Xref: utzoo comp.periphs.scsi:1147 alt.sys.sun:1548 Path: utzoo!utgpu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!hubcap!ncrcae!ncrlnk!ncr-mpd!Chuck.Phillips From: Chuck.Phillips@FtCollins.NCR.COM (Chuck.Phillips) Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi,alt.sys.sun Subject: Re: Formatting a MAXTOR 8760S Message-ID: Date: 28 Sep 90 06:02:10 GMT References: <1990Sep26.141029.20132@ataritx.uucp> Sender: uucp@ncr-mpd.FtCollins Organization: NCR Microelectronics, Ft. Collins, CO Lines: 45 In-reply-to: dwh@ataritx.uucp's message of 26 Sep 90 14:10:29 GMT >>>>> On 26 Sep 90 14:10:29 GMT, dwh@ataritx.uucp (Dave Hanna) said: Dave> How long should it take to format a MAXTOR 8760S? We're trying Dave> to install one on a Solbourne (Sun-clone), and the format command Dave> says that it will take 21 minutes (estimated). It's still going Dave> after 1 hour, ... _Assuming_ Solbourne's format command is the same as Sun's: The time estimate for the _format_ isn't outrageously far off. However, the _surface analysis_ that follows takes _much_ longer. If you want to test the disk with every data bit set to 1 and 0, you need to change your analysis parameters up for 5 passes over the disk using non-random values. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to define your own list of values to write then verify. Thus, this is the number of passes you need using _their_ predefined patterns. Dave> ...when the format program terminates it on a timeout error. Are you _sure_ your drive format parameters (and jumpers, etc.) are correct? Dave> I could feel the heads stepping by placing my hand on the drive, and Dave> timed it at 52 cylinders per minute, which implies that it ought to Dave> take about 32 minutes (1600+ cylinders), but it was still going long Dave> after that. Multiply this times the number of passes used for surface analysis and add the time needed for the format preceding the surface analysis. NOTE: A format pass takes less time than a surface analysis pass. Dave> So, how long should it take, and does anyone know of a way to keep it Dave> from terminating? Dave> Thanks. Dave> Dave Hanna Dave> UUCP: ...!texsun!letni!ataritx!dwh Dave> ...!ames!atari!dhanna Chuck Phillips MS440 NCR Microelectronics chuck.phillips%ftcollins.ncr.com 2001 Danfield Ct. Ft. Collins, CO. 80525 ...uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-mpd!bach!chuckp -- Chuck Phillips MS440 NCR Microelectronics chuck.phillips%ftcollins.ncr.com 2001 Danfield Ct. Ft. Collins, CO. 80525 ...uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-mpd!bach!chuckp