Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-sd!hp-sdd!hplabs!decwrl!purdue!iuvax!bsu-cs!pervect
From: pervect@bsu-cs.UUCP (Barrett Kreiner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Low-level formatting of hard-drive
Summary: Just a touch of magic
Message-ID: <5082@bsu-cs.UUCP>
Date: 11 Dec 88 18:18:15 GMT
References: <1988Dec10.094859.18130@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu>
Distribution: na
Organization: CS Dept, Ball St U, Muncie, Indiana
Lines: 41

In article <1988Dec10.094859.18130@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu>, sarathy@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Rajiv Sarathy) writes:
> How do I do it?
> 
> I'm planning on replacing the WD controller witha an OMTI 1:1 MFM controller.
> 
> The tech at the place of purchase told me that the HD will have to be
> reformatted (low-level) to tell it that interleave is now 1:1.
> 
> How do I do this?
> 
> He mentioned something like "DL /M", but I don't think this is a DOS command.
> 
> Help!
> 
> --Raj
If this OMTI follows standard controller protocol, then this little beaut 
should do the trick.
(pay attention now, tricks like this will get you labeled a "power user" :-])

execute debug from you floppy disk.
at the '-', do this:
-g=c800:5
on 90% of all hard disk controllers, this points to the assembler code for a 
low level format.  You should be prompted (different for all controllers)
on how you want to format the disk, including disk unit and interleave ratio.

I have not had experience with RLL controllers, so this is a "best guess".
I KNOW this works with hard disks from Segate, those that come with Zenith
and AT&T computers, and flashcards. 

Anyone know different?

From one undergrad to another, G'luck!
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