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From: Dion_L_Johnson@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: low-level format
Message-ID: <1351@cup.portal.com>
Date: Sun, 8-Nov-87 13:27:23 EST
Article-I.D.: cup.1351
Posted: Sun Nov  8 13:27:23 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Nov-87 04:22:06 EST
References: <4678@zen.berkeley.edu> <149000005@inmet>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 26
XPortal-User-Id: 1.1001.1680


Once your disk has been low-level formatted, you dont need to do
it again unless you spawn new bad tracks.  Often this does NOT happen.
If it does, then you can do the low level format in several ways.
1. For IBM AT class machines with WD controller, there's a BIOS
address you can branch to which does the job.  See your controller/disk
manual.
2. Use one of several low-level format programs: SPeedstor is one I
know of.  I have seen some Public Domain ones; log in to your local
friendly BBS and search.
3. The IBM Advanced Diagnostics do the same thing.

However, if your disk is OK, but you just need to scrape off DOS
or XENIX, then run FDISK, from a booted DOS floppy. It will remove
any partitions you have, and let you create a new DOS partition.
If you are moving TO XENIX, you can just run a normal installation
which invokes XENIX fdisk (lets you create a XENIX partition to
cohabit with your DOS), as well as the "badtrk" utility which
deals with bad tracks.

If you are aiming at DOS, then after your low-level format, you need
to do a "high" level format, using the FORMAT command.  Remember to
use the /s option if you want a bootable hard disk.

If you cant find the low format stuff, email me and I will
send you some items which have come through in this conference that
are more specific.