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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!bene!luke!itkin
From: itkin@luke.UUCP (Steven List)
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards,net.periphs
Subject: Winchester disk bad sectors
Message-ID: <334@luke.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Sep-85 16:08:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: luke.334
Posted: Mon Sep  9 16:08:38 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Sep-85 08:36:17 EDT
Reply-To: itkin@luke.UUCP (Steven List)
Followup-To: net.periphs
Organization: Benetics Corp, Mt.View, CA
Lines: 28
Keywords: winchester disk spare sectors
Xref: watmath net.unix-wizards:14797 net.periphs:844

We are having a problem with our systems relative to bad sectors and dynamic
sparing of sectors/tracks/cylinders.

We are using systems that are running SYSIII/S5R2 using Fujitsu  Winchesters
(14"  -  145, 285, 570MB formatted).  Our vendor provides software to format
those disks.  The formatting software requires that the operator type  in  a
lengthy list of cylinder/track/head/sector information without errors.  This
is the first problem.

The second problem is that we have no  way  of  (1)  detecting  bad  sectors
except   empirically  or  (2)  sparing  sectors/tracks  dynamically  without
shutting down the system and running the formatter program.

Does anyone out there have a good  explanation  for  us?   Is  this  problem
generic  with  either Winchesters or Fujitsu disks or supermicros (68k based
or otherwise)?  Or is it a lack in our vendor's software?  While  the  disks
tend  to be pretty reliable, it is really unacceptable to have to dump .5GB,
reformat, and reload whenever a single bad sector is found.

If anyone has any software, pointers,  explanations,  and/or  directions  to
reference materials, they will be GREATLY appreciated.  Respond by Email and
I will summarize to the net.
-- 
***
*  Steven List @ Benetics Corporation, Mt. View, CA
*  Just part of the stock at "Uncle Bene's Farm"
*  {cdp,greipa,idi,oliveb,sun,tolerant}!bene!luke!itkin
***