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From: rick@tmiuv0.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: NEED MORE HELP!! (formatting Quantum ProDrive)
Message-ID: <3757@tmiuv0.uucp>
Date: 30 Jul 90 11:40:06 GMT
References: <1990Jul25.190605.11054@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Technology Marketing Inc., Irvine, CA
Lines: 38

In article <1990Jul25.190605.11054@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>, wille@frith.msu.edu (Jeffrey Wille) writes:
> I recently posted an article requesting help on formatting my 40 Meg
> Quantum Prodrive w/ a CLtd host adaptor.  I had two responses, suggesting
> that I use the GenFormat program.  Thanks for your responses.  I tried it, 
> and it says
> 
> Formatting SCSI Address 0, Interleave 1 ...
> 
> After that, I hear the head move for a second, and then it says
> Format Status OK and quits.  Any more ideas?  Something I need to fix in
> my devsetup file?  It doesn't seem to make any difference whether or
> not I run devinstall.  Any additional help would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> 				Jeff Wille (wille@frith.egr.msu.edu)
> 					   (wille@happy.egr.msu.edu)
> 

Quantum drives don't actually do a low-level format.  Essentially, they
recalibrate (reseek track 0) and report "Done".  There are a few other
drives which do this.  "SCSI is a standard that isn't".

To my knowledge, the only way to low-level format a Quantum is to send it
back to Quantum.  Also, since no low-level format is actually done, Quantums
are prime candidates for the "0 in block 0" FFS bug.  There are other drives
with the same problem.  Hey, SCSI drive makers: either implement the command
or refuse it.  Don't fake it out.  It seems that several of the manufacturers
merely take the SCSI standard as a "strong suggestion".  Perhaps we need a
new division of the police known as the "SCSI Squad".

I'll get off my soapbox now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[- O] Rick Stevens
  ?   EMail: uunet!zardoz!tmiuv0!rick -or- uunet!zardoz!xyclone!sysop
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"I'm tellin' ya, Valiant!  Da whole ting stinks like yesterday's diapers!"
                                - Baby Herman in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
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