck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: iyonix-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:20:38 GMT

On 3 Feb 2007 list@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> On 04 Feb, David J. Ruck <druck@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > On 3 Feb 2007 "Anton Mans" <anton.mans@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > I am about to reformat the HD that came with my Iyonix, 
> > The only problem is reformatting the wrong drive. 
> 
> What are the recommended choices when dealing with 
> a new 120gb drive (my choices shown):
> 
> NEW WD 120gb 
> HForm (v2.54)
>   Drive LBA flag? (1) 
>   Heads? (16) 
>   Sectors per track? (189)
>   Cylinders (77527)
>   Drive parameter init flag? (1)
>   Parking Cylinder? (77527)
>   defect list (a)
>   Format or Initialise? (i) 
> 
> Were my choices correct?

Yes, if they are the defaults offered. It adds up to the expected
120 (marketing bull) GB, 111.8 (true) GB.
 
> Would there be other recommended choices when dealing with an existing
> Iyonix 120gb drive which was partitioned, as in Anton's case?

The drive isn't strictly partitioned as far as ADFS is concerned, you
just chose a smaller number of cylinders so not all the space is used.
 
> I recently fitted a new 120gb and was confused by the options offered
> by HForm, such as the soaktest, drive LBA flag, sectors per
> track, no more changes to defect list, and ... "Format or just
> initialise"? 

The trouble is HFORM dates back to the ark and these options just aren't
useful anymore. You should leave the defect list as is, initialise rather
than format, and dont bother with the soak test.

> If it's true that new HDDs never need actual formatting, then it would
> be helpful to the general user if the correct term 'initialise' was
> used by all.

What is needed is HFORM to be thrown in skip, and a new generic formatter
written that just does it. With only two advanced options of the size to
format to (if less than the entire disc) and the LFAU (for those who really
know what they are doing).

Cheers
---Dave

-- 
____________________________________________________________________________

  David J. Ruck    Phone: +44- (0)7974 108301    Email: druck@xxxxxxxxxxxx
____________________________________________________________________________
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