Low Level Format

[reddog4629]

Got an IBM Aptiva 2159/s78(p200). The hd won't fdisk, format,etc. data errors on track 0. I've been to IBM's site and looked everywhere for a L/L formatter-no luck. How do I do a L/L format on this 3.2G HD(IBM)?

[Susan]

Have you checked in the BIOS to see if the utility is there?

Normally, I would not suggest using a LLF from within the BIOS because of incompatibilities, but since it's an IBM system, an IBM rewritten BIOS, and with what should be an IBM HD...well, you get the point.

[Axel]

You might also try the free utility on the western digital home page - called disk lifeguard. It has diag tools and a low level format utility that might help.

Basically, low level format means writing nothing but 0's to the entire media of the drive which can be accessed.

If there is significant damage to the first track, this might help.

Sometimes, the significant damage to the first track message can be a white herring however - you might have a damaged read/write head which can't access any track. In that case, the drive is a door stop and you'd be best advised to buy a new one or return it for repair to IBM who will probably send you a new one instead of trying to repair the old one, as I don't think they make-um that small anymore.

Wish you luck - got two similar problems here I haven't had time to play with.

[This message has been edited by Axel (edited 01-20-2000).]

[reddog4629]

Found a utility at IBM that flagged and went around the bad track0. It's used for initial installs of this particular drive.
Thankx all for the help. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif